环球英语 — 468：Listener Mail 100
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Welcome to Spotlight. I'm Joshua Leo.
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And I'm Liz Waid. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
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Welcome to Spotlight's Listener Mail program! Our first comment today comes from Moon. Moon heard the program called Fyodor Dostoyevsky, about the famous Russian writer. Early in his life, Dostoyevsky was arrested for his writing. He was sentenced to four years' hard labour in a Siberian prison camp. When he left the prison camp, he continued to write. He used his experiences and the people he met in prison. His stories explored ideas of evil, freedom and belief in God. But in his stories, love is always stronger than evil. Moon wrote,
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"This is a very nice story that shows how important love is in human lives. People must see each other as relatives and care about others' problems as if they were ours. We are all the same species and we have many things in common. But people do not see that. Probably the day in which other creatures are discovered in other planets, then humans will unite and see each other as a whole. Thank you very much for this program. It is very useful to learn about other cultures and thoughts.
Voice 2
Thanks for your comment, Moon! You have a very interesting thought. People often dream of life on other planets. In science fiction television or radio shows about space travels we may see aliens, creatures from other planets. Some may be hostile. In these stories even humans who disagree often stay together to fight a common enemy. A common enemy usually unites people.
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But it would be so great if people could understand the good results of uniting, even if there is not a common enemy to face. Think how much more good people could do!
Voice 2
Our next comment also came from a program about an inspiring person. Khadijah commented on the program called Viktor Frankl. In that program we told about the life of Viktor Frankl. He lived during World War Two and experienced life in the Auschwitz prison camp. This prison camp was a place of terrible suffering. Prisoners in the camp lacked basic needs like food, clothing, medicine and shelter. But even through all these horrible things, Viktor still held hope. He wrote about his experience there.
Frankl's words have influenced many people, including Khadijah. She had a teacher who quoted Frankl. She says:
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"At that point I began to take a serious look at the prisons I had made around myself and I began my own search for meaning. Overcoming thirty years of addiction and abuse has taught me that I can learn from my sufferings, yet, I do not have to continue that suffering to learn. Today I am a student, at sixty years old, a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, a loving and responsible daughter and community-minded citizen... I will continue this journey to seek clarity with dignity and respect. I have a choice and I know that. No one can take that away from me ever!"
Voice 2
Khadijah, what a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing it with us and other listeners. It takes great courage to find our way out of troubles like addiction and abuse. Changing can be very difficult, and we are very happy to hear how successful you are now.
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Our final comment today came to us through our discussion forums on the Spotlight website. If you have not yet visited these forums, we would love to see you there! It is a good place to practice your English, and also meet other people who are learning English everywhere in the world.
Voice 2
Well, recently, the user Savage asked a question about a few common English words. Here was his question:
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"As I was listening to another program, I learned a new word - latrine. But what puzzled me were similar words like lavatory, bathroom, washroom, and toilet. I am wondering about the use of those words - especially bathroom and washroom. Very often they are used interchangeably. Maybe someone can explain the correct use of these words?"
Voice 2
Well Savage, as we thought about how to answer your question we realized it was a very complex situation! And it is even more complex because in this case, American English and British English are a little different.
Voice 1
So, we are talking about a room with a toilet, and usually a sink to wash your hands. But is it called the same thing if it includes a tub for washing? Well, we thought of six different words to describe the same room! They are: restroom, lavatory, washroom, bathroom, toilet, and latrine. Not all of these are common. So what do you say? From a British view, here is Steve Myersco.
Steve Myersco
"Here in Britain we use the word 'bathroom' or just 'toilet'. We do not use the word washroom, restroom or lavatory. Normally if I were in a public place, like a restaurant, I would ask where the toilet is. However, if I were in someone's house I would ask where the bathroom is. A bathroom does not need to have a bath in it. It will always have a toilet, and maybe a bath as well. So, if you are in Britain, you can use the word bathroom or toilet."
Voice 2
Thanks Steve! In the United States, it is also common to use the word "bathroom." In a restaurant, or business place you might also ask for the restroom. This is a very polite way to ask for the toilet. Washroom is a popular word in Canada. But all these words mean the same thing - a room that includes a toilet, and usually a sink. The room may also include a tub for washing, but it is not necessary.
Voice 1
The words lavatory and latrine are less common. If you used the word lavatory to an English speaker they would know what you needed. Latrine, however, is much less common! Usually a latrine is a pit toilet. That is, it is a hole in the ground people use as a toilet. People in the military may use this word more often.
Voice 2
So, I hope we have helped to solve some of your confusion! Thanks to all our listeners who have written to us with your questions and comments. Keep writing! We love to hear your opinions! Thanks especially today to Moon, Khadijah, and Savage.
