The North Wind and the Sun
American English version as spoken by Dr. Thomas M. Schenk*.
*born, raised and educated in Michigan (on the map: in the Inland North), and now working in California (on the map: in the Far West) as a medical doctor


1. Listen without reading.
Click here.

2. Rread the text without listening.
Click here.

3. Listen without reading again and note characteristics.
Click here.

4. Read the text while listening.
Click here and then here.


Finally, compare the G.A. and R.P. texts sylistically.
Click here for the R.P. text.

 

From: William Labov,
Phonological Atlas of North America, 2000






















































































































American English version as spoken by Dr. Thomas M. Schenk 

The North Wind and the Sun were arguing one day about which of them was stronger, when a traveler came along wrapped up in an overcoat. They agreed that the one who could make the traveler take his coat off would be considered stronger than the other one.

Then the North Wind blew as hard as he could, but the harder he blew, the tighter the traveler wrapped his coat around him; and at last the North Wind gave up trying.

Then the Sun began to shine hot , and right away the traveler took his coat off. And so the North Wind had to admit that the Sun was stronger than he was.

Note the differences with the text in British English: not just lexico-grammatical, but also pragmatic, textual, stylistic... Click here for the R.P. text.


Back to the Map of the U.S. and the listening exercise.