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Dino Mahoney

Youth drama Songbirds is broadcast on RTHK's Radio 4 (MHz 97.6 - 98.9) Stereo at noon Saturday and Sunday.

 Tomorrow's episode is titled Winnie's Retreat.

  And on Sunday, it is Melody's Party.

  This drama tells the story of a group of undergraduates at Metro University.

  In Sunday's edition you will hear how Melody is organising a party and inviting everyone, except May. Melody is a rich girl and she wants to date John, May's boyfriend.

   Part of her plan to take John away from May is to have a large party to impress him.

  She knows John loves classical music and so she has invited classical musicians to play in her garden.

  In the extracts from the dialogue you can see the kind of language we use in English when we are talking about parties.

 Throwing a party  When we give a party we often use the verb 'to throw' a party.

   The use of this verb gives a feeling of excitement and spontaneity. Read the extract below.

  Melody: I am throwing party on Saturday. . . at my parents' place on the Peak. . . I am filling the garden with candles and having live music. . .

  Kenneth: Sounds great.

   Melody could also have said, 'I am having a party on Saturday, but 'having a party' does not sound as exciting as 'throwing a party'.

  Melody chooses those words to feel excited at the prospect of going to her party.

'Would you like to come?'   Melody is being quite formal here. This makes an interesting contrast with telling Kenneth she is 'throwing a party'. She follows this with a rather formal invitation which makes the invitation sound rather special.

  Melody: I am throwing a party on Saturday. . . would you like to come? John's coming. . . and Siu- ping.

  Kenneth: You bet. What time?   Melody: Anytime after eight.

  Kenneth: What's your address?   Melody: Here. . . I've written it on this piece of paper. . . and the phone number is there too, just in case.

   Melody could also have said, 'Do you want to come?' or 'Can you come?' By using the more formal request she makes the invitation sound special.

 'Is it formal?'   Parties can be either formal or informal. It is important to know whether a party is informal or formal because this will affect what you wear.

  For an informal party you can wear jeans and sports shoes. But for a formal a party you need a suit or a dress.

  Kenneth: Is it formal?   Melody: No. . . I leave formal parties to my parents. Just come as you are.

   Notice how Melody reinforces the informality of the party by using the expression, 'come as you are'. This expression is often used and the effect is to make the invited person feel relaxed and comfortable.

 'Just bring yourself'  Often when people throw a party the guests will bring something along to contribute to wards the party. In Western parties this will often involve bringing a bottle of wine or some beer or soft drinks. When Kenneth asks this question he wants to know if he should bring some kind of drinks.

  Kenneth: Shall I bring anything?   Melody: Just yourself.

  Kenneth: A party. . . great. . . I haven't been to a party for ages.

  Melody: I am really looking forward to it, too. Oh and don't eat before you come. . . the maid is making all kinds of stuff.

  Kenneth: Okay. . . great!   Melody's reply is a typical expression that will again put her invited guests at ease. She says to Kenneth, 'just bring yourself', as a way of reassuring him that he does not have to buy a bottle of wine.



Classical sounds and candles to liven up Melody's weekend party