Ellen Taught This Fan How to Speak English

Summary

In this heartfelt segment, Ellen DeGeneres interacts with a Dominican Republic native, Diana Aquino, who shares her journey of learning English by watching Ellen's show. Diana recounts how she was initially captivated by Ellen's humor despite not understanding the language. Through a touching discussion, they explore cultural differences in affection and community, with Diana emphasizing her warm, friendly nature. Ellen surprises Diana with a personalized 'Ellen DeGeneres Dictionary' as a gift, highlighting the show's lightheartedness and generosity. This encounter showcases the power of connection through laughter and kindness, bridging cultural gaps and celebrating personal growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 Diana Aquino moved from the Dominican Republic to the U.S. in May 2011, knowing only two English words: 'hello' and 'goodbye.'
• 😀 She learned English by watching Ellen's show, despite not understanding much initially.
• 😀 The phrase 'be kind' from Ellen's show resonated with Diana and inspired her to embrace kindness in her life.
• 😀 Cultural differences were highlighted, with Diana explaining that Dominican culture is more affectionate and communal than American culture.
• 😀 Diana is currently a math tutor and works as a cashier while putting herself through college.
• 😀 Ellen expresses her appreciation for Diana's journey and shares a humorous connection with her audience.
• 😀 Diana's story emphasizes the transformative power of media in language learning and personal growth.
• 😀 Ellen surprises Diana with a gift, the 'Ellen DeGeneres Dictionary,' enhancing the light-hearted atmosphere of the interaction.
• 😀 The segment promotes themes of kindness, support, and cultural understanding.
• 😀 Ellen's playful and engaging style makes the conversation enjoyable and relatable for the audience.

Q & A

Who is the guest on the show?

The guest is Diana Aquino, who is originally from the Dominican Republic.

When did Diana move to the United States?

Diana moved to the United States in May 2011.

What words did Diana initially know in English?

She only knew two words: 'hello' and 'goodbye.'

How did Diana learn English?

Diana learned English by watching Ellen's show, even though she didn't understand everything at first.

What specific word from Ellen's show had a significant impact on Diana?

The word 'kind' stuck with Diana, prompting her to look it up in a dictionary.

What does the word 'kind' mean to Diana?

For Diana, 'kind' means being good to other people, which aligns with her affectionate personality.

How does Diana describe the cultural differences between her home country and the United States?

Diana describes Dominican culture as very affectionate and loud, where people hug and kiss on the cheek, in contrast to the more reserved nature of Americans.

What two jobs does Diana currently hold while attending college?

Diana works as a math tutor and as a cashier in a retail store.

What gift does Ellen give to Diana during the show?

Ellen gifts Diana the 'Ellen DeGeneres Dictionary' and a check for $10,000 from Shutterfly to help with her education.

What humorous definitions are included in the 'Ellen DeGeneres Dictionary'?

The dictionary includes funny definitions such as 'average human' for Andy and a description of a show Ellen tries not to watch but gets sucked into.