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What is translation?
According to Roberts, translation can be used in different senses, indicating different concepts. First, it
stands for the act or operation of transferring a message. Second, it refers to the product of the act of
translating. Third, it designates the profession practiced by those performing the act or operation just
mentioned. Finally, it has also been used for the academic discipline that studies or examines the
operation or products of translation.
In this course, by translation, we mean the first meaning defined by Roberts, i.e. the act of transferring a
message.
How many types of transferring a message are there?
According to Jakobson there are three different kinds of transferring a message:
1. Intralingual translation: it is simply paraphrasing or rewording, to communicate the same
meaning in one language with different wording and sentences.
2. Interlingual translation: it is transferring a message from one language to another and often
referred to as translation proper.
3. Intersemiotic translation: it is a kind of transmutation which transfers a message from one level
to another.
In this course, by transferring a message, we mean the second kind defined by Jakobson, i.e. interlingual
translation or translation proper.
What are the forms of interlingual translation and who performs these forms?
Interlingual translation can be in the form of written or oral. When it is written, it is done by a translator.
Therefore, a translator is someone who performs written interlingual translation. By contrast, when a
translation is oral, it is done by an interpreter. As a result, oral interlingual translation is referred to as
interpretation. There are two different kinds of interpretation. One that is simultaneous, i.e. the
interpreter interprets as the speaker talks. The second type is called consecutive in which the speaker
talks for some minutes, then stops for the interpreter to interpret what has been just said.
What factors are involved in a translation process?
There are several factors at work when it comes to translation and translation process, which are
explained by Newmark under the title of the dynamics of translation. They are as follows:
1. Source language (SL) writer
2. SL norms
3. SL culture
4. SL structure, setting and tradition
5. Target language (TL) readership
6. TL norms
7. TL cultures
8. TL structure, setting and tradition
9. The truth, i.e. the message
10. The translator
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In addition to what Newmark states, the influence of the client, the person or organization who
commissions the act of translation, can be considered as the eleventh factor.
What does a translator need to know?
According to the dynamics of translation, a translator is required to fully aware of the source language,
culture and norms as well as those of the target. A translator should know who he is translating, be
aware of the readers taste, and work in line with the target language publishing atmosphere and
ideology.
What is the first step in the act of translation?
The very first step in translation is to read the source text (ST) completely and do a complete analysis of
the text.
The Analysis of a Text:
1. Reading the text: the text must be read completely prior to the act of translation and is
completely understood in terms of the meanings of the words, expressions and jargons.
2. The intention of the text must be understood. To do so, a background check on the writer would
help. Also, previous works by the writer can be useful in this regard.
3. The intention of the translator must be defined. It can be similar to that of the text or may differ
according to the desire of the translator or the client. Here, ideology, TL norms, culture,
publishing atmosphere or the readers can be very influential.
4. Text styles
According to Nida, they can be of four types:
a. Narrative: sequence of events, where the emphasis is on the verbs.
b. Description: the emphasis is on linking verbs, adjectives and adjectival nouns.
c. Discussion: the emphasis is on abstract nouns, verbs of thought, mental activity, logical
argument and connectives.
d. Dialogue: with emphasis on colloquialisms and expressions.
5. The readership: who are the readers of the translated text?
6. Stylistic Scales
It is the scale of formality of the text:
a. Official
b. Formal
c. Neutral
d. Informal
e. Colloquial
f. Slang
g. Taboo
7. Considering connotations and denotations of the text.
8. Noting the cultural aspect of the SL text. You should underline all metaphors, cultural words and
institutional terms particular to the SL, proper names, technical terms and untranslatable words.


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How many levels are there in a given text?
There are four levels in a text:
1. The textual level: it is the level of the words and clauses which form sentences.
2. The referential level: it is the level of the meanings, i.e., what the words and sentences are
referring to, what the writer is talking about.
3. The cohesive level: it is the level at which textual and referential levels are connected together
and paragraphs and the whole story is formed.
4. The level of naturalness: it is the level at which readers can make sense of the whole text.
What is the unit of translation?
The unit of translation is the level at which the translator translates a given text. Thus, it can be a word,
a clause, a sentence, and sometime a paragraph. A sentence is the usual level at which the translation
occurs.
