'We(first-person plural pronoun, referring to a group including the speaker [wi]) called(past tense of 'call', meaning to give a name or refer to someone as [kɔld]) him(referring to a male person or character previously mentioned [ɪm]) Tortoise(a slow-moving reptile with a shell; here, used as a name [ˈtɔrtəs]) because(introducing a reason or explanation [bɪˈkəz]) he taught(past tense of 'teach', meaning to impart knowledge or skills [hi tɔt]) us(first-person plural object pronoun, referring to the group being taught [ˈjuˈɛs]),' said(past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]) the Mock Turtle(a fictional character; 'Mock' implies imitation or fake [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]) angrily(in an angry manner [ˈæŋgrəli]): (introduces a statement or explanation)'really(used to express surprise, disbelief, or emphasis [ˈrɪli]) you are(second-person singular or plural pronoun 'you' with the verb 'are' [ju ər]) very dull(not intelligent or interesting [ˈvɛri dəl])!'
'You(second-person singular or plural pronoun [ju]) ought to be(expressing moral obligation or advisability [ɔt tɪ bi]) ashamed(feeling shame or embarrassment [əˈʃeɪmd]) of yourself(referring to the person being addressed [əv ˈjɔrsɛlf]) for asking(giving a reason for the shame, which is the act of asking [fər ˈæskɪŋ]) such a simple question(describing the question as easy or obvious [səʧ ə ˈsɪmpəl kˈwɛʃən]),' added(past tense of 'add', indicating that someone is contributing to the conversation [ˈædɪd]) the Gryphon(a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle [ðə gryphon]); and then(indicating a sequence of events [ənd ðɛn]) they(third-person plural pronoun, referring to the Gryphon and another character [ðeɪ]) both(referring to two individuals or things together [boʊθ]) sat(past tense of 'sit', meaning to be in a seated position [sæt]) silent(not speaking [ˈsaɪlənt]) and(connecting two actions or states [ənd]) looked(past tense of 'look', meaning to direct one's gaze [lʊkt]) at(preposition indicating direction [æt]) poor Alice(expressing sympathy for Alice [pur ˈælɪs]), who(relative pronoun referring to Alice [hu]) felt(past tense of 'feel', meaning to experience an emotion or sensation [fɛlt]) ready(prepared or willing [ˈrɛdi]) to sink(to descend or disappear [tɪ sɪŋk]) into(preposition indicating movement or direction inward [ˈɪntu]) the earth. At last the Gryphon(a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle [ðə gryphon]) said(past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]) to(preposition indicating direction or recipient [tɪ]) the Mock Turtle(a fictional character; 'Mock' implies imitation or fake [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]), 'Drive on(to continue moving or progressing [draɪv ɔn]), old fellow(an informal term of address, often used for a man [oʊld ˈfɛloʊ])! Don't(contraction of 'do not', expressing a negative command [doʊnt]) be(to exist or occur [bi]) all day(the entire day [ɔl deɪ]) about it(regarding the matter at hand [əˈbaʊt ɪt])!' and(connecting two clauses [ənd]) he(third-person singular pronoun, referring to the Gryphon [hi]) went on(continued speaking [wɛnt ɔn]) in these words:
'Yes(affirmative response [jɛs]), we(first-person plural pronoun [wi]) went(past tense of 'go', meaning to travel or move [wɛnt]) to school(a place of education [tɪ skul]) in the sea(location of the school [ɪn ðə si]), though(conjunction introducing a contrast or concession [ðoʊ]) you mayn't(contraction of 'you may not', expressing possibility or permission [ju maynt]) believe(to accept as true or real [bɪˈliv]) it(referring to the statement that they went to school in the sea [ɪt-])—'
'I never said I didn't(Alice is quoting herself, emphasizing that she never denied something [aɪ ˈnɛvər sɛd aɪ ˈdɪdənt])!' interrupted(broke into someone else's speech [ˌɪntərˈəptɪd]) Alice(the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]).
'You did(The Mock Turtle is asserting that Alice did say something [ju dɪd]),' said(The Mock Turtle is speaking [sɛd]) the Mock Turtle(the name of the character speaking [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]).
'Hold your tongue(An idiom meaning 'be quiet' or 'stop talking' [hoʊld jʊr təŋ])!' added(The Gryphon is speaking [ˈædɪd]) the Gryphon(the name of the character speaking [ðə gryphon]), before(earlier than [ˌbiˈfɔr]) Alice(the name of the character [ˈælɪs]) could(past tense of can, expressing ability or possibility [kʊd]) speak(to say something [spik]) again(one more time [əˈgɛn]). The Mock Turtle(the name of the character [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]) went on(continued speaking [wɛnt ɔn]).
