Unit 7
Learning about English
Unit 7
Part Ⅰ Pre-reading activities
Part Ⅱ Text A
Part Ⅲ Text B
Part Ⅳ Post-reading activities
Pre-reading Activities:
Listen to the passage carefully and then think over
the following questions:
1. What is the passage about?
2. What’s your impression of the English language?
3. Can you give one or two examples to illustrate the messiness of the English language?
4. Can you guess what the texts in this unit are going to be about?
Pre-reading Activities:
Look at these following pairs and try to master theusages of them: a wise guy / a wise man overlook / overseeburn up / burn down go off / go on when stars are out / when lights are out wind up a watch / wind up a speecha slim chance / a fat chance fill in a form / fill out a form
back
The Glorious Messiness of English
Text A
Robert MacNeil
Cultural Notes:
Winston ChurchillChurchill became Britain’s Prime Minister
and Minister of Defense in 1940, and was
reelected as Prime Minister in 1951. His
radio speeches during World War gave Ⅱthe British people a strong determination
to win the war.
(1874-1965)
“I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.”
Cultural Notes:
Julius Caesar (100-44BC)
He is the best-known of all the ancient Roman leaders, andthe first to land in Britain with an army in 55 and 54 BCrespectively, although Britain did not become part of theRoman empire until nearly a hundred years later.
Cultural Notes:
William Caxton (c.1422-1491)
He set up the first printing firm in Britain. He printed hisfirst book in 1474. By printing books in English, Caxton hada strong influence on the spelling and development of thelanguage. Many of the books he published were Frenchstories which he translated himself.
Cultural Notes:
Otto Jesperson (1860-1943)
Danish philologist, grammarian, and educationist. Hepromoted the use of the “direct method” in languageteaching with the publication of his theoretical work How toTeach a Foreign Language (1904). Other books include hisseven-volume Modern English Grammar (1909)
Cultural Notes:
Viking:
A member of people from Scandinavia who attacked parts of
northern and western Europe, including Britain and Irelandin the 8th to 11th centuries. In Britain, they were also knownas Norsemen. They were feared as violent and cruel, butthey were also noted for their skills in building ships and assailors.
Cultural Notes:
Norman:
Any of the people from Normandy in northern France whosettled in England after their leader William defeated theEnglish King at the battle of Hastings in 1066. The Normanstook control of the country, a process known as the NormanConquest. The language of government became first Latin,and then Norman French, and this caused many new wordsto be added to the existing English language.
Language study
1. massive: large in scale, amount, or degree Examples: The ancient temple’s massivemassive stone pillars had begun to crumble. The scale of the problem is so massivemassive that it will require all our resources to deal with it. 2. snack: a small meal Examples: I usually have a snacksnack of hamburger and a glass of coke at lunchtime. The children in the kindergarten have a midmorning snacksnack of milk and biscuits.
Language study
3. corrupt: (1) cause errors to appear in Examples: The academy ruled that such foreign expressions were not permitted, as they corruptedcorrupted the language. Has Japanese been corruptedcorrupted by the introduction of foreign words? These jargons merely corruptcorrupt your good English. (2) cause to act dishonestly in return for personal gains Examples: We believe film of violence would corruptcorrupt young people.
Language study
To our great surprise, the former mayor turned out to have been corruptedcorrupted by the desire for money and power.
To gain more profits, the businessman tried every means to corruptcorrupt the officials in the local government.
4. ban: forbid (sth.) officially (used in the pattern: ban sth.; ban sb. from sth./doing sth.) Examples: Scientists from many countries called on the international community to created an international convention to banban human cloning as soon as possible. Tom was bannedbanned from driving for six months after being caught speeding again.
Language study
n. ban (followed by on) Examples: The government is considering a total banban on cigarette advertising. The banban on underground nuclear tests is a vital step
toward disarmament. 5. invent: (1) make or design (sth. that has not existed before); create (sth.) Examples: James Watt inventeinvented the steam engine. Alexander Graham Bell inventedinvented the telephone.
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(2) give (a name, reason, etc. that doesn’t exist or is not true) Examples: All the characters in the novel are invented.invented. Standing still in the teacher’s office, the boy tried to inveninvent a plausible excuse for his absence from class. Cf.: invent, discover If somebody invents something, they are the first person to think of it or make it. Examples: Walter Hunt and Elias Hone inventedinvented the sewing machine.
Language study
If somebody discovers something, they find out about something which exists but which was not previously known. Examples:
The planet Pluto was discovereddiscovered in 1930. 6. fascinating: of great interest or attraction Examples: The story of his adventures in the Arctic was fascinatingfascinating to
listen to. It is fascinatingfascinating to imagine what might have happened if
the US had not declared war against Japan in World WarⅡ.
