The cod delusion

Neil and Rosie talk about an unusual honour for a well-known scientist - having a fish named after him.

This week's question: What was the Beatles first UK number 1 hit?

a) Love Me Do

b) Please Please Me

c) Yellow Submarine

Listen out for the answer at the end of the programme.

Original BBC page

atheists

people who think that God or gods don't exist

evolutionary science

the science based on Charles Darwin's theory that animals and plants developed slowly over time rather than having been created by a God or higher power

species

a type of plant or animal

crustaceans

animals which live in water and have a shell

extolling

praising something highly

filaments

thin threads or wires

Invisible island

The island that never existed

Sandy Island appeared on maps as a piece of land between Australia and New Caledonia in the South Pacific. But when scientists from the University of Sydney went to the area, they found only the blue ocean of the Coral Sea.

Alice and Neil try to find out more.

Today's question:

What's the name of the legendary island which is said to have sunk into the sea? Is it:

a) Pacifica

b) Atlantis

c) Oceana

Listen out for the answer at the end of the programme.

Original BBC page

Vocabulary

reading maps - understanding and finding your way using a map

navigator - person who plots the journey or location

expedition - research trip

suspicious - not trusting or believing

human error - mistake made by a person

nautical - related to the sea or oceans

variety of sources - selection of reference material

Alice: Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English: we’ll be talking about a story in the news and learning some vocabulary along the way. I’m Alice and joining me today is Neil. Welcome, Neil.

Neil: Hi there Alice.

Alice: Now, Neil are you good with maps?

Neil: Good with maps? You mean – am I good at reading maps?

Alice: Yes. Can you find your way to a place you want to go to just by looking at a map.

Neil: Well, actually I need a map. Because I used to think I had a great sense of direction but now I have to admit I have a terrible sense of direction. I almost always walk in the wrong direction automatically, so I need a map.

Alice: You need a map. Well I like to think I’m a fairly good navigator – that’s someone who finds or plots the way. But what if the map is wrong? I once walked around a town for a whole hour using a map I’d downloaded from the internet, and then I realised the map I was using was completely wrong.

Neil: Oh dear, it does happen.

Alice: Yes it does. And in 6 Minute English today, we’ll be hearing about an island that has appeared on maps for several years, but which people now realise has never existed at all! 

 Neil: Aha, this is the famous Sandy Island near Australia.

Alice: Yes, it’s all very suspicious! And, Neil, as we’re talking about islands, my question for you today is about a legendary island which is supposed to have sunk into the ocean thousands of years ago. Was it called: a) Pacifica b) Atlantis, or c) Oceana

Neil: Well, I will have a think about that and tell you at the end of the programme.

Alice: OK, as usual we’ll find out what the answer is at the end. Now let’s hear more about Sandy Island – the island that never was! Maria Seton from the University of Sydney in Australia was on an expedition in the sea between Australia and New Caledonia.

Scientist Maria Seton:

We were actually out in the Eastern Coral Sea conducting a scientific research expedition and when we were approaching the area of this supposed island, we saw that our scientific maps showed there was an island there, and yet the navigation charts on board the vessel showed that we had a water depth of 1,400 metres. So that’s where we started getting suspicious.

Alice: Maria Seton and her research team were looking at their scientific maps which showed an island. But they became suspicious – they questioned what they saw. Why?

Neil: Because when they got to the area where the island was supposed to be, the navigation charts on board the vessel – the ship – showed that all that was there was 1,400 metres of water.

Alice: So, the island wasn’t there. Could it have sunk? Here’s BBC Correspondent

BBC Correspondent, Duncan Kennedy

It hasn’t sunk – no it was never there. The Australian Naval Maps department – the department that makes naval maps – said it could simply be human error repeated down through the years.

Neil: Did you hear what did the department that makes naval maps in Australia said about Sandy Island appearing on its maps?

Alice: They said it could be human error repeated through the years. That means one person made a mistake and put the island on the map and then other people just copied their map over and over again.

Neil: Interesting. But how could all maps make the same mistake? The island appeared on standard maps, nautical maps – that’s maps of the ocean - and even Google Earth, which is largely made up of photos from space?

