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.pdf1.Travelling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller”. Ibn Buttuta (Ibn Baṭūṭah, or simply
Muhammad Ibn Battuta, was an explorer of Berber descent, who is widely recognized as one of the greatest travelers of all time). Focus on language means to describe your tourist experiences.
This quote by the famous Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta perfectly captures the essence of travel. At first, you are overwhelmed by powerful impressions—new cultures, unfamiliar landscapes, surprising encounters. You are stunned into silence. But later, the desire to share, to explain, to relive the experience through language becomes stronger than ever. This is when traveling turns you into a storyteller.
Traveling is not just a physical act; it is also an emotional and cultural journey. It helps us broaden our worldview, break stereotypes, and understand both others and ourselves. But it is language that gives meaning to these experiences. Without words—spoken or written—we cannot fully express what we’ve seen, felt, or learned.
One of the strongest tools we use when describing travel is descriptive language. We rely on adjectives to create vivid images: vibrant cities, breathtaking landscapes, welcoming people. We use strong verbs: we wandered, explored, discovered.
Figurative language, such as similes and metaphors, helps us express emotion and beauty: “The desert stretched before us like a golden ocean,” or “The village was wrapped in silence like a warm blanket.” This type of language doesn’t just inform—it helps others feel what we felt.
In addition, storytelling helps us preserve cultural memory. Like Ibn Battuta, who described not only geography but also customs and values of the 14th century, we too can document our time and our vision of the world. In this sense, language is both creative and historical.
Traveling also improves our linguistic skills. We practice foreign languages, understand gestures and tones, and learn how communication works in different societies. As a linguist, I find it especially fascinating how travel increases our cross-cultural awareness.
Finally, storytelling is also about self-reflection. When we describe a journey, we reflect on it: What surprised me? What challenged me? Language becomes a mirror that shows how the journey changed us.
To conclude, I believe that travel is one of the most powerful forms of education. And storytelling is its natural continuation. And I truly believe that this is one of the most valuable gifts that travel gives us.
2.Wikipedia – part of a new global brain. Reliable/unreliable sources of information. Comment on the traditional
methods of passing the information between generations in the history of mankind
Wikipedia today can be seen as part of a "global brain" — a space where people from all over the world share and store knowledge. It represents a shift from traditional methods of passing information to a digital, open-access model. In earlier times, knowledge was passed orally through stories, songs, and rituals. Later, with the invention of writing, people began to record information in manuscripts, books, and scrolls. Access to these sources was limited to a privileged few.
Today, Wikipedia is accessible to anyone with an internet connection. It allows fast access to a wide range of topics. However, this open structure creates both strengths and weaknesses. On the one hand, articles can be updated quickly and collaboratively. On the other hand, not all contributions are reliable or accurate.
Since anyone can edit Wikipedia, mistakes and bias are possible. That’s why users should always check the references and compare different sources. Reliable sources include academic journals, expert publications, and official documents. Unreliable sources often include personal blogs or opinion-based content.
Wikipedia is a great starting point, but not always the final authority. Critical thinking and fact-checking remain essential. Despite its flaws, Wikipedia reflects humanity’s collective desire to preserve and share knowledge. It continues the long tradition of passing information between generations — only now, on a global, digital scale.
3.Englishes all over the globe.
English is no longer just the language of England or the United States. It has become a truly global means of communication, spoken by millions of people across the world—each group adding its own local flavor. In fact, linguists today often speak not of “English,” but of “Englishes,” to reflect the rich variety of forms the language takes globally.
There are many well-established varieties: British English, American English,
Australian English, Indian English, Nigerian English, and so on. These versions of English differ in pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary, and sometimes even grammar. For example, in British English, people say "flat," while in American
English, the word is "apartment." In Indian English, it’s common to say "prepone" for "reschedule to an earlier date"—a word that does not exist in most other varieties of English but is perfectly accepted in India.
These differences are not mistakes—they are signs of linguistic adaptation. English is a flexible, dynamic language that evolves depending on local cultures, histories, and needs. In many African and Asian countries, English has blended with native languages to form unique hybrid forms, often with local idioms, expressions, and even new grammar patterns.
While some people worry that global English is becoming "too fragmented" or “too mixed,” others argue that this diversity is a source of richness. As long as mutual understanding is preserved, the existence of multiple Englishes is not a problem. In fact, it reflects the nature of language as a living system—always changing, always responding to its speakers.
Globalization, migration, and digital communication continue to shape English in new ways. From international business meetings to TikTok videos, people use English to express themselves and their local identity.
In the future, English will continue to change and take on new forms in different parts of the world. Each form will have its own meaning and purpose. And that’s a natural and healthy process. After all, language is not fixed— it is always growing and changing, just like the world around us. Global English is a great example of this change.
4.What are the roots of the most spread fears?
