unit 12.docxVIP

Unit12AN INTEGRATED ENGLISH COURSE (6)Text1 If Black English Isnt a Language, Then Tell Me，What Is？Glossarypose pz v. to ask a question, especially in a formal situation such as a meeting.incontestably ,nkntstbli adv. undeniably, unquestionablydubiously djubisli adv. in a questionable or dubious manner (carries a connotation of suspicion) apprehend ,prhnd v. to understand sth. confront knfrnt v. to face, meet or deal with a difficult situation or person inconceivably ,inknsivbli adv. unthinkably, unimaginably outwit ,atwt v. to obtain an advantage over someone by acting more cleverly and often by using s trick Basque bsk adj. connected with a race living in the area around the Pyrenees in Spain and France, or connected with the language of this race n. the language of the Basque area, or a person from the Basque areaindignity ndnti n. a loss of respect of self-respectundergo ,ndo v. to experience sth. unpleasant contempt kntmpt n. a strong feeling of combined dislike and lack of respect communal kmjnl adj. belonging to or used by a group of people rather than one single personantecedent ntsidnt n. someone or sth. existing or happening before, especially as the cause or origin of sth. existing or happening later coherent kohrnt adj. able to speak clearly and be understoodincomprehensiblen,kmprhnsbl adj. impossible or extremely difficult to understandconfess knfs v. to admit that you have done sth. wrong or sth. that you feel guilty or bad about descendant dsndnt n. a person who is related to someone and who lives after them, such as their child or grandchildqualm kwm n. an uncomfortable feeling of doubt about whether you are doing the right thing penalize pinlaz v. to punish someone for breaking a rule skirmish skm n. battle, fight diaspora daspr n. the spreading of people from one original country to other countries institution ,nsttun n. a custom or tradition that has existed for a long time and is accepted as an important part of a particular society chattel ttl n. a personal possession unprecedented nprsdntd adj. never having happened or existed in the past tabernacle tbnkl n. a place of worship alchemy lkmi n. a type of chemistry, especially from about 1100 to 1500, which dealt with trying to find a way to change ordinary metals into gold and with trying to find a medicine which would cure any diseasedictate dktet v. to influence sth. or make it necessaryconvey knve v. to express a thought, feeling or idea so that it is understood by other peoplepatronizingly ,ptrnaizili adv. arrogantly, condescendingly inarticulate ,nrtkjlt adj. unable to express feeling or ideas clearly, or expressed in a way that is difficult to understand compel kmpl v. to force someone to do sth.bulk blk n. large size or massrepudiate rpjudet v. to refuse to accept sth. or someone as true, good or reasonablesustenance sstnns n. emotional or mental supportlimbo lmbo n. an uncertain situation that you cannot control and in which there is no advancement or improvement mediocrity midikrti n. people who do not have much skill or ability at anything Text ExplanationsThe central theme of the essay is the political significance of black English which is part of the continuous struggle between blacks and whites. The author discusses this political-linguistic issue from the origin of black English, its history and present roles in an attempt to justify its legitimacy and t assert the identity of its users. This justification poses a serious challenge to the biased white Americans linguistic criteria. QuestionHow does the author try to justify the legitimacy of black English and to assert the identity of its users?To justify its legitimacy and to assert the identity of its users, the author refers to evidence from the origin of Black English (a means to describe and control their particular circumstances), history and present roles(its contribution to American English).Paragraph1 analysisIn the first paragraph the author makes it clear that this essay is concerned not with mere language problems, but with the role of black English, which has to do with the identity of its speakers. Note that the author employs a number of emphasizers (absolutely, incontestably, far more dubiously) to set the tone of the essay and highlight its themelanguage is a means to define people and to describe and control their circumstances. “the other is refusing to be defined by a language that has never been able to recognize him”-Here “the other” refer to black people, the speakers of the language. The sentence expresses black peoples indignation about the fact that the English language has not recognized them.Language Work1. Language, also, far more dubiously, is meant to define the other Language, also, far more questionably, is meant to define the person being spoken to.These claims are dubious and not scientifically proven.He has been associated with some dubious characters.Paragraph2 analysis In this paragraph the author further demonstrates how language is used to describe reality and control the circumstances of its speakers with example from French-speaking regions around the world. Paris, Marseilles, Quebec(in Canada),Guadeloupe or Martinique (both former French colonies in North America），Senegal（former French colony in Africa） all speak French, but in different varieties or accents, simply because they have “very different realities to articulate.”Language Work2. People evolve a languagein order not to be submerged by a reality that they cannot articulate. People develop a language in order not to be overwhelmed by a reality they cant describe. With the help of the new language