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What Is Your Culture to Me?
What Is Your Culture to Me?

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of What Is Your Culture to Me? is here in full — 232 sentences across 47 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/46 · 5 lines
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WHAT IS YOUR CULTURE TO ME?
Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.
The voice was the voice of President North; the language was an excellent imitation of that used by Cicero and Julius Caesar.
I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.
To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

What Is Your Culture to Me?

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of What Is Your Culture to Me? is here in full — 232 sentences across 47 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/46 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
WHAT IS YOUR CULTURE TO ME?
/wʌt ɪz jɔːr ˈkʌltʃər tuː miː/
Line 2
Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.
Line 3
The voice was the voice of President North; the language was an excellent imitation of that used by Cicero and Julius Caesar.
Line 4
I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.
Line 5
To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

Alumni noun US /əˈlʌmnaɪ/

plural of “alumnus” — a person who has received a degree from a school (high school or college or university)

From this reading “Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.”

Clinton noun US /ˈklɪntən/

wife of President Clinton and later a woman member of the United States Senate (1947-)

From this reading “Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.”

gender noun US /ˈdʒendər/

a grammatical category in inflected languages governing the agreement between nouns and pronouns and adjectives; in some languages it is quite arbitrary but in Indo-European languages it is usually based on sex or animateness

From this reading “I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.”

graduate verb US /ˈɡrædʒəwət/

receive an academic degree upon completion of one's studies

From this reading “I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.”

herald's noun US /ˈherəldz/

possessive form of “herald” — (formal) a person who announces important news

From this reading “To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.”

nouns noun US /naʊnz/

plural of “noun” — a content word that can be used to refer to a person, place, thing, quality, or action

From this reading “I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.”

orators noun US /ˈɔːrətərz/

plural of “orator” — a person who delivers a speech or oration

From this reading “To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.”

tag verb US /tæɡ/

attach a tag or label to

From this reading “I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.”

All words in this reading · 97

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1872

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

26

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

agoadverbUS /əˈɡoʊ/

in the past

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

AlumninounUS /əˈlʌmnaɪ/

plural of “alumnus” — a person who has received a degree from a school (high school or college or university)

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The voice was the voice of President North; the language was an excellent imitation of that used by Cicero and Julius Caesar.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

ascendverbUS /əˈsend/

travel up

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

ascendat

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

ascendingadjectiveUS /əˈsendɪŋ/

moving or going or growing upward

From this reading To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

bloodnounUS /blʌd/

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The voice was the voice of President North; the language was an excellent imitation of that used by Cicero and Julius Caesar.

CaesarnounUS /ˈsiːzər/

conqueror of Gaul and master of Italy (100-44 BC)

From this reading The voice was the voice of President North; the language was an excellent imitation of that used by Cicero and Julius Caesar.

callingnounUS /ˈkɔːlɪŋ/

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

CiceronounUS /ˈsɪsəroʊ/

a linear unit of the size of type slightly larger than an em

From this reading The voice was the voice of President North; the language was an excellent imitation of that used by Cicero and Julius Caesar.

classicnounUS /ˈklæsɪk/

a creation of the highest excellence

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

clingsnounUS /klɪŋz/

plural of “cling” — fruit (especially peach) whose flesh adheres strongly to the pit

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

ClintonnounUS /ˈklɪntən/

wife of President Clinton and later a woman member of the United States Senate (1947-)

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

CollegenounUS /ˈkɑːlɪdʒ/

the body of faculty and students of a college

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

CULTUREnounUS /ˈkʌltʃər/

a particular society at a particular time and place

From this reading WHAT IS YOUR CULTURE TO ME?

deliververbUS /dɪˈlɪvər/

deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

DeliveredverbUS /dɪˈlɪvərd/

past form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

excellentadjectiveUS /ˈeksələnt/

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading The voice was the voice of President North; the language was an excellent imitation of that used by Cicero and Julius Caesar.

facenounUS /feɪs/

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

flatteringadjectiveUS /ˈflætərɪŋ/

showing or representing to advantage

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

forgottenadjectiveUS /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

forthadverbUS /fɔːrθ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

gendernounUS /ˈdʒendər/

a grammatical category in inflected languages governing the agreement between nouns and pronouns and adjectives; in some languages it is quite arbitrary but in Indo-European languages it is usually based on sex or animateness

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

graduateverbUS /ˈɡrædʒəwət/

receive an academic degree upon completion of one's studies

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

gratefuladjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtfəl/

feeling or showing gratitude

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

HamiltonnounUS /ˈhæməltən/

Irish mathematician (1806-1865)

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

herald'snounUS /ˈherəldz/

possessive form of “herald” — (formal) a person who announces important news

From this reading To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

housenounUS /haʊs/

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

imitationnounUS /ˌɪməˈteɪʃən/

the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations

From this reading The voice was the voice of President North; the language was an excellent imitation of that used by Cicero and Julius Caesar.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

invitationnounUS /ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən/

a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

ISauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading WHAT IS YOUR CULTURE TO ME?

