Unit 6
The Olympic flame
Every four years, the summer Olympic Games kick off- start with an elaborate- think over opening ceremony= carnival that welcomes athletes=champion from every competing= challenging nation. However, preparations= provision and celebrations= fiesta. for the Olympic Games start long before the opening ceremony. The true beginning of the Olympic celebration is the lighting= ignition of the Olympic torch= flashlight and the relay = reinforce that carries=, take away the flame to the host= landlord city
شعله المپیک
هر چهار سال ، بازی های المپیک تابستانی با یک مراسم افتتاحیه پیچیده آغاز می شود که از ورزشکاران از هر کشور رقیب استقبال می کند. با این حال ، آماده سازی ها و جشن ها. مدت ها قبل از مراسم افتتاحیه بازی های المپیک آغاز می شود. آغاز واقعی جشن المپیک روشنایی مشعل المپیک و رله ای است که شعله را به سمت شهر میزبان حمل می کند
kick off - to start
The Olympic torch is lit at a ceremony in Olympia, Greece, where the ancient games were held. One requirement for the Olympic flame is that it must be created using only sunlight and a mirror. The flame is lit months before the games, and the first runner begins the great relay among the ruins of an ancient Olympic stadium.
مشعل المپیک در مراسمی در المپیا ، یونان ، جایی که بازی های باستانی برگزار می شود ، روشن می شود. یکی از الزامات شعله المپیک این است که باید فقط با استفاده از نور آفتاب و آینه ایجاد شود. این شعله ماه ها قبل از بازی ها روشن می شود و اولین دونده رله عالی را در بین ویرانه های یک استادیوم باستانی المپیک آغاز می کند.
The first modern Olympic torch= flashlight relay = reinforce تقویت took place= take place, happen, be accomplished in Berlin, in the summer of 1936. At the beginning, runners were mainly selected=chose from the Olympic athletes= champion, but later regular= regular, orderly, ordered, arranged, in good order, businesslike citizens-including children, old people, and people with disabilities= inability, incapacitation, disability, impotence, failure, asthenia -began to participate= participate, take part, partake as well=so. Carrying the torch is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity= opportunity, chance, time, occasion, opening, leisure and a great honor= glory, honor, pride, attribute, honor. Traditionally, the torch is carried=is done on foot.
اولین مدل مشعل مدرن المپیک در برلین ، در تابستان سال 1936 برگزار شد. در آغاز ، دوندگان به طور عمده از بین ورزشکاران المپیک انتخاب می شدند ، اما بعداً شهروندان معمولی - از جمله کودکان ، افراد مسن و افراد دارای معلولیت - شروع به شرکت کردند. خوب. حمل مشعل فرصتی یکبار در طول عمر و افتخار بزرگی است. به طور سنتی ، مشعل با پای پیاده انجام می شود.
However, sometimes other kinds of transport are needed. When the torch must go overseas, it is sent on a private plane. The torch has also been carried underwater. For the Sydney Summer Games in 2000, a diver swam with the torch! At the end of the relay, the flame is used to light a giant pot. The light, a symbol of the Olympic spirit, burns throughout the games.
با این حال ، گاهی اوقات انواع دیگری از حمل و نقل مورد نیاز است. هنگامی که مشعل باید به خارج از کشور برود ، با هواپیمای شخصی ارسال می شود. مشعل نیز زیر آب حمل شده است. برای بازی های تابستانی سیدنی در سال 2000 ، غواص با مشعل شنا کرد! در انتهای رله از شعله برای روشن کردن گلدان غول پیکر استفاده می شود. نور ، نمادی از روح المپیک ، در تمام بازی ها می سوزد.
Something that is elaborate is complex and has a lot of different parts.
Something that is ancient is very, very old.
Ruins are the remains of a very old building.
unusual Olympic Sports
For many people, the Olympic Games consist of popular sports like swimming, running, or ice skating. Here are three unusual Olympic events, and three athletes who fell in love with them.