Examples:
1. There was no hope for him this time: it was the third stroke. (The Sisters, James Joyce)
2. Money doesnt grow on trees.
3. Propagate fiercely until the sum total of what has been propagated yields a pressure so
intense that every feature great or small of every life great or small is instantly scrutinized
weighed judged decided upon and disposed of by the sum total of ones peer in doubtless
electronic ongoing all-seeing everlasting congress assembled. (The Leap, Donald Barthelme)

-

) . ( .

What are the functions of a given text?
There are usually three different functions a text can have:
1. The expressive function: in expressive texts, the writer of the text tries to express their emotions
and feelings. This function is found in literary works and especially in poetry.
2. The informative function: in informative texts, the message is important. The facts that are
presented in the text are crucial to translation.
3. The vocative function: in vocative texts, the readers of the text are important.
What is translation method or strategy?
The overall orientation of a translated text is called translation method or strategy, whether the
translation emphasizes on SL or TL.


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SL Emphasis TL Emphasis
Word-for-word Translation
Literal translation
Faithful translation
Semantic translation
Adaptation
Free translation
Idiomatic translation
Communicative translation
What are translation methods?
As defined by Newmark:







Example:
Each morning the emperor weighs the documents brought to him, each evening he weighs them again;
he will not rest until a certain weight has passed through his hand; he has declared six to be the paramount
number of his reign, black the paramount color; he hurries from palace to palace, along the underground
corridors, ignoring gorgeous wall hangings, bells, drums, beautiful ladies; how many more responsible
officials must be strangled before his will prevails, absolutely? (Barthelme & Gates, 2005: 424)
Word-for-word translation:

Literal Translation:



Faithful Translation:




Semantic translation:


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Communicative translation:




Idiomatic translation:
.
. .
.

Free translation:
.
. .
.
. .
Adaptation: it is used for play and poetry.
What is a translation procedure?
It is a specific technique to achieve a particular method or strategy.
What are translation procedures?
1. Transference or borrowing: the word in SL is transferred to the TL directly.
Example:
Computer ------->
2. Calque: the literal translation of a SL expression is called calque.
Example:
Railway ------->
Point of view ------->
3. Correspondence or synonymy: when a SL concept does not exist in the TL, therefore a closely
related TL concept is used as the SL concept correspondence.
Example:
Christmas ------->
1988 -------> 7631
60 miles -------> 711
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Soup ------->
4. Equivalence: When a SL concept exist in the TL but expressed differently.
Examples:
New Year ------->
Here you are ------->
Youre welcome ------->
Help yourself ------->
Make yourself at home ------->
5. Transposition or shift: when a special meaning is conveyed by grammar in the SL, but by lexicon
in the TL or vice versa.
Example:
I do like university. -------> .
Im into computer. -------> .
6. Modulation: it is a change in the viewpoint of expression.
Example:
Im not hungry. -------> .
Im not going to work tomorrow. -------> .
7. Compensation: when loss of meaning, sound effects, metaphors or pragmatic effect in one part
of a sentence is compensated in another part.
8. Componential analysis: a semantic analysis of a SL word.
Example:
Boy ------->
Fed up ------->
Upset ------->
Devastated ------->
9. Paraphrase: explanation of a SL meaning in the TL.
Example:
I dont like stew. -------> .
10. Explicitation: when an implicit SL unit is explicitly translated.
Example:
Life has its ups and downs. -------> .
Sometimes, its beyond us to keep up with the prices.
-------> .
11. Implicitation: an explicit SL unit is translated implicitly.
Example:
After his wifes death, his life was reduced to a neighboring club, drunken nights, and late night
arguments with his poor daughter when coming back home.
------->
.
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12. Footnotes, endnotes, and translator introduction: they are used to give extra information about
the translated text.