they are able to express their own thoughts.She has submerged her identity in the role of photographers wife and muse.They decided to submerged their different interests and unite in pursuit of a common goal.I found myself unable to articulate my feelings.Many people are opposed to the new law, but have had no opportunity to articulate their opposition.3. But each has paid, and is paying, a different price for this “common” languageThe author refers to the degrees of differences between this common language (French) and their varieties of French ,because they use the same language to articulate and control different realities.Politicians will pay a heavy price if they do not listen to the people.This sacrifice is a small price to pay. This is the price we must pay for a free press.Paragrph3 analysisSince language is closely related with reality and its speakers circumstances, a language thus becomes part of the identity its speakers. This is what the author means by “the acceptance, and achievement, of ones temporal identity.” With this reason the author justifies peoples adherence to their own languages in Southern France, the Basque countries, Wales and Ireland.Ireland is divided into the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland. Historically, Ireland, especially Northern Ireland, has a long tradition in its opposition to English rule in religion, culture and politics. At present the conflict is still going on between Northern Ireland and Britain with the formers persistent demand for independence.Language Work4. What joins all languages, and all men, is the necessity to confront life, in order, not inconceivably, to outwit deathWhat joins all language, and all men, is the need to face up to life, in order, naturally, to survive.Its an issue well have to confront at some point, no matter how unpleasant it is.I thought I would remain calm, but when I was confronted with/by the TV camera, I become very nervous.I know its her that made the error, but I dont want to confront her with it in case she breaks down.It would be inconceivable for her to change her mind.The book has sold an inconceivably large number of copies.The thief outwitted the police and got away with his loot. 5. This determination also feeds the flames in IrelandThis determination intensifies the anti-British sentiments in Ireland.The discovery that the government was aware of the cover-up has really fed the flames.His words feed the flames of anger.Paragreph4 analysis In this paragraph the author contends that language is a political instrument and proof of power. It reveals or helps hide one identity.1) “ones antecedents are revealed”The author means that ones accent or language variety may disclose ones family background. Here “antecedent” refers to ones ancestors, or family origin in general.2) “The range (and reign) of accents on that damp little island make England coherent for the English and totally incomprehensible for everyone else.”“Although people are all related to each other by speaking the same language（coherent），the great range of accents on the island(England) makes the language(English) incomprehensible for anyone else. In order words, the different varieties of English unite their speaks as a nation(hence they “make England coherent”), but n the other hand, they are simply incomprehensible for other people.Question What does the phrase “put your business in the street” mean?The phrase mans that you reveal everything about yourself.Language Work6.it reveals the private identity, and connects one with, or divorces one from, the larger, public, or communal identity.it discloses the personal identity of the individual person who speaks it, and at the same time links him with, or separates him from, the public identity of the whole community of people who speak the same language. How can you divorce the issues of environmental protection and overpopulation? Why is there such a divorce between the arts and the sciences in this countrys schools?7. You have confessed your parents, your youth, your school, your salary, your self-esteem, and, alas, your future. You have revealed everything about yourself, such as the social status of your parents, your youth, your school, your salary, your self-esteem, to everyone. And from the way you speak, people can probably tell what kind of future is waiting for you.He confessed to having slept through most of the film.He has confessed to the murder.I have to confess that, when I first met your husband, I didnt think he was very bright.The director confessed himself to be puzzled by the companys losses.Paragraph5-6 analysisIn these two paragraphs the author describes the contribution of black English to American English and the American nation. The author cites the following examples to support his argument:1) Jazz (paragraph5)a black slang word referring to sexual intercourse.2) Sock it to me, baby (paragraph5)a slang expression used to mean doing ones utmost in love-making. It has also been used by some American writes to mean “to give all one is capable of.”3) Beat to his socks(paragraph5)a slang expression indicating a state of exhaustion, a needy condition of black people.Questions 1) What does the expression “Nathaniel Hawthornes refer to?Nathaniel Hawthorne was a famous writer in American colonial times. So the expression refers to those famous American writers in the 19th and 20th centuries.2) What dose the author mean by “a language without which the nation would be even more whipped than it is”?The author mans it is fortunate that white Americans have black English to represent the American reality, and