Phobias are strong and unreasonable fears of specific objects, situations, or activities. Unlike normal fears, phobias can disrupt a person’s daily life, leading to emotional and sometimes physical reactions. Common examples include fear of heights (acrophobia), spiders (arachnophobia), and flying (aviophobia). There are also less common phobias, such as fear of small holes (trypophobia) or fear of modern technology (technophobia).
There are several reasons why phobias develop. First of all, some fears have evolutionary roots. Early humans needed to avoid dangerous animals or dark places, so their fear responses helped them survive. Even today, our brains are wired to detect danger — sometimes even when there is no real threat.
Another common cause is a negative personal experience. A person may develop a phobia after going through a traumatic event. For instance, someone who was stuck in an elevator might develop a long-lasting fear of elevators. Even one scary experience can create a strong emotional impact.
Social and cultural influences also play a role. Children often learn fears from their parents or through media. If a child often hears that elevators are dangerous or that flying is scary, they may become afraid of these things themselves, even without direct experience.
In modern society, new fears are emerging. For example, nomophobia is the fear of being without a smartphone, and social phobia is the fear of interacting with people. These fears are often caused by emotional pressure rather than real physical danger.
To sum up, phobias are not just random fears — they are linked to our biology, past experiences, and environment. Though challenging, they are treatable with therapy and support. Understanding their causes reduces stigma and improves outcomes. Fear is natural, and the key is not letting control us.
5.Different types of intellect. How does your cognition develop? Senses and their importance in our life. What techniques
are employed to describe them in fiction?
Intellect is often thought of as the ability to think and reason logically, but in reality, there are many different types of intellect. For example, there is analytical intelligence, which helps us solve problems and understand complex ideas. There is also emotional intelligence, which allows us to understand our personal emotions. Creative intelligence helps people come up with new ideas and innovations. Practical intelligence, which is often called "street smarts," helps us deal with everyday challenges. All these types work together in our daily lives, shaping the way we think, decide, and interact with the world.
Our cognition, or the way we process and understand information, develops from early childhood. It is shaped by our experiences, education, and the environment around us. Our senses play a crucial role in this process. We gather information through sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. These senses allow us to interact with the world, notice details, and respond to different situations. The richer our sensory experiences, the deeper and more flexible our thinking becomes.
In literature and fiction, authors use various techniques to describe the senses and bring their stories to life. For example, sensory imagery uses descriptive language that appeals to the five senses, helping readers feel, see, hear, or even taste what the characters experience. Writers may also use metaphors and similes to make sensory descriptions more vivid and memorable. These literary tools not only create atmosphere but also allow us to connect emotionally with the text.
In conclusion, intellect is multifaceted and deeply connected to our sensory experiences. Both are essential for how we understand the world and express ourselves—especially through art, storytelling, and human interaction. The more we develop different types of intelligence and pay attention to our senses, the richer our perception of life becomes.
6.Ways of communication with each other across the globe. Speaking a foreign language is the best travel insurance.
Today, people communicate across the globe using many different methods. Thanks to modern technology, we can send messages instantly, make video calls, or share photos and videos with people anywhere in the world. Social media platforms, messaging apps, and video conferencing tools connect millions of users daily, breaking down geographical barriers and making international communication faster and easier than ever before.
However, despite these incredible advances, knowing a foreign language is necessary, especially when traveling or working abroad. Speaking the local language is like having the best travel insurance. It helps navigate unfamiliar places, ask for directions, order food, book accommodation, or handle emergencies. It also helps avoid misunderstandings and makes interactions smoother and more respectful.
More importantly, language skills allow to connect more deeply with local people, understand their customs, and gain insight into their way of life. This makes travel experience not only more comfortable but also more meaningful and enriching. Language builds trust and opens doors that technology alone cannot.
While translation apps and online tools are useful and convenient, they are not always reliable. They may mistranslate idioms, struggle with grammar, or miss the emotional tone of a conversation. Human communication involves not only words but also tone of voice, emotions, cultural context, and body language— things that often get lost in automatic translations. In sensitive or urgent situations, a real understanding of the language can make all the difference.
In conclusion, today, we talk fast thanks to technology, but good language skills still matter. Learning a foreign language helps us understand others, respect cultures and feel at home anywhere in the world. It reminds us that real connection begins with understanding.
7.The status of Received Pronunciation (RP) in the modern English-speaking world.
Today I want to talk about the status of Received Pronunciation, or RP, in the modern English-speaking world, using insights from linguists like David Crystal.
RP is often called “BBC English”. It is a non-regional accent traditionally associated with the British upper class and education. For much of the 20th century, it was seen as the standard or “correct” way to speak English in Britain, especially in schools and the media.
However, as David Crystal points out, the dominance of RP has been declining. English is now a global language, spoken by millions with many regional accents. People today value regional accents like Cockney, Scottish, or even accents from other English-speaking countries such as Australia or India. Crystal says the idea of one single standard English is becoming outdated.
