Back(in the same position as before [bæk]) in(preposition indicating location or containment [ɪn]) the bow(the front part of the boat [ðə boʊ]) he(refers to the male person from the previous text [hi]) laid(past tense of 'lay', meaning to put something down carefully [leɪd]) the two fillets of fish(the two pieces of fish meat [ðə tu ˈfɪlɪts əv fɪʃ]) out(in a position away from an enclosure or upright position [aʊt]) on(preposition indicating location on a surface [ɔn]) the wood(the wooden surface of the boat [ðə wʊd]) with(preposition indicating accompaniment or possession [wɪθ]) the flying fish(the fish capable of gliding through the air [ðə flaɪɪŋ fɪʃ]) beside(next to; at the side of [ˌbiˈsaɪd]) them(referring to the fillets of fish [ðɛm]). After(following in time or sequence [ˈæftər]) that(referring to the previous action [ðət]) he(refers to the same male person as before [hi]) settled(past tense of 'settle', meaning to place or arrange something in a comfortable or secure position [ˈsɛtəld]) the line(the fishing line [ðə laɪn]) across(extending from one side to the other of [əˈkrɔs]) his(possessive pronoun referring to the man [hɪz]) shoulders(the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm [ˈʃoʊldərz]) in(preposition indicating location or manner [ɪn]) a new(different from what was before [ə nu]) place(a specific location or position [pleɪs]) and(conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) held(past tense of 'hold', meaning to grasp or support something [hɛld]) it(referring to the line [ɪt]) again(once more; another time [əˈgɛn]) with(preposition indicating accompaniment or possession [wɪθ]) his(possessive pronoun referring to the man [hɪz]) left hand(the hand on the left side of his body [lɛft hænd]) resting(present participle of 'rest', meaning to be supported by something [ˈrɛstɪŋ]) on(preposition indicating location on a surface [ɔn]) the gunwale(the upper edge of the side of a boat [ðə gunwale]). Then(at that time; next [ðɛn]) he(refers to the same male person as before [hi]) leaned(past tense of 'lean', meaning to incline or bend from a vertical position [lind]) over(above and to the other side of [ˈoʊvər]) the side(the side of the boat [ðə saɪd]) and(conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) washed(past tense of 'wash', meaning to clean something with water [wɑʃt]) the flying fish(the fish capable of gliding through the air [ðə flaɪɪŋ fɪʃ]) in(preposition indicating location or containment [ɪn]) the water(the water surrounding the boat [ðə ˈwɔtər]), noting(present participle of 'note', meaning to pay attention to something [ˈnoʊtɪŋ]) the speed(the rate at which something moves [ðə spid]) of(preposition indicating relationship or belonging [əv]) the water(the water surrounding the boat [ðə ˈwɔtər]) against(in opposition to; in contact with [əˈgɛnst]) his(possessive pronoun referring to the man [hɪz]) hand(the hand of the man [hænd]). His(possessive pronoun referring to the man [hɪz]) hand(the hand of the man [hænd]) was(past tense of 'be', indicating a state of being [wɑz]) phosphorescent(emitting light without heat [phosphorescent]) from(indicating the origin or cause of something [frəm]) skinning(the act of removing the skin from something [skinning]) the fish(the fish he skinned [ðə fɪʃ]) and(conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) he(refers to the same male person as before [hi]) watched(past tense of 'watch', meaning to observe something [wɔʧt]) the flow(the movement of a liquid [ðə floʊ]) of(preposition indicating relationship or belonging [əv]) the water(the water surrounding the boat [ðə ˈwɔtər]) against(in opposition to; in contact with [əˈgɛnst]) it(referring to his hand [ɪt]). The flow(the movement of the water [ðə floʊ]) was(past tense of 'be', indicating a state of being [wɑz]) less(smaller in amount or degree [lɛs]) strong(having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks [strɔŋ]) and(conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) as(used to indicate that something happens during the time that something else is taking place [ɛz]) he(refers to the same male person as before [hi]) rubbed(past tense of 'rub', meaning to apply pressure and move something back and forth against a surface [rəbd]) the side(the side of his hand [ðə saɪd]) of(preposition indicating relationship or belonging [əv]) his(possessive pronoun referring to the man [hɪz]) hand(the hand of the man [hænd]) against(in contact with [əˈgɛnst]) the planking(the planks that form the side of the boat [ðə ˈplæŋkɪŋ]) of(preposition indicating relationship or belonging [əv]) the skiff(a small boat [ðə skɪf]), particles(a minute piece of something [ˈpɑrtɪkəlz]) of(preposition indicating relationship or belonging [əv]) phosphorus(a chemical element that glows in the dark [ˈfɑsfərəs]) floated(past tense of 'float', meaning to rest or move on or near the surface of a liquid [ˈfloʊtɪd]) off(away from a place or position [ɔf]) and(conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) drifted(past tense of 'drift', meaning to be carried slowly by a current of air or water [ˈdrɪftɪd]) slowly(at a slow pace [sˈloʊli]) astern(towards the back of the boat [astern]).
