Listening

Marrying sounds and words

Connecting sounds with their corresponding words takes time and patience.

Individually words frequently differ in pronunciation when spoken; the way sounds and words connect contributes to fluency.

Use the subtitles or transcript to understand how words are spoken: pronunciation, stress and emphasis.

See behind the scenes of artist Alvaro Barrington's studio

London-based artist Alvaro Barrington takes us through the making of Grace, his most personal work yet. He reveals his process in creating his art to reflect his Caribbean heritage and family memories, from the strength of women in his life to the broader themes of resilience and survival.

It's a compelling journey into the heart of his creative process, showing how personal experiences shape his bold artistic vision.

Source

BBC

Length

00.03.25

Subtitles

16 December 2024

Date produced

Yes

L006

Reference

Task

Listen to the video, then answer the questions.

  • Watch the video (without the transcript or subtitles).

  • Observe how speakers stress words and fit them together to form sentences.

  • Note timestamp for unclear speech, confusing words or phrases or perhaps where the speaker is a little too fast.

  • Watch again (with transcript or subtitles) and check against your noted timestamp: is it any clearer? What is unclear: a word, phrase or the structure?

  • Answer the questions before expanding and viewing answers.

  • Any doubts, contact your mentor.

  • Like is a filler word; it has no meaning.

  • The phrase I have like 40 different emotions is a metaphor.

  • He has so many emotions, he needs to control himself, keep it all together to prevent himself from being overwhelmed.

  • Product here means the result of something; almost manufactured, something we cannot control (or wish to avoid the responsibility for):

    • We are the product of our generation.

  • Alvaro’s using trigger to imply a prompt or stimulant.

  • Make is informal; replace with create or paint.

  • The only way I know the value of it is if I put it out in the world = monetary value.

  • The only way I know the value of it is if I put it out in the world = show, display or sell.

  • Work out = solve, find the answer, understand.

  • Work out the edges where we disagree = we start at the point of agreement, working towards points of disagreement; the edges are not the core of our interaction, therefore should be less important.

  • Do an exhibition = exhibit

  • Address = think about and begin to deal with (an issue or problem).

  • His mother, grandmother and sister inspire him; his work had to capture their energy and show his journey.

  • The energy must convert feeling, illustrate his journey.

  • Show up = arrive, went to the exhibition.

  • Quote unquote = used when speaking to indicate a statement or passage that one is quoting; British is often an undefined adjective especially by those who wish to be inclusive.

  • Alvaro is trying to define what being British means, but of himself, not directly; he indicates British is a flexible term.

  • It’s less about him but sharing yourself in the world, being yourself.