The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway- page 16

He did not remember when he had first started to talk aloud when he was by himself.

• He did not remember: He could not recall [hi dɪd nɑt rɪˈmɛmbər]
• when he had first started: the point in time at which he began [wɪn hi hæd fərst ˈstɑrtɪd]
• to talk aloud: to speak in a voice loud enough to be heard [tɪ tɔk əˈlaʊd]
• when he was by himself: when he was alone; when no one else was present [wɪn hi wɑz baɪ hɪmˈsɛlf]

He had sung when he was by himself in the old days and he had sung at night sometimes when he was alone steering on his watch in the smacks or in the turtle boats.

• He had sung: He used to sing [hi hæd səŋ]
• when he was by himself: when he was alone [wɪn hi wɑz baɪ hɪmˈsɛlf]
• in the old days: in the past; formerly [ɪn ðə oʊld deɪz]
• and he had sung: and he used to sing [ənd hi hæd səŋ]
• at night: during the nighttime [æt naɪt]
• sometimes: occasionally; from time to time [ˈsəmˌtaɪmz]
• when he was alone: when he was by himself [wɪn hi wɑz əˈloʊn]
• steering on his watch: being on duty to steer the boat [ˈstɪrɪŋ ɔn hɪz wɔʧ]
• in the smacks: on small sailing boats, typically used for fishing [ɪn ðə smæks]
• or in the turtle boats: or on boats used for catching turtles [ər ɪn ðə ˈtərtəl boʊts]

He had probably started to talk aloud, when alone, when the boy had left.

• He had probably started: It is likely that he began [hi hæd ˈprɑbəˌbli ˈstɑrtɪd]
• to talk aloud: to speak audibly [tɪ tɔk əˈlaʊd]
• when alone: when he was by himself [wɪn əˈloʊn]
• when the boy had left: after the boy had departed [wɪn ðə bɔɪ hæd lɛft]

But he did not remember.

• But he did not remember: However, he could not recall the exact moment [bət hi dɪd nɑt rɪˈmɛmbər]

When he and the boy fished together they usually spoke only when it was necessary.

• When he and the boy fished together: During the times that he and the boy went fishing as a team [wɪn hi ənd ðə bɔɪ fɪʃt təˈgɛðər]
• they usually spoke: they typically talked [ðeɪ ˈjuʒəwəli spoʊk]
• only when it was necessary: only when it was required or essential [ˈoʊnli wɪn ɪt wɑz ˈnɛsəˌsɛri]

They talked at night or when they were storm-bound by bad weather.

• They talked at night: They conversed during the nighttime [ðeɪ tɔkt æt naɪt]
• or when they were storm-bound: or when they were confined due to a storm [ər wɪn ðeɪ wər storm-bound]
• by bad weather: due to unfavorable weather conditions [baɪ bæd ˈwɛðər]

It was considered a virtue not to talk unnecessarily at sea and the old man had always considered it so and respected it.

• It was considered a virtue: It was regarded as a positive quality [ɪt wɑz kənˈsɪdərd ə ˈvərʧu]
• not to talk unnecessarily: to avoid talking without a good reason [nɑt tɪ tɔk ənˈnɛsəˌsɛrəli]
• at sea: while on the ocean [æt si]
• and the old man had always considered it so: and the old man had always viewed it that way [ənd ðə oʊld mæn hæd ˈɔlˌweɪz kənˈsɪdərd ɪt soʊ]
• and respected it: and held it in high regard [ənd rɪˈspɛktɪd ɪt]

But now he said his thoughts aloud many times since there was no one that they could annoy.

• But now he said his thoughts aloud: However, now he spoke his thoughts audibly [bət naʊ hi sɛd hɪz θɔts əˈlaʊd]
• many times: frequently; often [ˈmɛni taɪmz]
• since there was no one: because there was nobody [sɪns ðɛr wɑz noʊ wən]
• that they could annoy: that his words could bother [ðət ðeɪ kʊd əˈnɔɪ]

''If the others heard me talking out loud they would think that I am crazy,'' he said aloud.

• If: Beginning a direct quote or thought. 'If' introduces a conditional clause. [ɪf]
• the others: referring to other people, likely in a group [ðə ˈəðərz]
• heard: past tense of 'hear', meaning to perceive sound [hərd]
• me talking: the speaker referring to themselves speaking [mi ˈtɔkɪŋ]
• out loud: speaking audibly, so others can hear [aʊt laʊd]
• they: referring back to 'the others' [ðeɪ]
• would think: conditional statement, indicating what they might believe [wʊd θɪŋk]
• that I am crazy: the speaker's concern about being perceived as insane [ðət aɪ æm ˈkreɪzi]
• he said: attribution of the quote to a male speaker [hi sɛd]
• aloud: speaking in a voice loud enough to be heard [əˈlaʊd]

''But since I am not crazy, I do not care.

