учебник, английский. Министерство высшего образования и науки российской федерации
 Скачать 1.65 Mb.
|
THE TRADITIONAL STRUCTURE OF AMERICAN FAMILYFamilies are the bedrock of all societies. They can comprise anywhere from a small group to scores of individuals, and range from simple structures—such as a married couple and one child under one roof—to intricately complex, multigenerational combinations, living in one or more households. Invariably, as a society evolves, so does the family structure. With the modification of other factors—for example, life expectancy, or attitudes towards adoption—the impact on the family is telling. The traditional structure of the American family—mother, father and children—continues to prevail for the most part as a new century unfolds. Yet, over the past several decades, U.S. society has witnessed an evolution in family structure and daily life in many respects, because of myriad factors, running the gamut from advancements in science to the composition of the workplace. Single parenthood, adoptive households, step-parenting, stay-at-home fathers, grandparents raising children are but a few of the newer tiles in the mosaic. THE NOTION OF THE FAMILY FOR AMERICANS Another aspect of American society that may bewilder non-Americans is the family. The nuclear family structure (parents and children) is so alien to most cultures in the world that it is often misunderstood. The main purpose of the American family is to bring about the happiness of each individual family member. The traditional family values include love and respect for parents, as well as for all members of the family. However, the emphasis on the individual and his / her right to happiness can be confusing. It allows children to disagree, even argue with their parents. While in most other cultures such action would be sign of disrespect and a lack of love that is not the case in the United States. It is simply a part of developing one’s independence. Many foreign students and visitors are welcomed by host families, who invite them into their homes for dinner or to join in family activities. Frequently visitors are told to “make themselves at home” and, at times may appear to be “left alone”. It certainly is nice to be treated as an honored guest in someone’s home, but one of the highest compliments that an American can give foreign guests is to treat them like members of the family, which means to give them the “freedom of the house” to do what they want, to “raid the refrigerator” on their own, or to have some quiet time alone. (by Thomas E. Growling) THE MEANING OF THE EMBLEM AND THE FLAG OF THE BURYAT REPUBLIC Emblem In the golden background one can see a green horn of plenty with green leaves and dark red fruits, outgoing from it. There is a black Mercury baton (Mercury is known as the Ancient Roman god of trade) over the horn. The horn and the baton were depicted at historical emblem of the town of Verchneudinsk (it is the old name of Ulan-Ude), which was adopted on 26 october of 1790 by a royal law, and the original description of that runs as follows: “In the golden background there is a Mercury baton and the horn of plenty as a sign of the town’s out-standing trade”. You can find a five jag tower crown at the top of the emblem’s escutcheon. There is a traditional Buryat symbol ‘Soyembo’ of eternal life in the central jag: it is a circle with a three tongue flame above and a crescent under it. In the lower crown’s part a national ornament is added. The crown symbolizes the status of Ulan-Ude city as the capital of a region of the Russian Federation. The escutcheon is framed below by a blue ribbon of the Order of the Labor Red Banner which the city was awarded with in 1984. Flag The flag of the city of Ulan-Ude is a rectangular width, the height and the length of which are 2 and 3 meters respectively. The flag consists of two vertical stripes of blue and yellow color. In the blue one you can see ‘Soyembo’, a traditional Buryat symbol of eternal life, and a sign demonstrating that the city belongs to the Buryat republic. It is depicted as a yellow circle with a three tongue flame above and a yellow crescent under it. The picture of the horn and the Mercury baton was taken from the ancient city’s emblem. The horn and the baton were suggested by Impress Katherine II to mark Verchneudinsk of as the largest trade centre and bargain striking place in Transbaikalia (Zabaikalie) during 17th‒18th centuries, when the city was a real trade and business capital, where trade roads crossed and connected European Russia with East Siberia, the Far East, Middle Asia, China and Mongolia (and through Russia they further would connect with the Western Europe). BURYATIA—A TERRITORY OF THE NORTH BUDDHISM Since 17th century Buddhism has become one of the official religions of the Russian empire. It started to spread quickly among the Buryat tribes. The making of monasteries and temples which were a synthesis of Tibetan, Chinese, Indian and Mongolian temples’ architecture, had modified not only the shape of steppes and forests, but gave the birth to a new spiritual and cultural tradition in the nomad’s life. After October revolution of 1917 a hard time came for