If(used to introduce a conditional clause [ɪf]) the boy(a male child or young man [ðə bɔɪ]) was(past tense of 'be', linking the subject to the description [wɑz]) here(in or at this place [hir]) he(refers to a male person or animal already mentioned or known [hi]) would(expressing a conditional or possible event or situation [wʊd]) wet(covered or saturated with water or another liquid [wɛt]) the coils(a length of something wound or arranged in a spiral or sequence of rings [ðə kɔɪlz]) of line(a length of cord or rope used for a particular purpose [əv laɪn]), he(refers to a male person or animal already mentioned or known [hi]) thought(past tense of 'think', meaning to have a particular belief or idea [θɔt]). Yes(used to express affirmation or agreement [jɛs]). If(used to introduce a conditional clause [ɪf]) the boy(a male child or young man [ðə bɔɪ]) were(past subjunctive of 'be', used to express a hypothetical or conditional situation [wər]) here(in or at this place [hir]). If(used to introduce a conditional clause [ɪf]) the boy(a male child or young man [ðə bɔɪ]) were(past subjunctive of 'be', used to express a hypothetical or conditional situation [wər]) here(in or at this place [hir]).
The line(refers to the fishing line [ðə laɪn]) went out(means the line was being pulled away from the boat or fisherman, indicating the fish was moving away [wɛnt aʊt]) and out(repetition to emphasize the extent to which the line was being pulled out [ənd aʊt]) and out(further emphasizes the continuous pulling of the line [ənd aʊt]) but(indicates a contrast or change in the situation [bət]) it(refers to the fish [ɪt]) was slowing(means the fish's movement was decreasing in speed [wɑz sloʊɪŋ]) now(indicates the present time or current situation [naʊ]) and(connects two related events or conditions [ənd]) he(refers to the fisherman [hi]) was making(implies he was causing or forcing something to happen [wɑz ˈmeɪkɪŋ]) the fish(refers to the fish he was trying to catch [ðə fɪʃ]) earn(means the fish had to struggle or work hard [ərn]) each inch(emphasizes the small increments of line the fish was gaining [iʧ ɪnʧ]) of it(refers to the line [əv ɪt]). Now(indicates a change in the sequence of events [naʊ]) he(refers to the fisherman [hi]) got(past tense of 'get', meaning he moved or lifted [gɑt]) his head up(refers to the fisherman lifting his head [hɪz hɛd əp]) from the wood(indicates the fisherman's head was resting on a wooden part of the boat [frəm ðə wʊd]) and(connects two actions [ənd]) out of(meaning to move away from something [aʊt əv]) the slice of fish(refers to a piece of fish, possibly used as bait or part of the fish he caught [ðə slaɪs əv fɪʃ]) that(introduces a relative clause [ðət]) his cheek(refers to the fisherman's cheek [hɪz ʧik]) had crushed(means his cheek had pressed against and damaged the fish [hæd krəʃt]). Then(indicates the next event in the sequence [ðɛn]) he(refers to the fisherman [hi]) was on his knees(indicates the fisherman was kneeling [wɑz ɔn hɪz niz]) and(connects two actions [ənd]) then(indicates the next event in the sequence [ðɛn]) he(refers to the fisherman [hi]) rose(past tense of 'rise', meaning he stood up [roʊz]) slowly(indicates the action was performed at a slow pace [sˈloʊli]) to his feet(meaning he stood up [tɪ hɪz fit]). He(refers to the fisherman [hi]) was ceding(means he was allowing the line to be pulled out by the fish [wɑz ˈsidɪŋ]) line(refers to the fishing line [laɪn]) but(indicates a contrast [bət]) more slowly(indicates the rate at which he was allowing the line to be pulled out was decreasing [mɔr sˈloʊli]) all he(refers to the fisherman [hi]) time. He worked back(means he moved back [wərkt bæk]) to where(indicates the location [tɪ wɛr]) he(refers to the fisherman [hi]) could feel(means he was able to sense by touch [kʊd fil]) with his foot(indicates he was using his foot to feel [wɪθ hɪz fʊt]) the coils of line(refers to the loops of fishing line [ðə kɔɪlz əv laɪn]) that(introduces a relative clause [ðət]) he(refers to the fisherman [hi]) could not see(means he was unable to see the line [kʊd nɑt si]). There(indicates existence [ðɛr]) was(past tense of 'is', indicating existence [wɑz]) plenty of line(means there was a large amount of fishing line available [ˈplɛnti əv laɪn]) still(indicates that the line was still available [stɪl]) and(connects two related events or conditions [ənd]) now(indicates the present time or current situation [naʊ]) the fish(refers to the fish he was trying to catch [ðə fɪʃ]) had to pull(means the fish was required to exert force to pull [hæd tɪ pʊl]) the friction(refers to the resistance caused by the line moving through the water [ðə ˈfrɪkʃən]) of all that new line(refers to the large amount of line that had been let out [əv ɔl ðət nu laɪn]) through the water(indicates the medium through which the line was being pulled [θru ðə ˈwɔtər]).