Language study
7. tolerance: (1) the quality of allowing other people to say and do as they like, even if you don’t agree or approve of it (followed by of/for) Examples: School teachers have to have a great deal of tolerancetolerance in order to
deal with difficult children. I think tolerancetolerance between students is extremely necessary since
they live and study together. (2) the ability to hear sth. painful or unpleasant (followed by of/for)
Language study
Examples: Human beings have limited tolerancetolerance of noise. The patient had no tolerancetolerance for pain. 8. necessity: (1) sth. you must have in order to live properly or do sth. Examples: Water is a basic necessity of life. A lot of people would consider a TV as more of a necessity than a luxury item. The workers’ wages were so low that they hardly had enough money to buy the bare necessity of life.
Language study
(2) circumstances that force one to do sth.; the state of
being necessary; the need for sth. (followed by of/for)
Examples:
There is absolutely no necessitynecessity for you to be involved in
the project.
The reached an agreement on the necessitynecessity of educational
reforms.
9. arouse: provoke (a particular feeling or attitude)
Examples:
These educational toys give children a feeling of self
worth by arousingarousing their interest in challenging tasks.
Language study
The man’s strange behavior arousedaroused the policeman’s suspicions.
10. surrender: give in (followed by to )
Examples: After several weeks of severe attacks, Afghanistan’s Taliban forces surrendered to the North Alliance.
After the bombs fell on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the
Japanese surrendered.
We’ll never surrender to terrorism despite the terrorist
attacks.
Language study
11. virtually: for the most part, almost Examples: It’s virtuallyvirtually impossible to tell the imitation from the real thing. It has been raining virtuallyvirtually non-stop for the past several days.12. invade: enter with armed forces Examples: In July 1937 the Japanese army invadedinvaded China. The Germans invadedinvaded Poland in 1939, leading to the start of World WarⅡ.
Language study13.mystery: sth. that people can’t, or have not been able to
understand or explain Examples: The politician’s sudden death remains a mysterymystery to us all. How Egyptian pyramids were built still remains a mysterymystery. No one has ever been able to explain the mysterymystery of the Bermuda Triangle.14. resemble: be like or similar to Examples: I’d say he resemblesresembles his mother more than his father. In his childhood, Stevie Wonder loved music and would pound spoons or forks on any surface that resembleresemble a drum.
Language study
15. systematic: done according to a system Examples: Our professor not only imparts knowledge to us, but also teaches us how to read books in a systematicsystematic way. The staff made a systematicsystematic check to make sure that no name had been omitted from the register.16. descend: come down (from a source), go down
(followed by from) Examples: These ideas descenddescend from those of the ancient philosophers. The Japanese are thought to be descendeddescended from tribes from the north of China.
Language study
17. establish:
(1) cause to be, set up
Examples:
The school was established in 1905 by an Italian
Professor.
The bank helps people wanting to establish their
business.
(2) place or settle sb./oneself in a position, an office, etc.
(used in the pattern: establish sb./oneself as)
Examples:
She established her fame as an actress.
Language study
18.drift: move or go somewhere in a slow casual way Examples: Jimmy spent the year driftingdrifting around Europe. As rural factories shed labor, people driftdrift towards the city. The football match was over, and the crowds drifteddrifted away from the stadium.19.climate: (an area or region with) a regular pattern of weather condition Examples: Brought up in the south of China, she wouldn't't’t enjoy living in such a cold climateclimate. Due to the greenhouse effect, changes in the earth’s climateclimate have taken place.
Language study
20.addition: a person or thing added (followed by to ) Examples: The baby is a welcome additionaddition to the Smith family. The young professor will be a most valuable additionaddition to our
board.21.conquer: take possession and controlled of (a country, city, etc.) by force; defeat Examples: Afghanistan’s Northern Alliance conqueredconquered Kabul a month ago. She has conqueredconquered the hearts of many men. The Spanish once conqueredconquered most of South America.
Language study
22.royal: of a king or queen, or other members of their family, and things relating to them Examples: The new born baby was welcome not only by the Japanese royalroyal family but by the country at large. The royalroyal wedding drew large crowds from across the country.23.alternative: one of two or more possibilities (followed by to) Examples: Check out the alternativesalternatives before deciding whether to go to a nearby college. What was the alternativealternative to going home?
Language study24.modify: change slightly Examples: The school authorities plan to modifymodify the school regulations. The computer programmers tried to modifymodify the design of the software to make it suitable for commercial production.25.enrich: (1) make rich or richer Examples: That once coastal village has been enrichedenriched by the profits from
tourism. The development of oil fields enrichedenriched many Arabian countries.
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(2) improve Examples: It is important to enrichenrich the soil prior to planting. Travel enrichesenriches people’s lives.
26.classic: a work of art recognized as having lasting value Examples: Both Tom Jones and Wuthering Heights are classicsclassics. His manual on botany has become a classicclassic among
scientists.
