PART 2 · LESSON 17 OF 30 · 30 MINUTES
Then and Now
The bench outside the house behind the pier, Grandma and Jack's mother comparing notes with Jack between them: in my day the mother lay by the fire for seven days; Mom asks what the fire was for; to keep warm, nowadays it's not done any more; these days there's the doctor and the pink book; in my day there were no books, we just knew; Mom says in her day the fathers waited outside; now the fathers go in too; and now Grandma has a phone too: the words for then and now, and not any more.
Audio instruction: English
Report a problem with this lessonThis lesson needs a subscription.
The first 2 lessons of each level are free. One subscription unlocks every other lesson, in the app and on the website.
See the plansAlready subscribed? Sign in. Or listen to lesson 1 for free.
THE STORY
The bench outside the family's wooden house behind the pier in Bang Rak, an August evening, Mali asleep between two grandmothers who share no language: Grandma speaks plainly and says grandma for I, Jack keeps the polite word with her, and Jack and Nam speak as a couple, without it.
Flashcards
The words and phrases of this lesson, one card each. Best after you’ve listened.
Words and phrases
The lesson is for your ears. Open this afterwards, to see what you learned.
Words and phrases
The lesson is for your ears. Open this afterwards, to see what you learned.