Gentrification and the DFLs

Written by Simon Troke

In my post Is Deutsche Bahn Marmite? I wrote about living on the Kent coast. Here's the part we're going to look at today:

I used to live on the Kent coast, and the fast line to London was great, but expensive. It brought money into towns like Folkestone and Margate, but it also brought the DFLs (down from London), gentrifying, but arguably uplifting towns that had been struggling for decades.

There's a lot of useful English packed into those two sentences. Let's unpack it.

Level: B2.

 

Activity

  • Think of a neighbourhood in your town that has changed a lot. What changed: the shops, the prices, the people?

  • Would you move somewhere cheaper if it meant a longer commute?

 
Word / phraseMeaningExample
gentrificationwhen wealthier people move into a poorer area and change itMargate has gentrified quickly since the high-speed line arrived.
DFLs"Down From London", Londoners moving to the coast or countrysideThe new bakery sells £5 sourdough. It's full of DFLs.
priced outforced to leave because you can't afford itMany young locals have been priced out.
influxa lot of people arriving at the same timeThe town saw an influx of commuters.
strugglinghaving serious problems, often with moneyIt was a struggling seaside town.
upliftto improve a place or someone's situationThe arts centre helped uplift the high street.
arguablyprobably true, but others may disagreeIt's arguably the best deal in Europe.
displacementpeople being forced out of their homes or areaRising rents led to displacement.
resentmentanger about something that feels unfairThere was resentment towards the newcomers.
have the upper handbe in the stronger positionWith 200 applicants per flat, landlords have the upper hand.
do uprenovate a building (British)They bought an old cottage and did it up.
 

Language spotlight

"gentrifying, but arguably uplifting"

This is a useful pattern for giving a balanced opinion: X, but arguably Y.

The word arguably is a hedge. It softens your opinion and shows you know not everyone agrees. It's perfect for Marmite topics, things people love or hate.

  • Deutsche Bahn is often late, but arguably still the best way to travel.

  • The flat was expensive, but arguably worth it.

  • The new shopping centre is ugly, but arguably good for jobs.

Other hedges you can use: to some extent, in a way, you could say, I'd say.

Simon says: I hedge all the time, and I barely notice I’m doing it. It’s very common for Brits. We say it’s a bit chilly when it’s freezing, and that’s not bad when we mean it’s brilliant. Here in Germany this can cause confusion, because German is usually more direct. So if a Brit tells you your idea is “quite interesting”, they might not be as keen as it sounds!

💡 What is hedging?

Hedging means softening what you say, so you don't sound too strong or too sure.

It's arguably the best deal in Europe means "I think it is, but I know some people disagree."

Other hedges: to some extent, in a way, you could say, I'd say.

 

Practice

A. Complete with the words below

priced out · influx · did … up · struggling · upper hand · arguably · DFLs

  1. After the factory closed, it became a town with lots of empty shops.
  2. When the fast train arrived, there was an of commuters from the city.
  3. The street is so expensive now that my cousins have been .
  4. They bought a run-down house for very little and it themselves.
  5. With hundreds of people applying for every flat, landlords have the .
  6. The locals joke that the new café only serves .
  7. The Deutschlandticket is the best travel deal in Europe.

B. Love it or hate it? Decide for each change.

  1. New cafés and galleries open.
  2. Rents go up.
  3. Old buildings are restored.
  4. Long-time residents move away.
  5. There are more jobs in the area.
  6. The area loses its character.

C. Talk about it

Is there a "DFL" in your country? Write one sentence using X, but arguably Y about your own town, and share it in the comments.

Show answers ▾

A. 1. struggling · 2. influx · 3. priced out · 4. did … up · 5. upper hand · 6. DFLs · 7. arguably

B. Most people say: love it 8, 10, 12 · hate it 9, 11, 13. But there's no wrong answer. Gentrification is a bit Marmite!

‍ ‍

Language learning can be really challenging. I know, because I’m a language learner myself. I hope the information and activities were helpful. Try the following:

  • Is there a "DFL" in your country? What do locals call people who move in from the big city?

  • Is gentrification Marmite for you: love it, hate it, or arguably somewhere in between?

  • Write one sentence using X, but arguably Y about your own town.

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Read the original story here: Is Deutsche Bahn Marmite?

 

Image credit: Photo by Miguel A Amutio on Unsplash

Miguel A Amutio‍ ‍https://unsplash.com/@itscakefortea

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Simon Troke
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