'I(first-person singular pronoun, referring to Alice [aɪ]) never(at no time in the past [ˈnɛvər]) thought(past tense of 'think', meaning to consider or believe [θɔt]) about(concerning [əˈbaʊt]) it(referring to the reason why it's called a whiting [ɪt]),' said(past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]) Alice. 'Why?'
'IT(used for emphasis [ɪt]) DOES(present tense of 'do', used for emphasis [dɪz]) THE(definite article, referring to specific boots and shoes [ðə]) BOOTS(plural of boot, a type of footwear [buts]) AND(conjunction, connecting two items [ənd]) SHOES(plural of shoe, another type of footwear [ʃuz]).' the Gryphon(identifies the speaker as the Gryphon, a mythical creature [ðə gryphon]) replied(past tense of 'reply', meaning to answer [rɪˈplaɪd]) very(to a high degree [ˈvɛri]) solemnly.
Alice(a proper noun, likely referring to the character Alice in the story [ˈælɪs]) was(past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]) thoroughly(adverb meaning completely or utterly [ˈθəroʊli]) puzzled(adjective meaning confused or bewildered [ˈpəzəld]). 'Does(auxiliary verb used to form questions or emphasize a statement [dɪz]) the boots and shoes(referring to boots and shoes [ðə buts ənd ʃuz])!' she(pronoun referring to Alice [ʃi]) repeated(past tense of the verb 'to repeat', meaning to say something again [rɪˈpitɪd]) in(preposition indicating location or manner [ɪn]) a wondering(adjective describing a state of surprise or curiosity [ə ˈwəndərɪŋ]) tone(the quality of a person's voice [toʊn]).
'Why(an exclamation expressing surprise or mild protest [waɪ]), what(interrogative pronoun used to ask for specific information [wət]) are(present tense of the verb 'to be', used with plural subjects [ər]) YOUR(possessive pronoun indicating ownership by the person being addressed [jʊr]) shoes(footwear [ʃuz]) done with(an expression meaning 'what has happened to' or 'what is the condition of' [dən wɪθ])?' said(past tense of the verb 'to say' [sɛd]) the Gryphon(a proper noun, referring to a character named Gryphon [ðə gryphon]). 'I mean(an expression used to clarify or rephrase a statement [aɪ min]), what(interrogative pronoun used to ask for specific information [wət]) makes(present tense of the verb 'to make', meaning to cause something to be [meɪks]) them(pronoun referring to the shoes [ðɛm]) so(adverb meaning to a great extent or degree [soʊ]) shiny(adjective meaning bright and reflective [ˈʃaɪni])?'
Alice(a proper noun, likely referring to the character Alice in the story [ˈælɪs]) looked(past tense of the verb 'to look', meaning to direct one's gaze [lʊkt]) down(adverb indicating a downward direction [daʊn]) at(preposition indicating location or direction [æt]) them(pronoun referring to the shoes [ðɛm]), and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) considered(past tense of the verb 'to consider', meaning to think carefully about something [kənˈsɪdərd]) a little(a short amount of time [ə ˈlɪtəl]) before(conjunction indicating time [ˌbiˈfɔr]) she(pronoun referring to Alice [ʃi]) gave(past tense of the verb 'to give' [geɪv]) her(possessive pronoun indicating ownership by Alice [hər]) answer(a reply to a question [ˈænsər]). 'They're(contraction of 'they are' [ðɛr]) done with(covered or treated with [dən wɪθ]) blacking(a substance used to polish shoes, making them black and shiny [blacking]), I believe(an expression indicating that the speaker thinks something is true, but is not completely certain [aɪ bɪˈliv]).'
'Boots(a type of footwear covering the foot and ankle [buts]) and(conjunction connecting two nouns [ənd]) shoes(footwear [ʃuz]) under(preposition indicating a position below something [ˈəndər]) the sea(the ocean [ðə si]),' the Gryphon(a proper noun, referring to a character named Gryphon [ðə gryphon]) went on(continued speaking [wɛnt ɔn]) in(preposition indicating manner [ɪn]) a deep(adjective describing a low-pitched voice [ə dip]) voice(the sound produced by a person's vocal cords [vɔɪs]), 'are done with(are polished with [ər dən wɪθ]) a whiting(a substance, in this context, used for polishing [ə ˈwaɪtɪŋ]). Now(adverb indicating time or introducing a statement [naʊ]) you(pronoun referring to the person being addressed [ju]) know(present tense of the verb 'to know', meaning to be aware of something [noʊ]).'