Alice: Well, people who make maps use a variety of sources they say – lots of different reference materials – so maybe it wasn’t worth taking thousands of photos of the sea, but easier to copy someone else’s map. Here’s what the BBC’s Duncan Kennedy says about the mistake:

BBC Correspondent Duncan Kennedy:

Sandy Island appears on standard maps, nautical maps and it even appears on Google

Earth and a spokesman for Google Earth Maps Australia said they use a variety of sources to compile their maps but that things change. They’re advising people to tell them if they spot similar mistakes could they let them know.

 Alice: The BBC’s Duncan Kennedy, who says map makers like Google Earth have advised people to tell them if they spot similar mistakes on any of their maps.

Neil: Yes, things change! Even islands disappear sometimes – which brings me to the answer to your question at the beginning of 6 Minute English Alice. I think I know the name of that legendary island you were talking about.

Alice: Ah yes, I asked you if it was called: a. Pacifica, b. Atlantis or c. Oceana. 

Neil: And I thought it was a trick question but I’m going to go with what I first thought, which is Atlantis.

 Alice: And you’re right. Atlantis was the name given to a legendary island which was supposed to have been somewhere between Africa and Europe before it sunk. It was talked about by Plato in the fourth century BC.

And, Neil, I hope you’ll share some of the words we’ve heard in today’s programme:

Neil: Yes, of course. Here they are: …

Alice: Thanks so much, Neil. And please join us again soon for more 6 Minute English from bbclearningenglish.com.

Neil: And don’t forget to find us on Facebook and Twitter. We really do exist there. Honestly.

Both: Bye for now

Missiles over London

Jennifer and Neil talk about government plans to place weapons on civilian roof tops during the Olympics.

This week's question: The question for our listeners is: What inspired the creation of the Paralympic Games? Was it:

a) A tradition from Ancient Olympia

b) The Crimean War

c) World War II

Listen out for the answer at the end of the programme.

Original BBC page

controversial

something which causes arguments between its supporters and opponents

missiles

weapons usually sent from the ground into the air, which explode when they reach a target

tower block

tall buildings full of apartments

send a signal

give a message

would-be plotters

people who might be making sinister plans

to impose

to tell someone to do or accept something without giving them a choice

fundamental

basic

consulted

asked to give an opinion

to deter

to discourage someone to do something

activist

someone who takes an active part in a campaign about something

Global traffic jam

What is the solution to the global traffic jam?

This year the BBC is looking into the future, in key areas of science, politics, education and our personal life in a series called What If? As part of this, 6 Minute English looks at the question: 'What if everyone had a car?'

There are already a billion cars in the world but what would be the consequences if there were even more vehicles on the road? Rob and Jennifer discuss what might happen and they talk about some designs for cars of the future.

We'll be hearing some driving-related words and phrases along the way.

This week's question:

In 2010, one of the world's longest jams occurred in Beijing in China. How long was it?

a) 50 kilometres

b) 100 kilometres

c) 200 kilometres

Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Go to the original page

traffic jams

a queue of vehicles on a road that are not moving, or moving very slowly

gridlock

a situation where there are so many vehicles on the road that none of them can move

a maelstrom

a situation that is confusing and chaotic

bumper to bumper

cars travelling close together and almost touching

to get behind the wheel

to start driving a car

the end of the road

a point where you cannot continue any further

gas-guzzling

using a lot of fuel

Festive feelings

Father Christmases and snowmen make this shop look very festive!

It's that time of the year again! Many people around the world are celebrating Christmas. For some it is a religious occasion; for others it is a chance to relax and get together with friends and family.

In 6 Minute English, Rob and Finn discuss what the festive season means to different people and explain some Christmas-related vocabulary.

Original page

greeting

friendly message usually sent at a special occasion

the festive season

the Christmas period

traditions

old customs that happen regularly and have become the usual

carols

old and well-known songs sung at Christmas

let their hair down

enjoy themselves / have a good time

catch up

talk to people you haven't seen for a long time

hopeful

believing something good will happen

thankful

grateful for something

joyous

feeling of happiness

stuffing themselves

eating lots of food

community

a group of people who have common interests, and/or live in the same area

socialise

spend time with people you like

What are managers for?