Curllng
curling is a sport that is played on ice. Two teams of four players each slide eight stones along the ice to a colored circle (called the house). The object of the game is to place a stone closest to the center of the house
"I started curling very young," Canadian Olympic curler Sammy Mccann told us. "My father managed a hotel with an ice rink. As soon as the people left the ice, my friends and I would get right on and start curling."
Trampoline
Kids have been jumping on trampolines for almost a hundred years, but it was only at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney that trampoline became an official Olympic sport. In Olympic competitions, each trampoline gymnast is judged on ten different skills. A gymnast can score well by showing that they can control their bodies while jumping high and twisting and flipping smoothly in the air. "I love the sport. I've been doing it since I was five years old," said Jennifer Parilla, American trampoline gymnast. After Jennifer competed in the 2000 Olympics (as the only American trampoline gymnast), she got a tattoo of a butterfly to remind her of her "new beginnings" as an Olympian
Skeleton
The sport of skeleton racing first became an Olympic sport in 1928. Skeleton racers slide down an icy course at very high speed on a simple sled. The sled is called a skeleton because early sleds looked like human skeletons
"I didn't start skeleton until I was," said American skeleton racer Zach Gale. "While driving, my girlfriend and I took a wrong turn at Lake Placid, New York; that's where the 1980 Winter Olympics took place. They were offering skeleton classes that afternoon. My girlfriend said, 'Why don't we give it a try?' It was fun! I fell in love with it.
Look at the title on the right, taken from the Not Re passage refers to on an amount the next of page. money Note given that to a scholarship a (good) student to pay for their education. Now, from just · the title, answer the question: What is the topic of the passage?
Ask yourself: What do I already know about this topic? Write down three or four things that you already know about the topic in the Know column of the chart below.
Not your regular scholarship
Life as a student can be very expensive. The cost of university tuition is increasing every year, and with all the studying students have to do, there isn't much time left for earning money. Fortunately, there are thousands of scholarships available to help students pay their bills. Scholarships are normally given to students based on how good their grades are, or how weII they do in sports. However, there are, scholarship programs that choose their scholars based on factors other than grades or athletic ability. Here are some non-traditional scholarships that are helping students pay their way through school.
The Tall Clubs International Scholarship Students who are under 21 years of age and about to start university for the first time can receive up to $1,000 from Tall Clubs International. This club was started to help tall people get to know each other and share what is great about height. To get this scholarship, you must be very, well, tall! Women must be at least 5'10" (177.5 centimeters) and men must be at least 6'2" (188 centimeters) to qualify
The Excellence in Predicting the Future Award Adventures in Education a student loan company, awards this bimonthly scholarship to encourage students to study Economics in college. Interested students can register online and use fake money to "buy" and "sell" predictions about the future, in the same way that he or she might buy and sell stock3 on the stock market. At the end of each two-month period, the students who have made the most money are given some money to help pay for college.
The Duct Tape Stuck at Prom Award Wearing a suit and dress made out of sticky tape might not be so fashionable, but at least it pays! High school couples who attend prom in clothes made using Duck Brand sticky tape may win Stuck at Prom scholarships that range from $5()0 to $5,000. Students must create· original outfits and take a photo to be shown on the company website. People will then vote on the best outfit. There is a lot of competition for this scholarship, and recent winners have created extremely creative outfits.
Something that is traditional has happened for a long time and is seen as normal?
Something that happens bimonthly happens once every two months
To buy stock is to buy small parts of a company
Fluency Practice
Real Mail vs. Email
Meredith: "I keep it real."
Sure, sending an email is fast and convenient and there are times when it's necessary, but I think it's too impersonal. I think email makes communication less meaningful because people usually only glance at their emails. They give more attention to real letters.
I think sending a real letter shows that you; care about the person. It takes time to prepare, which. shows that the writer. is being more thoughtful (than when he or she quickly types an email. Getting a handwritten note makes the person feel special. I love finding handwritten letters in my mailbox. I also write letters because I like to make art. I make my own envelopes and write notes. on colorful magazine pages.
