Discuss this before you read the text.




1. Why have you decided to go on learning English?

2. What do you expect of this course?

3. How old were you when you began learning English?

4. Did you enjoy your lessons then?

5. How long have you been learning English?

6. How do you keep up your English?

7. Have you ever been abroad?

8. Have you been to any English-speaking countries?

9. Do you read books in English?

 

10. What kind of books do you like?

11. Do you read English newspapers?

12. Do you use the dictionary when reading?

 

ENGLISH AS AN INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE*

The present-day world status of English is the result of two main factors: the expansion of British colonial power, which peaked towards the end of the nineteenth century, and the emergence of the United States as the lead­ing economic power of the 20th century. It is the latter factor, which explains the position of the English language today (much to the displeasure of some in Britain who find the loss of historical linguistic priority unbearable). Nowadays the USA contains nearly four times as many English mother-tongue (EMT) speakers as the next most important EMT nation (the UK), and these two coun­tries comprise 70 per cent of all EMT speakers in the world. Such numerical dominance, accompanied by political and economic factors, gives the Ameri­cans a controlling interest in the way the language is likely to develop.

This, however, is a matter of opinion. Most books on English imply in one way or another that English is superior to all other languages. Robert Burchfield, the editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, writes: "As a source of intellectual power and entertainment the whole range of prose writing in English is prob­ably unequalled anywhere else in the world." "I would like to think he's right," Bill Bryson retorts in his national bestseller The Mother Tongue, "but I can't help wondering if Mr Burchfield would have made the same generous asser­tion had he been born Russian or German or Chinese."

Yet there are one or two small ways in which English has an advantage over other languages. For one thing its pronouns are largely, and mercifully, uninflected. In Russian, if you wish to say 'you', you must choose between at least eight words: «ты», «вы», «тебя», «вас», «тебе», «вам», «тобой», «вами». A similar difficulty exists in many other languages. In English these problems are avoided by relying on just one form: 'you'. English is free of gender and declension and is from this point of view a godsend to students everywhere.

At the same time it would be most misleading to assert that English is easy to learn, for it has its own booby-traps. The number of English tenses is re­ally frightening and so are the different functions of the so-called /ng-forms, the stiff word order and the proverbial inconsistency of English spelling. Phrasal verbs are another learner's headache. Let's not forget that in each EMT nation people speak their own variety of English so that even native speakers cannot always communicate effectively, as almost every American learns on his first day in Britain. Indeed, Robert Burchfield created quite a stir in linguistic circles on both sides of the Atlantic when he announced his belief that American Eng lish and British English are drifting apart so rapidly that within 200 years the two nations won't be able to understand each other at all. That may be. But if the Briton and American of the 22nd century baffle each other, it seems al­together likely that they won't confuse many others - not, at least, if the rest of the world continues expropriating English words and phrases at its present rate. And here comes another important reason why English has the right to be considered "The World's Language". There is no denying the fact that many important inventions, made in major English-speaking countries, have become an integral part of modern life. Once "the thing" is borrowed, its name is bor­rowed together with it. Such words as 'computer', 'email', 'Internet', 'casting', 'image', etc. have found their legitimate place in other languages. In Russian, for instance, PR (Public Relations) has even been changed into a verb mean­ing 'promote', 'make known', 'advertise'. For most international airlines it is an agreed language of communication.

When Volkswagen set up a factory in Shanghai they found that there were too few Germans who spoke Chinese and too few Chinese who spoke German, so now Volkswagen's German engineers and Chinese managers communicate in a language that is alien to both of them.

So, for better or worse, English has become the most global of languages, the lingua franca of business, science, education, politics and pop music.

