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英语听力—环球英语 1252 Disappearing Languages

时间:2012-11-08 07:24来源:互联网 提供网友:jpstudy   字体: [ ]
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   Voice 1

 
  Welcome to Spotlight1. I'm Liz Waid.
 
  Voice 2
 
  And I'm Joshua Leo. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
 
  Voice 1
 
  Today's Spotlight is on Lost Languages - languages that people no longer use.
 
  Voice 2
 
  That was a recording2 of a South African language. It contains the first part of a lullaby, a song that is sung to children to help them sleep. As you heard, the language contains clicks. This language existed until the nineteen thirties but no one speaks it any more. It is extinct3, it is a lost language.
 
  Voice 1
 
  There are more than six thousand languages spoken in the world today. An estimated5 two to three thousand of them will likely disappear in the next ten or twenty years.
 
  Some people may be surprised at the large number of languages spoken today. And some people may think that it is not important if some languages disappear. Some people may even think that life would be EASIER if there were fewer languages.
 
  Voice 2
 
  Today, only four languages are spoken by more than 500 million people each. Many languages have millions of speakers, but many others are spoken by less than five hundred people each. Does it matter? Should we be concerned about the future of these languages?
 
  Voice 1
 
  Imagine that your language is spoken by only a small number of people. Maybe it is! How would you know if it were in danger of dying6 out completely?
 
  Voice 2
 
  For example, thirty people in Cameroon speak a language called Twendi. Half a million people in Wales speak the Welsh language. These numbers are very small - especially when compared with the many millions who speak English, for example. Can we say that these languages are in danger?
 
  Voice 1
 
  A number of things can help to identify an endangered language. Clearly, the number of people speaking it is important evidence. But other things need to be considered too. If schools do not teach the language, this can help towards its death. If magazines, newspapers, television and radio do not use it, this too can help it to die. If governments show no concern for it when it is in trouble, there can be a problem. If there is not much interest in, or support for, a language, then it could be endangered.
 
  Voice 2
 
  So we return to our earlier question: does it matter if languages die? Some people say that it does not matter. The idea is that it would be easier for world communications if there were only a few languages spoken in the world. Maybe there would be less conflict between people groups if they all spoke4 the same language. It is easy to imagine the benefits this would be in the social life, politics and economy of countries.
 
  Voice 1
 
  Many people may agree with this idea in general. But those people would probably not approve of the idea if their own language had to die. This would be the language in which they connect with family, friends and people in their community. This would be the language in which they expressed their first emotions, hopes and dreams. This would be the language that shaped their first understanding of the human and physical environment. And this would be the language that carries their traditions and culture. The rich human experience contained in its sounds and stories would be lost for all time. So people would probably not be willing to give up their own language - even to improve world communications.
 
  Voice 2
 
  Languages are not just tools for everyday communicating. Languages are treasure stores of human life and feeling. Language can also be connected with religion - classical Arabic for the Quran, Sanskrit for Hindu writings, and so on. Christian8 tradition is not tied to a particular language. In fact the Bible9 tells of an event that suggests that God values language differences.
 
  Voice 1
 
  The Bible says the event happened a short time after Jesus died, rose again and went to heaven. This was nearly two thousand years ago. Adam Navis tells the story.
 
  Voice 3
 
  The followers10 of Jesus were all gathered in one place. Suddenly, a sound came from heaven. It was like a strong wind blowing. It filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw something that looked like flames or tongues of fire. The flames separated and settled on them - settled on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to speak in languages they had not known before. The Holy Spirit gave them the power to do this.
 
  People from many countries were visiting the city for special religious ceremonies. When they heard this sound, they came running to see what it was all about. They were greatly surprised to hear their own languages being spoken by the followers of Jesus. 'How can this be?' they asked. 'These people are all from one small area. Yet we all hear them speaking in our own languages! They are saying wonderful things about God in our own languages!'
 
  Voice 1
 
  A man called Peter had been one of Jesus' close followers. He stood up and told the people what this miracle11 meant. Peter's message on that day is still the basic belief for Christians12 today. He said that God sent Jesus Christ7 into the world - yet evil13 men killed Jesus. But then God raised Jesus from the dead - and Jesus now lives! God has made Jesus Lord14 of all. Peter said that anyone of any language could place their faith in Jesus. 'Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved'. Christians believe that every person has done wrong at some time, so all of us need saving15 from our wrongdoings - our sins16. Because of Peter's message, about three thousand people turned to Jesus Christ in faith that day. They were the first people ever to do so. Since then, millions of people from all nations and languages have done the same.
 
  Voice 2
 
  The death of languages causes concern because they go right to the roots of human experience - even people's experience of God.
 
  Voice 1
 
  When a language is lost, a way of understanding the world is also lost. And often, a language is lost when a community and traditional way of life is lost too. But sometimes, when a language is in danger, people are able to bring it back. Listen for another program coming soon, about languages that almost died. Through hard work, people are recovering these languages.
 
