A week later,

Harvard University, Auditorium.

More than a thousand people had gathered here, and there were not enough seats, so the students stood at the back of the auditorium and looked out over the stage.

Today is the day when Lu Shixin's new drama "Upside Down" debuted on the stage.

Franklin D. Roosevelt sat in the third row,

Because of his status as the editor of the "Crimson Newspaper", he is in a very good position, facing the stage,

There was also an empty seat next to him, which was reserved for his friend Devon.

He had a copy of the Harvard Magazine in his hand.

The first page is a paper -

Supplements to the IPA List,

The author is Lu Shi.

After Elliot took the piece of paper, Lu Shi thought about it and finally decided to write the article himself, saving him any trouble in the future.

Franklin read carefully,

At this moment, Devin sat down beside him and asked curiously, "What?" ”

Franklin was stunned,

"What do you say?"

Devin pointed to the article and said, "I've read this paper too, but I always feel a little useless. ”

Useless!?

Franklin showed a "summer worm can't speak ice" expression.

He believes that the practicability of this paper is the highest level of Lu Shi, and if it can be promoted, it will be very good.

I just don't know what the Phonics Teachers Association thinks about this.

It is said that within the association the French and the British are half open,

The British are good to say, but the key is the French, who are arrogant enough to be reluctant to accept the methods proposed by the outside world to improve the phonetic transcription table.

Franklin sighed: "I don't know how famous Professor Lu is in France......"

Dai Wen was surprised,

"It depends on what you mean, this set of phonetic transcriptions is very important?"

Franklin let out an "um" and asked, "Did you see the example given in there?" ”

He flipped to one of the pages of the paper.

——

As long as you accumulate some simple words and then encounter new words, people are often willing to compare them with the simple words they have been exposed to before.

In this way, the accuracy rate is very high.

For example:

I learned the word "dog", and when I came across "log", I could guess its pronunciation no matter what.

——

Devin scratched his head,

"Isn't this phonics?"

Franklin said: "It's true that phonics is true, but Professor Lu gives the method. Didn't you see the example of the word 'baboon' at the end? ”

Devin continued to look back,

The paper uses the word "baboon" as an example.

Lu Shi believes that if you have learned the phonetic transcription of the words "banana" and "food" before, it is easy to pronounce the correct pronunciation of "baboon" -

「bbun」。

Devin said, "That apostrophe, an accent? ”

Franklin nodded,

"Yes, the accent mark is Professor Lu's supplement to the phonetic transcription list. He believes that stress is key, and that if 'baboon' stresses the preceding 'ba', it will not pronounce 'b', but 'b'. ”

Devin went through it in his mind, and then nodded,

"That's true."

Franklin chuckled, "If this phonetic chart can be promoted, then it will be easy for any foreigner to learn English." Because it allows foreigners to grasp the rules of phonics without an English environment. ”

He paused for a moment and added, "One more thing, and that's American pronunciation. ”

Dai Wen was stunned, and then suddenly,

The more complete the phonetic transcription, the more you can distinguish the difference between British pronunciation and American pronunciation.

This is a great thing for the United States!

Devin couldn't help but quip: "How do I think Professor Lu's contribution to the United States is comparable to that of Washington, the founding father." ”

Franklin gave his friend a blank look,

"Get out!"

The two laughed.

In fact, Dai Wen, a science and engineering student, has little understanding of phonetics and linguistics.

He thinks that language can be used for communication.

Wasting so much time and so many resources to do some phonetic transcription, syncopation and the like is a waste of nothing.

If he had known that there was an association of voice teachers, he might have thought that the gang was just eating and not working.

However, "A Few Supplements to the International Phonetic Alphabet" is easy to understand, and the examples given in it are also clear, so that people can't find fault with them at all.

Dai Wen groaned: "I thought Professor Lu was different before. ”

Franklin asked, "Why not ......?"

Before the words fell, he remembered and said, "Do you think Professor Lu has science and engineering thinking, writes liberal arts papers, and also pays attention to logic, principles and efficiency?" ”

Dai Wen expressed his agreement,

He carefully studied the phonetic chart, then took out the pen and paper he had with him, and spelled it as he read it.

「frkln」，

This is the phonetic alphabet of "Franklin".

Devin whispered: "That's good! ”

Franklin laughed, "How's that?" This phonetic chart is very practical, right? If you study chemistry and think it's practical, that's really practical. ”

"The most important thing is that it is not only effective for foreigners, but also for literacy in China," Devin said. ”

The United States is a racially integrated country,

The high literacy rate of whites does not mean that the rest of the population has a high literacy rate.