'And(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) what(interrogative pronoun used to ask for specific information [wət]) are(present tense of the verb 'to be', used with plural subjects [ər]) they(pronoun referring to the boots and shoes [ðeɪ]) made of(composed of; what materials are used to create them? [meɪd əv])?' Alice(a proper noun, likely referring to the character Alice in the story [ˈælɪs]) asked(past tense of the verb 'to ask' [æst]) in(preposition indicating manner [ɪn]) a tone(the quality of a person's voice [ə toʊn]) of(preposition indicating possession or relationship [əv]) great(adjective meaning large or significant [greɪt]) curiosity(a strong desire to know or learn something [ˌkjʊriˈɑsəti]).
'Soles(the bottom part of a shoe or boot [soʊlz]) and(conjunction connecting two nouns [ənd]) eels(a snake-like fish [ilz]), of course(an expression indicating that something is obvious or expected [əv kɔrs]),' the Gryphon(a proper noun, referring to a character named Gryphon [ðə gryphon]) replied(past tense of the verb 'to reply', meaning to answer [rɪˈplaɪd]) rather(adverb meaning somewhat or to a certain extent [ˈrəðər]) impatiently(adverb meaning in a way that shows irritation or annoyance [ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəntli]): 'any(determiner referring to one or some of a thing or number of things, no matter how many [ˈɛni]) shrimp(a small crustacean [ʃrɪmp]) could have(auxiliary verb indicating possibility in the past [kʊd hæv]) told(past participle of the verb 'to tell', meaning to communicate information [toʊld]) you(pronoun referring to the person being addressed [ju]) that(pronoun referring to the previous statement [ðət]).'
'If I'd been the whiting(Alice imagines herself as a whiting (a type of fish) and considers what she would have said [ɪf aɪd bɪn ðə ˈwaɪtɪŋ]),' said Alice(indicates that Alice is speaking [sɛd ˈælɪs]), whose thoughts were still running on the song(explains that Alice is still thinking about a song [huz θɔts wər stɪl ˈrənɪŋ ɔn ðə sɔŋ]), 'I'd have said to the porpoise(Alice imagines what she would say to a porpoise [aɪd hæv sɛd tɪ ðə ˈpɔrpəs]), "Keep back, please(a polite request to stay away [kip bæk pliz]): we don't want YOU with us(emphasizes the rejection of the porpoise [wi doʊnt wɔnt ju wɪθ ˈjuˈɛs])!"'
'They were obliged to have him with them(indicates that they were forced to include the porpoise [ðeɪ wər əˈblaɪʤd tɪ hæv ɪm wɪθ ðɛm]),' the Mock Turtle said(identifies the speaker as the Mock Turtle [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl sɛd]): 'no wise fish(a fish with good judgment [noʊ waɪz fɪʃ]) would go anywhere(would travel to any place [wʊd goʊ ˈɛniˌwɛr]) without a porpoise(indicates that a porpoise is essential for travel, according to the Mock Turtle [wɪˈθaʊt ə ˈpɔrpəs]).'
'Wouldn't it really(expresses disbelief or surprise at a previous statement [ˈwʊdənt ɪt ˈrɪli])?' said Alice(indicates that Alice is speaking [sɛd ˈælɪs]) in a tone of great surprise(describes Alice's tone of voice as very surprised [ɪn ə toʊn əv greɪt səˈpraɪz]).
'Of course not(a strong disagreement with a previous statement [əv kɔrs nɑt]),' said the Mock Turtle(identifies the speaker as the Mock Turtle [sɛd ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]): 'why, if a fish came to ME(the Mock Turtle presents a hypothetical situation [waɪ ɪf ə fɪʃ keɪm tɪ mi]), and told me he was going a journey(the fish informs the Mock Turtle about its travel plans [ənd toʊld mi hi wɑz goʊɪŋ ə ˈʤərni]), I should say(indicates what the Mock Turtle would say [aɪ ʃʊd seɪ]) "With what porpoise(a play on words, using 'porpoise' instead of 'purpose' [wɪθ wət ˈpɔrpəs])?"'
'Don't you mean "purpose(Alice corrects the Mock Turtle's word choice, suggesting 'purpose' instead of 'porpoise' [doʊnt ju min ˈpərpəs])"?' said Alice(indicates that Alice is speaking [sɛd ˈælɪs]).
'I mean what I say(Indicates the speaker's intention to be taken seriously and that their words are sincere [aɪ min wət aɪ seɪ]),' the Mock Turtle(A character in Alice in Wonderland, a creature that is part turtle and part calf [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]) replied(responded or answered [rɪˈplaɪd]) in an offended tone(speaking in a way that shows they are upset or insulted [ɪn ən əˈfɛndɪd toʊn]). And(Used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]) the Gryphon(A mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle [ðə gryphon]) added(said something more [ˈædɪd]) 'Come(An invitation or encouragement to do something [kəm]), let's hear(short for 'let us hear', meaning 'we want to listen to' [lɛts hir]) some of YOUR adventures(asking to be told about the listener's experiences or stories [səm əv jʊr ædˈvɛnʧərz]).'
