Unit 6 Nature in words

Using language

7 Listen to the conversation and answer the questions.

F: Morning, Grandpa!

M: [grumpily] Morning, Suzie.

F: Grandpa, is there something wrong? You seem a bit upset.

M: Yes, well.. I'm sorry, Suzie. It's just that I've been reading this new book called Landmarks by Robert Macfarlane, and something he wrote about has made me rather annoyed.

F: What is it?

M: He explained that many words describing nature were now missing from the new version of the junior dictionary.

F: I don't quite understand. Can you give me some examples?

M: Well, words such as "pasture" and "bluebell".

F: I don't know those words. What do they mean?

M: The former means a field of grass for cows and horses to eat. "Bluebells" are blue flowers shaped like bells.

F: I've never heard of them. Why would they take them out of the dictionary?

M: Well, according to Macfarlane, the main reason for doing this is that these words are no longer relevant to children. Instead, they've replaced them with new terms like "blog".

F: I don't know, maybe the dictionary has a point. Most children don't get out into nature that much nowadays. They spend much of their time on computers, for instance. I think the new terms they added are words we hear in our everyday use.

M: Ah! That may be true, but it's a pity.

F: In what way?

M: Two reasons, I think. Firstly, children are losing the joy of being young, of being outside under the trees with grass under their feet. Secondly, these words form part of our history. They add colour to our lives, and shouldn't be lost.

F: I'm not so sure, Grandpa. Young people might not get out into nature much, but we still experience joy. And as for losing words... well, you don't remember all the words from Shakespeare's day, do you?

M: Er.. well, no...

F: Exactly! Times change. Computers play a large part in our lives now. Consider social media. It is as normal to us now as... what was that funny old word you said? Posture?

M: Pasture, Suzie!

F: Yes. Social media is as normal to young people as pasture is to you.

M: [sighs]

F: [laughs]I know what would cheer you up. Let's go for a walk outside.

M: Aha! See? You can't beat nature, Suzie, eh? [both laugh]