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

Julius

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The voice was the voice of President North; the language was an excellent imitation of that used by Cicero and Julius Caesar.

JunenounUS /dʒuːn/

the month following May and preceding July

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

languagenounUS /ˈlæŋɡwədʒ/

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading The voice was the voice of President North; the language was an excellent imitation of that used by Cicero and Julius Caesar.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

listsnounUS /lɪsts/

plural of “list” — a database containing an ordered array of items (names or topics)

From this reading To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

MEpronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading WHAT IS YOUR CULTURE TO ME?

NnounUS /en/

a common nonmetallic element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless inert diatomic gas; constitutes 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume; a constituent of all living tissues

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

NorthnounUS /nɔːrθ/

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading The voice was the voice of President North; the language was an excellent imitation of that used by Cicero and Julius Caesar.

nounsnounUS /naʊnz/

plural of “noun” — a content word that can be used to refer to a person, place, thing, quality, or action

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

one's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

oratornounUS /ˈɔːrətər/

a person who delivers a speech or oration

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

oratorsnounUS /ˈɔːrətərz/

plural of “orator” — a person who delivers a speech or oration

From this reading To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

platformnounUS /ˈplætfɔːrm/

a raised horizontal surface

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

PresidentnounUS /ˈprezədent/

an executive officer of a firm or corporation

From this reading The voice was the voice of President North; the language was an excellent imitation of that used by Cicero and Julius Caesar.

proclaimedadjectiveUS /proʊˈkleɪmd/

declared publicly; made widely known

From this reading To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

proximus

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

sonorousadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːnərəs/

full and loud and deep

From this reading To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

standverbUS /stænd/

be standing; be upright

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

stirredadjectiveUS /stɜːrd/

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

tagverbUS /tæɡ/

attach a tag or label to

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The voice was the voice of President North; the language was an excellent imitation of that used by Cicero and Julius Caesar.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

thrownadjectiveUS /θroʊn/

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading WHAT IS YOUR CULTURE TO ME?

tonguenounUS /tʌŋ/

a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

trumpetverbUS /ˈtrʌmpət/

proclaim on, or as if on, a trumpet

From this reading To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

Twenty-onenounUS /ˈtwentiwɔːn/

the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty and one

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

um

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading The voice was the voice of President North; the language was an excellent imitation of that used by Cicero and Julius Caesar.

videlicetadverb

as follows

From this reading I remember the flattering invitation--it is the classic tag that clings to the graduate long after he has forgotten the gender of the nouns that end in 'um--orator proximus', the grateful voice said, 'ascendat, videlicet,' and so forth.

voicenounUS /vɔɪs/

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The voice was the voice of President North; the language was an excellent imitation of that used by Cicero and Julius Caesar.

WednesdaynounUS /ˈwenzdi/

the fourth day of the week; the third working day

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

WHATpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading WHAT IS YOUR CULTURE TO ME?

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading To be proclaimed an orator, and an ascending orator, in such a sonorous tongue, in the face of a world waiting for orators, stirred one's blood like the herald's trumpet when the lists are thrown open.

YnounUS /waɪ/

a silvery metallic element that is common in rare-earth minerals; used in magnesium and aluminum alloys

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading Delivered before the Alumni of Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., Wednesday, June 26, 1872 Twenty-one years ago in this house I heard a voice calling me to ascend the platform, and there to stand and deliver.

YOURdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading WHAT IS YOUR CULTURE TO ME?

Chapter 1 of What Is Your Culture to Me? by Charles Dudley Warner holds 232 sentences, grouped into 47 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of What Is Your Culture to Me? contain?

Chapter 1 holds 232 sentences of What Is Your Culture to Me?, unabridged, divided into 47 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of What Is Your Culture to Me? by Charles Dudley Warner exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 232 sentences, grouped into 47 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of What Is Your Culture to Me??

Work through the 47 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 47 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading What Is Your Culture to Me?

Common questions about reading What Is Your Culture to Me? by Charles Dudley Warner on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of What Is Your Culture to Me??

Yes. All 232 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #3119 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of What Is Your Culture to Me? is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #3119, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does What Is Your Culture to Me? take to read?

About 19 minutes of reading across 47 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read What Is Your Culture to Me? section by section

How to work through What Is Your Culture to Me? section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 1 chapters of What Is Your Culture to Me? to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in What Is Your Culture to Me?

Words and structures a reader meets early in What Is Your Culture to Me?, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Culture
A word that appears in the opening chapter of What Is Your Culture to Me?; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Delivered
A word that appears in the opening chapter of What Is Your Culture to Me?; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Alumni
A word that appears in the opening chapter of What Is Your Culture to Me?; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hamilton
A word that appears in the opening chapter of What Is Your Culture to Me?; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.