In Germany, English expressions are used in conversations and increasingly in written form. Advertisements are often expressed completely in English. When I go to the gym, there are “aerobic-classes (增氧健身法课程)”. We “warm up”. We go “jogging.” In business, we attend a “meeting” and we have “good connections.”

Other nations, like France, have taken action to protect their language from the influence of “Americanization”. In Germany, however, there is concern that those rules could be connected with Hitler’s Third Reich (帝国), when the language had to be pure. If the government curbed the use of English words now, this could be considered by some as a return to that terrible past.

Some German citizens are now trying to stop the use of English vocabulary in German. However, I think generally it is not a big deal to use some common English expressions as they often describe things more directly. But we should know that it is important to use English correctly. All too often, bad English is spoken or even written instead of good German. The proper use of the German language would be the better choice. However, there are some fields that require the use of English words, for example, in the high-tech communication and the Internet fields, there is no alternative to English. Also, I think sometimes I have to speak English when I introduce some scenic places to tourists.

I think you have to find a balance and decide when it is better to use good German in place of bad English or when the use of correct English words is more suitable. Languages have always changed naturally, and I disagree with a restriction by law. Some nice expressions borrowed from other languages can make a conversation more vivid.

Language plays an important role in our daily lives, no matter where we live in the world. 【小题1】 Both language and music play a huge role in our culture and here are some of their similarities.

In English we record language using the alphabet, which is a collection of letters. Similarly, we use notes to keep a record of music. Just as you are reading this collection of letters and find meaning in it, musicians read notes and create meaning in the form of music which we can hear. 【小题2】 I can read or hear the ideas of someone who lived hundreds of years ago, which is really quite exciting.

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】 Similarly, music can sound angry, sad or happy. Music can show you exactly how the composer was or is feeling, and allows us to share that feeling. When you feel happy, you may want to sing and dance to a happy song to celebrate your happiness. 【小题5】

How do languages die?

How many languages do you think there are in the entire world? Altogether, people around the world speak about 6000 languages. Does that surprise you? 【小题1】 Today, about half the world’s spoken languages are endangered. Experts say that another language becomes extinct every two weeks.

How do languages die? They die when people stop using them. But most people don’t just stop speaking their native language. It’s more complex than that. More often, they’re either pressured or forced to do so. 【小题2】 They are often pressured to speak the area’s main language instead of their own. This leads many immigrants to stop using their native language. They might not even teach it to their children.

Slowly, the native language dies out.

Sometimes, languages shift or develop instead of becoming instinct. Have you ever heard that Latin is a dead language? In a way, it is. No one today speaks Latin as their native language. 【小题3】 People still use Latin in many ways. Scientists use it to name plants and animals.

【小题4】 That means the death of a language hurts people’s ability to take part in cultural traditions. They might lose access to stories and knowledge that were passed down for many years. This is one reason why many people today are working to save dying languages.

How can languages be saved? Some young people learn the language of their ancestors as adults.

Linguists travel the world to record the last native speakers of dying languages. Some native speakers write dictionaries in their language. They do so in the hope that future generations will bring the languages back to life.【小题5】