It makes my letters more interesting, and it lets me reuse, and save, paper. When I send a real letter that I made myself, I imagine the other person really enjoying it. My friends understand that I made it just for them and I'm sending them more than just words on a Rage.
Thomas: "I'll send you an email."
My life changeµ after I bought my first smartphone. I hardly ever pick up a pen these days because I use my phone for everything-planning my schedule, reading the news, or writing emails.
I also use, email a lot. My friends all moved away to different places after high school, and I don't have time.to sit down and write and post letters to them every'. week. Sending them emails is so much more convenient. With email, I can write to them whenever I want. Then, they can read my emails right away and send a reply just as fast.
With emails, I can reach many people at the same time. When I want to say "hi!" to old friends, I just put in their email addresses, type up a note, and send it out--no paper, no stamps, no waiting for the letters to travel over land and sea. Email helps people keep in touch, and, in the end, that's what's important, right?
Selecting the Olympic sports
During each Summer Olympic Games, 28 different sports are played. The kinds of sports played at the Olympics don't change very often, and the process for changing them is long and difficult. So it came as a big surprise in 2005 when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that it wanted to add new sports to the Summer Olympic Games. At that time, the list of sports hadn't changed in 70 years
At a meeting in Singapore in 2005, the IOC voted on each of the 28 events from the 2004 10 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. They wanted to choose which sports would be played at the 2016 games. There are many reasons why some sports make the list while others don't, but it's important that these sports are popular around the world, and played in many different countries
The committee decided that baseball and softball would be replaced. Their new options included roller skating, rugby, golf, squash, and karate. To be included in the Olympics, a sport must 15 receive votes from at least two-thirds of the committee. The IOC had to meet more than once to come to a conclusion. Finally, in 2009, the results were announced: rugby and golf were the newest Olympic sports.
Both rugby and golf have been Olympic sports before. Golf was part of the 1904 games over a century ago, and rugby was last played in the 1924 games. Now, both sports will rejoin 25 the Olympics for the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Athletes from both sports are excited. New Zealand rugby star Jonah Lomu said, "(It's) just fantastic for the game." Golf superstar Jack Nicklaus feels just as 30 strongly. He says that "now people of all walks of life 1 will be inspired to play the game of golf, and play for sports' highest recognition. For all sports, that has always been a gold medal."
People from all walks of life are people from different backgrounds, cultures, or positions in society.
Oldest shopping
Largest fountain
Longest suspension
Unit 7
The World's Oldest Universities
Set a standard of respect. We all learn better when we are in a completely supportive learning environment. Students can build a supportive learning environment by showing respect for everyone in the class. As a class, talk about ways you can create supportive and respectful classroom.
The world's Oldest Universities
Many universities around the world are proud to have long histories and strong traditions. However, very few universities can claim to be among the oldest in the world.
Nalanda University, in Bihar, India, was established around 600 sc. It was most likely the world's first university. In the past, scholars1 came from Europe, China, and all over India to learn about science, medicine, the Buddhist religion, and other subjects. The university is in ruins now, but at one time it was an impressive school with temples, classrooms, libraries, and dormitories.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the University of AI-Karaouine in Fes, Morocco, is the oldest surviving university 1s in the world. It was probably founded in 859 and became a famous place to study natural sciences. In 1957, after more than 1,000 years as a university, AI-Karaouine added mathematics, physics, chemistry, and various foreign languages to its traditional list of subjects for study
the first university in Europe is definitely the University of Bologna, in Italy. It was one of the few universities in Europe that were not influenced by religion. Professors were forbidden from teaching outside the university, and so students came from all over Europe to study with its famous teachers. Since opening in 1088, the University of Bologna has never closed its doors, despite the many wars in Europe
With the success of the University of Bologna, other universities opened across Europe. They were started by kings, religious groups, and former professors. Today there are so many universities that students don't need to go far to study. They are sure to find one close to home
A scholar is a person who studies in school at a high level.
A dormitory is a place for students to live.
Modern Engineering wonders
Great Engineering has selected five wonders of 21st century engineering for our Excellence Prize. Now we're asking you to vote for one and tell us why!
