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This monthTravel and Technology looks at two machines which make language easy.
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This monthTravel and Technology looks at two machines which make language easy.
The Lingo Global 29 is a small computer. It knows 2 9 languages, and it can translate more than 58, 000 useful phrases and 580, 000 words. To use the Lingo Global 29, type a word in one language and then choose the language you want for the translation. With the Lingo Global 29, you can read the translation, but you can't hear it.
The Lingo Global 29 also has a calculator and a clock. It can even tell you the time in 200 cities around the world.
The Phraselator
The Phraselator is a translation machine. It can translate phrases from one language into another language. But the Phraselator is different, because it can hear a phrase and then say the translation for that phrase in a different language. It's easy to use the Phraselator. First, say your phrase into the microphone. The computer inside the Phraselator translates the phrase and then says the phrase in the other language. You can hear the new phrase. Today the Phraselator can translate English to other languages, but it can't translate other languages to English.
Данные предложения о Lingo Global 29 (LG) или the Phraselator (Р)?
1 It knows 29 languages.
2 To use the machine, you type words or phrases.
3 It has a clock.
4 It has a microphone.
5 You hear the translation of the phrase.
6 To use the machine, you say phrases.
7 It can tell the time in different cities.
8 It says words or phrases.
Вставьте по смыслу слова в текст.
type in a word
translates
microphone
pronunciation [x2]
phrasebook
choose the language
The Languages Box is a new pocket translation machine. It (1) six languages and 50. 000 words. You (2) in one language and then (3) you want the translation in. The Language Box can also translate phrases, but not sentences, with the (4). To help you practice your (5) you can say a word into the (6) then listen and compare it to the correct (7). The Language Box doesn’t have a dictionary.
Вставите в предложения can or can't
1With the Language Box you__________ translate 100, 000 words.
2 The Language Box________ translate sentences.
3 You______practise your pronunciation.
4 The Language Box____translate six languages.
5 You______translate phrases with the Language Box.
6 You____hear the correct pronunciation.
7 You_____find a dictionary on the Language Box.
Текст 3
English as a universal language
There is no doubt that English has become a universal language. Today, English is used by at least 750 million people around the world, either as a first or a second language.
The huge Oxford English Dictionary lists about 500, 000 English words. A further half-million technical and scientific words, most of them very new and often changing in meaning as they become more widely used, remain uncataloged.
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Three-quarters of the world's mail, telexes, and cables are in English. More than half of the world's technical and scientific periodicals are in English. Eighty percent of the information stored in the world's computers is in English. English is the official language of aviation and of shipping; it is the official language of the Olympic games.
This rise of English to international prominence is particularly remarkable considering that the language didn't exist two thousand years ago when the Romans conquered Britain.
Ответьте на вопросы:
1. Why doesn't the Oxford English Dictionary include every word currently used in English?
2. Why is the rise of English as a world language so remarkable?
Упражнения
1. Заполните English Language Ability Survey модальными глаголами can / can't.
Can you do it?
| I spell my first name and last name. | |
| I introduce myself and another person. | |
| I give my address and phone number. | |
| I understand the words in English songs. | |
| I talk about the people in my family. | |
| I describe someone in the class. | |
| I talk about where I live. | |
| I give simple directions. | |
| I answer the phone and leave a message in English. | |
| I speak on the telephone for a long time in English. |
2. Speaking Languages
Обсудите предложенные вопросы.
• What languages do you speak? Do you have any of these things?
an English dictionary
a bilingual dictionary
a phrasebook
an electronic dictionary
• How often do you use them?
3. 2. AMERICAN AND BRITISH LIFESTYLES
Основные тексты для чтения и понимания
Текст 1
British Social Customs
The British are said to be reserved in manners, dress and speech. They are famous for their politeness, self-discipline and especially for their sense of humour. Basic politeness (please, thank you, excuse me) is expected.
How to greet someone in England
British people are quite reserved when greeting one another. Greeting can be a bright “Hello” ‘Hi’ or “Good morning”, when you arrive at work or at school.
The handshake
A handshake is the most common form of greeting among the English and is customary when you are introduced to somebody new.
The kiss
It is only when you meet friends, whom you haven’t seen for a long time, that you would kiss the cheek of the opposite sex. In Britain one kiss is generally enough.
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