Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-4-2020: UN English Language Day

23rd April, 2020.

Well … 

There is indeed, stuff happening!

For a start?

I’ve just made today’s Teaser video in something of a rush: as I only realised I’d forgotten it, when I made the last batch.

If it looks a bit rushed?   That’s because it was!

~≈¥≈~

Something I know … ?

Is that the UK’s National Health Service is — right now — having a crisis.

It’s got a lack of personal protective equipment.

I’ve got to confess, I’ve been listening to this morning’s edition of the Today programme: who’ve had  the boss of at least one PPE supplier, this morning: complaining that he can’t get through to anyone, in order to sell his stock of visors.

Then there was the company who has been selling PPE kit to Europe … as their offer to sell to the NHS, and the government, has been ignored.

There’s possibly more.

Frankly?

Covid 19 has put the word into a situation like no other.

But the PPE situation … ?

Sounds … bad … 

~≈¥≈~

Let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Trevor*, Olga† and Debbi‡ putting in their answers: with all three scoring five out of five.

Let’s see how everyone does with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) 23rd April is UN English Language Day: marking its use as one of how many official UN languages?

Q2) Name on of the others … 

Q3) The UN preferred version is British English.   With what’s called what spelling?

Q4) English is the most widely spoken language on Earth.   What’s the second most widely spoken?

Q5) English is the main official language in most of Canada.   Which of Canada’s provinces has French as its only official language?

Q6) Norman dialects of French are spoken in which of the British Isles?

Q7) English is one of two official languages in the Republic of Ireland.   What’s the other?

Q8) English is one of how many official languages in South Africa?

Q9) Between 1400 and 1700, English went through the Great what Shift?

Q10) Finally?   Who published his Dictionary of the English Language in 1755?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1) 22nd April, 1950, saw the birth of critic, Jancis Robinson.   What kind of critic is she: a book critic, theatre critic or wine critic?

A1) A wine critic.

Q2) 22nd April, 2017, saw the death of actress, Erin Moran.   Which character did she play in Happy Days?

A2) Joanie.

Q3) 22nd April, 1444, saw the birth of Elizabeth of York.   Elizabeth was Duchess of where: Sussex, Suffolk or Surrey?

A3) Suffolk.

Q4) 22nd April, 1500, saw Pedro Álvares Cabral land in what’s now where: Argentina, Brazil or Chile?

A4) Brazil.

Q5) Finally … ?   The Paris Agreement was signed on 22nd April, 2016.   What was it design to tackle: global warming, human trafficking or prostitution?

A5) Global warming.

Here’s a thought …

“Now the use of English is really a reflection of chicness. Meaning is not always important.”

Micheal Breen.

And a song …

Today’s questions will be answered in tomorrow’s Teaser.

Have a good day.

*        I think the less said about sarcasm, the better, Trevor.   At any rate?   I’d imagine Dame Shirley’s quite something to catch live.   As would be kd!   (I saw an interview with her, many years ago.   Apparently, she was gaffer taped into the frock in the Miss Chatelaine video!)

†        That we will, Olga!   There’s going to be all sorts of fun and games involved: especially if Bloody Mary’s involved!   (Of course, Mary’s younger sister, Elizabeth 1st, would’ve been Felipe 2nd’s former sister-in-law.   I don’t know if they met … but it would put an interesting spin on the Armada!)

‡        I should maybe check the Gardner tales out, Debbi.   You know, I’ve always had the impression the 1920s and 30s were something of a Golden age for US literature: Lovecraft and Howard started publishing around then.   (Actually, I caught the Italian version of Herbert West: Re-Animator, last night.   I’d avoid it.   It might have Lovecraft’s name on it, but I don’t think he’d recognise it.)