環(huán)球英語 — 163：Listener Mail 83

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Voice 1

Hello. I’m Marina Santee.

Voice 2

And I’m Ruby Jones. Welcome to Spotlight. This programme uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.

Voice 1

Welcome to our listener mail programme! We begin with a letter from Luis Atamirano in Ecuador. He writes;

Voice 3

‘I am very happy listening to the English programme. Even my daughter is practising and speaking some conversations. It is really nice. We are improving! This is necessary because I work in a travel agency. So, every day I meet people from different countries!’

Voice 2

Thanks for writing, Luis! You must meet lots of interesting people in a travel agency. It is a good place to learn about different countries - and languages. We are happy that Spotlight is helping you talk to customers there!

Voice 1

Dennis Pitman is a good friend of Spotlight. He teaches students in the Dalat English Club, Vietnam. He wrote to us with some ideas for future programmes. He writes:

Voice 4

“There is a large Turkish community in Australia. And the government has finally invited them to join in with their ANZAC Day parade. This parade celebrates the terrible battle of World War One in Gallipoli, Turkey. This follows on from something that the Turkish leader, Kamal Ataturk, wrote over ninety years ago.”

Voice 1

Dennis talks about some of Ataturk’s amazing words. They are written on a battlefield memorial stone. He remembers them like this: “Mothers of Australia, your sons are our sons now...”

Voice 2

Thank you for telling us about this story, Dennis. Here is a little more about it:

Voice 1

The Battle of Gallipoli was one of the most important in World War One. It was fought in Turkey from April 1915 to January 1916. The British and French armies were trying to open a safe travelling path through Turkey. They needed this to take supplies to their Russian allies. And they hoped to force the opposing countries into a conflict in a new area. So, the British and French forces tried to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula from the Turkish army. This long, thin piece of land was the door to the Black Sea. The armies could reach Russia with supplies by crossing the Black Sea. So, gaining control of Gallipoli was extremely important.

Voice 2

Soldiers from Australia and New Zealand fought with the British and French soldiers at Gallipoli. They were known as ANZACs - the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps. They fought very bravely at Gallipoli. And many of them died. In fact, thousands of soldiers on both sides were killed. The Allied forces did not capture Gallipoli. And the Turkish army kept control of the peninsula. The whole plan had been a failure. But the people of Australia and New Zealand have not forgotten the bravery of their soldiers. Every year, on the twenty fifth [25th] of April, they celebrate ANZAC Day. And now, the large community of Turkish people in Australia will join the celebration too. Their country also lost many young men at Gallipoli. And the countries and their people are not enemies today.

Voice 1

Dennis spoke about some words on the ANZAC memorial stone at Gallipoli. Kamal Ataturk said them in 1934. People call Ataturk the ‘father of modern Turkey’. He was one of the Turkish generals fighting at Gallipoli. And he became the first president of modern Turkey. Here are his words about the battle:

Voice 4

“You are heroes who spilled your blood and lost your lives. You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.

So, rest in peace.

There is no difference to us between the Allied soldier and the Turkish soldier.

They lie side by side in this country of ours. You, the mothers,

You sent your sons from far away countries. Wipe away your tears.

Your sons are now lying close to our hearts and are in peace.

They lost their lives on our land.

So they have become our sons as well.”

Voice 1

Thanks for letting us know about ANZAC Day, Dennis! If you have any ideas for a Spotlight programme, write and tell us! Our e-mail address is: radio @ english . net

Voice 2

Now, a letter from Luiz! He writes;

Voice 5

‘I am fifty six years old. I never studied English at school. But now, I am studying at home, by myself.’

Voice 2

That is great, Luiz! Spotlight is designed for people to use anywhere - at home, at work. Some listeners even listen on a boat! Luiz asked about programme 2961. He would like to print the script. He wants to learn the words he does not know. And then, he wants to listen and read at the same time. Well Luiz, you can do this through our website! Programme 2961 is on ‘World Health Day: Farming Methods.’ Go to our website and look for this programme name. You can print the script from there: www.radio.english.net

Voice 1

And now, it is time for our Spotlight language Hodgepodge!

This week is the International Day of Biological Diversity. The United Nations declared May the 22nd as this day. They did this to increase understanding about biodiversity issues! So, for today’s hodgepodge, here is Liz Waid with a special short feature on biodiversity!

Voice 6

The word biodiversity combines the words biology and diversity, or difference. People who study science use this word to talk about the number of different kinds of living things on the earth. Right now, some scientists are concerned that the number of different kinds of animals is decreasing. Many animals are becoming extinct - that is, the very last animal of its kind dies. Over ninety nine point nine [99.9] percent of all the animals that have ever lived are extinct. They do not exist any more. Think of all the biodiversity there would be if they were all still living!

For the year 2008, the central idea is ‘Biodiversity and Agriculture’. Agriculture and farming methods have an important effect on the systems of the planet. Environmental experts encourage farmers to choose and use methods that will protect biodiversity. For one example of this, look on our website for the programme World Health Day: Farming Methods.’

But biodiversity is not just about farming methods! It is about how individuals and communities care for the planet - and the life on it. May the 22nd is a good time to act in your community!