The old man(a man of advanced age [ðə oʊld mæn]) felt faint(experienced a sensation of weakness and dizziness [fɛlt feɪnt]) and sick(and nauseous [ənd sɪk]) and he could not see well(his vision was impaired [ənd hi kʊd nɑt si wɛl]). But(however [bət]) he cleared the harpoon line(he untangled or freed the rope attached to the harpoon [hi klɪrd ðə hɑrˈpun laɪn]) and let it run slowly(allowed the rope to move gradually [ənd lɛt ɪt rən sˈloʊli]) through his raw hands(across his injured or chafed hands [θru hɪz rɑ hænz]) and, when he could see(after his vision cleared [ənd wɪn hi kʊd si]), he saw the fish(he observed the fish [hi sɔ ðə fɪʃ]) was on his back(had its belly facing upwards [wɑz ɔn hɪz bæk]) with his silver belly up(its underside exposed [wɪθ hɪz ˈsɪlvər ˈbɛli əp]). The shaft of the harpoon(the pole of the spear [ðə ʃæft əv ðə hɑrˈpun]) was projecting(was sticking out [wɑz prɑˈʤɛktɪŋ]) at an angle(not straight; inclined [æt ən ˈæŋgəl]) from the fish's shoulder(from the area near the fish's pectoral fin [frəm ðə ˈfɪʃɪz ˈʃoʊldər]) and the sea(the ocean [ənd ðə si]) was discolouring(was changing color [wɑz discolouring]) with the red of the blood(due to the presence of blood [wɪθ ðə rɛd əv ðə bləd]) from his heart(originating from the fish's vital organ [frəm hɪz hɑrt]). First(initially [fərst]) it was dark(it appeared deep in color [ɪt wɑz dɑrk]) as a shoal(like a school of fish [ɛz ə shoal]) in the blue water(within the ocean [ɪn ðə blu ˈwɔtər]) that was more than a mile deep(which had a depth exceeding one mile [ðət wɑz mɔr ðən ə maɪl dip]). Then(after that [ðɛn]) it spread(it expanded [ɪt sprɛd]) like a cloud(resembling a nebulous mass [laɪk ə klaʊd]). The fish(the aquatic animal [ðə fɪʃ]) was silvery(had a silver-like color [wɑz ˈsɪlvəri]) and still(motionless [ənd stɪl]) and floated(remained on the surface of the water [ənd ˈfloʊtɪd]) with the waves(carried by the movement of the water [wɪθ ðə weɪvz]).
The(definite article, referring to a specific old man [ðə]) old(advanced in years; having lived for a long time [oʊld]) man(an adult male human [mæn]) looked(past tense of 'look', meaning to turn one's eyes in a specific direction or to observe [lʊkt]) carefully(in a cautious and thorough manner [ˈkɛrfəli]) in(preposition indicating location or direction [ɪn]) the glimpse(a brief or incomplete view [ðə glɪmps]) of(preposition indicating relationship or connection [əv]) vision(the ability to see; sight [ˈvɪʒən]) that(relative pronoun referring to the glimpse of vision [ðət]) he(pronoun referring to the old man [hi]) had(past tense of 'have', indicating possession or experience [hæd]). Then(adverb indicating sequence or time [ðɛn]) he(pronoun referring to the old man [hi]) took(past tense of 'take', meaning to grasp or seize [tʊk]) two(the number 2 [tu]) turns(instances of winding or rotating something [tərnz]) of(preposition indicating relationship or connection [əv]) the(definite article, referring to a specific harpoon line [ðə]) harpoon line(the rope attached to a harpoon [hɑrˈpun laɪn]) around(preposition indicating movement in a circular direction [əraʊnd]) the(definite article, referring to a specific bitt [ðə]) bitt(a post on a boat for fastening ropes [bitt]) in(preposition indicating location [ɪn]) the(definite article, referring to a specific bow [ðə]) bow(the front part of a boat [boʊ]) and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) hid(past tense of 'hide', meaning to conceal oneself [hɪd]) his(possessive pronoun referring to the old man [hɪz]) head(the part of the body above the neck [hɛd]) on(preposition indicating placement [ɔn]) his(possessive pronoun referring to the old man [hɪz]) hands(the terminal part of the arm, used for grasping [hænz]).
