| Approx.
time |
Expression |
Explanation |
| 1:10 |
Michoacán, Mexico |
in southwestern Mexico,
the state between Mexico City and the Pacific Ocean |
| 1:30 |
a good little trek |
A trek is a long,
difficult journey, usually done on foot.
Speakers of English often use understatement to make a point. In fact, a driving trip of 40 hours is
not “little” at all. This comment
was Alan’s equivalent of saying, “Wow, that’s a long way to go.” |
| 1:55 |
Your father drank. |
Alan said that Maria’s
father drank and also physically abused her mother. The question, “Do you
drink?” does not refer to all liquids; it means “Do you drink alcohol?” To say that someone drinks is
sometimes a polite way of saying this person drinks too much alcohol. |
| 3:50 |
the “adult” world around us |
Alan raised two fingers on
each hand and moved them up and down twice on the word “adult.” |
| These
“air quotes” are a visual way of putting a spoken word into quotation marks
to show this word has a special meaning.
In writing, the quotation marks can be translated as “so-called,”
meaning that the word may not have the real meaning they are supposed to. |
| 5:13 |
make it or die |
to succeed or die |
| 5:20 |
wasn’t an option |
There was only one choice. |
| 6:27 |
deport |
to send out of the country |
| 6:40 |
be on the look-out |
Maria said her family had
to be on the look-out for U.S. immigration police. This is another way of saying “to look
out for.” It means to remain
watchful, always looking around to see if you can detect I.C.E. agents who
will deport you. |
| 6:55 |
a white Suburban |
Maria said I.C.E. agents
wear green uniforms and drive white Suburbans. The largest sport utility vehicle
(SUV) built by Chevrolet is a model called the Suburban. It has the size and frame of a large
pick-up truck but is designed like a multi-passenger station wagon. |
| 8:58 |
fast-forward |
to jump ahead in the story |
| 9:46 |
I got mine. |
I have everything that I
need. I’m satisfied. |
| 10:15 |
mentoring young women |
Maria said she mentors
female students in the local high schools in her free time. In the U.S., the culture of
volunteerism is very strong. The
belief is that people have an obligation to help others in the community and
make it a better place to live.
Because of its Christian heritage, Americans are often reminded of the
line from the Bible that says, "For everyone to whom much is given, of
him shall much be required." (Luke 12:48) |
| 11:00 |
invest in me |
contribute teaching and
resources for my improvement |
| 11:17 |
youth groups |
organizations for young
people’s activities, support, and learning |
| 12:05 |
persistent |
not giving up |
| 12:20 |
strong self-identity |
have a strong sense of
your values and qualities |
| 13:56 |
acculturated |
trained in the rules of
the culture |
| 13:58 |
dominate women |
have power over women
without letting them decide |
| 14:01 |
affirmation |
giving positive messages
about a person’s value |
| 14:06 |
high accolades |
praising very strongly in
public |
| 15:43 |
take it for granted |
own and use something
without fully appreciating it |
| 16:20 |
“In Search of My Father” |
http://www.mariaerazo.com/#!books/cnec |
