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】

Experts say over half of the world’s 7,000 languages are in danger of disappearing. Every two weeks one language disappears. As the last speakers of a language die off, the valuable information contained within a language also disappears. 【小题1】

What would happen if you were the only person left who spoke your language? Who would you share stories with, sing songs to, or exchange jokes with? 【小题2】 This is the example scientists use to explain the situation of many people around the world whose local languages are disappearing.

Sometimes a language disappears immediately when the last person speaking it dies. 【小题3】 This happens when an official language is used more often and children stop learning the local language of their parents. This is not a new process. Official languages often represent a form of control over a group of people. Throughout history, the language spoken by a powerful ethnic (种族) group spreads across a kind of culture.

【小题4】

So, smaller cultures lose their local language as the language of the culture in power becomes the stronger influence.

Languages   contain   the   histories,   ideas   and   knowledge   of   a   culture.   Languages   also   contain   valuable information about local medicines, plants and animals. Many endangered languages are spoken by native cultures in close connection with the natural world.

【小题5】

The   Internet   could   be   thought   of   as   a   new   method   of   language   control.   The   United   Nations   cultural organization — UNESCO, says that ninety percent of the world’s languages are not shown on the Internet.