"Hmmm......"

Devin couldn't help but scratch his head.

Saying this, I feel more and more like the father of the United States.

Franklin asked, "How?" ”

Devin shook his head and didn't answer.

Franklin didn't ask much, and continued: "It's a pity that the promotion may not go well. ”

Devin was puzzled,

"Why is that?"

Franklin gave a detailed introduction to the functions and composition of the Speech Teachers Association, as well as the dirty aspects that may be involved.

Devin shook his head when he heard this,

"Heh, politics."

Franklin: "......"

Is this political?

It's just a little bit of power dumping and fighting for the right to speak.

Real politics can be compared to this dirty.

He was laughing at his friend's childishness, but Devin said, "But I think your worries are unnecessary." Professor Lu's status in France seems to be quite high. ”

Franklin was confused,

"Huh?"

Devin said: "There was a science fiction book that came to the United States before, called "The Country Teacher", which was the work of Professor Lu. And the opportunity for the birth of this short story was that the French writer Verne wanted to hold a science fiction award and needed a model text. ”

Is "The Country Teacher" science fiction?

Seeing this name, who can think of it, hey!

Devin added: "In short, Professor Lu seems to be quite popular at the Faculty of Letters. ”

Franklin had a certain understanding of France, and knew that the French Academy of Letters was a research institution rather than an educational institution, and that the seats in it were occupied by big bulls.

In comparison, the Phonics Teachers Association is a stinky little brother.

Franklin muttered, "It seems that this set of phonetic transcriptions will be implemented soon." ”

Even with Harvard University and there is an honor.

Devin stretches his waist,

"It's a bit surprising that Professor Lu is still an expert in phonetics and linguistics."

He looked at the stage,

"I just don't know what his level is as a playwright?"

Franklin said, "It's very high. You know, I've been to Europe, I've seen Roman Holiday, and it's very well structured and solid, and the actress in it, Phyllis Dyer, made a big impression on me. ”

Devin was curious,

"But I heard that Professor Lu's masterpieces are all "Yes! Prime Minister. ”

Franklin chimed in: "That's what I've heard. It's a pity that I didn't go to London and didn't see it. If Yes! "Prime Minister" is even more powerful than "Roman Holiday", so Professor Lu's level is boundlessly high. ”

The two of them shifted their eyes to the stage.

I saw that the Chinese field workers were setting up the scene, which made people look a little awkward.

Dai Wen said in a low voice: "Why are you looking for Chinese?" ”

Franklin shook his head,

"I don't know."

Devin was speechless,

"Big brother, isn't your uncle Mr. Vice President? You didn't ask him for any inside information? It's a shame that you're still the editor of "The Crimson Newspaper"~"

Franklin retorted, "He is him, and I am me." ”

Even if he is in politics, he cannot be a Republican.

Dai Wen spread his hands,

"Okay."

Next, the two didn't say anything about these things, and continued to discuss the phonetic transcription.

Time passes slowly,

Before I knew it, the auditorium was quiet.

The curtain was closed.

Principal Eliot walked up to the stage and said with a smile, "Dear students, I am glad that you are here to watch today's drama performance. In the coming period, you will see an unimaginable world, and I hope ......"

Elliot paused,

“……”

“……”

“……”

There was silence in the auditorium,

Everyone was waiting for the headmaster's next words.

However, Elliot shook his head and said, "No, I still don't want to, because this is the United States, a free country. ”

The kingdom of God's meow of freedom,

Everyone was stunned for a moment, and then burst into laughter.

Elliot pressed down with both hands,

"Quiet!"

As a result, the auditorium fell silent again.

Elliot continued: "I would like to advise you to try to endure any part of the play that makes you uncomfortable, because if you can watch it, you will benefit a lot. But when I didn't say it~ hehe......"

The crowd laughed again.

Elliot nodded his head,

"Of course you can leave halfway through. Don't worry, I'm not going to write down your names in a notebook. ”

With that, he slowly walked off the stage and sat in the first row.

In the next second, a majestic and passionate voice sounded:

"Thank you all for enjoying the light, tonight is Saturday night, I hope you all have a great time tonight!"

The drama begins!

The crowd couldn't help but be engrossed.

However, at the moment when the curtain opened, almost everyone gasped,

"Hiss......"

The setting on the stage is a nightclub, whether it is the exquisite decorations or the luxurious bar counter, there are many customers sitting on the sofa and chatting quietly, bringing a sense of relaxation and comfort.

The reason why everyone was shocked was because the guests of the nightclub,

Chinese,

Chinese,

All Chinese!

