一起听英语 211 皇家宝贝

王子和王妃的小王子，皇家小王子......

Rob: Ah, what a familiar sound - a baby crying! Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English,

I'm Rob…

Neil: ….and I’m Neil, hello. So Rob, is that the sound of the new royal baby?

Rob: No – it’s not the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s new-born baby – although I’m

sure their little one is just as loud!

Neil: Yes – we know all about babies, don’t we Rob, because we are parents. We know all

about childbirth – well, almost as much as our wives – and all the advice people give

us about caring for our children.

Rob: We do – hold on, I’ll just calm this baby down (Baby stops crying) – that’s better. So,

I might have excellent parenting skills but how different are they to the ones William

and Kate will need? We’ll be discussing that soon and looking at some of the

language of having a baby. But first, how about a question, Neil?

Neil: Good idea.

Rob: How well do you know the British royal family? Do you know when Prince William –

the father of the new baby – was born? Was it on:

a) 21st May 1982

b) 21st June 1982

c) 21st October 1982

Neil: I don’t really remember but I’m going to go for b) 21st June 1982.

Rob: Ok - I’ll let you know the answer later on. But now let’s get back to 2013 and the

arrival of the latest member of the royal family. Neil, when your baby was born, how

did you announce it – or tell people?

6 Minute English ©bbclearningenglish.com 2013

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Neil: With my first child I phoned and texted. With my second child only two years later it

was all about Facebook.

Rob: Indeed. Well, when my daughter was born in the maternity unit at our local

hospital, I sent out texts messages to my friends and family. I know people also send

out cards or photos of the baby.

Neil: And then later some people have a baby shower – not a shower with water – but a

party where people give presents for the baby.

Rob: I’m sure the royal baby will get a lot of presents but when royal births are

announced, there is a lot of protocol – or special, traditional ways of doing things.

Neil: Yes, when Prince Charles was born in 1948, the announcement was very formal.

Listen to the words that were used in this BBC broadcast….

BBC Newsreader:

It has just been announced from Buckingham Palace that her Royal Highness, Princess Elizabeth,

Duchess of Edinburgh was safely delivered of a prince at 9.14pm and that her Royal Highness and

her son are both doing well. Listeners will wish us to offer their royal congratulations to Princess

Elizabeth and the Royal Family on this happy occasion.

Rob: So, the newsreader very formally gave the good news that Princess Elizabeth – now

Queen Elizabeth – was ‘safely delivered of a prince’.

Neil: Delivered – that sounds like delivering a letter – but here it means ‘gave birth to a

baby’. The newsreader also said that people want to give their ‘royal

congratulations’.

Rob: Yes, and he described it as ‘a happy occasion’ – so a happy moment and something

to celebrate. But now, once it was officially announced, news about the latest royal

birth spread quickly around the world via social media.

Neil: It is the 21st Century Rob - and I think this new baby will have a very different

upbringing – that’s the way parents look after the baby. Of course William and Kate

will have the benefit of having a nanny – someone to help out with childcare and

doing the housework around the palace.

6 Minute English ©bbclearningenglish.com 2013

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Rob: Very nice. But it has been reported they want to become more involved in caring for

their baby than royal parents did in the past. They don’t want the nanny to be a

replacement mother.

Neil: Well that’s good to hear and by showing modern parenting skills it may set an

example to other parents.

Rob: Of course the new baby is going to lead a very different life to our children. One

thing is for sure, ours won’t become king. But babies from all backgrounds need

feeding and changing. Not everything about having children is great eh Neil?

Neil: That’s true. I don’t think I’m going to miss those dirty nappies. So come on Rob, it’s

time you gave me the answer to the question.

Rob: Earlier I asked you if you knew when Prince William – the baby’s father – was born?

Neil: And I said 21st June 1982.

Rob: You are right. He was born in June 1982 – so would you say he is quite young to be

a father?

Neil: These days I suppose he is quite young, compared with me, yes – but those

sleepless nights will make him feel older!

Rob: OK Neil, could you remind us of some of the vocabulary that we heard today.

Neil: little one

maternity unit

a baby shower

protocol

delivered

upbringing

nanny

nappies

Rob: Thanks Neil. OK that's it for this programme. Do join us again soon for more 6

Minute English.

Both: Bye