''Keep(an exclamation or request to maintain or protect something [kip]) my(possessive pronoun, indicating belonging to the speaker [maɪ]) head(the upper part of the body, containing the brain [hɛd]) dear(term of endearment [dɪr]),'' (end quotation mark)he(pronoun referring to the old man [hi]) said(past tense of 'say', meaning to utter words [sɛd]) against(in opposition to or in contact with [əˈgɛnst]) the(definite article, referring to a specific wood [ðə]) wood(the material of which trees are made [wʊd]) of(preposition indicating relationship or connection [əv]) the(definite article, referring to a specific bow [ðə]) bow(the front part of a boat [boʊ]). ''I(pronoun referring to the speaker [aɪ]) am(first-person singular present of 'be' [æm]) a(indefinite article, introducing a noun [ə]) tired(feeling weary or exhausted [taɪərd]) old(advanced in age [oʊld]) man(an adult male human [mæn]). But(conjunction introducing a contrasting statement [bət]) I(pronoun referring to the speaker [aɪ]) have(auxiliary verb indicating completed action [hæv]) killed(past participle of 'kill', meaning to cause death [kɪld]) this(demonstrative pronoun, referring to something nearby [ðɪs]) fish(an aquatic animal [fɪʃ]) which(relative pronoun referring to the fish [wɪʧ]) is(third-person singular present of 'be' [ɪz]) my(possessive pronoun, indicating belonging to the speaker [maɪ]) brother(a male sibling or a close companion [ˈbrəðər]) and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) now(at the present time [naʊ]) I(pronoun referring to the speaker [aɪ]) must(auxiliary verb expressing obligation [məst]) do(to perform or execute [du]) the(definite article, referring to a specific work [ðə]) slave(a person held in servitude [sleɪv]) work(activity involving mental or physical effort [wərk]).''
Now(at the present time [naʊ]) I(pronoun referring to the speaker [aɪ]) must(auxiliary verb expressing obligation [məst]) prepare(to make ready [priˈpɛr]) the(definite article, referring to specific nooses [ðə]) nooses(loops with a running knot [nooses]) and(conjunction connecting two nouns [ənd]) the(definite article, referring to specific rope [ðə]) rope(a thick cord made of twisted strands [roʊp]) to(preposition indicating purpose [tɪ]) lash(to tie or fasten securely [læʃ]) him(pronoun referring to the fish [ɪm]) alongside(next to or parallel with [əˈlɔŋˈsaɪd]), he(pronoun referring to the speaker [hi]) thought(past tense of 'think', meaning to have an opinion or belief [θɔt]). Even(used to emphasize something unexpected [ˈivɪn]) if(conjunction introducing a conditional clause [ɪf]) we(pronoun referring to the speaker and others [wi]) were(past tense of 'be' [wər]) two(the number 2 [tu]) and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) swamped(flooded with water [swɔmpt]) her(pronoun referring to the skiff [hər]) to(preposition indicating purpose [tɪ]) load(to put a load on or in [loʊd]) him(pronoun referring to the fish [ɪm]) and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) bailed(removed water from a boat [beɪld]) her(pronoun referring to the skiff [hər]) out(away from the inside [aʊt]), this(demonstrative pronoun, referring to something nearby [ðɪs]) skiff(a small boat [skɪf]) would(auxiliary verb expressing possibility [wʊd]) never(at no time; not ever [ˈnɛvər]) hold(to contain or accommodate [hoʊld]) him(pronoun referring to the fish [ɪm]). I(pronoun referring to the speaker [aɪ]) must(auxiliary verb expressing obligation [məst]) prepare(to make ready [priˈpɛr]) everything(all things; all items [ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ]), then(after that; next [ðɛn]) bring(to take or go with someone or something to a place [brɪŋ]) him(pronoun referring to the fish [ɪm]) in(to a specific place [ɪn]) and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) lash(to tie or fasten securely [læʃ]) him(pronoun referring to the fish [ɪm]) well(thoroughly; securely [wɛl]) and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) step(to erect or set up [stɛp]) the(definite article, referring to a specific mast [ðə]) mast(a tall upright post on a boat [mæst]) and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) set(to put in a specified position [sɛt]) sail(a piece of material extended to catch the wind [seɪl]) for(preposition indicating purpose or direction [fər]) home(the place where one lives [hoʊm]).
