CROSSROADS Language StudioÊs Newsletter November,November , 2022

Why do cats purr? Most people would saythat it is because they are expressing
contentment, even happiness. But research
has found that this is far from whole story.

Purrfect Pitch
Yes, cats often purr when they are happy,
noticeably when they are being stroked bytheir human or when they are being fed.
But they also purr when they are nervous
or stressed, very often when they areseverely injured, when giving birth andeven when dying. Most intriguing however,
Ellais that they have been observed to purrwhen their human is stressed, hurt or sick!
Whena cat purrs, they do so within aJanis
frequency of 20-150 Hertz, and this may havetherapeutic benefits for themselves as well as
their humans. Purring has been linked tolowering stress, helping relieve dyspnoea,
lessening the chance of a heart attack (catowners have 40% less risk of having a heartattack), even strengthening damaged bones,
joints and tendons. There are many reports ofpeople suffering from migraine who have had
their headaches eased, even cured, when theylie down with their head near a purring cat.
And scientific research suggests that cat
owners live longer than people without a petaround the house.

So, what’s in a purr? All feline species
purr. For this to be so, purring must havean important function in their lives. There
has to be a very good reason for cats to use
up energy purring at times when they arephysically stressed or ill. It has beensurmised that purring is, in fact, a part oftheir survival mechanism.
Research has found that “sound therapy”
can promote bone growth, aid healing ofbone fractures, relieve pain, breathlessness
andinflammation
inpeople.
Thefrequencies used to achieve these resultscorrespond exactly to the frequencies in a
cat’s purr, 20-150 Hertz.
If a cat is injured or stressed, they know
how to take care of themselves. But what
explains their tendency to purr when their
human is suffering? This is truly
fascinating. Is it unadulterated love your cat
feels for you? Or, are they only worried
about securing their next meal? Whatever itis, to behave in such a way requires a levelof (cat) intelligence and is also proof thatcross-species communication is very real.

Purr Power
NET LESSONS: Too busy to come to CROSSROADS?
…. Try our lessons on the net!
If you’re feeling stressed, here’s a link to a “purr machine”:

https://mynoise.net/NoiseMachines/catPurrNoiseGen
erator.php

Joshua Says:

I was talking earlier this month with a friend who works in the hotelindustry. His general attitude has brightened from a few months ago as the effects of opening
the borders to international travelers and the relaxing of internal restrictions on travel inJapan have been relaxed. Indeed, business is picking up for him, and with the yen being so low
compared to other currencies, he is expecting many more foreign guests at his hotel. But
disappointingly, a weak yen is not good news for those wishing to travel overseas from Japan.

Junko Says: Have you heard the term, “Cultural Intelligence”? Similar to “EmotionalIntelligence” which refers to the ability to perceive the emotions, wants and needs ofothers, cultural intelligence is the ability to attune to the values, beliefs and ways people
communicate in different cultures. As you can imagine, this ability is essential ininternational business. And I believe second language learners can gain this ability ifthey study language as a culture, not by grammar, or through translation.
Marek Says: A few weeks ago, when my partner got a high fever, mytwo cats, who generally dislike sleeping on soft surfaces, suddenly began
sleeping with her, right next to her head, for the duration of her illness.
All through that time they were purring, in an attempt to heal her. Once
she had recovered, they promptly stopped sleeping on her bed or
anywhere near her. Interesting, isn`t it?
Mandcy dit: Le Beaujolais nouveau arrive le 17 novembre dans la préfecture deEhime !! En effet, le troisième jeudi du mois de novembre est la date où l'on peut letrouver chez le caviste. Mais cette année, les amoureux du vin français vont êtretriste, parce que le prix va doubler à cause du prix du pétrole qui augmente et aussi
la valeur du yen qui a baissé. Il faudra compter entre 3000 et 5500 yens la bouteille.
Buvez donc avec modération !! Le millésime de cette année s'annonce exceptionnel.
1ACROSS
2 tissues that connect
muscles to bones
4 to a very serious degree
8 inclination to do something
9 happy with one's situation in life
11 helping to cure or restore to health
14 severe headache
16 fascinating, curious
17 inclusive of all animals in the cat family
18 a cat does this19 causing great interest, curiosity
20 be compatible with2

3

4
5
6
7

8

9

10

11

12

13
14

DOWN
1 system, method of doing something
3 difficulty breathing
5 of the same type (especially in animals)
17
6 what something is used for7 the body's reaction to injury or irritation
10 making sure
12 pure, not mixed
13 help, support, give assistance
15 inferred from incomplete evidence (print version here)

15
16

18

19

20

This month, we’ll take another look at some slang – specifically,
Australian slang. For those planning to visit Australia, knowing the
local lingo might just save your life!
Barry: That bloke’ll be here this arvo and he’s gonna bring his ankle biter with him.
Denis: Oh, he’s alright, mate. I know he comes from back of woop woop, but he’s noYobbo. He’s a fair dinkum Aussie and besides, he barracks for out footy team.
Barry: Yeah well, I think only a nong would bring a little kid to a grog and snags barbie.
Nobody’s going to have any lollies or fairy floss to give him What’ll he have fortucker? There won’t even be any mackers!
Denis: She’ll be right, mate. I’ll get some tucker for him. You know,scones or biscuits or … chips or something. So, stop whinging.
Write the slang word in the text above next to its definition in the lists below:
McDonald’s hamburger ____________
French fries ____________
complaining ____________
idiot, stupid person ____________
food ____________
man ____________
a long way from civilization ____________
everything will be okay ____________
something honest or genuine ____________
to cheer for ____________
sausages ____________
afternoon ____________PC O R N U C O P I A SISEOCIFPOR E F L E C T E D
V E N E T I A NKRUIIYATOCBF R A N KLRISD E S I R A B L ETBNOWOCTPPVAFOS C O O P SEFV O L U M E
PENFAPSDDLVOIM O D E R A T I O NCRNELNEP R O P O S I T I O Nan Australian ____________
candy ____________
alcohol ____________(US) cookies ____________
Australian football ____________
small child ____________(US) “redneck” ____________
cotton candy ____________
biscuits ____________
BBQ ____________
friend ____________

Last Month’s Puzzle Solution
DOWN
1 most desirable
3 well known, representative of its
ACROSStype
2 like a goat’s horn
4 smooth to the touch, gleaming
symbolizing prosperity
surface6 evidence of a certain quality
7 a person who comes from an area 5 choices
8 give energy and build tissue inin North Italy
animals
9 direct, straight manner or speech
10 a vitamin B that prevents weight loss
11 worth having
12 finish up or add on last
17 a way to serve ice cream
13 like a pancake
18 3-D space
14 a part of something larger
19 avoiding excesses
15 an icy treat on a stick
20 offered for acceptance or
16 seller of goods or services
rejection

Don’t forget… Our SPECIAL 1+1 Campaign offer! Up to 50% off!!
See our notice board, or ask Junko in our office, for the details.