that without this language the nation would suffer even more trouble.Language Work8. Jazzis a very specific sexual termbut white people purified it into the Jazz Age. Jazz is definitely a sexual expression but when white people adopted the word and used it in the Jazz Age, it had nothing to do with sex at all.She went on a three-day fast to purify her body.I take wheat and yeast tables daily to purify the blood.9.it is late in the day to attempt to penalize black people for having created a languageit is too late to punish black people for havinf created a language. Its rather late in the day to start studyingyour exams are next week.He was penalized early in the match for dangerous play.The student was penalized for cheating in the exam last week.Paragraph7 analysisThis paragraph is about the origin of black English. According to the author, it is “the creation of the black diasporas”: black people of different tribes (speaking different languages) who came to America chained to each other, presumably in the slave trade. Then white people “gave” them the Congo Square in the New Orleans and the bible in order to convert them to Christianity. So gradually they formed a new community with a common language ( i.e. black English ) and culture(i.e. the African American culture).Note that here “Congo Square” and “the Bible” are only two symbols.1) “the black diaspora”Diaspora originally refers to the dispersion of Jews beyond Israel in the 8th -6th centuries B.C. Here it refers to the dispersion of black slaves from Africa to the Unites States in the 18th-19th centuries.2) “Congo Square, and the Bible”Congo Square is a square in New Orleans，and the Bible is a symbol of Christianity.“Congo Square”:In the beginning of the 19th century, black people suffered extremely harsh treatment in the United States. When not working under the lash, they were confined in buildings or chains. After 1803, slaves were given Sunday as a day off from labor. During the period from 1817 to 1856, on every Sunday afternoon slaves were legally permitted to gather and sing and dance at an open field near Orleans Street and Rampart Street in New Orleans.3) “at that bitter hour”in that dark period.Language Work10. Blacks came to the United States chained to each otherWhen black slaves came to the United States, they were fastened together with chains. They chained themselves to lampposts in protest at the judges decision. I dont want a job where Im chained to a desk for eight hours a day.11.the rules of the language are dictated by what the language must convey.the rules of the language are determined by what the language must express. The partys change of policy has been dictated by its need to win back the support of voters.He disagrees with the government dictating what children are taught in schools.Paragraph8 analysisThis paragraph describes the way black English was createdthe way black people communicated with each other in “English” without being understood by white people, which accounts for the unique feature of black English. Black English was used as an in-group code to protect black people themselves.QuestionWhat does the author mean by “smash the mirror before which he has been frozen for so long”?This is a metaphor by which the author mans that understating black peoples language would destroy the self-image of white people. This image is established on their bias against the black people.Language Work12. He cannot afford to understand it. It will cause him problems if he understands it. You cant afford to miss that film. She couldnt afford the time off work to see him.13. This understanding would reveal to him too much about himselfThis understanding would show him too much about his own nature (character). Her biography revealed that she was not as rich as everyone thought.He would not reveal where he had hidden her chocolate eggs.Paragraph9-10 analysisFollowing a brief account of the origin and evolution of black English, the author fervently asserts its legitimacy as a language, and criticizes the patronizing or hostile attitude of white people in the 1970s.Questions1) What do all these expressions “this, this, this” indicate? (paragraph9) All these expressions, together with the most important part after the dash (“if this absolutely unprecedented journey dose not indicate”) refer to all that are mentioned in the previous paragraphs about black people and their language, the evolution of black English, the slave trade and hostile attitude of white people.2) Why does the author use the word dialect with quotation marks? Judging from the essay, a dialect is not an independent languageit is only part of a language and therefore it is subordinate to a language. In the authors view, black English is not a dialect, but a language. But in the eyes of white people, it is at most a dialect of American English and is therefore “substandard,” which reveals the hostility and prejudice of white people against black English.Language Work14. if this absolutely unprecedented journey does not indicate that black English is a language, I am curious to know what definition of language is to be trusted. if this unparalleled experience does not prove that black English is a language, I wonder what can be called a language. This century has witnessed environmental destruction on an unprecedented scale.Rivalry in recruiting students, and hence for funds, is set to reach unprecedented heights.15. We, the blacks, are in trouble, certainly, but we are not doomed, and we are not inarticulate because we are not compelled to defend a morality that we know to be a lie.It is true that we