'I could tell you my adventures—beginning from this morning(Expressing willingness to share personal experiences starting from the current day [aɪ kʊd tɛl ju maɪ adventures-beginning frəm ðɪs ˈmɔrnɪŋ]),' said(spoke [sɛd]) Alice(The main character in Alice in Wonderland [ˈælɪs]) a little timidly(speaking with slight shyness or hesitation [ə ˈlɪtəl ˈtɪmədli]): 'but(Used to introduce a contrast or exception [bət]) it's(contraction of 'it is' [ɪts]) no use(not helpful or beneficial [noʊ juz]) going back(returning to a previous topic or time [goʊɪŋ bæk]) to yesterday(the day before the current day [tɪ ˈjɛstərˌdeɪ]), because(for the reason that [bɪˈkəz]) I was(past tense of 'I am' [aɪ wɑz]) a different person(implying a change in character, experiences, or perspective [ə ˈdɪfərənt ˈpərsən]) then(at that time in the past [ðɛn]).'
'Explain all that(Requesting a detailed explanation of a previous statement or situation [ɪkˈspleɪn ɔl ðət]),' said(spoke [sɛd]) the Mock Turtle(Referring to the character, the Mock Turtle [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]).
'No, no(Expressing disagreement or impatience [noʊ noʊ])! The adventures first(Prioritizing the telling of stories over explanations [ðə ædˈvɛnʧərz fərst]),' said(spoke [sɛd]) the Gryphon(Referring to the character, the Gryphon [ðə gryphon]) in an impatient tone(speaking in a way that shows a lack of patience [ɪn ən ˌɪmˈpeɪʃənt toʊn]): 'explanations(reasons or justifications for something [ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃənz]) take(require or consume [teɪk]) such a dreadful time(implying that explanations are lengthy and unpleasant [səʧ ə ˈdrɛdfəl taɪm]).'
So(Therefore; as a result [soʊ]) Alice(The main character in Alice in Wonderland [ˈælɪs]) began(started [bɪˈgæn]) telling(narrating or recounting [ˈtɛlɪŋ]) them(referring to the Gryphon and the Mock Turtle [ðɛm]) her adventures(the stories of her experiences [hər ædˈvɛnʧərz]) from the time(starting at the point [frəm ðə taɪm]) when(at which [wɪn]) she first saw(she initially observed [ʃi fərst sɔ]) the White Rabbit(A character in Alice in Wonderland, a rabbit wearing clothes [ðə waɪt ˈræbɪt]). She was(She existed in a state of being [ʃi wɑz]) a little nervous(slightly anxious or uneasy [ə ˈlɪtəl ˈnərvəs]) about it(regarding the situation of telling her adventures [əˈbaʊt ɪt]) just at first(only in the beginning [ʤɪst æt fərst]), the two creatures(referring to the Gryphon and the Mock Turtle [ðə tu ˈkriʧərz]) got(moved or came [gɑt]) so close(very near [soʊ kloʊz]) to her(in proximity to Alice [tɪ hər]), one on each side(with one creature positioned on her left and the other on her right [wən ɔn iʧ saɪd]), and(connecting clauses [ənd]) opened(widened or revealed [ˈoʊpənd]) their eyes(the organs of sight of the creatures [ðɛr aɪz]) and mouths(the openings in their faces used for speaking and eating [ənd maʊðz]) so VERY wide(to an extreme extent [soʊ ˈvɛri waɪd]), but(however [bət]) she gained courage(she became more confident [ʃi geɪnd kərɪʤ]) as she went on(as she continued telling her story [ɛz ʃi wɛnt ɔn]). Her listeners(The Gryphon and the Mock Turtle, who were hearing her story [hər ˈlɪsənərz]) were(past tense of 'are' [wər]) perfectly quiet(completely silent [ˈpərfəktli kwaɪət]) till(until [tɪl]) she got(she arrived [ʃi gɑt]) to the part(the section of the story [tɪ ðə pɑrt]) about her repeating(concerning her saying again [əˈbaʊt hər rɪˈpitɪŋ]) 'YOU ARE OLD, FATHER WILLIAM(A line from a poem that Alice recited [ju ər oʊld ˈfɑðər ˈwɪljəm]),' to the Caterpillar(A character in Alice in Wonderland, a talking insect [tɪ ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]), and(and also [ənd]) the words(the individual units of speech [ðə wərdz]) all coming(all resulting in [ɔl ˈkəmɪŋ]) different(not the same [ˈdɪfərənt]), and then(and after that [ənd ðɛn]) the Mock Turtle(Referring to the character, the Mock Turtle [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]) drew(took [dru]) a long breath(a deep inhalation [ə lɔŋ brɛθ]), and said(and spoke [ənd sɛd]) 'That's(contraction of 'that is' [ðæts]) very curious(very strange or unusual [ˈvɛri ˈkjʊriəs]).'