Falkirk Wheel (Falkirk, Scotland, 2001) The Falkirk Wheel is the world's only rotating boat lift. Its steel arms each hold a water-filled tank into which boats can sail. As the wheel rotates, so do the arms, raising and lowering the boats a distance of 25 meters. The wheel is very energy efficient, using about two kilowatt-hours to make a full rotation. That's about the same amount of energy needed to power a microwave for three minutes.
Mil/au Viaduct (Millau, France, 2005) The 2.46-kilometer-long Millau Viaduct over the River Tam in the south of France is 270 meters high-the highest bridge in the world. It was built in just three years! It is an amazing bridge that adds to the natural beauty of the river valley
Langeled Pipeline (The North Sea, 2007) This pipeline1 under the ocean carries natural gas across the 1,200 kilometers of · rocky sea bed from Norway to Britain. It is the longest pipeline of its kind, and it helps supply 20 percent of Britain's gas.
Three Gorges Dam (Yichang, China, 2008) Three Gorges Dam is the largest dam for electric power in the world. Its 1.6-kilometer-long wall across the Yangtze River rises 183 meters above the valley floor. It can hold back 39 million cubic meters of water
Venice Tide Barrier (Venice, Italy, estimated 2014) In 1966, the city of Venice was flooded in two meters of ocean water. To prevent this from happening again, the Italian government is building 78 walls, each about 600 square meters. When the water level of the Adriatic Sea reaches to a dangerous level and threatens to flood the city, the walls will rise to protect it.
A pipeline is a long pipe that carries oil, gas, etc. a long distance
Unit 8
Language and Communication
English is called an international language, but there are actually quite a few varieties of English that exist around the world. English originated in England, but soon English spread to other countries, and different varieties of English began to exist. Today, the countries in which English is spoken can be divided into three groups
The first group is made of those countries where English is the primary language. These are countries like England, Canada, the United States, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. There are more than 380 million native1 speakers of English in these countries alone.
There is a second group of countries that have their own varieties of English. Their histories have been directly influenced by one of the early English-speaking societies. They use English in various important ways within their own government and everyday life. India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Kenya are examples of this group. The total number of speakers in this group is in the hundreds of millions.
In a third group of countries, English 20 is widely used as a foreign language. However, citizens use their native language within their own government and in everyday life. Some countries in this group are China, Russia, Japan, 25 Korea, Brazil, Indonesia, and many Western European countries. Some people calculate the number of speakers in this group to be as many as one billion-and it is growing fast.
This changing situation raises many questions. Will another language replace English as the international language? If not, will, people continue to use the English of countries such as England or the United States as models? Will new varieties of English develop in countries such as China or Brazil? Or, in the future, will a new international variety of English develop that doesn't belong to any one country, but 35 to an entire area like Asia or Europe?
Your native language is the first language you learned to speak
Effort versus ability. Did you · make mistakes on the comprehension checks in this unit because of a lack of effort or because the items are beyond your ability level? Many learners want to blame mistakes on lack of ability, but often our mistakes are a result of not trying hard enough
Because deaf people cannot hear, they have special ways of communicating for example, they can learn to understand what someone is saying by looking at the mouth of the speaker. This is called lipreading. Also, speaking is very difficult for the deaf, because they cannot hear their own voices. However, it is possible s with special training. According to many deaf people all around the world, the most practical and popular way of communicating is with sign language.
In many ways, sign language is similar to spoken language. The words of sign language are made with signs, which are formed with movements of the hands, face, and body. As with words, each sign has a different meaning and can be 10 combined to form sentences. Signed languages also have their own grammar. The alphabet of sign language is special hand signs that stand for letters; they make spelling possible. The signs combine to form a rich language that can express the same thoughts, feelings, and ideas as any spoken language. And just as people from different countries speak different languages, most countries have their own variety of sign language
alphabet of sign language is special hand signs that stand for letters; they make spelling possible. The signs combine to form a rich language that can express the same thoughts in addition to knowing sign language, it is also helpful to know something about how deaf people communicate. Since they rely so much on actions, deaf people are 20 generally not very formal when they "talk," and may touch your arm or shoulder a lot to make sure you know what they're saying. It is not seen as rude in among deaf people to lightly touch someone you do 25 not know to get their attention. It's also okay to wave your hands or hit the table or floor. Also, lots of eye contact1 is necessary., feelings, and ideas as any spoken language. And just as people from different countries speak different languages, most countries have their own 15 variety of sign language.