 

expansion [iks'paenjbn] n расширение, экспансия

expand [iks'paend] урасширять(ся), развивать(ся) peak [pi:k] v достичь максимума, достичь вершины

peak л вершина, пик, максимум emergence [i'm3:d3ans] л возникновение, появление

emerge [I'imids] v возникнуть, появиться latter ['lseta] adj второй (последний) из двух unbearable [лп'ЬеэгэЫ] adj невыносимый

bear [Ьеэ] v(bore, borne) выносить, терпеть contain [kan'tem] v содержать, вмещать comprise [kam'praiz] v составлять, иметь в своем составе numerical [nju'menkal] adj численный dominance ['dommsns] л превосходство controlling interest контрольный пакет акций (не менее 51 %),

зд. (в переносном смысле) решающая роль imply [im'plai] v подразумевать, иметь в виду, намекать entertainment [.enta'temment] л развлечение

entertain [.enta'tem] v развлекать range [гетф] л объем, диапазон

unequalled [An'iikwald] adj непревзойденный

syn. incomparable [т'котрэгэЫ] adj несравнимый

retort [n'to:t] v резко возразить, парировать can't help... не могу не...

generous ['djengrgs] adj щедрый

assertion [3's3:Jan] л утверждение, суждение make an assertion высказать утверждение assert [s's3:t] v утверждать, заявить

advantage [ad'vamtids] л преимущество

mercifully ['m3:sifuli] adv милосердно, великодушно

avoid [a'void] v избегать

rely [ri'lai] (/полагаться, рассчитывать

godsend ['godsend] л милость божья

misleading [mis'li:din] adj вводящий в заблуждение

booby-trap ['bu:bi traep] л ловушка, западня

stiff [stif] adj жесткий, негибкий

proverbial [ргэ'уз:Ь1э1] adj вошедший в пословицу proverb ['prDV3:b] л пословица

inconsistency [mkan'sistgnsi] л непоследовательность consistent [ksn'sistant] adj последовательный

stir [st3:] л переполох, суета, суматоха

drift apart разойтись, отдалиться друг от друга

rapidly ['raspidh] adv быстро, с большой скоростью rapid ['raepid] ad/быстрый (о темпе)

baffle ['baefl] v озадачить, сбить с толку

rate [reit] л темп, скорость

integral ['mtigral] adj неотъемлемый

legitimate [h'cfeitimat] adj законный, легитимный

public relations (PR) пиар, установление связей с общественностью

alien ['eilian] ad/иностранный, чуждый

lingua franca ['hngwa Чхгепкэ] лингва-франка, особого рода язык, развив­шийся для удовлетворения потребности в межэтническом общении, не являющийся родным для людей, его использующих

Grammar Terms

uninflected [.Anm'flektid] adj неизменяемый (о слове)

inflect [m'flekt] узд. склонять, спрягать

inflection [m'flekjan] л флексия, грамматическое окончание gender ['dsenda] л род

(feminine - женский род, masculine - мужской, neuter- средний) declension [di'klenjan] л склонение

 

 

Questions for discussion.

1. According to the text English has become an international language. Do
you agree or disagree? Give your reasons.

2. Another assertion, contained in the text is that the whole range of writing
(i.e. literature, etc.) in English is unequalled anywhere else in the world.
If you don't agree give your counter-arguments.

3. Do people in the former British colonies still use English as an official
second language?

4. Do you think that English is easier to learn than other languages?

5. What do you think of the present status of the Russian language?

6. Is borrowing foreign words a normal process or is it harmful for the
mother tongue?

7. Do you agree or disagree with the prediction that within 200 years the
British and the Americans will speak two different languages? Give your
reasons.

8. Do you think English will preserve its world language position in the fu­
ture?

9. Which language may, in your opinion, replace English as an international
language in the future?

 

10. Do you think the Russian language needs protection?

11. What do you think can be considered standard Russian?

 

Find English equivalents in the text for the following (you may think of better Russian translations).

1. Именно последним фактором объясняется положение английско­
го языка на сегодняшний день.

2....в четыре раза больше...

3....на долю этих двух стран приходится 70 % всех естественных но­
сителей английского языка.

4. Это, однако, спорный вопрос.

5....тем или иным образом...

6....весь объем (диапазон) прозы на английском языке...

7. Большинство книг об английском языке...

8....я не могу не задуматься...

9....во-первых, его местоимения широко и милосердно избавлены
от окончаний.

 

10....в этом отношении является милостью божьей...

11....наделал много шума...

12. ...удаляются (отдаляются) друг от друга...

13....похоже на то, что они вряд ли затруднят...

14....с нынешней (теперешней) скоростью...

15....нельзя отрицать того, что...

16....стали неотъемлемой частью...

17....согласованный международный язык общения...

