【明報專訊】To surprise Pat on her birthday, the Smarties are working hard on the Hawaiian hula dance.
“ Dr Panda: My arms and legs don't coordinate well at all. ”
“ MoMo: Never mind. Practice makes perfect! ”
“ Eason: I've finally found something Dr Panda isn't good at! Heehee... ”
“ Pat: It's your effort, not the dance, that counts! I'm impressed! ”
■Culture tips
One of Hawaii's oldest traditions, the hula dance is often accompanied with either indigenous music or a traditional Hawaiian chant. It was developed in the Hawaiian Islands by the Polynesians, the original people living there. The hula dance was performed only at special ceremonies in the past but it is now done for entertainment or as a tourist attraction. Hula dancers usually wear colourful costumes including signature grass or leaf skirts, a flower necklace (called "lei" in Hawaiian) and sometimes a flower wreath on the head. The ukulele and the Hawaiian steel guitar are frequently played during the dance.
(See photo C)
■English highway﹕
Practice makes perfect
"Practice makes perfect" is always used to encourage people to keep doing something so that they can eventually do it well. Note that "practice"is a noun.
e.g. Practice makes perfect. I'm sure that, if you keep practising, you will soon master the skills.
■Glossary
coordinate (v) 協調
accompany (v) 伴隨
chant (n) 重複吟唱
entertainment (n) 娛樂
[Smarties' Power English Vol 185]
;){kind=small}
');){kind=small}
;)
