Exercise Six

Exercise SixSection 1. Compound DictationBeing the mother of two potentially bilingual children (the youngest is only three months old) and the teacher of French and English bilingual children, the subject of bilingualism is very important to me. In fact we have recently moved to China and are now considering multilingualism. But what are the advantages of learning several languages from an early age? What are the dangers? What‟s the best way to teach your child two or more languages (1) simultaneously? I don‟t suggest I have the answers here but like most mothers and teachers I certainly have a point of view!What is a bilingual child?The way I see it, being bilingual means being able to (2) communicate almost perfectly in two languages and also knowing something about both cultures. If I take the example of my daughter it‟s about being able to understand when someone is speaking another language and being able to switch (3) automatically into speaking it with them. At two and a half she has already grasped the concept of …Daddy speaks French and Mummy speaks English‟. She has even picked up that Bai Yuoine speaks Chinese! I think it‟s very important for her to know that the (4) cartoon character Noddy is also called Oui Oui by her friends at playgroup and that Marmite and Cadburys chocolate exist as well as croissants. This is what makes it possible for her to communicate with the people around her (5) regardless of whether they are French or English.Why encourage bilingualism?In our case it is logical that with an English mother and French father our children should be able to speak both languages to communicate, not only with us, but with their grandparents and (6) extended family. On a wider scale learning two or more languages helps children to accept cultures other than their own. If speaking their mother tongue(s) at home and at school is (7) encouraged they are more likely to enjoy their difference and view difference in general as a positive thing.How do you raise a bilingual child?There may be a dominant language and this will normally depend on the country you live in or the language your child uses most at school. However, it will also depend on what language is spoken in the home. We lived in France and spoke French at home but I always speak to my children in English. It‟s (8) imperative that the child has consistency. They know that their English auntie will always speak to them in English and that for her to understand them they should speak to her in English.What are the dangers?It can be very difficult for people around you to support what you do. (9)Grandparents can be upset if they don‟t understand what you‟re saying to their grandchild and worry that they will never be able to communicate with them. (Please pause here for 40‟‟-50‟‟)This is of course highly unlikely and you should stick to your guns.Another problem we have encountered was when our daughter refused to listen to either of us.(10)A psychologist advised us that as there wasn‟t a common language at home between theparents and child and so I should stop speaking English and spend the weekend speaking only in French.(Please pause here for 40‟‟-50‟‟) Thankfully I decided to ignore this piece of advice and persisted with my English! I also know of one child who had problems at school because his friends made fun of him. His parents eventually gave up speaking English to him. Unfortunately children can be cruel and differences whatever they may be are often a source of bullying. Differences need to be promoted and valued and celebrations such as the International Mother Language Day help to do just that.International Mother Language Day21st February 2000 saw the first Mother Language Day celebrated internationally. However the importance of this date originated in Bangladesh where in 1952 a handful of students, now known as language martyrs, were killed in demonstrations defending Bangla, their mother language. (11) In 1999 UNESCO decided to take this cause onto an international scale in order to encourage cultural diversity and worldwide tolerance.(Please pause here for 40‟‟-50‟‟)Section 2. Note-takingIntroduction: Although successful speeches are generally attributed to speakers who are confident, articulate, knowledgeable and able to deliver a speech with conviction,it is actually speech writers who write those moving speeches.Body:I.What it takes to be a good speechwriter:A.Qualifications listed on a job advertisement include having exceptional interpersonalskills,being detail-oriented, able to demonstrate a deep knowledge of their subject;Speechwriters also need to work closely with speakers and be able to relate to their style.B.The best speechwriters are believed to have an inherent talent/a natural creativeinstinct, for speechwriting is an art form.II.Dr. Max Atkinson outlined and illustrated a number of speechwriting techniques.A.Introducing contrast . A famous example is“Ask not what your country can do foryou but what you can do for your country”by former American President John FKennedy.ing three-part lists to add finality or to confirm a statement. Tony Blaire uses it inhis famous campaign slogans, such as “education, education, education”.C.Some other techniques include the use of imagery, anecdotes and alliteration. Conclusion: Try applying those techniques and find your potential of being a successful speechwriter.Script:SpeechwritingThe success of a speech is often attributed to the skill of the speaker, with merit being given to speakers who are confident, articulate, knowledgeable and able to deliver a speech with conviction.But often it is not the speakers who write these moving speeches, it is a speechwriter. And one industry in which this practise is common is that of politics. So what does it take to be a political speechwriter?Well according to a recent job advertisement from the US Embassy in Britain, a political speechwriter needs to have exceptional interpersonal skills, be detail oriented and able to demonstrate a deep knowledge of their subject. They must also work closely with speakers and be able to relate to their style.Some believe that the best speechwriters have an inherent talent, a natural creative instinct, and that speechwriting is an art form.So what about those of us who do not possess such genius? Can we still produce successful speeches?In an interview with the BBC, Dr Max Atkinson (a communications specialist) outlined a number of speechwriting techniques. He also illustrated how these techniques have been used in historic speeches.One such technique is introducing contrast. This is extremely useful when presenting a positive spin on a negative issue. One of the most famous examples of this can be seen in a speech given by former American President John F Kennedy: “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.”Another technique is the use of three-part lists. Dr Atkinson explains that this can be an excellent way of adding finality or confirming a statement. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was a fan of this technique. One of his most famous campaign slogans was “education, education, education”.These techniques can be used like tools - they can be chosen from a toolbox and applied as necessary. A few other techniques you might find in a speechwriter‟s too lbox might be the use of imagery, anecdotes and alliteration.So next time you have to prepare a speech or presentation, try applying one or more of these techniques and see if you have what it takes to be a winning speechwriter.Section 3. Short Answer QuestionsMany of the world‟s telephone directories include a section in yellow which lists phone numbers for businesses, not people‟s homes. In some places, it‟s pink or another color. In America‟s big cities, there are entire yellow-page books.Yellow pages are organized by category - from “Abdominal Braces” to “Zoos.” Plumbers and restaurants and other businesses pay extra for display advertisements next to their numbers.These days, yellow-page directories face stiff competition from Internet search engines and online business directories, including “Yelp,” whose name reads like a shorthand version of “Yellow Pages.”In 2007, high-tech pioneer Bill Gates predicted that “Yellow Page usage amongst people, say, below 50, will drop to zero, near zero over the next five years.”Things aren‟t that drastic yet.But it‟s clear that young people seeking information about, and reviews of, businesses are leading the migration away from Yellow Pages and toward the Internet and handheld devices.The printed big book survives, but in some communities you have to request a copy to get one. It isn‟t plopped onto your front porch once a year as it used to be.The Associated Press reports that categories in these directories are also changing fast to reflect our times. Y ou won‟t find “Discos” in the yellow pages any more, or “Drive-in Movie Theaters,” “Typewriter Repair,” or “Moustache Wax.” Now it‟s “Body Piercing,” “Teeth Whitening,” “Satellite Equipment” and “Dating Services.”The AP even found a trendy new category in the Richmond, Virginia, Yellow Pages. It‟s for businesses that organize clients‟ homes by employing the ancient Chinese art of arranging objects to improve one‟s fortunes.The listing: “Feng Shui.”Section 4. Listening & Translating1. As the human population has grown and become wealthier, the demand for high-quality animal protein has skyrocketed. For example, from 1990 to 2005, Asia alone added roughly one billion humans, but 10 billion chickens, according to UN figures. Farmers are raising more animals in smaller spaces than in the past and in places that have not been used this way before.例如，根据联合国的统计数字，从1990年到2005，仅亚洲大约增加了10亿人口，但鸡却增加了100亿只。