'We(referring to a group including the speaker [wi]) had(past tense of 'have', meaning possessed or experienced [hæd]) the best of(the highest quality or most excellent [ðə bɛst əv]) educations(the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction [ˌɛʤəˈkeɪʃənz])—in fact(used to emphasize the truth of a statement [ɪn fækt]), we(referring to a group including the speaker [wi]) went to(past tense of 'go to', meaning attended [wɛnt tɪ]) school(an institution for educating children [skul]) every day(each day; daily [ˈɛvəri deɪ])—'
'I'VE(contraction of 'I have' [aɪv]) been to(past participle of 'go to', meaning visited or attended [bɪn tɪ]) a day-school(a school where students attend during the day but do not live there [ə day-school]), too(also; in addition [tu]),' said(Alice is speaking [sɛd]) Alice(the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]); 'you needn't(contraction of 'you need not', meaning you don't have to [ju ˈnidənt]) be(to exist or to be in a particular state [bi]) so proud(having or showing an excessively high opinion of oneself [soʊ praʊd]) as all that(to that extent; so much [ɛz ɔl ðət]).'
'With extras(asking if there were additional subjects or activities beyond the standard curriculum [wɪθ ˈɛkstrəz])?' asked(The Mock Turtle is speaking [æst]) the Mock Turtle(the name of the character speaking [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]) a little(slightly [ə ˈlɪtəl]) anxiously(in a worried or concerned manner [ˈæŋkʃəsli]).
'Yes(affirmative response [jɛs]),' said(Alice is speaking [sɛd]) Alice(the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]), 'we(referring to a group including the speaker [wi]) learned(past tense of 'learn', meaning acquired knowledge or skill [ˈlərnɪd]) French(the French language [frɛnʧ]) and(in addition to [ənd]) music(the art of arranging sounds in time to produce a composition through the elements of melody, harmony, rhythm, and timbre [mˈjuzɪk]).'
'And washing(questioning if washing was also a subject learned [ənd ˈwɑʃɪŋ])?' said(The Mock Turtle is speaking [sɛd]) the Mock Turtle(the name of the character speaking [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]).
'Certainly not(emphatic denial; definitely not [ˈsərtənli nɑt])!' said(Alice is speaking [sɛd]) Alice(the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]) indignantly(in a manner indicating anger or annoyance at something perceived as unfair [ˌɪnˈdɪgnənˌtli]).
'Ah(An exclamation of surprise, realization, or understanding [ɑ])! then(at that time; after that [ðɛn]) yours(belonging to you; your school [jʊrz]) wasn't(was not; contraction of 'was not' [ˈwəzənt]) a really good school(a school that is genuinely excellent or high-quality [ə ˈrɪli gʊd skul]),' (Quotation mark indicating the beginning of a quote)said(past tense of 'say'; uttered [sɛd]) the Mock Turtle(a fictional character in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]) in a tone of great relief(expressing a feeling of comfort and ease after anxiety or distress [ɪn ə toʊn əv greɪt rɪˈlif]). (Quotation mark indicating the end of a quote)'Now(at the present time; furthermore [naʊ]) at OURS(at our school; emphasizing the speaker's school [æt ɑrz]) they(referring to the people in charge of the school [ðeɪ]) had(possessed; included [hæd]) at the end of the bill(listed as an additional charge on the invoice [æt ðə ɛnd əv ðə bɪl]), (Used to separate clauses or items in a list)"French, music, AND WASHING—extra(listing additional subjects with extra charges [frɛnʧ mˈjuzɪk ənd washing-extra])."'
'You(referring to Alice [ju]) couldn't(could not; contraction of 'could not' [ˈkʊdənt]) have wanted(to have desired or needed something [hæv ˈwɔntɪd]) it(referring to something previously mentioned or implied [ɪt]) much(to a great extent or degree [məʧ]),' (Quotation mark indicating the beginning of a quote)said(past tense of 'say'; uttered [sɛd]) Alice(the main character in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland [ˈælɪs]); (Used to connect two independent clauses)'living(residing; dwelling [ˈlɪvɪŋ]) at the bottom of the sea(at the lowest part of the ocean [æt ðə ˈbɑtəm əv ðə si]).'
'I(referring to the Mock Turtle [aɪ]) couldn't(could not; contraction of 'could not' [ˈkʊdənt]) afford(have enough money to pay for something [əˈfɔrd]) to learn(to acquire knowledge or skill in something [tɪ lərn]) it(referring to something previously mentioned or implied [ɪt]).' said(past tense of 'say'; uttered [sɛd]) the Mock Turtle(a fictional character in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]) with a sigh(expressing sadness, relief, or weariness [wɪθ ə saɪ]). (Quotation mark indicating the end of a quote)'I(referring to the Mock Turtle [aɪ]) only(merely; just [ˈoʊnli]) took(past tense of 'take'; participated in [tʊk]) the regular course(the standard or typical curriculum [ðə ˈrɛgjələr kɔrs]).'
