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