This asteroid(referring to a specific asteroid mentioned previously [ðɪs ˈæstərˌɔɪd]) has(auxiliary verb indicating present perfect tense [həz]) only once(happened just one time [ˈoʊnli wəns]) been seen(past participle of 'see'; to have been observed [bɪn sin]) through(preposition indicating passage or medium [θru]) the telescope(an optical instrument used to view distant objects [ðə ˈtɛləˌskoʊp]). That(pronoun referring to the previous statement [ðət]) was(past tense of 'be'; linking verb [wɑz]) by(preposition indicating agent or means [baɪ]) a Turkish astronomer(an astronomer from Turkey [ə ˈtərkɪʃ əˈstrɑnəmər]), in 1909(specifying the year [ɪn 1909]).
Astronome turc.jpg
On making(upon the act of making [ɔn ˈmeɪkɪŋ]) his discovery(the act of finding or learning something new [hɪz ˌdɪˈskəvri]), the astronomer(a person who studies celestial objects [ðə əˈstrɑnəmər]) had presented(past perfect tense of 'present'; to have shown or offered [hæd pərˈzɛnəd]) it(pronoun referring to the discovery [ɪt]) to(preposition indicating direction or recipient [tɪ]) the International Astronomical Congress(a global gathering of astronomers [ðə ˌɪnərˈnæʃənɑl ˌæstrəˈnɑmɪkəl ˈkɑŋgrəs]), in(preposition indicating location or manner [ɪn]) a great demonstration(a large and impressive display [ə greɪt ˌdɛmənˈstreɪʃən]). But(conjunction indicating contrast [bət]) he(pronoun referring to the astronomer [hi]) was(past tense of 'be'; linking verb [wɑz]) in Turkish costume(wearing traditional Turkish clothing [ɪn ˈtərkɪʃ ˈkɑstum]), and so(therefore; as a result [ənd soʊ]) nobody(no person; no one [ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi]) would believe(conditional form of 'believe'; to accept as true [wʊd bɪˈliv]) what he said(the content of his statement [wət hi sɛd]).
Grown-ups(adults [ˈgroʊˌnəps]) are(linking verb [ər]) like that(behaving in that manner; typical of that kind [laɪk ðət])...
Fortunately(luckily; by good fortune [ˈfɔrʧənətli]), however(nevertheless; despite this [ˌhaʊˈɛvər]), for(preposition indicating benefit or purpose [fər]) the reputation(the general opinion or belief about someone or something [ðə ˌrɛpjəˈteɪʃən]) of Asteroid B-612(referring to a specific asteroid [əv ˈæstərˌɔɪd b-612]), a Turkish dictator(a ruler of Turkey with absolute power [ə ˈtərkɪʃ ˈdɪkteɪtər]) made a law(created a legal rule [meɪd ə lɔ]) that(introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]) his subjects(people under his rule [hɪz ˈsəbʤɪkts]), under pain of death(with the threat of being killed [ˈəndər peɪn əv dɛθ]), should change(ought to change; were required to change [ʃʊd ʧeɪnʤ]) to European costume(to wearing European clothing [tɪ ˌjʊrəˈpiən ˈkɑstum]). So(therefore; as a result [soʊ]) in 1920(specifying the year [ɪn 1920]) the astronomer(a person who studies celestial objects [ðə əˈstrɑnəmər]) gave(past tense of 'give'; to present or perform [geɪv]) his demonstration(a display or presentation of his findings [hɪz ˌdɛmənˈstreɪʃən]) all over again(repeated completely; once more [ɔl ˈoʊvər əˈgɛn]), dressed(wearing [drɛst]) with impressive style(in a striking and elegant manner [wɪθ ˌɪmˈprɛsɪv staɪl]) and elegance(graceful and refined appearance [ənd ˈɛləgəns]). And(conjunction indicating addition [ənd]) this time(on this occasion [ðɪs taɪm]) everybody(everyone; all people [ˈɛvriˌbɑdi]) accepted(agreed with; believed [ækˈsɛptɪd]) his report(his written or spoken account [hɪz rɪˈpɔrt]).