He(refers to the subject, likely a fisherman [hi]) started(began an action [ˈstɑrtɪd]) to pull(to exert force to bring something closer [tɪ pʊl]) the fish(the marine animal being caught [ðə fɪʃ]) in(towards the boat or shore [ɪn]) to have him(in order to get the fish [tɪ hæv ɪm]) alongside(next to the boat [əˈlɔŋˈsaɪd]) so that(in order that [soʊ ðət]) he could(the fisherman was able to [hi kʊd]) pass(thread or put through [pæs]) a line(a rope or cord [ə laɪn]) through his gills(through the fish's breathing organs [θru hɪz gɪlz]) and out his mouth(exiting from the fish's mouth [ənd aʊt hɪz maʊθ]) and make his head fast(secure the fish's head [ənd meɪk hɪz hɛd fæst]) alongside the bow(next to the front of the boat [əˈlɔŋˈsaɪd ðə boʊ]). I want(the fisherman desires [aɪ wɔnt]) to see him(to look at the fish [tɪ si ɪm]), he thought(internal monologue of the fisherman [hi θɔt]), and to touch(and to physically make contact with [ənd tɪ təʧ]) and to feel him(and to experience the sensation of the fish [ənd tɪ fil ɪm]). He is(the fish represents [hi ɪz]) my fortune(his luck or wealth [maɪ ˈfɔrʧən]), he thought(internal monologue of the fisherman [hi θɔt]). But(however [bət]) that is not(that is not [ðət ɪz nɑt]) why(the reason [waɪ]) I wish(I desire [aɪ wɪʃ]) to feel him(to experience the sensation of the fish [tɪ fil ɪm]). I think(the fisherman believes [aɪ θɪŋk]) I felt(I experienced [aɪ fɛlt]) his heart(the fish's heart [hɪz hɑrt]), he thought(internal monologue of the fisherman [hi θɔt]). When(at the time that [wɪn]) I pushed(I exerted force [aɪ pʊʃt]) on the harpoon shaft(on the pole of the spear [ɔn ðə hɑrˈpun ʃæft]) the second time(the second instance [ðə ˈsɛkənd taɪm]). Bring him in(pull the fish closer [brɪŋ ɪm ɪn]) now(at this time [naʊ]) and make him fast(and secure the fish [ənd meɪk ɪm fæst]) and get(obtain [ənd gɪt]) the noose(a loop with a running knot [ðə nus]) around his tail(encircling the fish's tail [əraʊnd hɪz teɪl]) and another(and another noose [ənd əˈnəðər]) around his middle(encircling the fish's midsection [əraʊnd hɪz ˈmɪdəl]) to bind him(to tie the fish [tɪ baɪnd ɪm]) to the skiff(to the small boat [tɪ ðə skɪf]).
''Get to work, old man(An imperative statement, urging someone (the 'old man') to start working. The use of 'old man' can be endearing or slightly disrespectful depending on context and tone. [gɪt tɪ wərk oʊld mæn]),'' he(Refers to a male person previously mentioned or understood in the context. [hi]) said(Past tense of the verb 'say', indicating that someone spoke. [sɛd]). He(Referring back to the same male person as 'he' in the previous clause. [hi]) took(Past tense of the verb 'take', indicating the action of consuming something. [tʊk]) a very small drink(A minimal amount of liquid being consumed. 'Very small' emphasizes the tininess of the portion. [ə ˈvɛri smɔl drɪŋk]) of the water(Specifies that the liquid being consumed is water. [əv ðə ˈwɔtər]). ''There is(Indicates the existence or presence of something. [ðɛr ɪz]) very much(Emphasizes the large quantity or degree of something. [ˈvɛri məʧ]) slave work(Work that is arduous, forced, and uncompensated, often implying a lack of freedom or autonomy. [sleɪv wərk]) to be done(Indicates that the work needs to be completed. [tɪ bi dən]) now that(A conjunction indicating a cause-and-effect relationship, meaning 'because' or 'since'. [naʊ ðət]) the fight(Refers to a battle, struggle, or conflict that has occurred. [ðə faɪt]) is over.''
He(Refers to a male person, likely the same one from the previous context. [hi]) looked up(The action of directing one's gaze upwards. [lʊkt əp]) at the sky(Specifies the object of the gaze as the sky. [æt ðə skaɪ]) and then(A conjunction indicating a sequence of events. [ənd ðɛn]) out to(Indicates direction towards something at a distance. [aʊt tɪ]) his fish(Refers to a fish that the person possesses or is associated with. [hɪz fɪʃ]). He(Referring back to the same male person. [hi]) looked at(The action of directing one's gaze towards something. [lʊkt æt]) the sun(Specifies the object of the gaze as the sun. [ðə sən]) carefully(Indicates that the action is performed with attention and caution. [ˈkɛrfəli]). It(Refers to something previously mentioned or understood, likely the time or the position of the sun. [ɪt]) is not much more than(Indicates that something is only slightly greater than a certain amount. [ɪz nɑt məʧ mɔr ðən]) noon(The middle of the day, 12:00 PM. [nun]), he(Referring back to the same male person. [hi]) thought(Indicates an internal reflection or consideration. [θɔt]). And(A conjunction used to connect clauses or sentences. [ənd]) the trade wind(A wind blowing steadily towards the equator from the northeast in the northern hemisphere or the southeast in the southern hemisphere, especially at sea. [ðə treɪd wɪnd]) is rising(Indicates that the wind is increasing in strength or intensity. [ɪz ˈraɪzɪŋ]). The lines(Refers to ropes or cords, likely used for fishing. [ðə laɪnz]) all(Indicates that all of the lines are being referred to. [ɔl]) mean nothing(Indicates that the lines are currently useless or irrelevant. [min ˈnəθɪŋ]) now(Indicates the present time or situation. [naʊ]). The boy(Refers to a young male person. [ðə bɔɪ]) and I(Refers to the speaker and the boy together. [ənd aɪ]) will splice(Future tense of the verb 'splice', meaning to join or connect ropes by interweaving strands. [wɪl splaɪs]) them(Refers to the lines mentioned earlier. [ðɛm]) when(A conjunction indicating a time or condition. [wɪn]) we(Refers to the speaker and the boy together. [wi]) are home.