13. Censorship: when a SL unit is not translated.
Translating Words:
Spring:
1. Spring is the first season of the year.
2. The spring of his watch is broken.
3. He went to fetch water from the spring.
4. The cat got ready to spring on the mouse.
Present:
1. She was present in the class.
2. My father gave me a present on my birthday.
3. She wished to present him to her mother.
Too:
1. The weather is too hot to play today.
2. I can play tennis too.
Turn:
1. He turned round.
2. It is your turn.
Company:
1. He works in the oil company.
2. I kept him company.
Current:
1. Such words are current nowadays.
2. The current is too strong for swimming.
Desert:
1. He wanted to desert his post.
2. Traveling across a desert is very difficult.
Match:
1. He is no match for me.
2. Give me a match, please.
3. There is a football match on tomorrow.


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Fair:
1. She is a fair woman.
2. His action was not fair.
3. Let us go to the fair.
Watch:
1. They came to watch the race.
2. This watch is exact.
Well:
1. He spoke well.
2. Get some water from the well.
Story:
1. This is a true story.
2. They live on the third story.
Can:
1. Fill up the can with water.
2. I can do it.
3. We can fruit in Iran.
Date:
1. What is the date today?
2. Dates grow in hot climates.
Stand:
1. Stand up please.
2. Hang your hat on the stand.
Translating Expressions:
1. I knew this all along.
2. They were walking arm in arm.
3. He lives at the end of this blind alley.
4. Their engagement was an open secret.
5. My friend got the lions share.
6. Bring your children, too, by all means.
7. Above all, remember his advice.
8. He would like you to explain this black and white.
9. English spoken far and wide.
10. Luckily, we were in time.
11. We set off early.
12. She takes after her mother.
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13. My uncle broke the news to him.
14. The poor fellow was murdered in cold blood.
15. Now we are in deep water.
Translating Simple Present:
1. The sun is shining.
2. They are very late.
3. She is French.
4. It tastes good.
5. This man sings well.
6. My friend lives in this house.
7. A fly is an insect.
8. A chair is made of wood.
9. Roses are beautiful flowers.
10. These oranges are good.
11. He walks to his office.
12. They often go to the movies.
13. She hardly knows him.
14. David works hard.
15. They sometimes travel to Mexico.
16. He comes here every day.
17. You are a clever student.
18. That book is too difficult.
19. Her dress is pretty.
20. David and I never walk to university.
21. They dont always eat pizza.
22. She isnt happy with her mark.
23. Marry doesnt usually have lunch at 12.
24. I dont occasionally visit my grandparents.
25. You are good at translating.
26. Do you like fast food?
27. Does he go to work on Fridays?
28. Is she ok?
29. Do they want to sell their house?
30. Dont you go with them?
Translating Present Continuous:
1. They are eating lunch now.
2. Im working in a restaurant this year.
3. A man is walking behind her.
4. Jack is coming to the party tonight.
5. Im not going to work tomorrow.
6. She is not going to the US.
7. Im leaving.
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8. Is she studying in Madrid?
9. Im not working at the moment.
10. Helen is working on her project in Dublin.
11. Is she traveling around Europe now?
12. She is working out in the gym.
13. You are always making fun of me.
14. Theyre always buying the best stuff.
15. Marry is always partying out somewhere.
Exercise 1:
Mr. Jack Hadrill is a lawyer. His girlfriend is Sara. They share a small flat on the third floor in a townhouse
downtown New York City. He and his girlfriend usually wake up early in the morning. Sara often fixes the
breakfast. They eat together and jack leaves home at about 7 to go to his work in the courthouse. But Sara
stays at home and usually translates books from English to French. At the moment, she is translating a
new book called Bookeater: A 21
st
Century Creature. It is a philosophical book on academic issues and
has lots of vocabularies that she doesnt know how to translate into French. Jack is also working very hard
recently to save money for a vacation he wants to go on with Sara. Sara doesnt know about the vacation.
Jack wants to surprise her with his plan.
Translating Imperatives:
1. Come here.
2. Open the door, please.
3. Dont go soon.
4. Please help me.
5. Switch on the light.
6. Get out.
7. Dont talk so loudly.
8. Send a telegram for me.
9. Dont worry.
10. Mind the step.
11. Take off your shoes.
12. Listen to the radio.
13. Look out of the window.
14. Turn off the wireless.
15. Dont go away.
Translating Simple Past:
1. He went out last night.
2. They didnt talk about you.
3. I couldnt understand yesterdays lesson.
4. Where did you live in 2009?
5. How did David go to Paris last year?
6. What did you find out about her sister?
7. Did Sara meet you at the meeting?
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8. Did they watch the movie last week?
