The English Lesson 17 theme is KWAITO MUSIC

Part One: Learn English Skills

Read the following text and answer the questions that follow:

Kwaito Music Kwaito is a unique style of music. Dealing with township life in South Africa and sung in local languages or street slang it is very popular, especially among young people. It can often be heard booming from minibus taxis, shebeens (township pubs) and radios everywhere.

What makes it such good party music is the heavy, electronic dance beat that runs through many kwaito songs. This is because the genre was heavily influenced by American and British house music. Many other styles also contributed and were mixed with a lot of South African flavour to create kwaito's unique sound. Mostly the lyrics are chanted, not sung, in a mixture of languages ranging from Zulu to English.

By breaking down language barriers in this way, kwaito is beginning to appeal to many South Africans of different races. It has actually become more than just a music style - kwaito is now seen as a culture. Its funky blend of dancing, dressing and performing especially represents the country's youth. Popular bands like Boom Shaka and Bongo Maffin even act as role models to many teenagers.

Although some older South Africans have dismissed it as a passing fad, kwaito sounds as though it is here to stay.

Your Turn

What are the lyrics of kwaito songs about?
Where can kwaito be heard?
Why is kwaito such good party music?
Why is kwaito beginning to appeal to so many South Africans?
What word in the text means "to represent"?
Genius question: what is another word for "fad"?

Part Two: Learn English Structure

IN and INTO

IN and INTO are both prepositions. "In" is used to talk about the position of something (with no movement)

"Where's Vuyo?" "In his bedroom, listening to music."

"Into" is used to talk about an actual movement.

He walked into the room where Vuyo was sitting.

After some words both are possible. (for example "throw", "jump", "cut" and "push".) However, it is better to use "into" when thinking of the actual movement.

He threw his music book into the air.

"In" is rather used when thinking of the end of the movement - in other words, where something will be once the movement has stopped.

He threw his music book in the river.

You would therefore also use "in" after "sit down" and very often after "put".

The conductor sat down in his armchair. (NOT The conductor sat down into his armchair.)
The bored guitarist put his hands in his pockets.

Your Turn

Complete the following sentences using "in" and "into":

Bongo Maffin is the band _____ the studio.
The kwaito fan stepped from the street _____ the shebeen.
Vuyo likes to sit down ___ his chair and listen to kwaito.
The crowd screamed when Boom Shaka stepped ____ the hall.

Part Three: Funnies

"Haven't I seen your face before?" a judge demanded, looking down at the accused.
"You have, Your Honour," the man answered hopefully. "I gave your son violin lessons last winter." "Ah, yes," recalled the judge. "For that you'll get twenty years!"

Son: Mother, I want to grow up and be a rock-n-roll musician.
Mother: Now son, you have to pick one or the other. You can't do both.

Part Four: Quotations

After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music. - Aldous Huxley

One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. - Bob Marley

Music is everybody's possession. It's only publishers who think that people own it. - John Lennon

Part Five: Links

Rage

Rage is a funky website that has lots of background information on kwaito and other aspects of South African street culture.

http://www.rage.co.za

Wordsmith is a useful site for anybody who wants to increase their English vocabulary or just have fun with words.

Wordsmith

The A.Word.A.Day section features a different word each day with a short definition, quotation and a sound file to help with its pronunciation. You can even have the word delivered to your e-mail address.

The site also features Wordserver that provides thesaurus, dictionary and acronym functions via e-mail.

Finally, the Anagram Server automatically reshuffles letters in any word you enter to create a number of new words.

http://www.wordsmith.org