18....к лучшему или к худшему... (к добру или к худу)

 

expand v, expansion n

1. Metals expand when they are heated.

2. This small town has expanded into a large industrial centre quite recently.

3. Foreign trade has expanded during recent years.

4. The electronic industry has been undergoing a period of rapid expansion.

5. The novel is actually an expansion of a short story he wrote when he
was young.

6. Expansion into new areas of research is likely to continue in the near future.

peakn, peak v

1. The sun had risen and they could see the mountain peaks.

2. Traffic is at its peak between 4 and 6 p.m.

3. The Beatles were at the peak of their fame in the sixties of the last
century. Their popularity peaked in the sixties.

4. Tourism is at its peak in summer.

emerge v, emergence n, emergency n

1. The moon emerged from behind the clouds.

2. Soon they all saw a submarine emerge from under the water.

Don't mix up!

emergence - появление, возникновение

the emergence of unexpected problems (of a new theory, a new

independent country) etc.

emergency - крайняя необходимость, чрезвычайное положение

an emergency exit - запасной выход

emergency measures - чрезвычайные меры

a state of emergency - чрезвычайное положение

ER - Emergency Room - (Am.) пункт первой помощи, скорая помощь

13

bear v, unbearable adj

1. Our plans have borne fruit at last.

2. He was born British.

3. Few people can bear rudeness.

4.1 can't bear his manners. (= I can't stand his manners.)

5. The heat was just unbearable!

6. This noise is getting unbearable!

contain v

1. The book contains quite a few useful facts.

2. Try to avoid food containing a lot of fat.

3. The assertions contained in his report are not convincing.

4. How much liquid does this tank contain?

comprise v

1. The course comprises a student book, a workbook and a lot of taped
material. (= The course consists of...)

2. This year classes are likely to be comprised of beginners, (...to consist
of...)

3. Young specialists comprise about 50 per cent of the whole staff.

numerical adj, numerous adj

Don't mix up!

numerical adj - численный, цифровой

numerical data, numerical superiority, in numerical order

numerous adj - многочисленный

in numerous cases, numerous misprints, numerous questions

imply v, implication n

1. Silence often implies consent (согласие).

2. What do you imply by that?

3. That is likely to imply a lot of work for us.

4. Little was said, but a lot was implied.

5. Democracy implies freedom of expression.

6. She said very little directly, but a great deal by implication.

entertain v, entertainment n

1. We entertain very little at home. (= We don't often give parties.)

2. They love to entertain and do it very well.

3. He used to entertain us for hours with his stories.

4. The cinema was her favourite entertainment.

5. The official dinner was followed by some entertainment.

range л

a mountain range a range of hills a wide range of research a wide range of goods

1. We have the full range of sizes in a wide range of prices.

2. They've produced a new range of cars recently.

3. He has a wide range of knowledge.

4. She has a wide range of interests.

5. They have developed a wide range of activities.

6. We have covered a wide range of subjects.

equal adj, equality [I'kwohti] n, unequalled adj

1. Equal pay for equal work.

2. One gallon is equal to 4,5 litres.

3. They are fighting for the equality of women (=...for women to be equal
with men).

4. This school's success rate is unequalled in town.

5. Though small, this restaurant offers a range of fish dishes unequalled
anywhere else in London.

6. During these years the country has been enjoying a period of unequalled
economic progress.

retort v

1. 'To retort' means to make a quick and clever answer. The best Russian

translation is, perhaps, «парировать». 2." "If I were your wife, I'd put poison in your coffee," she said.

"If I were your husband, I'd drink it," he retorted.

can't help + gerund

Оборот'сапЧ help doing sth' можно перевести на русский язык как «не могу не...», «не могу удержаться от...»

1. I can't help telling you all about it.

2. He couldn't help laughing when he heard it.

3. She tried to control her feelings but she just couldn't help crying.

4. I couldn't help wondering why they decided not to expand their
business.

generous adj, generously adv, generosity n

1. It is very generous of you to let us use your findings in our research.

2. It was most generous of them to finance the expansion of the hospital.

3. She is too generous with her time, I'm afraid - always ready to help
other people, no matter what kind of people they are.