9. She was only 10 when the accident happened.
10. They could cook perfectly well when they were 14.
11. I was surprised when I saw them together.
12. Sally thought I was at home when she called, but I wasnt.
13. They believed in miracles at the time.
14. Why didnt you go with them?
15. She stayed up until late and watched the movie completely.
16. I managed to meet the boss just in time.
17. The decided to live in Barcelona for another year.
18. I didnt use to read novels when I was younger.
19. She used to do a lot of adventurous things before.
20. Every night before we went to bed my mother would tell us a story, but she would never read
them from a book she would always make them up herself.
21. My sister and I used to walk to the harbor every morning and watch the fishermen cleaning their
nets.
22. She used to wear glasses when she was in primary school.
23. What did you use to do when you were in Los Angeles?
Translating Past Continuous:
1. I was going home when I bumped into him.
2. She was doing her homework at 6 in the afternoon.
3. They were talking to each other when I arrived.
4. Michael was traveling around the US when his parents died in 2006.
5. We were playing with the kids when the news came in.
6. I was walking down the street when the rain started.
7. Were you arguing in front of your father?
8. What were they doing when the burglars broke into the house?
9. I was trying to open the box when you brought the keys.
10. He was coming back home when he remembered he had to visit his friends at the restaurant.
11. When I was a teenager, my friends were always teasing me because of my read hair.
Translating Present Perfect:
1. I havent seen him before?
2. Theyve been married for 22 years.
3. She hasnt done any of her homework yet.
4. Where have you been?
5. Have you ever been to Australia?
6. Shes gone to New Zealand.
7. Weve already met.
8. The students have taken 3 exams so far this term.
9. I havent eaten spaghetti for ages.
10. What have you done since we last met?
11. David hasnt smoked since high school.
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12. Have you seen the movie before?
13. Have they come yet?
14. Why havent you called Sara yet?
15. Theyve already read the book 2 times.
16. Shes never been to any foreign cities.
Translating Past Perfect:
1. I didnt see the movie because Id seen it 3 times before.
2. When I arrived at the airport I remembered Id left my passport at home.
3. The passengers had already eaten dinner when the plane hit turbulence.
4. Hed live in San Francisco for 20 years when he met Jake.
5. She hadnt had any jobs since the spring of 1998.
6. He passed the test because hed studied well during the semester.
7. My father had gone away on business for a few days.
Exercise 2:
A Murder Lover
When I shook hand with him, I understood hed done something wrong, as his hand was as cold as ice,
yet wet and sweaty. As a detective, my job is to notice such details and look at suspects as possible
murderers. This case was clear, though. The witness was opening his shop earlier that morning when he
saw the couples arguing over what had happened the night before. The husband hit the wife hard three
times in the head and throw her in the back of a blue sedan. Later, the wife was found dead in an alley on
the outskirts of the city. I asked the suspect to sit down and relax. Did you kill your wife? I asked. She
used to make tasty muffins, He explained nervously, she would put this toothsome sauce on them you
couldnt resist but to dig in. She was lovely. Wed known each for 5 years when I proposed. When we got
married, we were the happiest ever. But that night when she told me shed wanted divorce, I was furious.
I couldnt take in so in the morning I went to her place to win her heart back. But I understood shed spent
the night with the guy. The rage came in. I was seeing blood. I hit her in the head and she fainted. So I put
her in the car and drove aimlessly till I ended up in our apartment. That was when I understood shed
been dead for God knows how long. I dumped her body in the alley. I didnt want to kill her.
Exercise 3:
Once there was a shepherd who used to take his flock of sheep to the pastures near the village. He used
to tell lies and whenever he reached the pasture he shouted: WOLF WOLF!
The villagers ran to save him and his flock, but found there was no wolf and the shepherd had deceived
them. He repeated this joke several times and made fun of the villagers. One day a wolf really came and
began to tear up his sheep. He shouted loudly and called for help, but this time nobody came, thinking
that he was lying again. As a result the deceitful shepherd lost several of his sheep.
Translating Simple Future:
1. Im going to travel abroad soon.
2. She isnt going to work next year.
3. David is going to visit his grandpa next month.
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4. Are you going to apply for that job?
