Language can bring together people from different backgrounds — cultural, social, economic, religious and professional. Linguistic diversity is key to development. However, over 50 %
of some 6,700 languages that are spoken nowadays are in danger
of disappearing. Just like ecosystems, languages carry knowledge
about geography, zoology, mathematics, astronomy, botany. Languages also carry cultures. Cherokee, for example, has no word
for goodbye, only “I will see you again”. One word — oo-kah-huhsdee — means the pleasure when you see a baby or a kitten. There
are Cherokee words for every last berry and plant in the region.
When we talk about languages, English is often the centre of our
attention. As it becomes the main language of communication
between nations, it is important to study changes in its structure
and use. Geography influences the language — both within the
country and between different countries. There are, in fact, many
“Englishes”. For example, “Scottish” English is different from “London” English. Among the international types of English are American, Australian, and Indian.
Each language has its beauty and power. It does not really matter what we are — doctors, journalists, politicians or just people at home trying to understand and be understood. The more
we know about the language, the more chances for success we shall
have in our lives.
Questions:
1. What roles of languages are stressed in the text?
2. How many languages are there in the world?
3. Why does the author claim that there are many Englishes, not
one?
4. Why is it important to know your mother tongue well?
ответы на вопросы к тексту
1.I’m going to visit the theatre tonight, aren’t I?
Am I going to visit the theatre tonight?
Who is going to visit the theatre tonight?
What am I going to visit tonight?
When am I going to visit the theatre?
Am I going to visit the theatre or the club tonight?
What am I going to do tonight?
2.When he was a child ,he liked to read books, didn’t he?
Did he like to read books when he was a child?
Who liked to read books when he was a child?
What did like to do when he was a child?
When did he like to read books?
Did he like to read books or to play the piano when he was a child?
What did he like to do when he was a child?
3.He goes to the university every day, doesn’t he?
Does he go to the university every day?
Who goes to university every day?
Where does he go every day?
How often does he go to the university?
Does he go to the university or to the library every day?
What does he do every day?
4.It’s easy to deal with her, isn’t it?
Is it easy to deal with her?
Who is it easy to deal with?
Is it easy or difficult to deal with her?
What’s it like to deal with her?
5.I often play the guitar, don’t I?
Do I often play the guitar?
Who often plays the guitar?
What does he often play?
What does he often do?
Does he often play the guitar or the violin?