All about the vocabulary of cheese and speaking RP

Grammar included:  “Received Pronunciation”     

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New Vocabulary Section

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Remember that during the lesson we are continuing our RP practice to be able to improve our pronunciation and diction.

SECTION ONE

CHEESEY  Vocabulary section:

1. Curds – Curds are the solid chunks of milk protein that form during the cheese-making process after the milk is curdled.

Example: The curds began to separate from the whey, indicating that the cheese-making process was progressing nicely.

2. Whey – Whey is the liquid byproduct that separates from the curds during cheese-making.

Example: After removing the curds, the remaining whey was used to make ricotta cheese.

3. Rennet – Rennet is a natural complex of enzymes, often sourced from animal stomachs or produced by microbes, used to coagulate milk into curds.

Example: The cheese maker added rennet to the warm milk in order to start the curd formation.

4. Affinage – Affinage is the aging or curing process in which cheese matures under controlled conditions to develop flavour and texture.

Example: The affineur turned and brushed the cheese wheels periodically throughout their affinage.

5. Casein – Casein is a protein found in milk that plays a significant role in forming cheese structure during coagulation.

Example: The casein in milk transformed into a solid state as part of the cheese-making process.

6. Pasteurization – Pasteurization is the heat treatment of milk to destroy harmful microorganisms before making cheese.

Example: To ensure safety, all of the milk was pasteurized before being used for cheese production.

7. Brine – Brine is a high-concentration solution of salt in water used to season and preserve many types of cheese.

Example: The newly formed cheese wheels were soaked in brine to enhance their flavor and shelf life.

8. Cultures – Cultures are specific strains of bacteria or mold added to milk to initiate fermentation and develop distinct flavors in cheese.

Example: The cheesemaker carefully selected cultures to create a unique, tangy flavour profile in her cheddar.

9. Cheddar – Cheddar is a small town in the south of England. The town is famous for producing cheddar cheese.

Example:  Cheddar has been producing cheese for hundreds of years, it is the namesake of the famous cheddar cheese.

10. Blue Vein – A strong tasting cheese with streaks of blue running through the cheese.

Example:  There are thousands of blue vein cheeses around the world.  It’s my favourite cheese.   

11. What’s the difference between Italian Gorganzola and other Blue Vein cheeses?  Gorganzola is from a specific town in the Lombardy region of Italy.  Want to know the difference? Read the link:    https://www.eatingwell.com/article/8040797/blue-cheese-vs-gorgonzola/


SECTION TWO

 ”Received Pronunciation Practice”

No listen to this short video of RP to help your mind to get into the right zone.

The Value of Speaking English with a Received Pronunciation Accent

 

RP and ‘ed’ practice text.  Notice how Sophie the BBC presenter and Katherine both speak RP.

READING with R.P. (practicing the ‘ed’ sounds)

Tucked away in the rolling Mendip Hills of Somerset, Cheddar captivated many with its quintessential charm. Long ago, local farmers cultivated the fertile soil, planting crops that flourished under their attentive care. The small community prospered, and commerce thrived as merchants traded goods at the bustling market square. Visitors often crowded the streets, searching for souvenirs and savouring the town’s famous cheese. Inhabitants treasured their routines and relished the tranquility that life in Cheddar offered.

Years passed, and the town expanded gracefully, respecting its historical roots while embracing change. Buildings that once stood as solitary outposts joined together to form picturesque lanes. The river that meandered through Cheddar glimmered as it reflected the quaint cottages that perched alongside its banks. Residents maintained their gardens with pride, planting blossoms that nodded along to the rhythms of the seasons. Tourists wandered through these gardens, immersing themselves in a palette of colors and scents unique to this English haven.

Cheddar also harboured secrets beneath its surface; ancient caves wound deep within the limestone cliffs. Explorers navigated these subterranean passages, uncovering secrets that dated back thousands of years. Guides led curious visitors down into this underworld, recounting tales of stalactites and stalagmites formed by nature’s own handiwork. The town itself preserved its history diligently, ensuring that future generations could appreciate Cheddar’s rich heritage. As dusk settled, lights twinkled against the night sky, mirroring stars above while locals recounted stories from days gone by.