5. Its going to rain tomorrow.
6. Im seeing my friends tonight.
7. She isnt working tomorrow.
8. Are you coming with us tomorrow?
9. I dont think the economic situation will improve next year.
10. It wont be sunny on Tuesday.
11. I guess I will stay at home tonight and watch a DVD.
12. Will you help me with this exercise?
13. Ill take care of your cat while youre away.
14. Wont you come to the class tomorrow?
15. She doesnt want to migrate to Australia next year.
16. My flight leaves at 10 pm tomorrow.
17. I dont have a class tomorrow.
18. There is a classical movie on TV tomorrow night.
Translating Future Continues:
1. I will be living in the UK at this time next year.
2. Shell be visiting her relatives tomorrow.
3. Theyll be working on a new project next month.
4. Daniel wont be doing any new course next 2 months.
5. Will he be making a new movie next year?
Translating Future Perfect:
1. By 2015, scientists will have invented cars running on green fuels.
2. He will have worked for 20 years next year.
3. By the time you are home, Ill have done my homework.
4. By next summer, Ill have saved enough money to buy a new car.
5. What do you think youll have done by 2020?
6. If I study 30 pages every day, Ill have finished reading this book by the weekend.
Exercise 4:
What do you think will happen by the year 3000? By then, scientists will have definitely invented flying
cars and people will be flying to wherever they want. Also, it is probable that we will have formed a
universal government around the world so there wont be any nationality differences anymore. Some
people guess that by 3000 we will have colonized other planets and people will be living anywhere in the
solar system and maybe other systems as well. It is also possible that we will have found a way to cure all
terminal diseases by then, therefore people will be able to live longer or probably forever. Whatever
change the future brings for us, it will definitely be fascinating.
Translating Relative Clauses:
1. Theyre those students who failed the math exam.
2. She is the actress who starred in the movie which won seven Oscars.
3. He is the one whom I met last night.
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4. Im not a person who supposed to be.
5. The people who work a lot are always tired.
6. He is the boy I fought with two days ago.
7. David was the guy with whom she went on vacation.
8. This is the place that all the people gather every week to discuss their problems.
9. A classroom is not the place where you can talk on your cellphone.
10. Summer is the time when my children and I usually go camping for a week.
11. She is exactly the person who can answer all your questions.
12. Smoking is the main reason why some young people experience heart attack or lung cancer.
13. That is the boy whose father works for BMW.
14. All the passengers whose luggage is still in the baggage claim area please do immediately collect
their luggage.
15. My dream house is a villa whose walls are made of glass with an enormous pool.
16. What you are saying is not related to the discussion topic.
17. All the students didnt understand what the professor explained.
18. This is the third time that you are making the same mistake.
19. I wasnt able to recognize John when I first saw him as hed grown a beard and a moustache.
20. The bomb which exploded in the city center was made by a terrorist group named KG.
Translating Time Clauses:
1. Ill call you as soon as my flight has landed.
2. By the time you are home, weve eaten dinner.
3. She wont leave home until she has found a job and earned good money.
4. Ill clean my room before I go to the university.
5. After hes completed his course, hell take a year off and go to Europe.
6. Shell get married when she is 35.
7. When he died he didnt leave any money for his family.
Translating Conditional Clauses:
A. In case:
1. Take your umbrella in case it is raining when youre coming back home.
2. Ill save your number in my cellphone just in case.
3. Take notes in case you forget what is discussed in the class.
4. Theyve transferred all their money to a Swiss bank account in case the countrys economy
collapses.
B. Unless:
1. Youre not going to pass the exam unless you study very hard.
2. Hell report what has happed in the office unless you persuade him otherwise.
3. Thisll will turn into a full-blown crisis unless we immediately take the necessary measures.
4. The economy will undergo serious recession unless some austerity measures are
implemented.
5. She wont leave unless you tell her the truth.
C. First Conditional:
1. Catch me if you can.
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2. If Im not working hard, I wont be saving any money.