David Brent - a fictional manager in the TV series 'The Office'

We have all experienced working for a manager - or a boss. There are so many of them! In the UK there are over 5 million of them.

In this week's programme, Rob and Finn discuss what managers are for, ask if there are too many of them and wonder if some job titles make people look like a manager - when really they are not.

Listen out for words and phrases to do with being a manager and management.

This week's question:

Who was the world's highest paid football manager in 2012? Was it:

a) Sir Alex Ferguson

b) Jose Mourinho

c) Fabio Copello

Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Original page

to boss you around

to tell you what to do

inspirational

making you feel enthusiastic and encouraged in what you are doing

financial rewards

money/ pay

organisational skills

ability to plan and make decisions so that things go well

people skills

ability to deal with people in a friendly and fair way that achieves good results

hierarchy

the way people are arranged in a company according to their importance

middle manager

person whose position is in the middle of the management structure at a company

job title

the name that is given to your role at work

train manager

someone who sells tickets and deals with passengers on a train

office manager

someone who looks after the day-to-day administration and running of the office

IT manager

someone who deals with computers and computer systems

career ladder

a series of jobs that a person does through their working life, starting with the lowest paid jobs with least responsibility, moving job by job to increasingly senior positions

Penny pinching!

Is this the end of the Canadian penny?

Canada is withdrawing its humble penny - or cent - from circulation. Its economy is out of pocket by $11 million a year because it costs 1.6 cents to make a 1 cent coin.

Rob and Finn discuss how the UK would cope without its one pence piece.

humble -  modest or insignificant

circulation - going around in the economy

legal tender - currency, such as coins and paper money, that can be lawfully used as payment for goods and services (zákonné platidlo)

to round out - to increase or decrease the price to the nearest price that can be paid

a nuisance - something that causes annoyance or inconvenience

costs a pretty penny - is very expensive

numismatist - a collector and student of coins

iconic - well known and represents something

inflation - the increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money

inevitable -  certain to happen or unavoidable

 Original page

Rob: Hello I’m Rob and this is 6 Minute English. With me today is Finn. Hello Finn.

Finn: Hello Rob.

Rob: Today we’re discussing money.

Finn: Money – a subject close to my heart. But we’re not talking about big money are we?

Rob: No, we’re talking about the humble penny. The Canadian penny, to be more precise. It’s going to be withdrawn from circulation because production costs have exceeded its monetary value.

Finn: So there’s not much time left to ‘spend a penny’!

Rob: That’s a very good penny idiom and I’m sure there are plenty more we’ll mention in today’s programme.

Finn: Yes – but of course the penny is not the proper name for this small Canadian coin – its official name is the cent. Do we have any cent idioms today?

Rob: We don’t but, as always, I do have a question to ask you.

Finn: OK.

Rob: Well, on the theme of money, in which country would you use the Tambala coin?

Is it: a) Malawi b) Madagascar c) Myanmar

Finn: I don’t know the answer. It sounds like an African country, so I’m going to say Malawi.

Rob: Malawi. Well, I’ll let you know the answer at the end of the programme. But let’s get back to the news the Canadian penny – or cent - is being withdrawn from circulation.

Finn: The Royal Canadian Mint will no longer distribute the coin to financial institutions around the country, but it will remain legal tender.

Rob: Legal tender – that means shops can still accept the coin as payment for things.

But it’s slowly going to disappear because places like banks will not be given any new ones. So why is this?

Finn: I suppose the coin does not have much value – and personally, I find having loads of small coins in my pocket really annoying.

Rob: It’s true, although all those pennies can add up to a lot of money, so I like to save them in a big jar. People say if you take care of the pennies, the pounds will take care of themselves!

Finn: Well in Canada, at least, there will be fewer pennies to collect, it might be nickels instead. Nickels are worth five cents each. That’s because the government has advised shop owners to round out prices to the nearest nickel for cash transactions. That means to increase or round up, or decrease or round down to the nearest nickel.

