angela_merkel.pdf
angela_merkel.mp3
BBC LEARNING ENGLISH
6 Minute English
Angela Merkel
Sam
Hello This is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English I’m Sam
Neil
And I’m Neil
Sam
In this programme, we’re talking about a famous leader and teaching you some
useful vocabulary…
Neil
like ‘chancellor’ – the person in the highest position in a government or a
university – and especially the title for the head of the government in some
European countries
Sam
Such as Germany, where a chancellor runs the country It’s a position like the
prime minister in the UK
Neil
And one of Germany’s longest serving chancellors was Angela Merkel, who led
the country from 2005 until the recent elections in September 2021
Sam
Well, we’re going to find out more about her soon but not before I’ve challenged
you to answer this question, Neil Who was Germany’s first ever chancellor? Was
it:
a) Otto von Bismarck,
b) Helmut Schmidt or
c) Franz von Papen?
Neil
Well, my knowledge of German history isn’t great but a) Otto von Bismarck,
sounds most likely
Sam
OK, I’ll reveal the answer later on But let’s talk more about Angela Merkel now
She was in office for 16 years – ‘in office’ means ‘in power’ or ‘in charge’, until she
stepped down last month
Neil
Yes, that’s a long time – which meant that she had to make lots of decisions,
popular with some people and not with others
Sam
Over that time, she’s gained a nickname – ‘mutti’ – German for ‘mother’ This
could be seen as a compliment but started life as more of an insult, as BBC
correspondent Damien McGuinness, explained on the BBC Radio programme,
From Our Own Correspondent…
Damien McGuinness, BBC correspondent
The ‘mummy Merkel’ image in fact, started off as an insult from conservative
rivals It was made up during her first term in office by hardline conservatives in
her predominantly male party A patronising put down behind her back Given
her dry academic distinctly un-cuddly style, it was meant to be slighly ironic to
put her in her place as a woman, possibly even meant to be hurtful, given that in
reality she has no children
Sam
Oh dear, so the nickname of ‘mother’ was really used as an insult to start with,
probably invented by the men in her political party – described as the hardline
conservatives – ones with traditional and strict beliefs that can’t be changed
Neil
Yes, the nickname was used as a put down – that’s an insult, used to make
someone feel stupid or embarrassed And the intention was to make her feel less
important – or to put her in her place
Sam
Well, politics is full of insults and critics, but it sounds rather cruel, and Damien
McGuinness does go on to say that this image is really a ‘media myth’ and not
quite accurate
Neil
The media has not always been negative about Angela Merkel She is the longest
serving amongst current EU leaders and participated in an estimated 100 EU
summits She has often been described as "the only grown-up in the room" So,
the media has also labelled her ‘The Queen of Europe’
Sam
What is true is that following the recent elections in Germany, her successor –
the person who became chancellor - will lack the experience and gravitas that
Merkel has gained over her 16 years as chancellor
Neil
But Damien McGuinness, in his report for the BBC’s From Our Own
Correspondent programme, concludes that many people aren’t sure which of her
nicknames is accurate What word does he use to mean ‘phrases or ideas that
have become meaningless because they’ve been overused’?
Damien McGuinness, BBC correspondent
[But] The confusion around these cliches does point to another truth - The
Chancellor is discreet, to the point of sometimes being invisible So, there's a
fascination about what's really going on behind that deadpan exterior Angela
Merkel may have been in power for more than a decade and a half, but people
are still not really sure they know who she is
Sam
He used the word cliches to mean ‘phrases or ideas that have become
meaningless because they’ve been overused’ People are unsure which
description of her is true because she is discreet – she keeps quiet about things
so as not to attract attention
Neil
Yes, it’s hard to know what she is thinking because she looks deadpan – that
means she looks serious and doesn’t show expression or emotion
Sam
Hmmm, I wonder if Germany’s first ever chancellor had a deadpan exterior?
Neil
Ah yes, earlier you asked me who that was, and I said it was Otto von Bismarck
Was I right?
Sam
Yes, you were – well done [He became chancellor in 1871 and was responsible
for transforming a collection of small German states into the German empire]
Neil
Wunderbar! Now it’s time to recap some of the vocabulary we’ve mentioned
today, starting with chancellor - the person in the highest position in a
government in some countries
Sam
Hardline describes someone with traditional and strict beliefs that can’t be easily
changed
Neil
A put down is an insult, used to make someone feel stupid or embarrassed
Sam
When someone is put in their place, they are made to feel less important than
they are
Neil
Cliches are phrases or ideas that have become meaningless because they’ve
been overused And deadpan describes someone’s serious facial expression that
shows no emotion
Sam
Thanks, Neil That’s all for now but don’t forget there are lots more 6 Minute
English programmes to enjoy on our website at bbclearningenglishcom You can
also find us on social media and on our free app Thanks for listening and
goodbye
Neil
And if you enjoy topical discussion, like in 6 Minute English, why not try one of
our other podcasts? In News Review we take a big international story, discuss the
vocabulary used in the headlines, and teach you how to use it in your everyday
English That’s News Review from BBC Learning English Try it out!
Sam
Thank you for listening and goodbye
Neil
Goodbye
VOCABULARY
chancellor
person in the highest position in a government or a university, and especially the
title for the head of the government in some European countries
hardline
describes someone with traditional and strict beliefs that can’t be easily changed
put down
insult, used to make someone feel stupid or embarrassed
put in their place
made to feel less important than they are trying to be
cliches
phrases or ideas that have become meaningless because they’ve been overused
deadpan
serious facial expression that shows no emotion