Buddhism as well as for other Russian confessions. During perestroika (it is the reorganization of the Soviet state in 1980s) a new period begins, and times of the religion rebirth and the datsan restoration prosper in Buryatia. Today datsans have turned into a necessary and usual part of a daily life of the Buryat population. Around of suburganes (sacred mortars, concrete towers made by Buryats and devoted to outstanding lamas) and obooes (a pile of stones for worship) believers first of all perform a ritual of worship Goro. They walk slowly around the monastery and rotate prayer drums with depicted mantras while their moving. The drums’ rotation cleans the space and the cognition of the believers. The believers bend down inside the temples and in front of the suburganes, and they make gifts to the monastery. Finally, one can clear the body, speech and mind. If you make a gift to the gods, you will deserve a virtue. During oboo’s ritual lamas (Buddhist monacs) and believers call to sabgags, local gods and spirits. Traditionally one can tie fabric’s pieces to the tree’s trunk and brunches, and leave sweets and money. The juniper is kindled on the stone altars, and the gods will be pleased by this aromatic smoke. The most important you should remember is a respectful attitude towards the other world forces. And, probably, they will do you a favor. The official residence of the Head of the Buddhist Sangha of Russia, Habdo Lama Damba Ajusheev, is situated in Ivolginski datsan in 40 minutes ride from Ulan-Ude. The Basics about the American School Read the basic facts about the American school paying attention to the underlined words and say: a) What is a school for Americans? b) What is a student in the USA? c) How a typical school year in the United States is divided? What new vocabulary did you learn from the text? What is a School for Americans? First of all, it should be mentioned that the word “school” does not necessarily mean “secondary school” as we understand in Russia. It is an educational institution at any level: it can be a secondary school (for children), a college or a university (for students). The same refers to college: when Americans say “college” they mean “university”. What is a Student for Americans? For Americans ‘students’ are not those who go to university only. Children and teens who study at school are called students as well, not “pupils”. Many students leave home after they finish their high school and go away to colleges. The School Year in an American School The school or academic year usually starts in early September and runs through to early or mid-June. Generally, 180 days of class are required by law. Academic years are typically divided into two semesters, which may be further divided into quarters. Apart from summer vacation, children also get one or two weeks off at the end of December and during the spring as well as all the national holidays such as Labor Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Presidents’ Day (Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays in February) and traditional Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year. Colleges and universities are divided into quarters (sometimes called trimesters) or semesters. In the quarter system, the school year is three periods of roughly ten weeks—fall, winter and spring—with a summer quarter offered but not required. In the semester system, there are two semesters of roughly fourteen weeks, usually with a break for the month of January, when optional short classes are offered. SPEAKING SUPPLEMENT ENGLISH CONVENTIONAL SPEECH CLICHÉS GREETINGS Expressions Used as Greetings Hello! Hi! Good morning! Good afternoon! Good evening! How are you doing? How are you getting on? How is it going? How is life? What’s new? How are (the) things (going)? How is everything? What’s up? (informal, friendly) Hey! (informal, friendly) Expressions Accompanying Greetings Hi, nice to see you! Hey, it’s very nice to see you! Hi, I’m doing well, thanks, and you? I’m all right, thank you, and what about you? I’m OK, thank you, and how are you doing? I’m getting fine, thanks a lot. I hope you’re doing well too. I can’t complain thanks, and you? I’m fine! / Everything is just fine (great, all right, perfect, excellent, wonderful, cool, marvelous, fantastic, fabulous and etc)—if we feel good. Nothing special. / I’m normal. / There’s not much going on now.—if our things seem unimportant and not so interesting. So so. / I’m not feeling too well. / I’m not doing fine. / It’s not my best. / I wish the things were much better. / Well, it could be even worse, but it’s still surviving.—if we have some troubles. I’m bad. / It’s terrible (horrible). / This is so awful! / I’m having the hardest (black, maddest, very bad) days in my life! / I’m really broken up! I’m in trouble!