''He(Quotation marks indicating the start of dialogue. 'He' refers to someone the old man is talking about, likely himself or another person [hi]) is tiring(Means becoming tired; feeling fatigue [ɪz ˈtaɪrɪŋ]) or(A conjunction indicating an alternative [ər]) he is resting(Means taking a break to recover strength; also within quotation marks [hi ɪz ˈrɛstɪŋ]),'' the old man said(Attribution of the dialogue to the old man. [ðə oʊld mæn sɛd]). ''Now(An introductory word, indicating a transition in thought or action [naʊ]) let me(Allow me; permit me [lɛt mi]) get through(Complete; finish [gɪt θru]) the eating of this dolphin(The act of consuming the dolphin that he has caught [ðə ˈitɪŋ əv ðɪs ˈdɑlfən]) and(A conjunction indicating addition [ənd]) get some rest(To take a break and relax [gɪt səm rɛst]) and(A conjunction indicating addition [ənd]) a little sleep(A small amount of sleep; also within quotation marks [ə ˈlɪtəl slip]).''
Under the stars(Beneath the visible stars in the night sky [ˈəndər ðə stɑrz]) and(A conjunction indicating addition [ənd]) with the night colder(As the night becomes colder [wɪθ ðə naɪt ˈkoʊldər]) all the time(Continuously; increasingly [ɔl ðə taɪm]) he ate(He consumed food [hi eɪt]) half of one(Fifty percent of one [hæf əv wən]) of the dolphin fillets(Slices of dolphin meat [əv ðə ˈdɑlfən ˈfɪlɪts]) and(A conjunction indicating addition [ənd]) one of the flying fish(A single flying fish [wən əv ðə flaɪɪŋ fɪʃ]), gutted(Having the internal organs removed [ˈgətɪd]) and(A conjunction indicating addition [ənd]) with its head cut off(Having the head removed [wɪθ ɪts hɛd kət ɔf]).
''What(Exclamation indicating surprise or emphasis [wət]) an excellent fish(A very good fish [ən ˈɛksələnt fɪʃ]) dolphin is(Referring to the dolphin [ˈdɑlfən ɪz]) to eat cooked(When prepared by cooking; also within quotation marks [tɪ it kʊkt]),'' he said(Attribution of the dialogue to the speaker [hi sɛd]). ''And(A conjunction indicating addition or continuation [ənd]) what a miserable fish(A very unpleasant fish [wət ə ˈmɪzərəbəl fɪʃ]) raw(Uncooked [rɑ]). I will never(I will not ever [aɪ wɪl ˈnɛvər]) go in a boat again(Travel by boat in the future [goʊ ɪn ə boʊt əˈgɛn]) without salt or limes(Lacking salt or limes; also within quotation marks [wɪˈθaʊt sɔlt ər laɪmz]).''
