Voice 1
Welcome to Spotlight's Listener Mail program. I'm Adam Navis.
Voice 2
And I'm Liz Waid. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1
People around the world listen to our programs. They offer their thoughts and opinions on our website. Today, we share some of your comments.
Voice 2
Our first comment today comes from Nyamsuren in Mongolia. He heard the program "Mongolian Nomads". In that program we told about the traditions and people of Mongolia. Nyamsuren wanted to correct something he heard in that program. He heard this part of that program.
Excerpt from "Mongolian Nomads"
"May your bucket be full with milk.
May it be as you say.
May your wool be soft as silk.
May it be as you say.
These are common greetings, or welcomes, from Mongolia..."
Voice 2
Nyamsuren wrote:
Voice 3
"These are not greetings. These are blessings."
Voice 2
Thank you for writing to us. In this case, "greetings" was a poor word choice to describe these words. They are more like blessings, or "good wishes". Thanks for correcting us! Nyamsuren also told us about a Mongolian tradition that was not in our program.
Voice 3
"I will tell you a little about the Mongolian tradition called 'Naadam'. So many years ago, in peaceful times, Mongolian fighters and young boys prepared for battle by practicing. In the summer time they organize a competition that has three parts – wrestling, archery, and horse racing. Over time, this competition lost its original purpose. But people still enjoy this competition and celebrate it. If you want to visit Mongolia the best time is in July. That is because we celebrate Naadam in July."
Voice 2
That sounds like an interesting event! In fact, it is included on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This list aims to protect important cultural traditions from around the world. They want to let people know that events like this are important to save. Thank you again, Nyamsuren!
Voice 1
Our next comments come from the program "Angelina Atyam: The Forgiveness of a Mother". This program told the story of Angelina Atyam. Her daughter was kidnapped. She was forced to become a child soldier. Angelina was angry at the army who kidnapped her daughter. But, she still forgave them! It was not easy. Nature187_VN wrote:
Voice 4
"We should learn how to forgive for problems in the past. Life is only really beautiful with a free soul. We will pray for children who have been murdered and kidnapped. We hope for world peace, not evil. Thanks for this story."
Voice 1
It is often easy to SAY we want to forgive. But many of us know that it is very difficult to actually forgive a person. So it is powerful to see a real story of someone who could forgive like this. Also, we join you in praying for the children who have been murdered and kidnapped. No child should have a life like this.
Voice 2
We also released another program about a mother called "Mother to Many". In that program we told about JoeAnn Ballard. Through her life, JoeAnn cared for seventy five children who needed a family! Many of these children needed love and a home. And that is exactly what JoeAnn and her husband gave them. Nature187_VN wrote:
Voice 4
"This is a meaningful story. When we read this story, we should be thankful for the things we have. Around the world there are still many people who have unfortunate, or sad, lives. In the future, if I become rich, I will certainly help them. Happiness is only real when you share it with everyone. What you share, you will receive double."
Voice 2
Another listener agreed. Batool wrote:
Voice 5
"This is a great story. I think if everyone thought like JoeAnne the world would be a better place. I agree with Nature187_VN: Happiness is only real when you share it with everyone."
Voice 1
Our final comments today come from the program "The Story of Paper". This program was about the history and importance of paper. Today, producing paper creates a lot of waste. So, we included ways people could reduce the waste they produce by using paper. Witchdalat suggested other ways people could avoid using paper:
Voice 5
"After reading this story I remember when I was a child, about five years old. I had only a black paper notebook and a pencil to write with to go to school. My "paper" in that time was my house wall, the hard cement on the ground, banana leaves. And I used black charcoal or a wooden stick to write. My father made a sand board for me. I wrote numbers on it. I erased them and wrote again on it many times. In my company, as well as in other state companies, everyone wastes a lot of paper. They often do not carefully make sure that there are no mistakes before printing. We do not have a document management system, so everything uses paper. It wastes material and time."
Voice 1
And GelezniyDen believes that in the future, we will slowly reduce the amount of paper we use through technology.
Voice 4
"Today when I read and write letters I always use my computer. Before, when I studied in school and university, I often used notebooks. These were created from paper. And I think in the future this problem will be solved. People will use their computers to make documents instead of paper. So, as a result, the amount of paper we use will be reduced."
Voice 1
Thanks for sharing your experiences. It is true that technology has a big effect on how we are using paper. Maybe you are right! Maybe in the future we will depend less on paper and more on machines.
Voice 2
And thank you to everyone who has written to us. If you would like to share your thoughts and opinions, just visit the script page of any program.
Voice 1
We also have a discussion board. Anyone can take part. Just go to our website at http://www.radioenglish.net. Then click on the link at the top that says "discuss". Join in discussions about jokes around the world. Or, have you ever wondered who else listens to Spotlight? In a discussion post called "Who are you?" you can see who is listening! And you can also add your answers if you want to. Of course, you can also start your own discussion too.
Voice 2
And you can join us on Facebook. There, we provide a "Word of the Day" every day during the week. And we also post interesting information that you may not know. And during the first week of every month we celebrate a different country. Come join us there to meet new people and learn about new places in the world!
Voice 1
The writer and producer of this program was Liz Waid. The voices were from the United States. All quotes have been adapted for this program and voiced by Spotlight. You can hear this program again, and read it, on the internet at http://www.radioenglish.net. This program is called "Listener Mail 115". We hope you can join us again for the next Spotlight program. Goodbye!
*Some of the music in this program came from the Mongolian group Mongol Ayalguu and from Podington bear. |