There are many ways to learn a few signs. Community colleges often teach introductory classes. For self-learners, bookstores and libraries have books for learning sign language. There are also instructional2 videos on the Internet, with 30 actors demonstrating signs and performing interesting stories and conversations for you to see. With practice, you'll soon get the hang of this useful method of communicating!
If you make eye contact with someone, you look into their eyes.
Something instructional is full of information, or for learning.
Create realistic learner beliefs. Do you have certain beliefs about what it takes to be a good reader? Some of thern IT!aY be unrealistic or even incorrect. Write down two beliefs you have about reading·, and discuss them as a class. How can you adjust some of these beliefs to fit your learning needs?
Unit 9
Festivals and Celebrations
Set high expectations for yourself. Keep your learning goals high. Stay focused on your proiess\ona\ and persona\ goals for learning English. If you do, it will be easier to achieve them.
How Do You Celebrate?
New Year's Day New Year is one of the most popular festivals in the world, even though it is celebrated at different times a,[ld in different ways. In many western countries, people get together with 5 family and friends on December 31 to eat, drink, and dance as they wait for January 1. Some of the biggest parties are held on New Year's Eve. In many cities, crowds gather in the center of town to welcome the new year at midnight with fireworks. For many Asian countries like China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, 10 the New Year is based on a lunar calendar. 1 The date changes .from year to year, but usually falls between January 21 and February 21. It is traditionally seen as a time for family reunions, with people traveling across the country and from overseas. Many people wear red clothes, as it is thought to be a lucky color. They also give "lucky money" in red 15 envelopes to friends and family, and set off firecrackers2 to scare away bad luck.
What's common among these celebrations is the meaning of the new year; it is a time to say goodbye to the past and to think about new beginnings. For example, in Japan, people organize bonanza parties ("year forgetting parties"), which are dedicated to leaving the old year's worries and troubles behind. In many countries, people make New 20 Year's resolutions-promises to themselves to make changes in their lives over the coming year, such as to lose weight, stop smoking, or learn a new skill.
carnival In late February or early March, some countries celebrate a special festival 25 called carnival. Carnival is thought to have originated in Italy or Greece, and was held just before Lent, the 40-day period before Easter3 . People dressed in costumes, wore colorful masks, ate, drank, and danced all night. This 30 tradition spread to France, Spain, Portugal, and later to Brazil and the United States. Now, two of the biggest Carnival celebrations take place in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, and New Orleans 1n the United States. There are grand parades where people wear flashy costumes and dance and sing in the streets. 35 In New Orleans, Carnival is known as Mardi Gras. Many roads and shops are shut down for the celebrations which can last for up to three weeks. Millions of visitors travel from around the world to join the party, and many more watch the event on television
A lunar calendar is based on the stages of the moon rather than the sun
A firecracker is a small paper case that can be exploded to make noise
Easter is a religious holiday for Christians.
Humor and reading. What is the funniest thing you have read in the past week? Reading the comics can be a fun thing to read. Humor is often based on cultural issues. Reading and understanding humor in English can be a fun way to learn more
Edinburgh Festival Journal
September 1
I'm so excited! My roommate Christopher and I are on our flight to Edinburgh, Scotland, for the Edinburgh International Festival. It's the biggest arts festival in the world and combines many 5 separate festivals happening at the same time. I'm especially. excited to see lots of indie1 art and films. There's so much to do. _ and we only have three days!