If I had brains(If I were intelligent or wise [ɪf aɪ hæd breɪnz]) I would have splashed(I would have thrown or scattered liquid [aɪ wʊd hæv splæʃt]) water on the bow(Water onto the front of the boat [ˈwɔtər ɔn ðə boʊ]) all day(Throughout the entire day [ɔl deɪ]) and(A conjunction indicating addition [ənd]) drying(As it evaporates [draɪɪŋ]), it would have made salt(It would have created salt residue [ɪt wʊd hæv meɪd sɔlt]), he thought(Attribution of the thought to the speaker [hi θɔt]). But then(However; on the other hand [bət ðɛn]) I did not hook(I did not catch with a hook [aɪ dɪd nɑt hʊk]) the dolphin(Referring to the dolphin [ðə ˈdɑlfən]) until almost sunset(Nearly the time when the sun sets [ənˈtɪl ˈɔlˌmoʊst ˈsənˌsɛt]). Still(Nevertheless; even so [stɪl]) it was a lack of preparation(It was due to inadequate planning [ɪt wɑz ə læk əv ˌprɛpərˈeɪʃən]). But(A conjunction indicating contrast [bət]) I have chewed it(I have masticated it [aɪ hæv ʧud ɪt]) all well(Thoroughly [ɔl wɛl]) and(A conjunction indicating addition [ənd]) I am not nauseated(I do not feel sick [aɪ æm nɑt ˈnɔziˌeɪtəd]).
The sky(referring to the atmosphere above a particular location [ðə skaɪ]) was clouding over(becoming covered with clouds [wɑz ˈklaʊdɪŋ ˈoʊvər]) to the east(in the eastern direction [tɪ ðə ist]) and(used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]) one after another(happening or appearing in sequence [wən ˈæftər əˈnəðər]) the stars(celestial bodies that emit light [ðə stɑrz]) he knew(that he recognized or was familiar with [hi nu]) were gone(had disappeared [wər gɔn]). It looked now(at the present time, it appeared [ɪt lʊkt naʊ]) as though(as if [ɛz ðoʊ]) he were moving(he was in the process of moving [hi wər ˈmuvɪŋ]) into(expressing movement or direction toward a particular location or thing [ˈɪntu]) a great canyon(a large, deep gorge between cliffs [ə greɪt ˈkænjən]) of clouds(made up of clouds [əv klaʊdz]) and(used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]) the wind(the perceptible natural movement of the air [ðə wɪnd]) had dropped(had decreased in strength or intensity [hæd drɑpt]).
''There will be(future tense of 'there is', indicating something that will exist or happen [ðɛr wɪl bi]) bad weather(unpleasant or severe weather conditions [bæd ˈwɛðər]) in(expressing a period of time during which something will happen [ɪn]) three or four days(a period of either three or four 24-hour periods [θri ər fɔr deɪz]),'' he said(he stated or spoke [hi sɛd]). ''But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]) not tonight(not during the current night [nɑt təˈnaɪt]) and(used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]) not tomorrow(not on the day after the current day [nɑt təˈmɑˌroʊ]). Rig now(prepare immediately [rɪg naʊ]) to get(in order to obtain or achieve [tɪ gɪt]) some sleep(a period of rest [səm slip]), old man(term of address, often used affectionately or familiarly [oʊld mæn]), while(during the time that [waɪl]) the fish(the marine animal [ðə fɪʃ]) is calm(is peaceful and not agitated [ɪz kɑm]) and(used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]) steady(stable and not moving [ˈstɛdi]).''
