Language is part of our daily lives, no matter where we live in the world. It is the same with music, whether you listen to it on the radio on your drive to work or sit before an orchestra. Both language and music play a huge role in our culture. 【小题1】 .

Both language and music have a writing system. In English we record language using the alphabet, which is a collection of letters. In the same way, we use notes to keep a record of music. Just as you are reading this collection of letters on the screen and find meaning in it, musicians read notes and create meaning in the form of music which we can hear. 【小题2】. By writing pieces of text or music, we are able to share experiences through time. I can read the ideas or hear the composition of someone who lived hundreds of year ago, which is really quite exciting.

【小题3】. You can make a good guess at where someone is from by listening to the language they use. In the same way, we know that styles of music are different around the world, giving us the opportunity to explore many different cultures through their music and providing us with music for every situation. 【小题4】. Even if you don’t like Britpop melodies, you may love the energy of Latin American salsa music.

Both share emotion. How do you know that I am angry? Of course you may be able to see it in my face, but you will know for sure through my words. 【小题5】. Music can show you exactly how the composer was or is feeling, and allows us to share in that emotion. When you feel happy, you might want to sing and dance to a happy song to celebrate your happiness. In contrast, you have probably also listened to sad music when you were feeling down. I think we have all used music to express or process our emotions, often combining it with language in the form of song lyrics.

What must you do when you receive a present for your birthday? You have so sit down and write a thank-you note. The words “Thank you” are very important. We have to use them on so many occasions. We say them when someone gives us a drink, helps us to pick up things, hands us a letter, lends us a book or gives us a gift.

Another important word is “please”. Many people forget to use it. It is rude to ask someone to do something without saying “please”. We have to use it when we ask for something, too. It may be a book or a pencil, more rice or more sauce, help or advice. It may be in the classroom, at home, at the bus stop or over the counter. We have to use “please” to make requests pleasant.

We have to learn to say “sorry” too. When we have hurt someone’s feelings, we’ll have to go up and say we’re sorry. When we have told a lie and feel sorry, we’ll have to explain with that word, too. “Sorry” is a healing (和解的) word. We can make people forget wrongs by using it sincerely.

These three words are simple but important. Man had to use them long ago. We have to use them now. Our children will have to use them in the future. They are pleasing words to be used in any language.

We use both words and gestures to express our feelings, but the problem is that these words and gestures can be understood in different ways. It is true that a smile means the same thing in many cultures. So does laughter and crying.There are also a number of striking similarities in the way different animals show the same feelings. Dogs, tigers and humans, for example, often show their teeth when they are angry. This is probably because they are born with those behaviour patterns.

Fear is another emotion that is shown in much the same way all over the world. In Chinese and English literature, a phrase like “he went pale and began to tremble” suggests that the man is either very afraid or he has just got a very big shock. However, “he opened his eyes wide” is used to suggest “anger” in Chinese whereas in English it means “surprise”. In Chinese “surprise” can be described in a phrase like “they stretch out their tongues”! “Sticking out your tongue” in English is an insulting gesture or expresses strong dislike.

Even in the same culture, people differ in the ability to understand and express feelings. Experiments in America have shown that women are usually better than men at recognising fear, anger, love and happiness on people’s faces. Other studies show that older people usually find it easier to recognise or understand body language than younger people do.