Habille a l Europeenne.jpg
If(used to introduce a conditional clause [ɪf]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) have told(past perfect tense of 'tell', indicating an action completed before another time in the past [hæv toʊld]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) these(plural of 'this', referring to things nearby or just mentioned [ðiz]) details(particular facts or pieces of information about something [ˈditeɪlz]) about(concerning or relating to [əˈbaʊt]) the asteroid(a small rocky body orbiting the sun [ðə ˈæstərˌɔɪd]), and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) made(past tense of 'make', meaning to create or produce something [meɪd]) a note(a brief record of something written down to assist the memory or for future reference [ə noʊt]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) its(belonging to or associated with a thing previously mentioned or easily identified [ɪts]) number(a quantity or value [ˈnəmbər]) for(with the object or purpose of [fər]) you(the person being addressed [ju]), it is(referring to a situation or fact [ɪt ɪz]) on account of(because of; due to [ɔn əˈkaʊnt əv]) the grown-ups(adults [ðə ˈgroʊˌnəps]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) their(belonging to or associated with the people previously mentioned or easily identified [ðɛr]) ways(a method, style, or manner of doing something [weɪz]). When(at or during the time that [wɪn]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) tell(to communicate information to someone in spoken or written words [tɛl]) them(referring to the grown-ups [ðɛm]) that(introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) have made(present perfect tense of 'make', indicating an action completed at some time before the present [hæv meɪd]) a new friend(someone you have recently become acquainted with and enjoy spending time with [ə nu frɛnd]), they(referring to the grown-ups [ðeɪ]) never(at no time in the past or future [ˈnɛvər]) ask(to put a question to someone [æsk]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) any(one or some or every of a number of things, no matter which [ˈɛni]) questions(a sentence or phrase used to find out information [kˈwɛsʧənz]) about(concerning or relating to [əˈbaʊt]) essential(absolutely necessary; extremely important [ɛˈsɛnʃəl]) matters(a subject or situation under consideration [ˈmætərz]). They(referring to the grown-ups [ðeɪ]) never(at no time in the past or future [ˈnɛvər]) say(to utter words so as to communicate something [seɪ]) to(expressing motion in the direction of (a particular location [tɪ]) you(the person being addressed [ju]), "What(asking for information specifying something [wət]) does(used to form questions and negative statements of 'do' [dɪz]) his(belonging to or associated with a male person previously mentioned or easily identified [hɪz]) voice(the sound produced in a person's larynx and uttered through the mouth, as speech or song [vɔɪs]) sound(vibrations that travel through the air or another medium and can be heard when they reach a person's or animal's ear [saʊnd]) like(having the same characteristics or qualities as; similar to [laɪk])? What(asking for information specifying something [wət]) games(a form of play or sport, especially a competitive one played according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or chance [geɪmz]) does(used to form questions and negative statements of 'do' [dɪz]) he(referring to the new friend [hi]) love(have a great affection or liking for [ləv]) best(surpassing all others in quality or attractiveness [bɛst])? Does(used to form questions of 'do' [dɪz]) he(referring to the new friend [hi]) collect(bring or gather together (things, typically when scattered or widespread [kəˈlɛkt]) butterflies(a mainly day-flying insect with broad, colourful wings, and typically having a fluttering flight [ˈbətərˌflaɪz])?" Instead(as an alternative or substitute [ˌɪnˈstɛd]), they(referring to the grown-ups [ðeɪ]) demand(ask authoritatively or brusquely [dɪˈmænd]): "How old(asking about someone's age [haʊ oʊld]) is(third-person singular present of 'be' [ɪz]) he(referring to the new friend [hi])? How many(asking about the quantity of something [haʊ ˈmɛni]) brothers(a male sibling [ˈbrəðərz]) has(third-person singular present of 'have' [həz]) he(referring to the new friend [hi])? How much(asking about the amount or degree of something [haʊ məʧ]) does(used to form questions and negative statements of 'do' [dɪz]) he(referring to the new friend [hi]) weigh(to have a specified weight [weɪ])? How much(asking about the amount or degree of something [haʊ məʧ]) money(a current medium of exchange in the form of coins and banknotes [ˈməni]) does(used to form questions and negative statements of 'do' [dɪz]) his(belonging to or associated with a male person previously mentioned or easily identified [hɪz]) father(a male parent [ˈfɑðər]) make(to produce something [meɪk])?" Only(and no one or nothing else; solely [ˈoʊnli]) from(indicating the point in space or time at which a journey, motion, or action starts [frəm]) these(plural of 'this', referring to things nearby or just mentioned [ðiz]) figures(a numerical symbol or digit [ˈfɪgjərz]) do(used to form questions and negative statements [du]) they(referring to the grown-ups [ðeɪ]) think(have a particular belief or idea [θɪŋk]) they(referring to the grown-ups [ðeɪ]) have learned(present perfect tense of 'learn', indicating an action completed at some time before the present [hæv ˈlərnɪd]) anything(a thing of any kind [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]) about(concerning or relating to [əˈbaʊt]) him(referring to the new friend [ɪm]).