He held(he grasped and maintained possession of [hi hɛld]) the line(the rope or cord [ðə laɪn]) tight(firmly or closely [taɪt]) in(expressing location or position within a particular space or area [ɪn]) his right hand(the hand on the right side of his body [hɪz raɪt hænd]) and then(following that; next [ənd ðɛn]) pushed(exerted force on something to move it away [pʊʃt]) his thigh(the part of the leg between the hip and the knee [hɪz θaɪ]) against(in opposition to or in contact with [əˈgɛnst]) his right hand(the hand on the right side of his body [hɪz raɪt hænd]) as(while; at the same time that [ɛz]) he leaned(he inclined or rested against something for support [hi lind]) all his weight(the total force of his body due to gravity [ɔl hɪz weɪt]) against(in opposition to or in contact with [əˈgɛnst]) the wood(the material of a tree [ðə wʊd]) of the bow(the front part of a boat or ship [əv ðə boʊ]). Then(after that [ðɛn]) he passed(he moved or transferred [hi pæst]) the line(the rope or cord [ðə laɪn]) a little lower(slightly further down [ə ˈlɪtəl loʊər]) on(supported by [ɔn]) his shoulders(the upper part of the body between the neck and the upper arms [hɪz ˈʃoʊldərz]) and(used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]) braced(supported or strengthened [breɪst]) his left hand(the hand on the left side of his body [hɪz lɛft hænd]) on it(on the line [ɔn ɪt]).
My(belonging to me [maɪ]) right hand(the hand on the right side of the body [raɪt hænd]) can(is able to [kən]) hold(to keep or maintain a grip on [hoʊld]) it(referring to something previously mentioned, likely a fishing line or similar [ɪt]) as long as(provided that; on the condition that [ɛz lɔŋ ɛz]) it(referring to the hand [ɪt]) is braced(is supported or strengthened [ɪz breɪst]), he thought(indicates an internal thought process [ hi θɔt]) If(introducing a conditional clause [ɪf]) it(referring to the right hand [ɪt]) relaxes(becomes less tense or firm [rɪˈlæksɪz]) in sleep(during the state of sleeping [ɪn slip]) my(belonging to me [maɪ]) left hand(the hand on the left side of the body [lɛft hænd]) will wake(will rouse from sleep [wɪl weɪk]) me(the speaker [mi]) as(at the same time that [ɛz]) the line(likely referring to a fishing line [ðə laɪn]) goes out(extends or moves outward [goʊz aʊt]). (end of a sentence)It(referring to the situation or task at hand [ɪt]) is hard(difficult or demanding [ɪz hɑrd]) on(affecting [ɔn]) the right hand(the hand on the right side of the body [ðə raɪt hænd]). (end of a sentence)But(introducing a contrast [bət]) he(referring to the person speaking or thinking [hi]) is used to(accustomed to; experienced with [ɪz juzd tɪ]) punishment(suffering or hardship [ˈpənɪʃmənt]) Even if(even on the condition that [ˈivɪn ɪf]) I(the speaker [aɪ]) sleep(be in a state of sleep [slip]) twenty minutes(a period of twenty minutes [tˈwɛnti ˈmɪnəts]) or(introducing an alternative [ər]) a half(one half [ə hæf]) an hour(a period of sixty minutes [ən aʊər]) it(referring to the rest [ɪt]) is good(beneficial or helpful [ɪz gʊd]). (end of a sentence)He(referring to the person speaking or thinking [hi]) lay(past tense of 'lie', to recline [leɪ]) forward(in a direction towards the front [ˈfɔrwərd]) cramping(causing a painful muscle contraction [ˈkræmpɪŋ]) himself(referring back to 'he' [hɪmˈsɛlf]) against(in opposition to; touching [əˈgɛnst]) the line(likely referring to a fishing line [ðə laɪn]) with all(using all of [wɪθ ɔl]) of his body(the entirety of his physical form [əv hɪz ˈbɑdi]), (separates clauses)putting(placing or exerting [ˈpʊtɪŋ]) all his weight(the total force of his body mass [ɔl hɪz weɪt]) onto(on top of; directed at [ˈɔntu]) his right band(misspelling of 'hand', the hand on the right side of the body [hɪz raɪt bænd]), (separates clauses)and(connects two clauses [ənd]) he(referring to the person speaking or thinking [hi]) was asleep(in a state of sleep [wɑz əsˈlip]).