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8. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense-form.
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8. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense-form.
Many natives of the British Isles (not to speak) English. The Western land of Wales spoke Welsh; in the farthest north and the islands of Scotland the language was Gaelic; and a similar language, Irish Gaelic, was spoken in Ireland; Manx (to be) the language of the Isles of Man, and Cornishthat of the south-western tip of Britain.
We're not talking about dialects — localized versions of a language — which often (to contain) alternative words or phrases for certain things; but which are forms of English, Welsh, Gaelic, Manx and Cornish are complete languages with their own grammar, poetry and stories — all that we call a culture.
Strangely enough, there (to be) a strong, revival of interest in them. In Scotland Gaelic Language Society (to exist) for eighty years. It (to dedicate) to preserving the traditions of the Gaelic songs, verse and prose. Moreover, more and more people in the Lowland areas of Scotland, as well as the islands, where Gaelic still (to speak), now want to learn the language.
9. Make up the plan of the text.
10. Give a summary of the text.
Part 3.
1. Read and translate the text C:
The Role of English in the 21 Century
The world is in transition, and the English language will take new forms. The language and how it is used will change, reflecting patterns of contacts with other languages and the changing communication needs of people.
English is divesting itself of its political and cultural connotations as more people realize that English is not the property of only a few countries. Instead, it is a vehicle that is used globally and will lead to more opportunities. It belongs to whoever uses it for whatever purpose or need.
The widespread use of English as a language of wider communication will continue to exert pressure toward global uniformity. This could result in declining standards, language changes, and the loss of geolinguistic diversity.
On the other hand, because English is the vehicle for international communication and because it forms the basis for constructing cultural identities, many local varieties could instead develop. This trend may lead to fragmentation of the language and threaten the role ofEnglish as a lingua franca. However, there have always been major differences between varieties of English.
There is no reason to believe that any other language will appear within the next fifty years to replace English. However, it is possible that English will not keep its monopoly in the XXI century. Rather, a small number of languages may form an oligopoly - each with a special area of influence. For example, Spanish is rising because of expanding trade and the increase of the Latino population in the United States. This could create a bilingual English-Spanish region.
A language shift, in which individuals change their linguistic allegiances, is another possibility. These shifts are slow and difficult to predict. But within the next fifty years, substantial language shifts could occur as economic development affects more countries. Because of these shifts in allegiance, more languages may disappear. Those remaining will rapidly get more native speakers. This includes English.
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Internal migration and urbanization may restructure areas, thereby creating communities where English becomes the language of interethnic communication - a neutral language.
While languages such as English, German, and French have become international languages because of their governments' political powers, this is less likely to be the case in the XXI century where economics and demographics will have more influence on languages.
2. Give Russian equivalents.
patterns of contacts, cultural connotations, communication needs, a vehicle for international communication, to create a bilingualregion, a language shift, a lingua franca, linguistic allegiances, to exert pressure.
3. Find in the text and read information to prove that:
1) The linguistic structure of English may be changed because of wider language using.
2) English language is a tool of international communication.
3) There will be more native speakers of English in the nearest future.
4. Answer the following questions.
1. Why do we call English as a global language?
2. What social conditions influence the language?
3. What are the reasons for developing dialects of English?
4. What factors affect language shift?
5. Are there any languages that can replace English as a global language in the XXI century?
5. Put questions to find out.
1. English is the property of only a few countries.
2. The language takes new forms under certain circumstances.
3. Only a few languages can be considered a vehicle that is used globally.
4. The role of English as a lingua franca is recognized by everybody.
5. A language shift in favour of Spanish can be predicted.
6. Economic and political situation in the world results in changing the linguistic allegiances of the community.
7. In many regions English becomes the language of Interethnic communication.
8. English may coexist with other languages by allowing strangers to communicate across linguistic boundaries.
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