"Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things."

Flora Lewis

Englishman in New York - Sting

 

"Englishman in New York" is a song by English artist Sting, from his second studio album. The song was released in 1988 as the third single from the album. In 1990 the remix "Englishman in New York" was released as a single. The remix played around with the introduction and some of the instrumentation, but the essence of the song remained the same. The new version was commercially successful, reaching number 15 in the UK charts in mid-1990 (*according to wiki).

BEFORE LISTENING

Task 1. Listen to the song and observe New York. How do you find it? Why do you think is the video made in black and white? What is the weather like in New York? How does the author feel and see the city?

 Write at least 5 word combinations to describe New York.

Task 2. Look through the song and underline the phrases you like the most.

I don't drink coffee I take tea my dear
I like my toast done on one side
And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
I'm an Englishman in New York

See me walking down Fifth Avenue
A walking cane here at my side
I take it everywhere I walk
I'm an Englishman in New York

I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York

If "Manners make the man" as someone said
Then he's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say

I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York

Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
You could end up as the only one
Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
At night a candle's brighter than the sun

Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Takes more than a license for a gun
Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
A gentleman will walk but never run

If "Manners make the man" as someone said
Then he's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say 

I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York

AFTER LISTENING

VOCABULARY

- accent – акцент, говірка
- at my side – зі мною
- (walking cane) – тростина
- combat gear – військове обладнання
- confront smb – протистояти комусь
- end up as … - сконати як
- legal – легальний, законний
- lead to – привести до, спричинити
- modesty - скромність
- no matter what… - щоб там не сталось
- notoriety – скандальна знаменитість
- propriety – правильна поведінка
- sobriety – стриманість, серйозність

Task 3. Say how you understand the following questions:

1. What is an Englishman according to the author? Find the suitable lines from the song to desribe the one.

2. Do you know the feeling of 'being an alien'? How do you understand this metaphor? What makes the author feel like an alien**?

**according to Longman Dictionary

'alien' - someone who is not a legal citizen of the country they are living or working in

 

 

 

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