What makes something "Kafkaesque"? - Noah Tavlin – YouTube Dictation Transcript & Vocabulary
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Interactive Transcript & Highlights for Dictation
1."Someone must have been telling lies about Josef K
2.He knew he had done nothing wrong, but one morning, he was arrested." Thus begins "The Trial," one of author Franz Kafka's most well-known novels
3.K, the protagonist, is arrested out of nowhere and made to go through a bewildering process where neither the cause of his arrest, nor the nature of the judicial are made clear to him
4.This sort of scenario is considered so characteristic of Kafka's work that scholars came up with a new word for it
5.“Kafkaesque” has entered the vernacular to describe unnecessarily and frustrating experiences; like being forced to navigate labyrinths of bureaucracy
💡 Tap the highlighted words to see definitions and examples
Key Vocabulary (CEFR B2)
underwater
A2Underlying water or body of water, for example in an aquifer or the deep ocean
Example:
"that he's never had time to explore his underwater domain."
procedures
A2A particular method for performing a task.
Example:
"the vague laws and bewildering procedures point to something far more sinister:"
proceedings
B1The act of one who proceeds, or who prosecutes a design or transaction
Example:
"nor the nature of the judicial proceedings"
describes
A2To represent in words.
Example:
"describes a circus performer whose act consists of extended fasts."
complicated
B1To make complex; to modify so as to make something intricate or difficult.
Example:
"“Kafkaesque” has entered the vernacular to describe unnecessarily complicated"
compelled
A2To drive together, round up
Example:
"compelled to struggle through a web of obstacles"
obstacles
A2Something that impedes, stands in the way of, or holds up progress
Example:
"compelled to struggle through a web of obstacles"
illogical
B2Contrary to logic; lacking sense or sound reasoning.
Example:
"and often the whole ordeal turns out to be so disorienting and illogical"
employing
A2To hire (somebody for work or a job).
Example:
"employing dream logic to explore the relationships"
relationships
B1Connection or association; the condition of being related.
Example:
"employing dream logic to explore the relationships"
| Word | CEFR | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| underwater | A2 | Underlying water or body of water, for example in an aquifer or the deep ocean |
| procedures | A2 | A particular method for performing a task. |
| proceedings | B1 | The act of one who proceeds, or who prosecutes a design or transaction |
| describes | A2 | To represent in words. |
| complicated | B1 | To make complex; to modify so as to make something intricate or difficult. |
| compelled | A2 | To drive together, round up |
| obstacles | A2 | Something that impedes, stands in the way of, or holds up progress |
| illogical | B2 | Contrary to logic; lacking sense or sound reasoning. |
| employing | A2 | To hire (somebody for work or a job). |
| relationships | B1 | Connection or association; the condition of being related. |
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