Summary
We all love our smartphones, but do you get anxious if you can’t use it? We have the perfect word to describe this feeling, and Rob’s about to experience it in this episode of The English We Speak. Find out what it is now.
Transcript
Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak with me, Feifei…
Rob
Yeah, yeah, it was fun, wasn't it, yeah... and when Neil fell over… I know!
Feifei
Excuse me, Rob. Can we begin now?
Rob
Oh, right. Sorry – I’ll call you back. Bye.
Feifei
Rob, you know the rules – no mobile phones in the studio. We can’t have them ringing when we’re broadcasting. Switch it off, please.
Rob
But I’m expecting a very important call and…
Feifei
Tough!
Rob
OK. How can I check the latest football scores now? And ring my mum, and I wanted to send a text to Dan and…
Feifei
Rob, are you OK? You’re starting to sweat. Oh no, I think you’ve got NOMOPHOBIA!
Rob
Oh no! What’s that? I know, I’ll look it up on my phone.
Feifei
No phones, Rob! But I can tell you that nomophobia is the fear of not having or not being able to use your mobile phone! Let’s hear some examples of other nomophobia sufferers…
Examples
My brother has definitely got nomophobia – he never switches his phone off, even when we’re at the cinema.
My phone is being fixed and I’m feeling quite anxious – maybe I’ve got nomophobia?!
Calling all nomophobes – it’s time to switch off your phones, have a digital detox and start talking to people rather than staring at a small screen!
Feifei
You're listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we’re talking about ‘nomophobia’ – the fear of not having or not being able to use your mobile phone. Rob’s got it right now. Not long now, Rob, until you can go outside and use your phone.
Rob
Phew! I’ve got to text Dan and tell him a really funny joke, plus add some amusing emojis...
Feifei
So, really urgent, then? You could just go and talk to him – he’s sitting right over there.
Rob
I can’t do that. I have to use my phone – I do everything on my phone these days. I can’t live without it. Can I switch on now?
Feifei
Oh go on, then. We’ve almost finished.
Rob
Oh no! The battery is dead – it needs charging.
Feifei
Oh dear, Rob. It looks like you’ll be suffering from nomophobia for a bit longer. Bye.
Rob
Bye. Could I borrow yours, please?