—if our things are going really bad. Expressions Used in Introductions Hello, Paul. Let me introduce you to my friend Liza. Liza, this is Paul Summers, we are working together. Hi, Harry, I’d like to acquaint you to my colleague George Felton. George, please, meet my wonderful friend from New York, Harry Drake. It’s my pleasure to introduce you my old fellow from France. Expressions Accompanying Introductions (Possible Responds) Oh, it’s very nice too meet you, Paul. How do you do! I’m so pleased to meet you, Liza. It is a real pleasure to meet you, George. How do you do, Harry! I’m so glad to meet you. Expressing Surprise When Meeting People Why, John! Is it really you? No way! Look (just look) who’s here! Oh, my God. Never expected to meet you here! Fancy meeting you here. / What a nice surprise! This is a small world! What’s brought you here? / What brings you here? / How come you here? / What are you doing here? Oh, Mat! I haven’t seen you for ages! / I haven’t seen you for donkey years! / It’s been a long time we’ve seen each other. / It’s been awhile. GOODBYES Saying Goodbyes (Possible Ways to Finish a Conversation It’s been a pleasure talking to you, but I must go. It’s been so nice to talk to you, but I really have to go. It’s been fine to meet you here, but I should leave now. It’s been nice meeting/seeing you again, but I have lots of things/stuff to do. / I’ve got to run, I have an appointment in 5 minutes, I’m sorry, it was so nice talking to you. Look, I really enjoyed our conversation, but I must be going. I’ve got a call to make. This is urgent. So long. / See you later. / See you soon. / We will see each other soon. / I will see you around. / See you on Monday. / Let’s make it on Monday. Good bye, and have a good day! / Bye, have an excellent week! Good bye and keep well / take care (of you). Keep in touch! My best regards to your brother. Say “hi” to your parents from me. Remember me to your lovely sister. OFFERS AND INVITATIONS Expressions Used in Offers and Invitations Let’s go out tonight. What about going to the cinema on Sunday? / How about going out on Sunday? / What do you think if we go out on Sunday? Would you like to go to the theatre? Would you like a cup of coffee? / Do you want a piece of cake? / What about ice-cream, do you want some? Let’s have a party tonight! Replies to Offers and Invitations Certainly. / Sure! / Definitely! / Most willingly. / With a great pleasure. / This is exactly that I want (I need). / This is my cup of tea! / I eally like it. / What a wonderful (great, good and etc.) idea! / I think I will make it. / That would be nice. Sorry, I can’t, I’m too busy tonight. / I wish I could. What about next week? I have a lot of things to do. No, I can’t make tonight, but you should go and have fun! I’m not interested in movies, sorry. I don’t like parties; this is a real stress for me. REQUESTS Expressions Used in Requests Would you mind waiting a little? Will you be so kind to wait a little? I hate to bother you, but could you? Could you do me a favor? Could you spare me a moment? May I have you for a second? / Do you have a second? Will you keep a seat for me? Will you please make room for me? Will you move over a bit? Could you show me around? Hold it a moment, will you? Hold the line, please. / Hang on (on the phone). May I come in? May I have a seat? 5. APPOLOGIES Expressions Used in Apologies I’m sorry, I’m late. I have to apologize for the inconvenience caused. / I should apologize…/ My apologies to you for that. I’m sorry, this is my bad! / My bad, I’m terribly sorry. No offence meant. / Forgive me, I meant well. / I didn’t mean anything wrong. / Don’t be cross with me, I meant well. Oh, I’m sorry, I’m so awkward! I didn’t mean it on purpose! Are you OK? / This is my mistake, I’m sorry! I’m afraid I’ve taken up to much of your time. I’m sorry to bother you. / I’m really sorry to disturb you. / I’m so sorry to interrupt you. / Sorry for my interruption. Excuse me. / Pardon me. Replies to Apologies That’s all right (OK, nothing wrong and etc.) Never mind. / Not at all. / No trouble at all. No harm done. No offence taken. You don’t have to be sorry about that. / You don’t have to apologize for that. / Forget it. / Please, forget about that. 6. IGNORANCE AND UNCERTAINTY Expressions Used in Ignorance and Uncertainty Situations I’m afraid (sorry) I don’t know. I don’t have (I haven’t got) the slightest idea. I don’t know the first thing about it. / I wish I knew. / How should I know? / Not that I know of. / I’m not aware of it. / Please, ask me another. If my memory serves me right…/ If my memory doesn’t fail me…/ As far as I know…/ For all I know…. . 7. SURPRISE AND UNEXPECTDNESS Saying Expressing Surprise Do you really mean it? You don’t say so! It isn’t a likely story! How come? It’s unlike him. What a coincidence! The world we live in! / What’s the world coming to! Oh, dear! / Dear me! That beats everything! Who’d have expected that! It’s news to me. / It’s a novelty for me. There’s a pretty kettle of fish! 8. CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD WISHES Expressions Used in Congratulations Happy birthday! / Have a happy B-day! We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! My congratulations! I would like to congratulate you with your anniversary. Let me congratulate you with your birthday. I wish you only best. / My best wishes to you. / All the best. Have a good holiday! / Happy holiday! Good luck! / Good luck with your exams! Have a nice journey! / Have a good trip! / Safe trip! / Trip well! Have a great time! / Have fun! II. RETELLING A STORY |