 |
Words, Words,
Words |
This week's topic: Prince Ranariddh returns to
Cambodia
2nd April 1998
In this section we take a look at some of the
language used in a recent news report. This week the programme Current
Affairs English discussed Prince Ranariddh's return to Cambodia
after months in exile. He is the first Prime Minister of Cambodia and
was warmly welcomed by his loyal FUNCINPEC (National United Front for an
Independent Neutral Peaceful and Cooperative Cambodia) supporters. Extracts are
from the BBC Correspondent, Simon Ingram.
Extract 1: Simon Ingram
"If there was ever any doubt about the
enduring affection that FUNCINPEC loyalists have for their
ousted leader, the crowds who waited in the intense heat of a
Phnom Penh afternoon for his arrival at party headquarters dispelled
it. Several thousand cheering supporters swarmed around Prince
Ranariddh as he made his way into the compound, past buildings which
were stripped of their contents during the factional fighting which
led to his downfall last July."
enduring affection: if
something is enduring it lasts a long time. The FUNCINPEC party still
feel a great fondness for their leader
ousted: to be forced to leave a job or
a place
dispelled: past form of "dispel".
If you "dispel" an idea or feeling that someone has you stop
them believing it or feeling it
swarmed: a verb, to move
together quickly. You can also use the noun "swarm": for
example "A swarm of bees"
Extract 2: Simon Ingram
"In a short speech, the prince said his
reception demonstrated that FUNCINPEC remained a pillar of the
country. He called again for fair elections, saying the Cambodian
people should be able to decide their future freely. But while the
gathering reflected a level of popular appeal that his rival, second
Prime Minister, Hun Sen, would envy, it's with the latter that
the clear political advantage lies at present. The discussions with
Asian diplomats that kept Prince Ranariddh busy at his hotel
headquarters earlier on Tuesday reveals no ready solution to
the problems blocking his participation in elections due to be
held in late July. "
pillar of the country: if
someone is described as a pillar of a particular group then they are
an active and important member of it
latter: when you have just
mentioned two things you refer to the second as "the latter",
you refer to the first as "the former"
blocking: if you block
something that is being arranged you prevent it from being done
ready: here, ready is
used without the verb "to be" and just like an ordinary
adjective. It means something that can be used immediately
:
This week's "Current
Affairs English" programme is written and produced by Ruth
Whitbread. |