4. He has a very generous (kind) nature.

5. There's a generous (= kinder than deserved) review of the book in
today's newspaper.

6. Oh, this slice of cake is too generous (= large) for me!

7. The jacket is unlikely to be too small for you. It is very generously cut.

8. His generosity is incomparable.

assert v, assertion n, to make an assertion

1. Isn't it nonsense to assert that smoking doesn't do you any harm?

2. Though he made numerous assertions that he was innocent, he was
taken to court and found guilty.

advantage n, take advantage over sth or sto, disadvantage n

1. Our new house has several advantages over the old one.

2. Those dishonest people just took advantage of the old man's
generosity.

3. Had he known how to turn everything to his own advantage, he would
be a rich man now.

4. If you don't speak good English, you'll be at a big disadvantage when
you try to get a job.

mercy n, merciful adj, mercifully adv

1. When the war broke out a lot of young women volunteered to be sisters
of mercy.

2. War knows little mercy.

3. The terrorists showed no mercy towards the hostages.

4. Oh, Lord, have mercy on us, sinners.

5. They were lost in the mountains, at the mercy of the wind and the
weather.

6. In some situations the word 'mercy' may be used humorously. For
instance: "Please, have mercy on us! Turn down the sound a bit - this
loud music is just unbearable!"

7. "God is merciful," said the priest.

8. The examiners are most unlikely to be merciful. So you'd better work
hard now, before it's too late!

9. Donald Fleming is known to be a merciful referee. Isn't it our good luck!

 

10. Mercifully enough, the storm didn't last long.

11. The boy was mercifully allowed to try and take his exam once more.

avoid v, avoid doing sth

С глаголом 'avoid' употребляется или существительное, или герун­дий. Употребление инфинитива с этим глаголом невозможно.

1. I wonder why you avoid speaking to them about your problems.

2. We mercifully avoided a great danger.

3. The speaker avoided making any assertions. He only implied that the
new invention was likely to be useful.

4. If I were you, I'd try to avoid asserting anything at the moment.

rely (on, upon) v, reliable adj

1. I rely on your word.

2. He's an honest and generous man. You can fully rely on him for advice
and support.

3. The weather can never be relied upon. It is always changing.

4. He's not to be entirely relied on, I'm afraid.

5. Their guarantee [.gseran'ti:] is absolutely reliable.

6. This information seems unreliable. No, it can't be relied on, I'm sure.

7. My car is seven years old but it's still fairly reliable.

booby-trap n

Had I known that so many booby-traps would emerge, I would have never started the business.

stiff adj

1. A stiff collar (воротничок), a stiff brush, a stiff smile (face, manner),
a stiff battle (ожесточенная битва), stiff resistance (упорное).

2. My legs felt so stiff that I could hardly go on walking.

3. He was scared stiff.

4. His stiff manner makes him unpleasant to deal with.

proverb n, proverbial adj

1. A proverb is a short well-known statement that contains advice about
life in general.

2. His generosity has become proverbial.

consistent adj, inconsistent adj, consistency n, inconsistency n

1. Consistent arguments, actions, a consistent policy.

2. I don't see any consistency in their actions.

3. That was the beginning of friendship of lasting consistency.

4. He couldn't bear any inconsistency with his principles.

stir v, stir n

1. Let me have a teaspoon. I want to stir my tea.

2. Warm the teapot before adding one teaspoonful for each person and
"one for the pot". Bring fresh water to the boil and pour immediately.
Allow the tea to brew for five minutes, then stir and serve.

3. Keep stirring the soup until it boils.

4. We were all stirred by his speech.

5. I couldn't help being stirred by the film.

6. The news caused quite a stir.

drift v, drift apart v

1. The verb 'drift' was borrowed by the Russian language long ago in the
meaning «дрейфовать», «дрейф».

2. The country slowly drifted into worldwide conflict.

3. Snow had drifted over all the roads, and we weren't able to drive on.

4. Some people drift apart, others drift together.

5. Their marriage went wrong; they drifted apart and then divorced.

rapid adj, rapidly adv

1. Rapid movement (growth, changes, reading), a rapid worker (thinker),
a rapid river.

2. Rapidly changing events, a rapidly developing economy.

baffle v, baffling adj

1. Everybody was baffled by her strange behaviour.

2. Even the most experienced detectives were baffled.

3. His final decision was really baffling.

4. We were all baffled by those inconsistent assertions.

rate л

1. The rate of exchange, the dollar rate, the rate of growth, the birth rate, the
death rate, the marriage rate, employment rate, unemployment rate.