Rob: Canada is not alone in withdrawing small coins. Other countries, such as New Zealand, Australia, the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden, no longer use the penny. And here in the UK, some people think the penny is a waste of space.

Finn: Peter Nichols is a coin dealer; would he miss the British penny if it was withdrawn?

Peter Nichols, British coin dealer:

Not at all, I don’t even count them in the till. When the section gets too full I put them in the charity box, that’s more where it comes from now, yeah. 

Rob: So he wouldn’t miss them. The pennies he gets now go in to a box where money is collected for charity. So they are a nuisance – they just get in the way.

Finn: Of course the other problem with these small coins is how much they cost to make. They are not cost-effective. In Canada, it costs 1.6 cents to make a 1 cent coin. That means it costs the economy a pretty penny.

Rob: A pretty penny! That means a large sum of money. Yes, the Canadian economy makes a loss of 11 million Canadian dollars every year by making these coins.

That’s a big loss from a small coin. But back in the UK, some people are fond of this humble coin. They want to look after the penny.

Finn: Could we say they are ‘penny pinchers’ Rob? That’s what we call people who are careful with how they spend their money – they count every penny!

Rob: That’s not me and it isn’t Phil Mussel, who is a numismatist – that’s someone who collects and studies coins…

Phil Mussel, Director of Coin News magazine:

I think it would be a great shame if we got rid of the penny. It’s one of those iconic coins of Britain. We've had the coin since 780, and we’ve had it ever since. In fact up until the fourteenth century, it was the only coin in circulation.

Finn: So Phil Mussel is nostalgic about the British penny. He calls it an iconic coin – it represents or is a symbol of British currency.

Rob: By getting rid of the penny altogether, there is fear that it could create inflation, as shop keepers round up prices.

Finn: Phil Mussel fears if it happened in the UK, prices would only go up – that is inevitable – it will happen.

Rob: Well that would make our wallets and pockets a lot lighter!

Finn: What? Ah, the penny’s dropped, I see what you mean!

Rob: Good. Well here is something that is inevitable, the answer to this week’s question. Earlier, I asked you in which country would you use the Tambala coin?

Finn: And I said Malawi. Was I right? 

Rob: You were right. The Tambala coin is legal tender in Malawi 100 Tambalas make one Kwacha. OK, it’s almost time to go but before we do, Finn could you remind us of some of the words we have heard today.

Finn: Yes. We heard: …..

Rob: Well, that’s all we have time for today. Please join us again soon for Six Minute English from bbclearningenglish.com

70 years of learning

BBC Learning English is in celebratory mood as we mark 70 years of teaching English!

In 6 Minute English, Rob and Finn discuss why the BBC started to teach the world English and why the reasons for people wanting to learn have changed.

We also hear from some current students about why they want to learn English.

celebratory - describes a feeling of taking part in a special occasion

to shout about - to announce to everyone

fluent - to a very high standard

transmitting - broadcasting a radio signal

raised morale - improved people's mood and feelings particularly at a difficult time

a practical need - a real life use

a smattering - a very small amount

 Original page

Rob: Hello, I'm Rob and this is 6 Minute English and I'm joined this week by Finn. Hello Finn.

Finn: Hello Rob.

Rob: We are in a celebratory mood this week Finn aren't we?

Finn: Yes we are. We have something to shout about – it's the 70^th anniversary of the

BBC teaching English to the world.

Rob: Happy birthday to us! So, we have been teaching English for 70 years – actually Finn I think we look quite good for 70!

Finn: Yes, not too many grey hairs. And you would think that if our audience has been listening for 70 years they would be fluent – or perfect speakers of English by now. Maybe we should just go home now?

Rob: Stay where you are – of course you know Finn that our audience is always changing.

New people are finding us and wanting to learn English and we'll be finding out why they do very soon. But let's see what you've learnt over the years and see if you can answer this question. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, what is the most commonly used English word. Is it:

a) I     b) and     c) the

Finn: Rob, I think it has to be c) the.