If(used to introduce a conditional clause [ɪf]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) were to say(hypothetical situation; an expression indicating a condition that is unlikely or contrary to fact [wər tɪ seɪ]) to the grown-ups(addressing adults or mature individuals [tɪ ðə ˈgroʊˌnəps]): "I(the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]) saw(past tense of 'see'; perceived with the eyes [sɔ]) a beautiful house(a house that is pleasing to the senses; aesthetically appealing [ə ˈbjutəfəl haʊs]) made of(constructed from [meɪd əv]) rosy brick(bricks that are pink or reddish in color [ˈroʊzi brɪk]), with geraniums(having geranium flowers [wɪθ ʤərˈeɪniəmz]) in the windows(located inside or at the windows [ɪn ðə ˈwɪndoʊz]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) doves(white birds, often symbols of peace [dəvz]) on the roof(located on top of the house [ɔn ðə rʊf])," they(referring to the grown-ups [ðeɪ]) would not be able(expressing inability or lack of capacity [wʊd nɑt bi ˈeɪbəl]) to get any idea(to understand or form a mental picture [tɪ gɪt ˈɛni aɪˈdiə]) of that house(referring to the beautiful house described earlier [əv ðət haʊs]) at all(in any way; to any extent [æt ɔl]). You(the person being addressed [ju]) would have to say(it would be necessary to tell [wʊd hæv tɪ seɪ]) to them(referring to the grown-ups [tɪ ðɛm]): "I(the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]) saw(past tense of 'see'; perceived with the eyes [sɔ]) a house(a building used as a dwelling [ə haʊs]) that cost(having a price of [ðət kɔst]) $20,000(twenty thousand US dollars [20000])." Then(at that time; after that [ðɛn]) they(referring to the grown-ups [ðeɪ]) would exclaim(to cry out or speak suddenly and vehemently [wʊd ɪkˈskleɪm]): "Oh(an exclamation of surprise, pain, or pleasure [oʊ]), what a pretty house(an expression of admiration for a beautiful house [wət ə ˈprɪti haʊs]) that is(referring to the house that costs $20,000 [ðət ɪz])!"
Just so(exactly; in the same way [ʤɪst soʊ]), you(the person being addressed [ju]) might say(could possibly say [maɪt seɪ]) to them(referring to the grown-ups [tɪ ðɛm]): "The proof(evidence establishing a fact or the truth of a statement [ðə pruf]) that the little prince existed(evidence that the little prince was real [ðət ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns ɪgˈzɪstəd]) is that(the reason is [ɪz ðət]) he was charming(he was delightful and attractive [hi wɑz ˈʧɑrmɪŋ]), that he laughed(he expressed amusement [ðət hi læft]), and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) that he was looking for(he was searching for [ðət hi wɑz ˈlʊkɪŋ fər]) a sheep(a farm animal [ə ʃip]). If(used to introduce a conditional clause [ɪf]) anybody(any person [ˈɛnibədi]) wants(desires or needs [wɔnts]) a sheep(a farm animal [ə ʃip]), that is(that serves as [ðət ɪz]) a proof(evidence establishing a fact or the truth of a statement [ə pruf]) that he exists(that he is real [ðət hi ɪgˈzɪsts])." And(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) what good(what benefit or advantage [wət gʊd]) would it do(would it accomplish [wʊd ɪt du]) to tell them that(to inform the grown-ups of that [tɪ tɛl ðɛm ðət])? They(referring to the grown-ups [ðeɪ]) would shrug their shoulders(an expression of indifference or doubt [wʊd ʃrəg ðɛr ˈʃoʊldərz]), and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) treat you(behave towards you [trit ju]) like a child(as if you were a young person [laɪk ə ʧaɪld]). But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]) if(used to introduce a conditional clause [ɪf]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) said(past tense of 'say'; uttered words [sɛd]) to them(referring to the grown-ups [tɪ ðɛm]): "The planet(a celestial body orbiting a star [ðə ˈplænət]) he came from(the place he originated from [hi keɪm frəm]) is(third-person singular present of 'be' [ɪz]) Asteroid B-612(a specific asteroid designation [ˈæstərˌɔɪd b-612])," then(at that time; after that [ðɛn]) they(referring to the grown-ups [ðeɪ]) would be convinced(would be persuaded or certain [wʊd bi kənˈvɪnst]), and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) leave you(stop bothering you [liv ju]) in peace(without disturbance or interruption [ɪn pis]) from their questions(to avoid being asked questions by them [frəm ðɛr kˈwɛsʧənz]).