2. Work is progressing at a high rate.

3. That bank gives credit at a high rate (под высокий процент).

4. At any rate (in any case), the last variant of the project is consistent.

integral adj, integral n

1. This condition is considered to be an integral part of our contract.

2. Consistency should be an integral part of any partnership.

3. Her talents are integral to the team's good performance.

legitimate adj, illegitimate adj

1. A legitimate child (законнорожденный), an illegitimate child (незакон­
норожденный).

2. A legitimate reason (уважительная причина).

3. The Mafia uses legitimate business operations as a front.
4.1 think that was a perfectly legitimate question.

5. At any rate, all our actions were consistent and absolutely legitimate.

PR (Public Relations)

1. PR stands for Public Relations. It is the work of explaining to the public
what a company or an organization does so that they will understand
and approve of it. In other words, it is the relationship between an
organization and the public.

2. They are considered to be the leading PR agency in the city.

3. My cousin has been a public relations officer in a big company since
2005.

4. Sponsoring the exhibition is very good for our PR.

alien adj

1. 'Alien' means belonging to another country or race (foreign).

2. 'Alien' may also mean very different from what you are used to
(strange).

3. That civilization has been discovered quite recently, and in many ways
still remains alien to us.

4. Mercy is alien to that person's nature, I'm afraid.

5. He couldn't get used to that alien environment for a very long time.

Lingua franca

1. These two words are both Italian. 'Franca' means free, i.e. not observing
any rules. 'Lingua' means language. So 'lingua franca' is a kind of
language that is clear enough to understand each other in a limited
number or situations. The speakers don't observe any grammar rules
and mispronounce the words.

2. The expression 'lingua franca' is used ironically, by analogy with 'porto
franco' which means a port where foreign goods do not go through any
customs control, and no taxes are paid on them.

GRAMMAR

Present Simple, Present Continuous, Present Perfect, Present Per­fect Continuous, Past Simple

3. Natasha is a Russian girl. She is writing a letter to her friend John, who is an American and lives in New York. Complete the letter with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.

Dear John,

I (have) a great time here in London. I (not be) to London before and I (like) it here very much.

Now I (stay) with my friends who (live) here for about ten years. So they (know) the city pretty well. The only problem is they always (quarrel) over silly things so I (prefer) to walk around London on my own.

I (arrive) three days ago and already (see) some places of interest: the Tower, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square and some others. And I (visit) the National Gallery and the British Museum.

I (think) of attending a language school here. I (not make) any en­quiries about such schools yet, but I (not think) I should miss this op­portunity to improve my English while I (be) here. People here (seem) to be friendly and helpful. I (try) to speak English as much as possible. People (understand) me! It's wonderful because I (learn) English for only two years.

It's a pity you (not be) here with me. I can't help thinking about you.

You (miss) me?

Love, Natasha

4 Katya wants to write a letter to her friend Jan, who is Dutch. She is now on a short holiday in St. Petersburg. Help her translate this letter into English.

Дорогой Ян!

Я прекрасно провожу время в Петербурге! Я никогда не была здесь до этого, и поэтому каждый день приносит что-то интересное и неожи­данное.

Сейчас я живу у своей подруги. Она снимает квартиру недалеко от центра города. Мы с ней знакомы со школы. После окончания школы она уехала в Петербург и поступила в университет, где и учится уже два года. Моя подруга, конечно, знает, что стоит посмотреть в городе.

Я уже побывала в Эрмитаже и планирую пойти в Русский музей на днях. Сам по себе город - огромный музей. На днях мы с моей подру­гой гуляли по городу, и я фотографировала дома и памятники, которые мне понравились больше всего. Несколько фотографий я посылаю тебе с этим письмом. В городе очень много туристов со всего мира. Очень жаль, что тебя нет со мной. Не могу не думать о том, что тебе бы здесь очень понравилось.

С нетерпением жду ответа от тебя.

С любовью, Катя.

 

Read the dialogue. In pairs, act out similar dialogues. You may choose any subject you like for your conversations.



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