Language study
27.source: a place from which sth. comes or is obtained Examples: Tourism, which is a major sourcesource of income for the city, has been serious affected by the terrorist attacks. The sourcesource of the anthrax outbreak in the USA remained a mystery.28.fortunately: by good luck Examples: FortunatelyFortunately, my friend survived the car accident. FortunatelyFortunately a life guard noticed that the woman was
drowning and she was rescued. I had forgotten my key, but fortunatelyfortunately the door wasn’t
locked.
Language study
29.strictly speaking: if one uses words, applies rules, etc. in their exact sense Examples: He’s not strictly speakingstrictly speaking an artist; he is more of a performer. Strictly speakingStrictly speaking she was not qualified for the job. But
we employed her because of he honesty.30.to a (very real, certain, etc.) extent: to the degree specified Examples: I agree with him to some extentto some extent but there are still some areas of sharp disagreement between us.
Language study
31.out of control: no longer able to be controlled
Examples:
The fire was out of controlout of control by the time the second fire
engine arrived.
There was nothing they could do about it. The situation
was out of controlout of control.
32. put into practice:
Examples:
Having delayed several times, we must put this plan into put this plan into practicepractice now.
They weren't’t allowed to put into practiceput into practice in their daily lives the teachings they received.
Language study
33.strike out: start being independent; start doing want one wants to do in life Examples: After working for his father for about ten years, he decided to strike outstrike out on his own.
34.pass (sth.) on to (sb.): hand or give (sth.) to (sb.) Examples: When you have finished reading the novel, please pass itpass it on to Laura.on to Laura. The King passed on much of his fortune to the princess.passed on much of his fortune to the princess.
Text Organization:
Parts Paragraphs Main Ideas
1 1-3 Massive borrowing from other languages is a major feature of the English language.
2 4 -16Tells about the history of the English language from the Indo-European parent language to modern English.
3 17-19
Tolerance, love of freedom, and respect for the rights of others—these qualities in the English-speaking people explain the richness of their language.
Text Organization: back
Paras Content
4 - 9The introduction of the Indo-European language---the parent language of English
10-11Germanic tribes came to settle in Britain and brought Anglo-Saxon words---Old English
12The Christian religion enriched English with words from Greek and Latin
13 The Vikings from Scandinavia came with words from Old Norse
14 The Norman Conquest--- French influence
15The European Renaissance and the printing press brought many new words from Greek and Latin
16The American revolution--- the emergence of a new variety--- American English
Text B
The Role of English in the 21st Century
Melvyn A. Hasman
Language study
1. status: (high) social position
Example: Women have very little statusstatus in many countries.
2. exceed: go beyond in quantity, degree, etc.
Examples: The price will not exceedexceed 100 pounds.
Their success exceededexceeded all expectations.
3. trend: general tendency or direction
Example: The trendtrend of prices is still upwards.
4. crude: not refined
Example: His paintings are rather crudecrude.
5. contribute to: help to cause
Language study
Example: The chairman encourages everyone to
contributecontribute toto the discussion.
6. give way to: yield to
Example: One should not give way togive way to difficulties.
7. integrate: make into a whole
Example: The buildings are well integratedintegrated.
8. unique: being the only one of its kind
Example: She is the uniqueunique person to do this job.
9. authority: power to give orders and makes others to obey
Example: The leader must be a person of authorityauthority.
Language study
10. to name a few: to give just a few examples
Example: Mammal is any of the class of animals that
give birth to live offspring and feed them on
milk, to name a fewto name a few, cat, dog, and sheep, etc..
11. aspect: an element or side of a situation or idea
Example: We should look at every aspectaspect of the problem.
12. predict: declare or tell in advance
Example: The earthquake had been predictedpredicted several
months before.
13. genuine: real, not fake or artificial
Example: This is a genuinegenuine pearl.
Language study
14. in transition: in the course of changing into another state or condition Example: His attitude is in transitionin transition.15. rid oneself of: free oneself from Example: Many students want to rid themselves ofrid themselves of heavy homework.16. shift: change or move from one position or direction to another Example: The wind shiftedshifted from east to north.17. substantial: large in amount; considerable Example: Her contribution to the discussion is substantialsubstantial.
Language study
18. economic: of an economy or economics
Example: It is not always economiceconomic for buses to run on
Sundays.
19. professional: of or belonging to a profession
Example: The doctor was accused of professionalprofessional
misconduct.
20. dominate: have control of or a very strong influence on
Example: He has authority, but he doesn't try to
dominatedominate others.
Text Organization back
Parts Paragraphs Main Ideas
1 1-4The globe spread of English over the past 40years has been remarkable.
2 4 -16There are three factors contribute to this spread of English.
3 17-19The future of the English language is unpredictable.