  Voice 2
 
  What do you think about losing languages? Does it matter? Write and share your opinions. You can leave a comment or join a discussion17 of this subject on our website: http://www.radio.english.net Or yo.u can email us. Our email address is [email protected].
 
  Voice 1
 
  The writers of today's programme were Becky Sharp and Christy VanArragon. The producer was Joshua Leo. The voices you heard were from the United States. This programme is called 'Disappearing Languages'. We hope that you can join us for the next Spotlight program. Goodbye!

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 spotlight 6hBzmk     
n.公众注意的中心,聚光灯,探照灯,视听,注意,醒目
参考例句:
  • This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
  • The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。
2 recording UktzJj     
n.录音,记录
参考例句:
  • How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间?
  • I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。
3 extinct CPAzO     
adj.灭绝的,不再活跃的,熄灭了的,已废弃的
参考例句:
  • All hopes were extinct.所有希望都破灭了。
  • Dinosaurs have been extinct for millions of years.恐龙绝种已有几百万年了。
4 spoke XryyC     
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说
参考例句:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
5 estimated CtGzc2     
adj.根据估计的
参考例句:
  • She estimated the breadth of the lake to be 500 metres. 她估计湖面大约有500米宽。
  • The man estimated for the repair of the car. 那人估算了修理汽车的费用。
6 dying 1rGx0     
adj.垂死的,临终的
参考例句:
  • He was put in charge of the group by the dying leader.他被临终的领导人任命为集团负责人。
  • She was shown into a small room,where there was a dying man.她被领进了一间小屋子,那里有一个垂死的人。
7 Christ dVSyl     
n.基督,救世主,耶稣
参考例句:
  • I regarded him as the Christ.我把他当作救世主。
  • Christ preached that we should love each other.基督在布道中说人们应该互爱。
8 Christian KVByl     
adj.基督教徒的;n.基督教徒
参考例句:
  • They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
  • His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。
9 bible ZQzyQ     
n.《圣经》;得到权威支持的典籍
参考例句:
  • According to the Bible we are all the seed of Adam.根据《圣经》所说的,我们都是亚当的后裔。
  • This dictionary should be your Bible when studying English.学习英语时,这本字典应是你的主要参考书。
10 followers 5c342ee9ce1bf07932a1f66af2be7652     
追随者( follower的名词复数 ); 用户; 契据的附面; 从动件
参考例句:
  • the followers of Mahatma Gandhi 圣雄甘地的拥护者
  • The reformer soon gathered a band of followers round him. 改革者很快就获得一群追随者支持他。
11 miracle rDTxA     
n.奇迹,令人惊奇的人或事
参考例句:
  • The doctors said that his recovery was a miracle. 医生们说他的复原是件奇事。
  • It is simply a miracle that rice should grow in such a place.稻子竟能在这样的地方生长,这实在是个奇迹。
12 Christians 28e6e30f94480962cc721493f76ca6c6     
n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Christians of all denominations attended the conference. 基督教所有教派的人都出席了这次会议。
  • His novel about Jesus caused a furore among Christians. 他关于耶稣的小说激起了基督教徒的公愤。
13 evil KiHzS     
n.邪恶,不幸,罪恶;adj.邪恶的,不幸的,有害的,诽谤的
参考例句:
  • We pray to God to deliver us from evil.我们祈求上帝把我们从罪恶中拯救出来。
  • Love of money is the root of all evil.爱钱是邪恶的根源。
14 lord t0NxW     
n.上帝,主;主人,长官;君主,贵族
参考例句:
  • I know the Lord will look after him.我知道上帝会眷顾他的。
  • How good of the Lord not to level it beyond repair!上帝多么仁慈啊,竟没有让这所房子损毁得不可收拾!
15 saving XjYzGK     
n.节省,节约;[pl.]储蓄金,存款
参考例句:
  • Energy saving is term strategic policy of our country.节约能源是我国长期的战略国策。
  • Old-fashioned housewives were usually very saving.旧时的家庭主妇通常都很节俭。
16 sins 680aca0199e2c7bef47405c05b5fb6ab     
n.违背宗教[道德原则]的恶行( sin的名词复数 );罪恶,罪孽;过错,罪过;愚蠢的事,可耻的事v.犯罪,犯过错( sin的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • Greed is one of the seven deadly sins . 贪婪是七罪宗之一。
  • They had confessed their sins and done their penance. 他们已经告罪并做了补赎。 来自《简明英汉词典》
17 discussion 2PBzj     
n.讨论,谈论;论述
参考例句:
  • It is certain he will come to the discussion.他肯定会来参加讨论。
  • After months of discussion,a peace agreement is gradually taking shape.经过几个月的商讨,和平协议渐渐有了眉目。
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