Yes(affirmative response or agreement [jɛs]), he thought(indicates the character is thinking internally [ hi θɔt]). And now(introduces a new development or consequence [ənd naʊ]) he has jumped(indicates the fish has leaped out of the water [hi həz ʤəmpt]) more than a dozen times(emphasizes the frequency of the fish's jumping [mɔr ðən ə ˈdəzən taɪmz]) and filled the sacks along his back with air(describes the physical action of the fish, possibly referring to air bladders [ənd fɪld ðə sæks əˈlɔŋ hɪz bæk wɪθ ɛr]) and he cannot go down deep to die(explains the consequence of the fish's actions; it can't descend to the depths to die [ənd hi ˈkænɑt goʊ daʊn dip tɪ daɪ]) where I cannot bring him up(specifies the reason the fish can't die deep; the speaker can't retrieve it [wɛr aɪ ˈkænɑt brɪŋ ɪm əp]). He will start circling soon(predicts the fish's next action [hi wɪl stɑrt ˈsərkəlɪŋ sun]) and then I must work on him(indicates the speaker's plan to deal with the fish [ənd ðɛn aɪ məst wərk ɔn ɪm]). I wonder what started him so suddenly(expresses the speaker's curiosity about the fish's behavior [aɪ ˈwəndər wət ˈstɑrtɪd ɪm soʊ ˈsədənli])? Could it have been hunger that made him desperate(proposes a possible reason for the fish's behavior [kʊd ɪt hæv bɪn ˈhəŋgər ðət meɪd ɪm ˈdɛspərɪt]), or was he frightened by something in the night(presents another possible reason for the fish's behavior [ ər wɑz hi ˈfraɪtənd baɪ ˈsəmθɪŋ ɪn ðə naɪt])? Maybe he suddenly felt fear(suggests a third possible reason [ˈmeɪbi hi ˈsədənli fɛlt fɪr]). But he was such a calm, strong fish(contrasts the fish's current behavior with its usual demeanor [bət hi wɑz səʧ ə kɑm strɔŋ fɪʃ]) and he seemed so fearless and so confident(further emphasizes the fish's typical characteristics [ənd hi simd soʊ ˈfɪrləs ənd soʊ ˈkɑnfədənt]). It is strange(expresses the speaker's bewilderment at the situation [ɪt ɪz streɪnʤ]).
''You better be fearless and confident yourself, old man(encouragement to remain brave and self-assured [ju ˈbɛtər bi ˈfɪrləs ənd ˈkɑnfədənt ˈjɔrsɛlf oʊld mæn]),'' he said(indicates who is speaking [hi sɛd]). ''You're holding him again but you cannot get line(describes the current situation of the fishing; the speaker is holding the fish but cannot reel it in [jʊr ˈhoʊldɪŋ ɪm əˈgɛn bət ju ˈkænɑt gɪt laɪn]). But soon he has to circle(predicts the fish's next action [bət sun hi həz tɪ ˈsərkəl]).''
The(Definite article, referring to a specific old man [ðə]) old(Advanced in years; having lived for a long time [oʊld]) man(Adult male human [mæn]) held(Past tense of 'hold', meaning to grasp or support [hɛld]) him(Referring to another male, likely the boy or someone else previously mentioned [ɪm]) with(Preposition indicating accompaniment or means [wɪθ]) his(Possessive pronoun, referring to the old man's [hɪz]) left(The side of the body that is typically weaker or less coordinated [lɛft]) hand(The part of the body at the end of the arm, used for grasping [hænd]) and(Conjunction, connecting two similar elements [ənd]) his(Possessive pronoun, referring to the old man's [hɪz]) shoulders(The part of the body between the neck and the upper arm [ˈʃoʊldərz]) now(At the present time [naʊ]) and(Conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]) stooped(Past tense of 'stoop', meaning to bend the body forward and downward [stupt]) down(In a downward direction [daʊn]) and(Conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]) scooped(Past tense of 'scoop', meaning to take something up with a quick, curved movement [skupt]) up(In an upward direction [əp]) water(A clear, colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid [ˈwɔtər]) in(Preposition indicating location or containment [ɪn]) his(Possessive pronoun, referring to the old man's [hɪz]) right(The side of the body that is typically stronger or more coordinated [raɪt]) hand(The part of the body at the end of the arm, used for grasping [hænd]) to(Preposition indicating purpose [tɪ]) get(To obtain or acquire [gɪt]) the(Definite article, referring to a specific [ðə]) crushed(Past participle of 'crush', meaning to press or squeeze forcefully [krəʃt]) dolphin(A marine mammal of the family Delphinidae [ˈdɑlfən]) flesh(The soft substance of the body of a living animal or human being [flɛʃ]) off(Away from; removed from [ɔf]) of(Preposition indicating relationship or belonging [əv]) his(Possessive pronoun, referring to the old man's [hɪz]) face(The front part of the head [feɪs]). He(Pronoun referring to the old man [hi]) was(Past tense of 'be' [wɑz]) afraid(Feeling fear or apprehension [əˈfreɪd]) that(Conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]) it(Pronoun referring to the dolphin flesh [ɪt]) might(Past