Post-reading Activities
Text A:1. Try to draw a picture or a chart of the development of the
English language. (Keys)
2. Translation practice
Text B:
1. Language practice
2. Comprehension check
Development of English back
Indo-European languagethe parent language
Old English
Anglo-Saxon wordsby Germanic tribes Greek and Latin words
by Christian religion
Middle English
Old Norse by Vikings French words by
Norman Conquest
Modern English
Printing press European Renaissance
Br. English Am. English
Translation
Translate the following passage into English, using the words and
phrases given below:
mystery descend enrich pass on to
tolerance independent source out of control
虽然英语是如何产生的还是个谜,语言学家倾向于认为它和许多
欧洲语言来自同一个源头,即印欧母语。英语最初是在公元五世纪入侵英国的盎格鲁萨克逊人中间使用的。他们将英语的基本词汇传给了我们。在十五个多世纪的发展中,英语大量借用了其他语言。这种借用大大丰富了英语的词汇。随着移民来到美洲建立了独立的美利坚合众国,英语又增添了一个新的变种:美语。虽然有人担忧英语的发展失控了,但大多数以英语为母语的人对他们语言的宽容性感到自豪。
Translation
Keys: Though how the English language come into existence
remains a mystery, linguists/language scientists now tend to believe that English and most other European languages have descended from a common source: the Indo-European parent language. English was first spoken by the Anglo-Saxons who invaded England in the fifth century. They passed onto us the basic vocabulary of English. In its over 15 centuries of development, English has borrowed from other languages massively, and such borrowing has greatly enriched its vocabulary.
Translation
As settlers, landed in America and established the United
States as an independent nation, a new variety was added to
the English language: American English. Though some
people worry that the language is running out of control,
many native speakers of English take pride in the tolerance
of their language.
back
Language Practice
Use the proper form of the following words orphrases to fill in the blanks.
give way to substantial in transitionprofessional economic authority crude shift unique rid oneself of predict integrate aspect genuine to name a fewdominate trend status had contributed to exceeding
Language Practice
1. If you think I will ______your threats, you are mistaken. 2. Everybody thinks that it will be a very close race and no one
dare to _______ its outcome. 3.We should be thankful to Emily for he______contribution to our
project. 4. Daniel found it difficult to ______himself into a society whose culture was completely different fro his own. 5. The Chinese economy is still _______from a planned to a market economy. 6. Lighting is a vitally important ______of filmmaking. 7. It’s the sort of ad that is intended to appeal to teachers, lawyer, doctors and other______.
Language Practice
8.The handbag is worth the money. It is made of ______leather.
9. The government’s policies have led us into the fastest ______growth for years.
10. “Quite a number of students gave excellent answers to
my last question. David Smith, Jane Anderson, Edward
Newman, ______,” said the professor in his comments
on our performance in the exam.
11. The new professor is a leading ______on the history of
Sino-British relations.
12. Gone are the days when superpowers could ______the
world.
Language Practice
13. “No admittance” was painted in such ____ letters on the
door that anyone would see right away the painter was a
green hand.
14. The ______at the moment is towards a more natural and
less made-up look.
15. The government’s economic policy is to ______the
emphasis from primary industry to tertiary industry.
16. In his closing remarks, the chairman expressed thanks to
all those whose work ______the success of the
conference.
Language Practice
17. As many as 100 species of fish, some of them ______to
these waters, may have been affected by the pollution.
18. Richard got two tickets for ______speed limits within
one week. He really has to take care.
19. It’s not impossible to ______ this bad habit, but it will
take a lot of effort.
20. Many sociologists have called our attention to the
______of women in the rural areas.
Language Practice
Keys:1. give way to 2. predict 3. substantial
4. integrate 5. in transition 6. aspect 7. professional 8. genuine 9. economic 10.to name a few 11. authority 12. dominate 13. crude 14. trend 15. shift16. had contributed to 17. unique 18.exceeding19. rid yourself of 20. status back
Comprehension Check
Choose the best answer for each of the following:
1.How many people are learning English across the globe?
a. 5% of the world population.
b.10% of the world population.
c. 20% of the world population.
d.50% of the world population.
Comprehension Check
2.The leading language for scientific purpose in the 1930s was_______.
a.Latin
b.English
c.German
d.French
Comprehension Check
3.Written English is becoming more informal due to the influence of ______.
a.pop music
b.American standards
c.the Internet
d.the growing number of English speakers
Comprehension Check
4. English is unique in______.
a. is alphabet
b. the simplicity of its grammar
c. its informality
d. its wide range of sources
Comprehension Check
5.The writer points out that the different
varieties of English______.
a. make communication difficult
b. allow the language to adapt to local
circumstances
c. are not equally acceptable
d. require a central authority to set standards
Comprehension Check
6.The middle section of the essay, paragraphs 11-
17, could best be subtitled______.
a. The growth of English
b. The forces behind the spread of English
c. English past and present
d. The future of English