Read all about it! The August Spotlight

The August edition of Spotlight goes on sale next Wednesday. Eamonn Fitzgerald spoke to Editor-in-Chief Inez Sharp about the next issue.

Fitzgerald: "Say it simply" is our big language story in August What's the idea behind the title?

Sharp: One of the great things about the English language is that you can say a lot with quite a small vocabulary. I think it was the Latvian-born philosopher Sir Isaiah Berlin who said the beauty of the English language is that even complex ideas could be expressed simply — and more importantly, nobody would look down on you for using a basic vocabulary. We want to give our readers helpful tips on how to make the most of the English they already know. Of course, English does have a huge vocabulary, so once you’re sure of the basics, you can keep expanding your knowledge of English and Spotlight will help with that!

Fitzgerald: Our travel focus is Yellowstone National Park. What can readers expect?

Sharp: I see it as nature’s answer to Disneyland — lots of amazing “events”, such as exploding geysers and wild animals. But it’s a lot more fun than a theme park because there’s an element of danger. I’m not sure I'd actually want to meet a bear, but it would certainly make a better anecdote than meeting Mickey Mouse.

"I hate to fly"

Fitzgerald: Talking of travel, this month's debate is about flying.

Sharp: OK, this is a really tough issue — should air travel be limited? I personally make things easy for myself because I hate to fly, and would be more than happy to give my air miles to the next person who asks for them. However, I do think there should be a limit on air travel for business people, as one of the interviewees says. It’s more difficult for holidaymakers, because there is a social element to the issue. Inexpensive air travel has made the world much more accessible to people who would otherwise never have had the money to visit exotic destinations. I think if air travel were limited, it should be by a system that cannot be corrupted with cash.

Fitzgerald: One can get away from it all in summer without flying. All you need are good books, films and music to relax with. Right?

Sharp: To me, reading a good book or watching my favourite film is the next best thing to a short holiday. I think it’s all about time. That is the really precious commodity, and having or taking time for reading, listening or watching something we really love can be quite luxurious. Our feature “Relaxed” is full of good books, films and music ideas for our readers. All you need to do is take the time to discover these for yourself.

Fitzgerald: Finally, audio. What's new on the CD/download?

Sharp: We’ve done something a little unusual on the audio this month. When our correspondent Eve Lucas visited Toronto for our Arts and Architecture piece, she spoke to Iris Häussler, a German artist who moved to Canada a few years ago. We used the interview Häussler gave us on the audio even though her English is not perfect. Nevertheless, she expresses herself beautifully and simply. I think the interview provides great encouragement for language learners and provides a living example of how to “say it simply”.

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