Learning English Podcast - January 03, 2025
VOA Learning English Podcast - VOA Learning English
Deep Dive
What is Sevdalinka and why is it significant?
Sevdalinka is an ancient form of love song from Bosnia and Herzegovina, often referred to as the Balkan Blues. It dates back to the 1500s and is a mix of South Slavic spoken poetry and Ottoman Empire music. Recently, it was included in UNESCO's National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage, highlighting its cultural importance. It is traditionally performed a cappella or with instruments like the lute and has been passed down through generations at family gatherings.
How has modern music influenced Sevdalinka?
Younger musicians like Damir Imamovic have modernized Sevdalinka, bringing it to global audiences. Imamovic, whose family has a history of performing Sevdalinka, won awards for Best European Album in 2020 and 2021. His Sevda Lab project promotes the genre internationally and supported its inclusion on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
How can you ask someone about their holiday activities in English?
To ask about holiday activities, use open-ended questions starting with 'What did you do...?' For example, 'What did you do for Christmas?' or 'What did you do on New Year's Eve?' These questions encourage detailed responses, such as 'I went to my grandparents' house' or 'We saw our cousins.'
What are some polite ways to summon someone in English?
Polite ways to summon someone include phrases like 'Could you come here, please?' or 'Could you come to my office, please?' For more formal situations, 'blank would like to see you' or 'blank wants to see you' are commonly used. The phrase 'would like' is considered more polite and formal.
What is the significance of the Blue Hotel in Stephen Crane's story?
The Blue Hotel in Stephen Crane's story is a vivid, light-blue building that stands out in the dull winter landscape of Nebraska. It serves as a central setting where travelers, including a Swede, a cowboy, and an Easterner, are drawn in by the hotel owner, Pat Scully. The hotel becomes a place of tension and conflict, particularly as the Swede expresses irrational fears of being killed, leading to a dramatic confrontation.
Why does the Swede in 'The Blue Hotel' feel threatened?
The Swede in 'The Blue Hotel' feels threatened due to his irrational fear and paranoia. He repeatedly claims that men have been killed in the hotel and insists he will be killed there too. His behavior, including nervous laughter and trembling, suggests he is deeply frightened, though the other characters find his fears baseless and confusing.
Shownotes Transcript