3. If youve never been to the US, you have never lived there.
4. If you heat up water to 100 degrees Celsius, it turns into vapor.
5. If you really want, you can achieve whatever you wish for.
6. If she hasnt taken part in the job interview, she definitely wont get the job.
7. They will be in deep water if theyve vandalized a police car.
D. Second Conditional:
1. What would you do if you had a million dollars?
2. I would scare to death if I saw a bear in my bedroom.
3. They would be travelling around Africa now if theyd saved enough money last year.
4. I would be wearing a formal dress if I knew it is a wedding reception.
5. If Susan were here, she would be helping you now.
6. If Id chosen a better major when I was young, I would have a better job and position now.
7. If they werent working full time, they could come be with each other more.
E. Third Conditional:
1. If you had studied more, you could have passed all your exams with better marks.
2. I wouldnt have met her if I hadnt gone to the party.
3. If wouldnt have had the accident if shed driven more carefully.
4. If they hadnt been home, they must have been at Davids.
F. If only and wish:
1. I wish I had a car.
2. If only I knew when her birthday is.
3. She wishes she could drive.
4. If only I were able to speak French.
5. I wish you wouldnt argue with me all the time.
6. I wish it would stop raining.
7. If only I could fly.
G. What if:
1. What if I were a bird?
2. What if we could be friends?
3. What if I had more time to spend with my children?
4. What if I were a milliner?
5. What if you were an angel?
Exercise 5:
A Mind Full of Doubts
There is a question in my head keeping me awake at nights. If only I didnt have the damn question, I
would be able to sleep for an hour. Its been going on for a month, exactly started when I realized all the
beliefs on which Id built my world were a handful lies, pure bullshit if you want to put it in a teenage
contemporary light. Dark, I see the world. Desolate, my room is. Aimless, as I gaze upon the people.
Absurd, when I contemplate on human life. I am not anymore the person who I used to be. I do not possess
the mind which used to be optimistic, believing in the omnipresent presence of the Goodness and its
prevailing victorious power. What shall I do, the question is? If I had the power in my hand, I would end
this petty life right now in this very place. If Id known the truth from the beginning, I would have never
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chosen to put my pure soul into the cage of this materialistic body. I would have never wanted to live on
this very bloody Earth. And indeed the bloodshed I have made, my kind has made, turned the greenness
of this holy land to the redness of devilish devastation. How fool I was, how blind my eyes were, how nave
my thoughts were, that I tricked my very self into the hallucination of the perfectness, the dreamed
utopia. I trusted me and I failed me. I trusted my kind and my kind failed me. Now here I am alongside my
kinds, living in the perfect dystopia, in the nothingness of our worthless material 21
st
century, the so-called
computer age. Here I am with this heavy question in my mind. If only Id known the truth since the very
start. What if I wasnt in this grimy cage? What if I was free, living in the skies?
Exercise 6:
An Absent-minded Lady
A lady came out of a store laden with the parcels she collected during a busy shopping. She called a taxi
and placed the parcels on the seat counting them over as she did so thats makes ten, she said with
satisfaction, and George has lost the bet he made with me that I should not arrive with the whole goods
I bought. There still seems something missing, she said, and then, after a pause she gasped out, I know
what it is: its the baby.
Exercise 7:
A Lesson
Swift, the famous English writer was not a generous man, and once he received a good lesson from one
of his patrons servants. This servant, a lad of fifteen, had one day brought as a present a basket full of
fruit, to Swifts house. He knocked at the door and Swift himself came to open it. The boy who had often
brought him presents from his master but had never received a gratuity, said curtly: Heres a present
from my master. Swift, not liking the boys blunt manner answered: Come here, young man, Ill teach
you what you ought to have said. Suppose you are Dean Swift and I will represent you. Swift took off his
hat, made a low bow and said: My good master has sent you a small present and asks you to be graciously
pleased to accept it. Good answered the lad, tell your master I thank him heartily for it, and heres a
crown for yourself.
Exercise 8:
Roman Conspirators
At last Brutus left them and went home, his head filled with dark and sad thoughts, and Cassius was
pleased, because he felt sure that Brutus was now on his side.
A month later, the most violent storm that Rome had ever known broke over the city during the
night, and even shook the hearts of the soldiers. Frightened animals broke loose and rushed into the
streets. Men who had seen the waves of the sea so violent that they seemed to join the clouds above
were in fear and went to hide themselves.
One man only seemed to enjoy the storm, one who laughed at the roaring thunders and raised his
arms towards the sky.
This man was Cassius, who seemed to see in the violent weather something of his own wild feelings.
He walked in the streets and saw in everything round him signs of the unrest that was shaking the
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government of Rome. To his excited imagination, it was the answer of the gods to the call of those in
Rome who were planning the downfall of Caesar, a massage to strike against him.