Rob: I'll let you know the answer at the end of the programme. Now let's talk more about 70 years of teaching English. The BBC's English-teaching department first started transmitting radio programmes in 1943. The world was a very different place then. 

Finn: Yes. World War Two was taking place and many parts of Europe were occupied by German forces. It was felt that by teaching other nationalities English, they could understand radio news bulletins on the BBC Empire Service – the old name for the BBC World Service.

Rob: So, for many listeners there was a practical need to learn English.

Finn: After the war there was a big demand in people wanting to learn English and the BBC tried to do this in "…light and entertaining dialogues in simple, though not basic, English." That's conversations that sounded natural and interesting to listen to.

Rob: A bit like our programmes today. In the years after the war, people wanted to learn English not just to understand programmes on the BBC but so they could do business with or work for companies around the world. So we could say it had an economic benefit.

Finn: Today, people are learning online via the internet and some are learning English to communicate with – or talk or write to – other non-native speakers, particularly on social media.

Rob: That's true. We can hear from some students now who are learning English here in the UK. See if you can hear why they think it's important to learn English:

Vox pop of students:

My name is Bruno, I am from France, I like to learn English because this language is international and I can use it to have a conversation with people from different countries. I have more liberty if I want to speak with different people.

My name is Juan Reynoso, I come from Peru. I want to learn English because I think this is the language the world speaks.

Rob: Some good reasons there. Bruno and Juan want to learn English to communicate with others. Bruno says it gives him more liberty – he means freedom to speak with and understand other people.

Finn: So, English is good for that but let's hear some more practical reasons – or ways that it will be a real benefit to someone's life:

Vox pop of students: 

 My name is Rafael Guimaraes, I come from Sao Paulo in Brazil. I've chosen English because I am studying business so it's very important for my career and also because you can communicate to people from all over the world.

My name is Ivo. I am from Lima, Peru. I am planning on studying mechanical engineering and there is not much market for it in Peru, so I'm thinking of going abroad and for that I will need to learn another language so that's why I'm learning English too.

Rob: So, Rafael and Ivo are learning English to help with their studies. They hope it will help their career.

Finn: The jobs they will end up doing. So really they are learning English to help themselves!

Rob: Well luckily, BBC Learning English is here to help those and many other students around the world learn English. It is one of the world's most widely spoken languages so it is good to have a least a smattering – a small understanding – of English.

Finn: Yes, and if you want to live in the UK it's now expected that you can speak at least some English. But come on Rob, let's face it, learning a new language is fun too.

Rob: That's true and it's been fun teaching it for 70 years – let's hope we've helped at least some of you learn the language. Now Finn, let's find out if you answered my question correctly. Earlier I asked you what is the most commonly used English word.

Finn: I said the.

Rob: And you are right. The is the most commonly used word. Well, that's all we have time for today. Please join us again soon and keep learning English with BBC learning English.

Both: Bye. 

Downsizing for Italy's Casanovas

Being a Casanova costs a lot of money

Some Italian men are known as Casanovas. They woo - or chase - women and buy them expensive gifts.

But now, because of the economic downturn, some of them are struggling to live up to the reputation they once had.

Rob and Finn - non-Casanovas - discuss the cutbacks these men are making and what it means for their mistresses, or their 'secret women'.

Seducing -  persuading someone to have sex with you

promiscuous  - having lots of sexual partners

to woo - to try and start a romantic relationship

swanky - fashionable and expensive

downsizing - making smaller or cutting back

mistress - (here) woman who is having a sexual relationship with a married man

Latin lover  - a stereotypical way to describe a romantic and passionate male lover from a Mediterranean or Latin-American country

rein in - control or limit something that has developed too much

lavished - gave someone a lot of something, such as money

go Dutch -  to pay just for your own food and drink when eating with other people

window shopping - (here) looking at women but without planning to try to develop a relationship

eyeing up -  looking at someone with sexual interest

Original page

Rob: Hello I’m Rob. Welcome to 6 Minute English. I’m joined today by Finn. Hi Finn.

Finn: Hi Rob.