Broadcasting and education reflect this change. While RP is still used, many media outlets now include presenters with diverse accents to better connect with different audiences. This shift shows growing respect for linguistic diversity and a move away from class-based judgments.
Still, RP keeps some prestige, especially in fields like law or politics, where it is seen as clear and neutral. It also influences English language teaching worldwide due to historical reasons and perceptions of correctness.
Importantly, modern linguistics emphasizes that no accent is better than another. Accents express identity and culture. The goal today is effective communication, not sounding a certain way.
In conclusion, RP’s status today is complex. It remains important but is no longer the only or dominant English accent. As Crystal notes, English is a global language with many voices, and embracing this diversity enriches our understanding of it.
8.Escape from reality. Different ways to take a break. How does the choice of relaxation characterize a person?
Everyone needs to escape from reality sometimes. Life can be stressful and overwhelming, so taking a break is essential for our mental and physical health. People have many different ways to relax and recharge.
Some prefer quiet activities like reading books or watching movies, which allow them to escape reality forget about daily worries. Others enjoy physical activities like sports, hiking, or yoga, which help relieve tension and improve overall wellbeing by releasing endorphins.
Music and meditation are also popular methods to feel calm and avoid stress. Listening to soothing music or practicing mindfulness meditation can reduce anxiety and help people feel more centered. Traveling to new places provides a complete change of environment, broadens horizons, and offers fresh perspectives that can inspire and rejuvenate.
Even simple activities like spending time with friends, gardening, cooking, or engaging in creative hobbies like painting or writing serve as effective breaks from reality. Digital escapes like video games or social media also attract many, though it’s important to balance screen time with real-world interactions.
Interestingly, the way a person chooses to relax often reflects their personality, values, and emotional needs. For example, introverts may prefer solitary, quiet activities that allow for reflection and recharge, while extroverts often seek social gatherings, adventures, or group sports to feel energized.
Moreover, cultural background and life experiences influence how people unwind. For instance, some cultures emphasize family time and social relaxation, while others prioritize personal space and individual hobbies.
In conclusion, taking a break from reality helps us stay balanced. The way we relax shows who we are, what we need and what matters to us. It helps us stay mentally healthy, happy and strong in a busy world.
9.Political Correctness. The hidden rocks. Focus on the language means which may help you to be politically correct.
Political correctness refers to using language that avoids offending or leaving out people based on characteristics like race, gender, age, or disability. Its goal is to promote respect and acceptance, although it can sometimes make communication more complicated.
At the heart of politically correct language is careful word choice. For instance, instead of saying “disabled person,” we say “person with a disability” to emphasize the individual rather than their condition. Similarly, terms like “chairman” are replaced with neutral words such as “chair” or “chairperson.” For example, many organizations now use “firefighter” instead of “fireman” to include both men and women in the profession.
Inclusive language also plays role. This includes using “they” as a gender-neutral pronoun or “partner” instead of “husband” or “wife” to respect various relationship types. Euphemisms are used to soften language—for example, “senior citizen” instead of “old person,” or “economically disadvantaged” instead of “poor.”
But political correctness is more than just words. Tone, context, and being aware of others’ feelings is also matter. Even neutral words can offend people if used carelessly. Being politically correct means thinking about how we communicate, not just what we say.
Problems can arise when political correctness goes too far. Language may become complicated or unnatural. Some people avoid speaking for fear of making mistakes, which can limit honest discussion.
The key is to use respectful language while staying genuine and aware. Political correctness should encourage thoughtful communication, not silence.
Language reflects our values. Used it wisely, it can reduce prejudice and support respectful conversations.
10.Speak on the role of English as an international language. Is English a killer of a national identity or a means for
successful communication between peoples of the world?
Today, English is the most widespread international language. It dominates global business, science, education, media, and diplomacy. For many, it is a tool for social mobility and international cooperation. But there is a debate: does English unite people or threaten national languages and identities?
On the one hand, English serves as a lingua franca—a neutral medium of communication between people of different backgrounds. It simplifies international travel, academic exchange, and global teamwork. In multicultural countries, it often reduces cultural barriers. Its spread has helped share knowledge and culture worldwide.
On the other hand, English is sometimes seen as a form of linguistic imperialism. In many countries, it replaces native languages in education, media, and business.
This can weaken national identity and contribute to the loss of linguistic diversity. In some cases, people feel pressured to abandon their mother tongue to succeed.
Moreover, native speakers often have an unfair advantage. Fluency in English can be associated with intelligence or competence, creating inequality between speakers.
Still, English itself is not the problem. The key is balance. If English is taught alongside—not instead of—national languages, it becomes a bridge, not a threat.
Countries that support multilingualism preserve identity while staying connected globally.
In conclusion, English is a powerful tool of communication. It should not replace national languages but complement them. Used wisely, it can promote both global understanding and cultural diversity.