环球英语 — 453：Listener Mail 99

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Voice 1

Welcome to Spotlight. I'm Liz Waid.

Voice 2

And I'm Steve Myersco. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.

Voice 1

Today's Spotlight is on YOU! We make programs about all kinds of things - Olympic runners, women's issues, new food and energy sources, and more! And we ask you to tell us your opinions on the issues people face every day. In today's Spotlight we will look at some of the comments and questions we have received from you, our listeners.

Voice 2

Our first comments today are from Adem. Adem commented on two separate programs. But they were both comments about a similar theme. They both had to do with caring for other people and the world around us. Adem asked some important questions.

Voice 1

Adem wrote first about the program called "Peace for One Day: The Power of Friendship." In that program we told about International Peace Day. This day happens every year on September 21st. People everywhere are encouraged to stop fighting on this day. This stop in fighting can be life-saving for people trapped in war areas. But it can also be an important lesson in peace! It is a time for people to think about all the effects of war.

Voice 2

Adem wrote to us about something we did not say in the program. He wrote that war does not only affect people. Adem writes:

Voice 3

"We always forget that peace is not only needed for people, but it is also necessary for animals and the environment. We are sharing this planet with them. They are our life-long friends. If they could explain their ideas, they would always reject fighting. The local animals are at risk during war. People are the most important creatures in the world. But that does not give us the right to use the world only for ourselves."

Voice 1

Adem, you are completely correct. War can also have an extremely damaging effect on animals and the environment! Animals may have to leave their homes. Rare animals may become even more rare or even disappear. Weapons may damage trees and plants. But people still depend on animals and the environment to survive. So, by hurting them, we also continue to hurt ourselves.

Voice 2

Adem also wrote another comment to Spotlight with the theme of thinking about others. He heard the program "Finding a Home for Young People." In that program we told about a group that helps young people who have no homes find shelter and jobs. Adem writes:

Voice 3

"Most of us as people never care what is happening around us. Luckily a few good men and women are doing their responsibility. I wonder why a person is good at thinking about others? I really wonder."

Voice 1

Thanks for this interesting question! What does make a person more likely to think about other people? What makes a person want to take responsibility for caring for others? Is everyone equally able to do that? Or are some people better at it than others?

Voice 2

Caring for others takes a lot of effort. It is easy to think about our own busy lives, or our own experiences. But we can all probably do more. Just like we depend on animals and the environment, we need other people to live too. Communities are always stronger than single people. So, the responsibility for caring for others is for all of us. Thanks for your comments Adem. You have really made us all think!

Voice 1

You know what that sound means! It's time for Spotlight's Language Hodgepodge. In today's Hodgepodge we will tell about a few English words you might not want to learn!

Voice 2

Recently, a college in the United States called people on the telephone in a poll. They asked people to rate a group of words. The college asked people which words they liked the least. The results?

Voice 1

In second place, the two words "you know." So, what makes those words annoying, or horrible to hear? You know, many people speaking English may use these words when they are too lazy to, you know, think of better words. They are not putting good effort into using language well, you know. You know, people may also say it over and over again in just a few sentences!

Voice 2

I can see how that is annoying! So what was in first place as the most annoying word in this telephone poll?

Voice 1

Whatever.

Voice 2

That's it! This word became very popular after a film and song used it in the 1990s. This word is annoying because it means that the person who says it just does not care. Imagine you are in an argument. Suddenly, the other person says "whatever" and walks away! But you still have more to say!

Voice 1

So, you know, when you are trying to avoid some bad English words, be sure you choose your words carefully.

Voice 2

Whatever!

Voice 1

Our last comment today comes from Daniel. He wrote to Spotlight about the program, "Bullfighting: Art or Sport?" In that program we told about the Spanish sport of bullfighting. In this sport a group of men fight a bull - a male cow. Many people believe this sport is terrible. It is unkind to the animal. It includes a lot of blood. But other people argue that bullfighting is also an art! It is a complex series of actions. Bullfighting is a tradition. Daniel wrote:

Voice 4

"Fighting a bull is dangerous. If it is part of the Spanish culture, there is nothing we can say against it. But I am still concerned about the bloody spectacle people see. Witnessing such a sport or art may have something to do with the Roman circus of the first century? It does not seem right to me, but maybe because I belong to a different culture. However, we must look at the moral issues about death and life."

Voice 2

Thanks for your comment Daniel. It is difficult to judge a sport or art from another culture. It may have traditions that other people cannot see or understand. But you are right. Where should people stop calling it art, and start calling it a bad thing? It is interesting that you compare bullfighting to the Roman circuses from long ago.

Voice 1

To us today, ancient Roman entertainment was very bloody. In fact, experts estimate that about 500,000 people died in the Roman Coliseum. And over a million [1,000,000] wild animals died there too. It was certainly bloody. At that time, people accepted this as entertainment. But today, we have a very different opinion.

Voice 2

Thank you for sharing your opinion Daniel. And thank you to Adem too! That is all we have time for in today's Listener Mail program. But as always, you can share your opinions with us at any time! Leave a comment on the script page of any program. Or visit our message boards to talk with other English learners. We may read your comments next time!