September 2 Christopher and I arrived at our hotel in Edinburgh last night. After checking in, we had dinner and explored the city streets. It was really fascinating but we went to bed soon after because we were so tired! Today we went to King's Theater to watch some short plays that are part of the Fringe Festival. People here call it "The Fringe," and it has an awesome variety of shows by all sorts of performing arts groups. A parade of actors greeted us as we walked down the street. They were waving colorful flags, one for each of the theater companies performing at the festival. It was a great way for us to start our festival experience. Christopher wants to hear some bands at the Jazz & Blues Festival, and we hope to see a good film tonight.
September 3 September 2 Christopher and I arrived at our hotel in Edinburgh last night. After checking in, we had dinner and explored the city streets. It was really fascinating but we went to bed soon after because we were so tired! Today we went to King's Theater to watch some short plays that are part of the Fringe Festival. People here call it "The Fringe," and it has an awesome variety of shows by all sorts of performing arts groups. A parade of actors greeted us as we walked down the street. They were waving colorful flags, one for each of the theater companies performing at the festival. It was a great way for us to start our festival experience. Christopher wants to hear some bands at the Jazz & Blues Festival, and we hope to see a good film tonight. 20 I saw an awesome comedian today! He was so funny that I couldn't stop laughing. I wish we had these kind of events in my hometown. Christopher and I spent the afternoon walking along the river. There were painters on either side, working and displaying all kinds of art. Later, we went 25 to the Foodies Festival for dinner and tried local Scottish foods. Most of it was delicious, although there were a few foods we didn't dare try-like haggis!2
September 4 Today is the final day
Today is the final day of the International Festival, but some of the smaller festivals will go on for a few 30 more days. The plan is to watch some short plays in the amphitheater in the park after lunch. Then, later tonight, we'll attend the closing ceremonies in the city center and watch the fireworks. I can't believe the festival is almost over!
lndie is short for independent and describes an artistic work produced by a small company or group
Haggis is a kind of sausage made from the heart, liver, lungs, and stomach of a sheep.
Read this brochure about a festival.
cELEBRATE MA.ADI GRAS IN NEW ORLEANS!'
Mardi Gras is a huge festival and is attended by almost a million people every year. If you're planning to visit New Orleans at this time, it's better to be prepared for the party!
Tips for visitors:
Plan ahead: Many hotels. start taking reservations for Mardi Gras in August. To get the room you want, call well in advance. Don't wait until January!
Plan your transportation: Many streets are closed to cars.
• Get there early: For the big parades on the weekend before Mardi Gras, plan to arrive about four hours ahead of time to find a good spot.
• Check the weather forecasts: It can be very warm or very cold at this time of year. You might need a jacket, sunscreen, or an umbrella-or all three.
• Catch Mardi Gras throws: People riding on floats in the parades throw small things to the crowd. Spectators jump up to catch beads, plastic coins, cups, and toy animals. Bring a plastic bag to hold all your souvenirs.
Amazing machines
The deepest diving submarine The Japanese research submarine Shinkai 6500 can dive deeper than any other submarine. On August 11, 1989, it went down to a depth of 5 6,526 meters beneath the ocean's surface. The submarine is 9.5 meters long, about the size of a bus and can take up to three. people. It is used for ocean research all over the world.
The world's most intelligent vacuum cleaner The iRobot vacuum cleaner can clean your floor by itself. 1 o It has computers to help it see and hear, so it can detect walls and stairs. It even knows which part of the floor is dirtiest. It cleans the floor in three stages. First, it picks up dirt and pet hair, then it puts them into a special bin. Finally, the machine cleans the air, making the room 15 fresher and healthier!
The most useful television The world's most intelligent vacuum cleaner The iRobot vacuum cleaner can clean your floor by itself. 1 o It has computers to help it see and hear, so it can detect walls and stairs. It even knows which part of the floor is dirtiest. It cleans the floor in three stages. First, it picks up dirt and pet hair, then it puts them into a special bin. Finally, the machine cleans the air, making the room 15 fresher and healthier! The Viera is the name of the world's only digital entertainment device that can go underwater. It is made and sold in Japan. You can listen to your favorite music, or even watch a movie, all from the 20 comfort of your bathtub. And the battery lasts over five hours if you're planning to spend a long time bathing. You can even use headphones with it-all you' ll need is to find a pair that is waterproof!