• But: introducing a contrasting statement [bət]
• since: because; given that [sɪns]
• I am not crazy: the speaker asserting their sanity [aɪ æm nɑt ˈkreɪzi]
• I do not care: the speaker expressing indifference to others' opinions because of their sanity [aɪ du nɑt kɛr]

Now is no time to think of baseball, he thought.

• Now: at the present time [naʊ]
• is: third person singular present of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• no time: not the appropriate moment [noʊ taɪm]
• to think of: to consider or focus on [tɪ θɪŋk əv]
• baseball: a specific sport [ˈbeɪsˈbɔl]
• he thought: attribution of the thought to a male character [hi θɔt]

Now is the time to think of only one thing.

• Now: at the present time [naʊ]
• is: third person singular present of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• the time: the appropriate moment [ðə taɪm]
• to think of: to consider or focus on [tɪ θɪŋk əv]
• only one thing: focusing on a single matter [ˈoʊnli wən θɪŋ]

That which I was born for.

• That: referring to something previously mentioned or understood [ðət]
• which: relative pronoun, introducing a clause [wɪʧ]
• I was born for: the purpose or destiny for which the speaker was born [aɪ wɑz bɔrn fər]

There might be a big one around that school, he thought.

• There might be: possibility of existence [ðɛr maɪt bi]
• a big one: a large fish or creature [ə bɪg wən]
• around: in the vicinity of [əraʊnd]
• that school: a group of fish [ðət skul]
• he thought: attribution of the thought to a male character [hi θɔt]

I picked up only a straggler from the albacore that were feeding.

• I picked up: I caught or found [aɪ pɪkt əp]
• only: just; merely [ˈoʊnli]
• a straggler: a lone or isolated individual [ə ˈstræglər]
• from: originating from [frəm]
• the albacore: a type of tuna [ðə ˈælbəˌkɔr]
• that were feeding: the tuna that were eating [ðət wər ˈfidɪŋ]

But they are working far out and fast.

• But: introducing a contrasting statement [bət]
• they: referring to the albacore [ðeɪ]
• are working: are active or moving [ər ˈwərkɪŋ]
• far out: distant from the shore [fɑr aʊt]
• and: connecting two characteristics [ənd]
• fast: quickly [fæst]

Everything that shows on the surface today travels very fast and to the north-east.

• Everything: all things [ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ]
• that shows: that appears or is visible [ðət ʃoʊz]
• on the surface: on the top of the water [ɔn ðə ˈsərfəs]
• today: on this day [təˈdeɪ]
• travels: moves [ˈtrævəlz]
• very fast: at a high speed [ˈvɛri fæst]
• and: connecting two directions [ənd]
• to the north-east: in a direction combining north and east [tɪ ðə ˌnɔrˈθist]

Can that be the time of day? Or is it some sign of weather that I do not know?

• Can: expressing possibility or inquiry [kən]
• that: referring to the previous observation [ðət]
• be: linking verb [bi]
• the time of day: a specific period of the day [ðə taɪm əv deɪ]
• is it: is it possibly [ɪz ɪt]
• some sign: an indication [səm saɪn]
• of weather: related to atmospheric conditions [əv ˈwɛðər]
• that I do not know: that I am unaware of [ðət aɪ du nɑt noʊ]

He could not see the green of the shore now but only the tops of the blue hills that showed white as though they were snow-capped and the clouds that looked like high snow mountains above them.

• He: refers to a male person or character previously mentioned [hi]
• could not see: was unable to see; lacked the ability to see [kʊd nɑt si]
• the green of the shore: the green vegetation or landscape of the land near the sea [ðə grin əv ðə ʃɔr]
• now: at the present time [naʊ]
• but: introduces a contrast or exception to the previous statement [bət]
• only: exclusively; just [ˈoʊnli]
• the tops of the blue hills: the highest parts of hills that appear blue due to atmospheric perspective [ðə tɑps əv ðə blu hɪlz]
• that: introduces a relative clause describing the hills [ðət]
• showed: appeared; looked [ʃoʊd]
• white: the color white, suggesting a bright or reflective surface [waɪt]
• as though: as if; suggesting a comparison or resemblance [ɛz ðoʊ]
• they were snow-capped: covered with snow on their tops [ðeɪ wər snow-capped]
• and: connects two similar elements or ideas [ənd]
• the clouds: masses of water vapor in the sky [ðə klaʊdz]
• that: introduces a relative clause describing the clouds [ðət]
• looked like: resembled; appeared to be [lʊkt laɪk]
• high snow mountains: tall mountains covered in snow [haɪ snoʊ ˈmaʊntənz]
• above them: higher than the hills [əˈbəv ðɛm]

The sea was very dark and the light made prisms in the water.