'What(asking for information about something [wət]) was(past tense of 'be'; existed as [wɑz]) that(referring to something previously mentioned or implied [ðət])?' inquired(asked; questioned [ˌɪnkˈwaɪərd]) Alice(the main character in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland [ˈælɪs]).
'Reeling(staggering or swaying [ˈrilɪŋ]) and(connecting two related words or phrases [ənd]) Writhing(twisting or squirming [ˈrɪθɪŋ]), (Used to separate items in a list)of course(naturally; as expected [əv kɔrs]), (Used to separate items in a list)to begin with(as a starting point [tɪ bɪˈgɪn wɪθ]),' (Quotation mark indicating the beginning of a quote)the Mock Turtle(a fictional character in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]) replied(answered [rɪˈplaɪd]); (Used to connect two independent clauses)'and(in addition to [ənd]) then(after that [ðɛn]) the different branches(various subcategories or areas [ðə ˈdɪfərənt ˈbrænʧɪz]) of Arithmetic(the study of numbers and calculations [əv ˌɛrɪθˈmɛtɪk])—(Used to introduce a list or explanation)Ambition(a strong desire or determination to achieve something [æmˈbɪʃən]), (Used to separate items in a list)Distraction(something that diverts attention [dɪˈstrækʃən]), (Used to separate items in a list)Uglification(the process of making something ugly [uglification]), (Used to separate items in a list)and(connecting the last two items in a list [ənd]) Derision(contemptuous ridicule or mockery [dərˈɪʒən]).'
'I(Alice speaking, using the first person singular pronoun [aɪ]) never heard of(have not ever been informed or aware of [ˈnɛvər hərd əv]) "Uglification(the act or process of making something ugly [uglification]),"' Alice(the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]) ventured to say(dared or risked saying something [ˈvɛnʧərd tɪ seɪ]). 'What is it(a question asking for the definition or explanation of "Uglification" [wət ɪz ɪt])?'
The Gryphon(a mythical creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion [ðə gryphon]) lifted up(raised [ˈlɪftɪd əp]) both its paws(referring to the Gryphon's two front feet [boʊθ ɪts pɔz]) in surprise(showing astonishment or amazement [ɪn səˈpraɪz]). 'What(an exclamation of shock or disbelief [wət])! Never heard of(have not ever been informed or aware of [ˈnɛvər hərd əv]) uglifying(the act or process of making something ugly, presented as surprising that Alice doesn't know it [uglifying])!' it exclaimed(the Gryphon said something loudly and emphatically [ɪt ɪkˈskleɪmd]). 'You know what to beautify is, I suppose(a question assuming Alice knows the meaning of 'beautify' [ju noʊ wət tɪ ˈbjutɪˌfaɪ ɪz aɪ səˈpoʊz])?'
'Yes(affirmative response from Alice [jɛs]),' said Alice(Alice is the speaker [sɛd ˈælɪs]) doubtfully(with uncertainty or hesitation [doubtfully]): 'it means—to—make—anything—prettier(Alice's definition of 'beautify', meaning to make something more attractive [ɪt means-to-make-anything-prettier]).'
'Well, then(an introductory phrase indicating a conclusion or consequence [wɛl ðɛn]),' the Gryphon(a mythical creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion [ðə gryphon]) went on(continued speaking [wɛnt ɔn]), 'if you don't know what to uglify is(conditional clause stating that if Alice doesn't know the meaning of 'uglify' [ɪf ju doʊnt noʊ wət tɪ uglify ɪz]), you ARE a simpleton(the Gryphon's judgement that Alice is foolish if she doesn't know what 'uglify' means [ju ər ə simpleton]).'
Alice(the name of the character [ˈælɪs]) did not feel encouraged(lacked the motivation or confidence [dɪd nɑt fil ɪnˈkərəʤd]) to ask any more questions(to inquire further [tɪ æsk ˈɛni mɔr kˈwɛsʧənz]) about it(referring to the topic of uglification [əˈbaʊt ɪt]), so she turned to(changed her attention to [soʊ ʃi tərnd tɪ]) the Mock Turtle(a fictional character [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]), and said(and then she spoke [ənd sɛd]) 'What else(what other things [wət ɛls]) had you to learn(what other things did you have to learn [hæd ju tɪ lərn])?'