Rob: Today we are talking about Casanovas. Finn, could you explain what one is?

Finn: Yes a Casanova is a man who is a smooth talker, very charming and great at seducing women – to be blunt, or to be honest, they are good at getting women into bed!

Rob: Yes, they have many sexual partners. Do you know anyone you could call a Casanova?

Finn: No, nobody. The name is often related to Italian men because it comes from the 18th

Century Italian adventurer and writer, Giacomo Girolamo Casanova, who was known for his sexual adventures.

Rob: Well the modern-day Casanova could be in trouble, as we’ll be explaining soon. But first, a question for you Finn.

Finn: I hope you won’t be asking how many sexual partners he had?

Rob: Nothing like that. Do you know which Italian city he was born in?

a) Florence b) Rome c) Venice

Finn: I consider Venice the city of love so let’s say c) Venice.

Rob: I’ll let you know the answer at the end of programme. So let’s talk more about Italian Casanovas. These promiscuous men are suffering because of today’s economic problems.

Finn: Yes – unlike me and you Rob – they’re struggling to woo women – that means to attract them and give them attention. They often do this financially – by spending money on them.

Rob: So these Italian Casanovas used to buy their ladies gifts and treats, like meals or a night in a swanky hotel, but now they can’t afford it.

Finn: Well, no sympathy from me. But like all of us, they have had to cut costs - but in Italy, where unemployment is more than 12%, they’ve had to make some bigger sacrifices.

Rob: Ha, you mean they have had to give up some of their women – or at least cut back – reduce – the gifts they are buying. It means the Italian women they woo will have to lower their expectations – they’ll have to expect less!

Finn: Or go elsewhere! This is something the BBC’s Emma Jane Kirby has been investigating for the programme From Our Own Correspondent. She discovered real life examples of men who are downsizing – in other words, spending less.

Rob: Let’s hear some of her report now. What word is used to describe a Casanova’s secret girlfriend’? And what gifts did the Casanova traditionally give her?

BBC Correspondent, Emma Jane Kirby:

The economic crisis has hit Italian men where it hurts most; with their country still in recession and the cost of living soaring, the Latin lover has had to rein in his appetite.

The traditional kept mistress, secretly hidden away in her fully paid-up flat and lavished with furs and jewels, has been consigned to history.

Finn: That’s Emma Jane Kirby describing the economic situation in Italy. She says the country is in recession – that means the economic situation is bad. It also means, as she said, the cost of living is soaring – so going up.

Rob: And it’s these rising costs that has hit Italians ‘where it hurts most’.

Finn: That sounds painful! But of course she means ‘in the pocket’ – in other words the biggest pain men are suffering is financial. Financial pain.

Rob: Did you hear another name the correspondent used for a Casanova? It was a Latin lover. The Latin lover has had to rein in his appetite – so he’s had to learn to control or limit his romantic habits.

Finn: And one of his habits was having a kept mistress – so another woman he would support financially. These women were kept secret, hidden away but lavished with furs and jewels.

Rob: Lavished – that’s a good word – it means to give a lot – so these men were giving their mistresses lots of gifts. But not any more!

Finn: No. Now some of them can only offer simple pleasures like a cup of coffee, a walk in the park and if they’re eating out they might have to ‘go Dutch’ – that means split the bill 50:50.

Rob: It sounds tough being a Casanova these days. But I wonder what their wives think about this?

Finn: Well, they probably don’t know, but the number of people getting divorced is going down as the Casanova can no longer afford to support two women. So maybe the recession in Italy is having a positive effect for married women at least!

Rob: For now, the Casanova can only rely on his charm and good looks and possibly just stick to window shopping – or just eyeing up women without taking things further.

Finn: It sounds like hard work being a Casanova Rob. I’ll stick with women one at a time!

Rob: Very wise. Now let me reveal the answer to today’s question. Earlier I asked you which Italian city was Giacomo Girolamo Casanova born in?

Finn: I said c) Venice.

Rob: You were right. He was born in Venice in 1725. Well that’s it for this programme. Please join us soon again for 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English.

Both: Bye.