• The sea: the ocean; the large body of saltwater [ðə si]
• was: past tense of 'is'; linking verb [wɑz]
• very dark: having little or no light; deep in color [ˈvɛri dɑrk]
• and: connects two related ideas [ənd]
• the light: electromagnetic radiation that makes things visible [ðə laɪt]
• made prisms: created the effect of light being split into different colors [meɪd ˈprɪzəmz]
• in the water: within the sea [ɪn ðə ˈwɔtər]

The myriad flecks of the plankton were annulled now by the high sun and it was only the great deep prisms in the blue water that the old man saw now with his lines going straight down into the water that was a mile deep.

• The myriad flecks: countless small spots or particles [ðə ˈmɪriəd flɛks]
• of the plankton: microscopic organisms floating in the sea [əv ðə ˈplæŋktən]
• were annulled: were made ineffective or invisible [wər ˈænəld]
• now: at this time [naʊ]
• by the high sun: due to the sun being high in the sky [baɪ ðə haɪ sən]
• and: connects two related ideas [ənd]
• it: refers to the situation or environment [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'is'; linking verb [wɑz]
• only: just; merely [ˈoʊnli]
• the great deep prisms: large and profound effects of light splitting into colors [ðə greɪt dip ˈprɪzəmz]
• in the blue water: within the ocean [ɪn ðə blu ˈwɔtər]
• that: introduces a relative clause describing the prisms [ðət]
• the old man: the elderly male character [ðə oʊld mæn]
• saw: past tense of 'see'; perceived with the eyes [sɔ]
• now: at this time [naʊ]
• with his lines: referring to fishing lines [wɪθ hɪz laɪnz]
• going straight down: extending vertically into the water [goʊɪŋ streɪt daʊn]
• into the water: into the sea [ˈɪntu ðə ˈwɔtər]
• that: introduces a relative clause describing the water [ðət]
• was: past tense of 'is'; linking verb [wɑz]
• a mile deep: having a depth of one mile [ə maɪl dip]

The tuna, the fishermen called all the fish of that species tuna and only distinguished among them by their proper names when they came to sell them or to trade them for baits, were down again.

• The tuna: A type of saltwater fish [ðə ˈtunə]
• the fishermen: People who catch fish for a living or for sport [ðə ˈfɪʃərmɪn]
• called: Referred to; named [kɔld]
• all the fish: Every fish [ɔl ðə fɪʃ]
• of that species: Belonging to the same kind or type [əv ðət ˈspiʃiz]
• tuna: Repeating the name of the fish [ˈtunə]
• and: A conjunction connecting two parts of the sentence [ənd]
• only: Exclusively; just [ˈoʊnli]
• distinguished: Differentiated; recognized the difference between [dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃt]
• among them: Between the tuna fish [əˈməŋ ðɛm]
• by their proper names: By their specific names [baɪ ðɛr ˈprɑpər neɪmz]
• when: At the time that [wɪn]
• they came: The fishermen arrived [ðeɪ keɪm]
• to sell them: In order to sell the tuna [tɪ sɛl ðɛm]
• or: A conjunction indicating an alternative [ər]
• to trade them: To exchange the tuna for something else [tɪ treɪd ðɛm]
• for baits: In exchange for fishing bait [fər beɪts]
• were down again: Were at a lower depth in the water [wər daʊn əˈgɛn]

The sun was hot now and the old man felt it on the back of his neck and felt the sweat trickle down his back as he rowed.

• The sun: The star that provides light and heat to Earth [ðə sən]
• was hot: Producing a high degree of heat [wɑz hɑt]
• now: At the present time [naʊ]
• and: A conjunction connecting two parts of the sentence [ənd]
• the old man: The elderly male character [ðə oʊld mæn]
• felt: Experienced; perceived through touch [fɛlt]
• it: Referring to the heat of the sun [ɪt]
• on the back of his neck: The rear part of his neck [ɔn ðə bæk əv hɪz nɛk]
• and: A conjunction connecting two parts of the sentence [ənd]
• felt: Experienced; perceived through touch [fɛlt]
• the sweat: Perspiration; salty liquid released from the body [ðə swɛt]
• trickle down: Flow in a thin stream [ˈtrɪkəl daʊn]
• his back: The rear part of his body [hɪz bæk]
• as: While; during the time that [ɛz]
• he rowed: He propelled the boat using oars [hi roʊd]