Rule number 2: Be aware of the difficulties of cultural references!
The following text is the first part of the introductory paragraph to a question about car speed:
"The police used to measure the speed of cars on the road by having two PCs some distance apart using a stopwatch. One of them would stand and wave as a car reached him. When the wave was seen by the second PC a stopwatch was started. As the car passed the second PC, the stopwatch was stopped."The question itself read:
"Is the car exceeding the maximum speed limit in Britain?"The ESL student who asked for my help with this question was puzzled how a personal computer could stand and wave. He also had no idea what the maximum speed limit is in Britain.
I would like to know how two personal computers can stand some distance apart and use a stopwatch.
Catherine, I believe "PC" stands for "Police Constable" in British English. "Constable" is the lowest rank in the Police.
ReplyDeleteDon't get your knickers in a twist!
That's what I thought!
ReplyDeleteI was completely flummoxed by that example --- which is funny, 'cause the web site is about how to teach ESL students but it runs afoul of cultural references for a native English speaker from the U.S.
I'm not criticizing the web site, btw --- from what I saw of it, it will be terrifically helpful to me in teaching composition.
ReplyDeleteI thought maybe it meant "police car" and they were being very liberal in the definition of car.
ReplyDeleteCatherine, don't you mean 'criticising' ..... :-)
ReplyDeleteRichard I (brit exiled in BC)