节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2012-09-12
难易度:Low
关键字:journey, associate, historically, profession, gypsy, fortune telling
Welcome back, everyone.
We have a good idea of when the Roma people left India, but we're still unclear
as to why.
One theory suggests that the Roma were part of Northern India's military.
And after their defeat by Islamic armies, they were moved west to the Byzantine
Empire about 1,000 years ago.
OK. Let's return to our lesson now on line 12.
The Roma People.
In fact, not all Roma are travelers.
Those in Western Europe have historically moved from place to place.
But others who settled in Eastern Europe built homes and stayed in one place.
Roma culture varies among regions.
But most speak both the language of the surrounding people and their own
language, Romany.
For centuries, Roma practiced traditional trades.
Some were horse traders or musicians.
Others made things out of metal or wood.
But today, Roma may be found in any profession.
Friends, we are talking about the Roma people, whom you may have heard of
referred to as gypsies.
Now right before the break, we said gypsies are associated with music, fortune
telling and very colorful clothing.
So we think of them that way, but that's not really true.
That's not who they really are.
There's so much more to the Roma people.
That's very true.
And we heard that gypsies usually travel a lot.
But in fact, not all Roma are travelers.
OK. So we usually think that they move from town to town very often.
But in fact, meaning the truth is, not all of the Roma people do move around all
the time.
OK. We see those in Western Europe have historically moved from place to place,
though.
OK. So we are mainly talking about the Western European ones.
And we know that historically, they do move around a lot.
Now "historically" means it is something that has happened in the past.
So we are talking about history.
You can see the word "history" in the word historically.
OK. So in history, people... the Roma people in West Europe have moved from
place to place a lot.
But that's not true for those who settled in Eastern Europe, right?
That's right.
But others who settled in Eastern Europe did not do as much traveling.
So friends, to separate Western Europe and Eastern Europe for you, Western
Europe is more France, Germany, Belgium.
Eastern Europe would be more Romania, Turkey, Yugoslavia... these places.
OK. So the Roma people in those places actually built homes and stayed in one
place once they got there.
OK. So only when they were in Western Europe, they... did they move around a
lot.
But those who stopped in Eastern Europe on their way over built homes and made
their own community and would stay there for a long time.
OK. That's a great thing.
They were able to stay in one place.
Well, let's get talking now about that culture of the Roma people.
Now usually, as we said, we think of them as this gypsy culture.
But there's more.
And in fact, Roma culture varies among the regions.
And a region is the area that the people are living or traveling in.
So if you're in Eastern Europe versus Western Europe, the culture will vary.
Now Ryan, what does that mean to vary?
OK. Something that varies is different from different parts or in different
places.
So maybe a group of animals might vary in size and shape.
That means they are all different.
But something that is the same: Most speak both the language of the surrounding
people and their own language.
So if you are a Roma person in Germany, you probably speak German and the Roma
language.
Just as if you settled in Turkey, you probably speak local language and your
own.
OK. So like you said, in Germany the language is German; maybe in Turkey the
language is Turkish.
But what is the language of the Roman... Roma people?
Well, the Roma people call their language Romany.
Now that's their native tongue.
OK. So that's their language that they all speak, or most of them speak, no
matter what region or place they live in.
Now for centuries, Roma practiced traditional trades.
Now to practice means that is how... that is what they did.
It does not mean they are just going out and getting ready to do it.
Instead they are always doing it.
They do traditional trades.
All right.
"Traditional" obviously is something that happens and has happened for a long
time.
So they're still doing a lot of the same trades or business that they use to do.
Some were horse traders or musicians.
So these are jobs or trades that have been around for a long time.
So some were musicians and some sold horses.
OK. And they traded things.
Others made things out of metal or wood.
So they were creating things with their hands.
So these are considered traditional trades, things that people have done for a
very long time.
Right. And these were things that the Roma people had done for centuries in the
past.
But what do they do today?
But today, Roma may be found in any profession.
Now a "profession" refers to a work that needs a special skill or education.
Another word for profession could be a job or a trade.
All right, friends, we're going to take a deeper look at Roma culture tomorrow.
For now, though, let's watch the skit.
(Music).
Hi. Look at my colorful clothing, and listen to my music.
Yeah. It's very nice.
Do you tell fortunes too?
Are you a gypsy?
Ah. Some people call us gypsies, but we call ourselves Roma people.
Roma? Is that because you're always roaming?
No. Actually, not all Roma people are wanderers.
Those in Western Europe do move from place to place.
But those in Eastern Europe usually stay in one place.
So where do your people come from?
Well, centuries ago, my people traveled from India.
Oh! Why did they leave?
No one really knows.
But over time, they journeyed west to Europe.
So the Roma people came from India.
But why are you called "gypsies"?
Ah. The Europeans called us "gypsies" because they thought we came from Egypt.
Egypt, gypsies.
Egypt, gypsies.
I get it.
Right. People associate us with colorful clothes, music and the fortune telling.
But that's not the real picture of our culture.
So what do you do?
Are you a horse trader?
Ha, no.
For centuries, we had traditional trades.
But now you can find us in many professions.
Oh. So what language do you speak, Gypsenese?
No, no, no.
We speak the local languages, and we also speak Romany.
Romany.
Oh. I've never heard of it.
(Music).
Romany, Romany...
(Music).
Hi, everyone. I'm Michelle.
(Chinese).
And that concludes our Language Tips today.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Bye-bye.
Thank you again, Michelle.
We appreciate that.
To better understand the Roma people, linguists have studied the Romany
language,
which has yielded many clues as to where the Roma people lived and when they
moved from place to place.
Our understanding of the Roma people is also increasing with another more modern
method of historical research - genetics.
By examining DNA samples, we are adding even more pieces to the incomplete
Romany history.
Friends, make the rest of your Wednesday great.
And then join us tomorrow for more about the Roma people.
Take care.