Relax, Refresh your English knowledge 77
376. What is the difference between a ‘soliloquy’ and a ‘monologue’?
First, let’s deal with the pronunciation of ‘soliloquy’. The ‘o’ in the first and third syllable is pronounced like the ‘a’ in ‘china’. The second syllable ‘lil’ rhymes with ‘fill’, ‘bill’, and ‘chill’. The ‘qui’ in the final syllable is like the ‘qui’ in ‘quit’ and ‘quiz’. The word is pronounced ‘se-LIL-e-kwi’ with the stress on the second syllable. It comes from the Latin ‘soliloquium’ meaning ‘talking to oneself’. A soliloquy is a device used by a dramatist to let the audience know what a character is thinking. In a soliloquy, a character is speaking to himself; he is thinking aloud, and what he says is meant only for the audience, and not for the other characters in the play. The plays of Shakespeare are well known for their soliloquies. A monologue is one person talking; not necessarily to himself. A play in which there is only one character is called a ‘monologue’. The term can also be used to refer to a conversation between two individuals in which one person does most of the talking. The other individual merely listens. ****** “Efficiency is intelligent laziness.” — Anonymous
377. "You look upset about something." "I am. Sujatha said something nasty." "That's nothing new. Sujatha is always saying something nasty. Why should it upset you?" "She accused me of being lily-livered." "She's called me that several times. But it didn't upset..." "At least you know what it means. I don't!" "I see. It means timid. Someone who is lily-livered lacks the courage to do things." "In other words, he's too chicken to do things?" "That's right! I laughed when Chandu asked a lily-livered person like Ganesh to try bungee jumping." "There's no point in asking those lily-livered bunch of individuals. They won't help us." "The lily-livered Principal went on leave when he heard there was trouble at college." "Do you want to go to the new restaurant on Saturday?" "I can't. I'm going to Delhi on some personal work." "Delhi? And that too personal work? Are you planning to quit your job?" "I'm just exploring other possibilities." "Have you told your friend Chandu about it?" "Are you joking? Why would I tell something like this to the office snitch?" "Office itch?" "Not itch, but snitch. Do you know what it means?" "Not really. But I can figure it out. A snitch is probably someone who carries tales to other people. Someone who tattles on others." "Well, kind of. A snitch is an informer." "I see. How about this example? The snitch told the police what the gang was planning to do." "That's a good example. Tell that snitch that I have no wish to talk to her." "Which snitch?"
378. "That was just an example. The word can also be used as a verb. When you `snitch on someone', you are informing on that..." "In other words, you are telling another individual what the person said or did." "That's right! As soon as he stepped into the bank, the police surrounded Hemant. He realised that someone had snitched on him." "I don't like it when students snitch on their classmates." "Good example. Well then,..." "Does the word 'snitch' have any other meaning?" "It does. We'll deal with it later. Why don't you go to the new restaurant on your own?" "I would like to, but unfortunately, I have spent all my pocket money on other things." "That's too bad. Why not ask your friend Madhu for a treat? He seems to have no problems spending money like nobody's business." "Like nobody's business? What do you mean?" "When you say that someone spends money like nobody's business, you mean he spends money excessively. He spends it without restraint." "In other words, he spends a lot of money. Perhaps, too much." "That's right. This informal expression can also be used to mean `very well'." "I see. At one time my sister used to play the veena like nobody's business." "That's a wonderful example. My grandmother makes laddus like nobody's business." ""Why not ask her to make you some?" "I'll do that. After I return from Delhi." ****** "Efficiency is intelligent laziness." - Anonymous
A collection from the Open Page Supplement of The Hindu Newspaper
Courtesy: Sri Upendra, the writer of the above
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