……

Devin was in a state of confusion, and said in a low voice: "This ...... What's going on with this special meow! What the hell is going on! ”

Franklin was also confused,

“……”

Can't say a word.

As a result, the atmosphere in the auditorium became extremely eerie,

On the stage, the actors played devotedly,

Off the stage, the audience was unaware.

Suddenly, a clear voice sounded: "The island ice wheel is beginning to turn, see the jade rabbit, see the jade rabbit and rise eastward ......"

It is an excerpt from "The Drunken Concubine".

On the side of the stage, there is also a blackboard for writing translations: "A full moon rises on the island, ah, I see the bright moon rising in the east......

Devin asked curiously, "What is this?" ”

Franklin was well-informed and said, "I know this, it seems to be a Chinese drama." It's just that Professor Lu asked a group of Chinese to be guests in a nightclub, and he listened to the drama that Chinese people liked, what was it for? ”

The key is more than that,

Clothing, transformation, and Taoism are all mismatched with reality.

For example, clothing, those Chinese people wear suits, but because there is a significant difference in height with white people, it looks funny to wear it like this.

For a moment, Franklin thought of a word-

Absurd!

Right! That's the word!

This drama feels absurd!

Franklin whispered, "I finally understand why the name of this play is 'Upside Down.'" ”

Devin groaned,

"Why?"

As a result, before Franklin could explain, he heard a noise coming from behind.

I don't know who said it,

"What kind of shit is this!?"

The two turned back.

I saw that someone had already left their seats in anger and walked in the direction of the gate.

However, only a few chose to leave,

Their vacated seats were instantly filled by standing students.

Franklin said, "Pick up where we left off." Davin, don't you see that? Professor Lu portrays an America under Chinese rule. ”

Devon:!!!

Looking at the performance on stage now, it seems that everything makes sense.

He couldn't help muttering, "What a ridiculous......"

Franklin chuckled, "That's right, I just thought of this word, absurd. The lowest-status Chinese people are dressed luxuriously on stage, shaking their red wine glasses and talking and laughing, which is really ...... Not...... Here it comes! ”

The two stopped talking,

Because the official plot began.

I saw that the people in the nightclub were enjoying music and dancing, but an argument suddenly broke out and quickly turned into a scuffle.

Immediately afterwards, one of the male protagonists appeared,

His name is Jimmy Tang, and he is played by the circus leader Li Jie,

Jimmy works in a nightclub and immediately spends time trying to calm things down when he sees someone fighting.

Despite the chaos, Jimmy, with his experience and calmness, managed to separate the people who were fighting and threw them out of the nightclub door.

At the door, Jimmy gets into an argument with the guest,

The two of them sprayed each other first,

Troublemaker: "Bastard, dare to do it to me!?" ”

Jimmy: "Help, go home with your friend." ”

Troublemaker: "It's not your turn to command me!" Do you know who I am!? I'm going back to the nightclub. ”

……

So, things have come to this point, and it can't be good.

The two went from scolding each other to a physical fight,

Jimmy punched the other man.

At this point, the foreshadowing of Jimmy's loss of work is completed, and the whole beating incident portrays his character clearly.

Franklin said in a low voice: "Reading this paragraph reminds me of "Roman Holiday", and the drama written by Professor Lu is too rigorous. A few strokes can shape the characters well, and the portrayal is extremely brilliant. ”

Devin was silent,

“……”

Franklin was curious,

"What's wrong?"

"I just think that these Chinese actors speaking broken English in the drama make the sense of absurdity stronger," Devin said. ”

Franklin couldn't help but ponder,

After a long time, he nodded,

"Definitely. So cherish the present. ”

Devin was puzzled,

"What are these words? What do you mean by 'cherishing the present'? ”

Franklin replied with a smile: "I have a hunch that although "Upside Down" will not be on the big stage, it must be very popular among colleges and universities. In the future, these actors will have a lot of acting opportunities, and their English will get better and better, and now this natural sense of absurdity will be difficult to encounter. ”

Devin took a deep breath,

"You say that Upside Down will be very popular among universities?"

Franklin's jaw,

"Yes, I trust my judgment."

Devin let out a "hmm", knowing in his heart,

If this is the case, then Lu Shi's contribution to the integration of American races is not small, comparable to Lincoln.

So, his thought became stronger and stronger:

Professor Lu is truly the founding father of the United States.

As soon as he thought about this, Devin couldn't help but laugh, with a hint of self-deprecation.

Franklin asked, "What are you laughing at?" ”

Devin said, "I just think it's ridiculous! ”

Franklin agreed:

"yes, ridiculous."

(End of chapter)