The smartest monitor
The Japanese company Eizo Nanao has invented a very special computer monitor, called the FlexScan monitor. The FlexScan monitor can stand up to 23 centimeters high, and it can almost 25 180 degrees left or right. It weighs only 4.3 kilograms. What's more, it can help save electricity. It senses when you have left your computer and turns itself off when you've been gone for more than 40 seconds. When you come back, it knows to turns itself back on
The smallest motorcycle
A Swedish man named Tom Wiberg built the world's smallest 30 motorcycle that can be ridden by a person. He calls it the Small Toe. The front wheel is only 1.6 centimeters wide, and the back wheel is 2.2 centimeters wide. The rider sits barely 7 centimeters above the ground. In 2003, Wiberg rode his machine for more than ten meters and set a new Guinness 35 World Record for the smallest rideable motorcycle ever built.
Dying languages
The world is getting smaller, at least when it comes to language. More and more people speak the three most common languages: English, Spanish, and Mandarin. As a result, local languages are being forgotten. In many parts of the world, grandparents speak a language their 5 grandchildren do not understand. As cultures adjust to these changes, and languages aren't taught to children or spoken at home, these local languages are slowly disappearing.
A language is said to be in trouble when less than 30 10 percent of children in the community speak it. It is considered a dying language. If children no longer learn to use a language, it will have fewer and fewer speakers over time and, eventually, the language will be gone. Why keep languages alive? Languages hold the key to 15 understanding a culture's beliefs and values. They show how a culture understands or explains the world. "You need to look at a variety of languages, because no one language gets it all," said anthropologist1 Dr. Linda Cumberland who is working to save Assiniboine, a Native American language. 20
According to Dr. Cumberland, a dying language needs a dictionary and people to understand and record its grammar. Most importantly, you need to listen to those who still speak the language. This can be very difficult, especially if there are very few speakers of the language left. For example, when researchers were working to save the language Ayapaneco in Mexico, it was 25 hard for them to record anything because the last two people on Earth who could speak the language refused to speak to each other! Today, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) lists more than 3,000 languages that may disappear by the end of this century. Some of the languages still have a few million speakers and may survive. Unfortunately, hundreds of languages have fewer 30 than 25 speakers remaining and may soon be lost forever
An anthropologist is someone who studies people, societies, and culture.
Celebrating chusok
Chusok is one of the most important festivals in the Korean calendar. It takes place in the eighth month of the lunar calendar (in either September or October), on the night of the full moon. Chusok is a time for family reunions and for people to honor and give thanks to their ancestors. It is also meant to celebrate nature and the large harvest1 that it has given them.
Nowadays, many people in Korea live and work in big cities like Seoul. During Chusok, people who have moved away return to their hometowns in the countryside to celebrate together. The government gives everyone a day off from work before and after Chusok. Many people spend those days traveling, as the roads are very busy during this period. A two-hour journey can easily turn into six hours!
At the family home, the day before Chusok is spent cleaning the home and preparing food for ceremonies and family dinners. women make songphyun-moon-shaped rice cakes with a sweet filling-using new rice from the recent harvest. It is said that the woman who makes the most beautiful songphyun will find a good-looking husband or give birth to a beautiful daughter. The songphyun can take days to make, but now people can buy them easily in stores.
The next day is Chusok. People make an effort to dress nicely and wear traditional costumes like the hanbok, although this is more common among the older women. In the morning, food is placed on a special table dedicated to their ancestors, and families pay a visit their graves. Later, traditional games like yut nori (a game of throwing sticks) and hwa-tu (a card game) are played. At night, the whole family goes outdoors under the full moon, and everyone eats and drinks until 20 late. The third day is usually spent traveling back home and preparing to return to work or school.
Like Thanksgiving and Lunar New Year, Chusok is a time for families to reconnect with past traditions, as well as spend time with each other.
A harvest is the gathering of crop, such as rice, wheat, or potatoes.
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