The Wisdom of Keeping Quiet – step 2
The Wisdom of Keeping Quiet – answers
Yvonne: Hi, I’m Yvonne Archer, this is ‘6-minute English‘ and with me today is 1 Callum Robertson. Hello Callum!
There is a hyphen between 6 and minute because the time phrase is being used adjectivally. Eg A two-day conference.
Callum: Hello Yvonne!
Yvonne: Today, words of wisdom. Callum – are you wise enough to explain the word ‘wisdom’ for us?
Callum: Well, I’ll give it a go 2! I’d say that ‘wisdom’ is something that usually comes to us as we gain more knowledge and experiences in life. And a wise person knows and understands how to make sensible decisions based on 3 that knowledge and on those experiences even when the decisions are difficult.
Some practice here on the ‘s’ sound!
Yvonne: Nice explanation 4.
Callum: Oh, well thank you!
Yvonne: So that’s why older people are usually the wisest because they’ve had more time to gather knowledge and experiences in life – like Callum!
Callum: Are you saying I’m old?!
Yvonne: Didn’t say anything! So wise words there from a wise man – Callum. But before we hear more on 5 today’s topic, are you wise enough to get today’s question right, Callum?
Callum: Oh, I hope so!
Yvonne: Good. Who said "Life is like an onion: you peel it off one layer at a time and sometimes you weep." Was it:
a) Carl Sandburg
b) Alan Bennet – or
c) Confucius?
Callum: I don’t know who Carl Sandburg is 6, Alan Bennet is a British writer, Confucius is an old philosopher… I’m going to say Confucius – I don’t know but I’ll say Confucius.
Yvonne: Nice choice 7 – but we’ll find out whether you’re right or wrong later on 8.
Now in today’s report about 9 words of wisdom – words and sayings which can help us understand how to be successful in life – we’ll come across the word ‘diplomacy’, You’ve probably heard it before in news reports but let’s get Callum to tell us about it anyway.
Callum: Well, ‘diplomacy’ is – I suppose it’s a skill really. It’s an ability to say and do things without offending or upsetting people. And in news reports, we sometimes hear about ‘diplomats’ – and it’s their job to work in international relations, helping countries develop good relationships with each other.
Yvonne: But if someone says you’re ‘diplomatic’ – it isn’t always a compliment 10, is it?
Callum: Well no, not always. Some people might find it offensive 11 if we don’t tell them exactly what we mean or how we feel because we’re trying to be kind – we’re trying to be diplomatic – we don’t want to upset 12 them. And that can leave some people wondering what we really mean.
Yvonne: Thanks Callum. So now 13, the BBC’s 14 Vanessa Feltz recently did a show about wisdom and the key to success – happiness in life. As she tells us what one listener said, try to find out which three areas of life they’re talking about…
The apostrophe followed by s indicates that Vanessa Feltz was employed by the BBC.
VANESSA FELTZ
Communication is the key to success but use diplomacy at home, at work – wherever you are. There may well be people listening 15 who think the very opposite is true: keep quiet – silence is the key to success in romance and at work.
Yvonne: Callum, which three areas of life does Vanessa mention there?
Callum: Well she was talking about finding the key to success in life at home, life at work and also in romance – in our love lives.
Yvonne: Oooh! So all areas of life really. But, is it better to keep quiet if there’s an argument or is it better to communicate in a diplomatic way – so, talk about things without upsetting the other person 16?
Callum: Umm – well that’s a difficult question because of course, it depends on the situation, your relationship, the person you’re talking to 17. For example, how old are they, how well do you know them and how do they get angry? Very quickly or not? All these things you have to think about 18.
Yvonne: Yes, it’s a tricky 19 question. Now in the next part of Vanessa’s programme on words of wisdom, she uses some really lovely phrases. First, ‘to keep schtum‘. Callum?
Callum: ‘To keep schtum‘ – well it’s actually a mixture of English and Yiddish, which is the Jewish language. But it’s an expression that we use in everyday 20 English as well. ‘To keep schtum‘ – it means to keep quiet and not say anything.
Remember that you may have breakfast every day, but if you use this as an adjective meaning daily or commonplace, the words are joined together. A similar example of this rule is: We meet for coffee twice a week. We have a twice-weekly meeting.
Yvonne: Lovely. We’ll also hear the word ‘fence’ as in the term ‘to sit on the fence’ and, to ‘not state your case either way’. Don’t those terms have similar meanings, Callum?
Callum: Yes, they do. If you ‘sit on the fence‘ and don’t get off, or you ‘don’t state your case‘, you don’t tell people what you think and whether you agree with them or not. And in an argument, it’s not clear whose side you’re on 21.
Yvonne: Okay – here’s Vanessa again. She speaks a little more quickly this time – but try to catch those phrases…
VANESSA FELTZ
If you just keep ‘schtum‘ and ride out 22 the bad situation, you don’t say anything, you don’t get off the fence. In fact, you don’t register at all. You’re just, quiet, quiet, laid-back and retiring, it will all go away – or it will all improve on its own and you won’t have had to state your case either way. We’re taking calls on 23 wisdom this morning -‘wisdom’ you know that word – ‘sagacity’ – another lovely word for wisdom!
Yvonne: Wow, Vanessa really loves the English language, doesn’t she?! But I don’t think anyone has enough ‘sagacity’ – wisdom – to know all the answers in life.
Callum: Well, ‘a sage’ might – and that’s another word for a wise man, ‘a sage’.
Yvonne: And luckily, Callum – you’re my sage.
Callum: Ahh.
Yvonne: So please, don’t get today’s big question wrong! Who said "Life is like an onion: you peel it (off) one layer at a time and sometimes you weep"?
Callum: Well, I took a guess at 24 Confucius.
Yvonne: And your guess was …wrong.
Callum: Oh no, not again!
Yvonne: Sorry, Callum. Yes, it was Carl Sandburg – an American poet. Now that’s all we’ve got time for today. But do join us again 25 next time for more ‘6-Minute English‘ when we’ll all be a little older – and hopefully a lot wiser!
Callum/Yvonne: Goodbye!