Exercise 9:
Observing the English
It is the wish of almost every Englishmen, whether he is an admiral, a painter, an explorer or minister,
to spend the last days of his life in his garden, planting flowers and vegetables, his only anxiety being lest
the weather should change, or insects and rabbits cause damage. He also likes to chat with his neighbors
who know something about gardening.
English people are greatly attached to gardening, and they dont show the same degree of interest
even in sports. The mental peace which is obtained through gardening is by far greater than the joy and
satisfaction from material progress.
Great Britain, in proportion to its area and population, has more private gardens than any other
countries in the world. Whoever wishes to know an Englishman well, should observe him in his garden
where he has worn his oldest and most stained clothes, and has escaped the torments of customs and
traditions. It is in this state that he reveals his true nature.
Translating Reported Speech:
1. He told me to go home.
2. The teacher warned us not to cheat in the exam.
3. The robbers threatened to kill the manager.
4. She convinced me not to travel alone.
5. The doctor recommended him run a check-up.
6. David told him to fly American Airlines.
7. She said she was ok.
8. They told me they were going to Chicago.
9. She said she lived in New York.
10. Jonathan told him he had been to Mexico three times.
11. She said she had been watching TV the night before.
12. They told me they were there for a special reason.
13. She said she hadnt seen the movie before.
14. I told him I couldnt come to the meeting.
15. Nathalie said they would set up a new business the following year.
16. He told us he had to go right away.
17. She said she had walked home the night before.
18. John said he must not be late at work.
19. Sally asked her sister to help her with her mathematic assignment.
20. Jim said he had been angry when hed seen his two best friends had been fighting.
21. I asked her if she knew the answer.
22. They asked me what I was doing there.
23. Sara asked him where he lived.
24. I asked if they had any extra book to give me.
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25. He asked her how many people had come to the party.
Exercise 10:
The Most Unsuccessful Pet Rescue
Mrs. Sarah Greenfield was worried because she hadnt seen her pet cat, Percy, for nearly two days. She
told her neighbor, Frank Armstrong about it. Frank said he knew where Percy was and took her to a tall
tree in the street. He pointed up at a branch near the top of the tree where Percy was sitting. Mrs.
Greenfield called out to her cat but it did not move. Then she asked Frank Armstrong what she should do.
He suggested that she should telephone the fire brigade and ask them to help.
Mrs. Greenfield went back to her house and phoned the local fire station. She told them about the cat
and asked them to come and save the cat. Twenty minutes later, a big red fire engine parked outside Mrs.
Greenfields house. Mrs. Greenfield showed the fire officer where Percy was sitting in the tree. The fire
officer asked Mrs. Greenfield what the cat liked eating. She told him that Percys favorite food was
sardines. The fire officer said it would be difficult to catch the cat because it would be very frightened and
asked her if she had got any sardines.
Mrs. Greenfield opened a tin of sardines and gave it to the fire officer. The fire officer extended the tall
ladders on the fire engine and climbed up to the cat. He held out the open tin of sardines and called to
the cat. Percy was very hungry and he could smell the sardines. He scrambled towards the fire officer who
caught him easily. From the top of the ladder, the fire officer called to Mrs. Greenfield and told her he had
caught the cat.
Mrs. Greenfield was very happy and thanked the fire officer as he was climbing down the ladder. After
the fire officer had handed the cat to Mrs. Greenfield, she put it on the ground with the tin of sardines.
Mrs. Greenfield thanked the fire officer again and invited him to have a cup of tea and a slice of cake at
her house. The fire officer accepted the invitation and they walked to her house.
Twenty minutes later, after two cups of tea and three slices of cake, the fire officer got into the big red
fire engine and started the engine to drive away. Unfortunately, as he was reversing the fire engine, he
ran over the cat and killed it.
Exercise 11:
How Not to Impress Your New Boss
After Peter and Fiona Tompkins got married, they moved into a very nice suburban house just outside
Cardiff in Wales. Peter had just got a new job in the Welsh Tourism Board.
One Tuesday afternoon, just after Peter had started in his new job, Fiona was surprised when her husband
phoned and said he had invited his new boss, Gwyn Williams, and his wife to come to dinner. Fiona was
furious and told Peter she had no suitable food for them. He replied he was sure she would think of
something until would arrive at 7.30.