SECTION THREE

How to pronounce the ‘ed’ sounds in regular verbs.

 

‘ED’ practice text

In this text remember that we are practicing our RP but at the same time we are going to practice how to pronounce the ‘ed’ in regular verbs.  Here is an explanation.

In English, the pronunciation of the past tense suffix “-ed” varies and is determined by the final sound of the root verb:

1. /t/ Sound: We use this sound when the root verb ends in voiceless consonants (except for /t/), such as /p/, /k/, /s/, /ʃ/ (sh), /ʧ/ (ch), and /f/. For example:
– “walk” becomes “walked” and is pronounced as /wa:   kt/
– “laugh” becomes “laughed” and is pronounced as /laugh:  ft/

2. /d/ Sound: We use this sound with root verbs ending in voiced sounds, which include all vowel sounds and voiced consonants (except for /d/), such as /b/, /g/, /v/, /z/, etc. For example:
– “call” becomes “called” and is pronounced as /ca  lld/
– “rob” becomes “robbed” and is pronounced as /rob  bd/

3. /ɪd/ or just /d/ Sound: We use this sound distinctly when the root verb ends in either a /t/ or a /d/. This additional syllable makes it easier to pronounce. For example:
– “want” becomes “wanted” and is pronounced as /ˈwant:  id/
– “need” becomes “needed” and is pronounced as /ˈneed:  id/


SECTION FOUR

Phrasal Verbs:  COOKING WITH CHEESE

1. Cut into – to slice or divide into smaller pieces.
Example: She cut into the cheese wheel and arranged the pieces on the platter.

2. Grate over – to shred cheese on top of a dish.
Example: Grate over some parmesan to finish off the spaghetti.

3. Sprinkle on – to scatter small pieces of cheese over food.
Example: Just sprinkle on a bit of feta cheese to add flavor to the salad.

4. Melt down – to heat cheese until it becomes liquid.
Example: He melted down some cheddar to make a delicious cheese dip.

5. Whip up – to mix or beat cheese into a dish quickly.
Example: She decided to whip up a cream cheese frosting for the cupcakes.

6. Slice off – to cut a thin piece from a larger block of cheese.
Example: Can you slice off a piece of gouda for my sandwich?

7. Spread over – to apply a layer of spreadable cheese onto a surface.
Example: He spread some brie over the crackers for an appetizer.

8. Layer on – to place slices or pieces of cheese in layers within a dish.
Example: Layer on the mozzarella between each lasagna sheet for extra richness.

9. Crumble in – to break cheese into small, irregular pieces and add it to a dish.
Example: Crumble in some blue cheese into the salad for a sharp taste.

10. Fold through – mix in (a usually solid ingredient) gently without causing loss of air or volume, often done with soft cheeses or curds.
Example: Fold through the goat’s cheese gently so that the omelette remains fluffy.

SECTION FIVE

Idioms and expressions in English are very important.  CHEESE IDIOMS AND EXPRESSIONS

1. Expression: “Say cheese”
Meaning: A phrase used to encourage someone to smile, often right before taking a photograph.
Example: Everyone huddled together and smiled as the photographer yelled, “Say cheese!”

2. Expression: “The big cheese”
Meaning: Informal way to refer to an important, influential, or high-ranking person within an organization.
Example: At the meeting, it was clear that she was the big cheese as everyone listened to her intently.

3. Expression: “Cheese it”
Meaning: Slang for telling someone to stop what they’re doing, usually in haste or to avoid being caught.
Example: The teenagers heard someone coming and yelled, “Cheese it! The cops!”

4. Expression: “Grilled cheese”
Meaning: While literally referring to a type of sandwich made with melted cheese between slices of grilled bread, it can also be used playfully to describe something as being pressed or in a tough situation.
Example: I felt like a grilled cheese during that job interview—completely under pressure and sweating!

5. Expression: “Cut the cheese”
Meaning: A euphemism for flatulence or passing gas.
Example: Someone cut the cheese in the classroom, causing a wave of giggles among the students.  “OK, who cut the cheese?”

 

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