tense of 'may', expressing possibility [maɪt]) nauseate(To cause (someone) to feel sick to the stomach [ˈnɔziˌeɪt]) him(Pronoun referring to the old man [ɪm]) and(Conjunction, connecting two possible outcomes [ənd]) he(Pronoun referring to the old man [hi]) would(Auxiliary verb expressing a conditional or future action [wʊd]) vomit(To eject matter from the stomach through the mouth [ˈvɑmət]) and(Conjunction, connecting two possible outcomes [ənd]) lose(To be deprived of or cease to have [luz]) his(Possessive pronoun, referring to the old man's [hɪz]) strength(The quality or state of being physically strong [strɛŋθ]). When(Conjunction indicating time [wɪn]) his(Possessive pronoun, referring to the old man's [hɪz]) face(The front part of the head [feɪs]) was(Past tense of 'be' [wɑz]) cleaned(Past participle of 'clean', meaning to remove dirt or impurities [klind]) he(Pronoun referring to the old man [hi]) washed(Past tense of 'wash', meaning to clean with water [wɑʃt]) his(Possessive pronoun, referring to the old man's [hɪz]) right(The side of the body that is typically stronger or more coordinated [raɪt]) hand(The part of the body at the end of the arm, used for grasping [hænd]) in(Preposition indicating location or containment [ɪn]) the(Definite article, referring to a specific [ðə]) water(A clear, colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid [ˈwɔtər]) over(Above or across [ˈoʊvər]) the(Definite article, referring to a specific [ðə]) side(A surface or edge of something [saɪd]) and(Conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]) then(At that time; after that [ðɛn]) let(Past tense of 'let', meaning to allow [lɛt]) it(Pronoun referring to the right hand [ɪt]) stay(To remain in a particular place or condition [steɪ]) in(Preposition indicating location or containment [ɪn]) the(Definite article, referring to a specific [ðə]) salt(A white crystalline substance that gives seawater its characteristic taste [sɔlt]) water(A clear, colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid [ˈwɔtər]) while(Conjunction indicating time [waɪl]) he(Pronoun referring to the old man [hi]) watched(Past tense of 'watch', meaning to look at or observe [wɔʧt]) the(Definite article, referring to a specific [ðə]) first(Coming before all others in time or order [fərst]) light(The natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible [laɪt]) come(To move or travel toward or into a place [kəm]) before(Preposition indicating time or order [ˌbiˈfɔr]) the(Definite article, referring to a specific [ðə]) sunrise(The time when the sun appears above the horizon in the morning [ˈsənˌraɪz]). He's(Contraction of 'He is' [hiz]) headed(Moving in a specified direction [ˈhɛdɪd]) almost(Nearly; not quite [ˈɔlˌmoʊst]) east(The direction toward the point of the horizon where the sun rises [ist]), he(Pronoun referring to someone, likely the fish [hi]) thought(Past tense of 'think', meaning to have an opinion or belief [θɔt]). That(Pronoun referring to the fish heading east [ðət]) means(To signify or indicate [minz]) he(Pronoun referring to the fish [hi]) is(Present tense of 'be' [ɪz]) tired(Feeling or showing a need for sleep or rest [taɪərd]) and(Conjunction, connecting two conditions [ənd]) going(Moving or traveling [goʊɪŋ]) with(Preposition indicating accompaniment or means [wɪθ]) the(Definite article, referring to a specific [ðə]) current(A body of water or air moving in a definite direction [ˈkɑrənt]). Soon(In or after a short time [sun]) he(Pronoun referring to the fish [hi]) will(Auxiliary verb expressing future tense [wɪl]) have(To possess or be obliged [hæv]) to(Preposition indicating purpose [tɪ]) circle(To move in a circular direction [ˈsərkəl]). Then(At that time; after that [ðɛn]) our(Possessive pronoun, referring to a group including the speaker [ɑr]) true(Genuine; real [tru]) work(Activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result [wərk]) begins(To start; to come into existence [bɪˈgɪnz]).
After(Following in time or sequence [ˈæftər]) he(Referring to a male person previously mentioned [hi]) judged(Formed an opinion or estimation about [ʤəʤd]) that(Introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]) his(Belonging to him [hɪz]) right hand(The hand on the right side of his body [raɪt hænd]) had been(Past perfect tense of 'to be', indicating a state in the past [hæd bɪn]) in the water(Submerged or located within water [ɪn ðə ˈwɔtər]) long enough(For a sufficient duration [lɔŋ ɪˈnəf]) he(Referring to the same male person [hi]) took it out(Removed his hand from the water [tʊk ɪt aʊt]) and(Conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) looked at it(Examined his hand visually [lʊkt æt ɪt]).