学习一千外语单词

 　　Rob: Hello I'm Rob. Welcome to 6 Minute English. I'm joined today by Finn. Hi Finn.

　　Finn: Hi Rob - or should I say 'ni hao' Rob?
　　Rob: Your Chinese is very good Finn but I wonder how many more Chinese words you know? 1,000 perhaps?
　　Finn: (In Chinese: "Not really, I just know a little…")
　　Rob: Now you're just showing off! Not being able to speak a foreign language is a bit of a British trait 1 - or a particular British characteristic. We're not very good at it although Finn is an exception, he can speak many foreign languages, can't you?
　　Finn: Not that many - a bit of German, some French, Polish a little, Chinese of course, Hokkien, a bit of Japanese… That's about it.
　　Rob: I'm impressed Finn. Well, now the rest of us Brits are being encouraged to learn at least 1,000 words of another language. We'll talk more about that soon but before I start learning my new words, how about a question Finn?
　　Finn: Très bien!
　　Rob: Do you know which is the second most spoken language in England? Is it:
　　a) Polish
　　b) Urdu
　　c) French
　　Finn: I think I know this one, Rob. I'm going to say a) Polish.
　　Rob: OK, well, as always I'll let you know the answer at the end of programme. So, as I mentioned, the British are generally considered to be lazy linguists 2 - they just don't bother to learn another language.
　　Finn: I guess the main reason is that when British people travel around the world they find that English is spoken almost everywhere - so they get by - they survive on just using their native language.
　　Rob: I think, in the past, the education system was also to blame. Learning a foreign language was not compulsory 3 - it didn't have to be studied
　　when I went to school, we didn't have to study languages to exam level - so I took the easy option and studied photography instead of French! But of course I regret it now. But that wasn't the same for you Finn?
　　Finn: At first I didn't really like it but you know, I love words, and then one day I discovered the Chinese language and thought this was fascinating, and it's a key to a whole new culture.
　　Rob: Well, recently a campaign was launched for those of us who didn't share your enthusiasm or have the opportunity to learn another language. The 1,000 Words campaign is encouraging everyone in the UK to learn at least 1,000 words of another language. It hopes to help Britain increase international trade.
　　Finn: The group says that a vocabulary of 1,000 words would allow a speaker to hold a simple conversation. It sounds like a good idea.
　　Rob: Si! Well, let's hear from the former England footballer and TV presenter 4, Gary Lineker, who is supporting the campaign. Can you hear what three things he says learning another language gives you?
　　Gary Lineker:
　　I think it gives you self-satisfaction and self-esteem if you can speak another language when you're travelling. I think it also gives you an edge in a lot of different areas in the workplace, not just football.
　　Finn: So Gary Lineker says there are three things it gives you; it gives you self-satisfaction, firstly. He means you feel good about learning a new skill. But it can have negative meaning - self-satisfaction - that you are smug or pleased with yourself. I don't think he means that here though.
　　Rob: He also says it improves self-esteem - so you feel good about yourself and it boosts 5 your confidence. Imagine going on holiday to Spain and being able to converse 6 with - or speak to - the locals.
　　Finn: It feels good! And he also mentioned the economic benefits of speaking another language; it gives you the edge in the workplace. That means it gives you an advantage, especially if you are dealing 7 with foreign companies.
　　Rob: And it also shows politeness and respect for other people by showing you have made an effort.
　　Finn: It's something another footballer, Gareth Bale, has tried to do. Last year he signed for Real Madrid so he tried to master - or to be very good at - speaking Spanish so he could talk to his fans. This is how he got on:
　　Gareth Bale:
　　(In Spanish: Hello. It is a dream to play for Real Madrid. Thank you.)
　　Rob: Muy bien! Impressive - I think he was saying it was his dream to play for Real Madrid.
　　Finn: Rob, your Spanish is very impressive too there. For Gareth Bale, speaking Spanish will help him fit in - perhaps make him more accepted by his teammates and his fans.
　　Rob: But Finn, I have a dilemma 8. There are so many languages in the world, which one should I learn first?
　　Finn: Maybe you could start with the UK's second most spoken language?
　　Rob: Yes, that's the question I posed 9 earlier: what is Britain's second most spoken language.
　　Finn: I said Polish. Polski.
　　Rob: Yes, of course you are right. According to the 2011 census 10, the answer is Polish. The census also found over 104 different languages are spoken in the UK. Before we go, could you remind us of some of the English words we've heard today?
　　Finn: Yes, we heard:
　　trait
　　linguists
　　native language
　　to get by
　　compulsory
　　self-esteem
　　to converse with
　　to give you the edge
　　to master
　　to fit in
　　Rob: Danke sch?n, Finn.
　　Finn: Bitte sch?n!
　　Rob: OK, well that's it for this programme. Please join us soon again for 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English.
　　Both: Bye.




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1
trait

  
 


n.显著特点，特性


参考例句：





Creativity is a human trait.创造力是人类的一种特性。
Repose of manner is an estimable trait in a horse.神情镇定是一匹马可贵的特质。












2
linguists

  
 


n.通晓数国语言的人( linguist的名词复数 )；语言学家


参考例句：





The linguists went to study tribal languages in the field. 语言学家们去实地研究部落语言了。 来自辞典例句
The linguists' main interest has been to analyze and describe languages. 语言学家的主要兴趣一直在于分析并描述语言。 来自辞典例句












3
compulsory

  
 


n.强制的，必修的；规定的，义务的


参考例句：





Is English a compulsory subject?英语是必修课吗？
Compulsory schooling ends at sixteen.义务教育至16岁为止。












4
presenter

  
 


n.（电视、广播的）主持人，赠与者


参考例句：





Most people think being a television presenter is exciting.很多人认为当电视节目主持人是一件刺激的事情。
The programme dispensed with its most popular presenter.这个节目最受欢迎的主持人被换掉了。












5
boosts

  
 


n.宣扬( boost的名词复数 )；帮助v.促进( boost的第三人称单数 )；增加；吹捧；向上推起


参考例句：





The rocket boosts the astronaut into space. 这火箭能把宇航员送入太空。 来自《简明英汉词典》
A sincere compliment boosts one's morale. 由衷的称赞可鼓舞一个人的精神。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》












6
converse

  
 


vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反


参考例句：





He can converse in three languages.他可以用3种语言谈话。
I wanted to appear friendly and approachable but I think I gave the converse impression.我想显得友好、平易近人些,却发觉给人的印象恰恰相反。












7
dealing

  
 


n.经商方法，待人态度


参考例句：





This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。












8
dilemma

  
 


n.困境，进退两难的局面


参考例句：





I am on the horns of a dilemma about the matter.这件事使我进退两难。
He was thrown into a dilemma.他陷入困境。












9
posed

  
 


使摆姿势( pose的过去式和过去分词 )； 以…身份出现； 招摇； 炫耀


参考例句：





The players strutted and posed for the cameras. 运动员昂首阔步，摆好姿势让记者拍照。
After the wedding we all posed for a photograph. 婚礼之后，我们全体排好拍了一张照片。












10
census

  
 


n.(官方的)人口调查，人口普查


参考例句：





A census of population is taken every ten years.人口普查每10年进行一次。
The census is taken one time every four years in our country.我国每四年一次人口普查。