Fiona searched in her freezer and found some salmon. It was about two weeks beyond it sell by date but
she decided to risk it. She cut the head and tail off the fish and gave them to the cat. Then she used the
meat to make a fish pie. She prepared some vegetables and found a bottle of German white wine.
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At 7.30 the house was looking beautiful when Peter arrived with Mr. and Mrs. Williams. Fiona welcomed
them to the house and offered them a glass of sherry before dinner. Mrs. Williams asked how long they
had been married and Fiona proudly showed them the photographs of their wedding.
Everyone enjoyed the dinner and Mr. and Mrs. Williams left at around ten oclock. Peter and Fiona
discussed the evening and decided it had been a great success. Peter was taking the rubbish out to the
dustbin when he found the body of their pet cat lying on the front door step.
He went back to the kitchen where Fiona was washing the plates and told her about the cat. Fiona was
horrified and told Peter that the salmon had been beyond its sell by date.
Fiona slept very badly. She was convinced she had not only poisoned her husband but also her husbands
new boss and his wife. At three oclock in the morning Fiona woke up her husband and asked him if he
was feeling ill. He said he was fine. Fiona told him about her worries. Peter said there was nothing they
could do about it and persuaded her to go back to sleep.
In the morning, Peter decided to bury the cat. He dug a hole in the garden and then went to the front
door to pick up the body of the cat. As he was picking up the body, he saw a small piece of white paper
on the door step. He picked up the paper and read it. It said, Im terribly sorry but when we were
reversing the car we ran over your cat. The note was signed by Gwyn Williams.
Exercise 12:
Tom's Birthday
Last week was my husband Toms fortieth birthday. We invited some of our friends to our house for dinner
to help celebrate his birthday. Many of the guests brought birthday presents for Tom. Mike and Annie
brought a bottle of wine. Ivan and Sophie brought some silly paper party hats for us to wear during dinner.
I cooked some of Tom's favorite food for the main part of the meal. We all talked and laughed a lot while
we ate. For dessert we had a big chocolate birthday cake. I put forty candles on the cake. Everyone sang
"Happy Birthday". Tom made a wish and blew out all the candles before the heat from all the burning
candles melted the icing on the cake! We had such a good time that Tom and I will probably host another
party next year to celebrate Toms forty first birthday.
Exercise 13:
The Golden Goose
There is a famous collection of stories, or fables, which comes from ancient Greece. These stories are
known as Aesops fables. They are famous short stories and each one has a lesson to teach the reader.
They were written many centuries ago, but their lessons are still meaningful. One of these fables is about
greed and how greed is not good. This is the story....
One day a farmer discovered that his goose had laid a glittering yellow egg. It was heavy. He was angry
because it wasnt a real egg. He was going to throw it away. When he looked at it more closely, he saw
that it was pure gold. Every morning the goose laid another golden egg. The farmer became rich by selling
his eggs. He became rich and he became greedy. He wanted even more. He thought that the goose must
be full of gold if it could lay golden eggs. The farmer wanted all that gold so he killed the goose. When he
opened up the dead goose he found that there was no gold inside at all. The goose was dead so it couldnt
lay any more golden eggs. Because the farmer had been too greedy, there were no more eggs.
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There is now an idiom, Kill the goose that lays the golden egg that means to destroy something that
benefits you.
Exercise 14:
It has been more than two years since my telephone rang with the news that my younger brother Blake
just 22 years old had been murdered. The young man who killed him was only 24. Wearing a ski mask,
he emerged from a car, fired six times at close range with a massive .44 Magnum, then fled. The two had
once been inseparable friends. A senseless rivalry beginning, I think, with an argument over a girlfriend
escalated from posturing, to threats, to violence, to murder. The way the two were living, death could
have come to either of them from anywhere. In fact, the assailant had already survived multiple gunshot
wounds from an accident much like the one in which my brother lost his life.
Exercise 15:
Hills Like White Elephants
The hills across the valley of the Ebro were long and white. On this side there was no shade and no trees
and the station was between two lines of rails in the sun. Close against the side of the station there was
the warm shadow of the building and a curtain, made of strings of bamboo beads, hung across the open
door into the bar, to keep out flies. The American and the girl with him sat at a table in the shade, outside
the building. It was very hot and the express from Barcelona would come in forty minutes. It stopped at
this junction for two minutes and went to Madrid.