world_matters

trade and foreign investment, both of which are signs or manifestations of what the experts call globalization. There are also cultural aspects of the globalization process – such as the increasing use of English and the appearance of similar (often American) products in different parts of the world. Mark Gregory again:

M: The manifestations include global companies, the names that everybody’s heard of - Sony, Microsoft, IBM – and also the fact that you’ve got common brands that are on sale in many different parts of the world; you’ve got global financial institutions: the IMF, The World Bank and so forth; you have global financial markets.

P: But if there are winners, are there loser as well?

M: Of course, a lot of people would say that these impacts have not only been positive, some have been negative and that the process of globalization is a process in which, if you like, some countries win and others lose.

P: One manifestation of globalization is the spread of similar products around the world. These include well-known brands such as Coca-Cola and Nike … and – with a slogan “One World: One Taste” – the American fastfood chain McDonald’s. There are 30,000 restaurants in more than 120 countries and McDonald’s has become a symbol of the American way of life. But it seems that food tastes in the US are maybe beginning to change: research shows that people are eating fewer burgers and hot dogs and trying to eat healthier food.

Track 17

1

First, we want to deliver a magical experience, an electrifying atmosphere for competitors and spectators. Our aim is to inspire young people in Britain and across the world to play sport. We will do whatever we can to inspire children to choose sport, wherever they live, whatever they do, whatever they believe. These will be a memorable Games. A Games that will inspire young people to believe in the Olympic ideal.

2

And that magic begins with the venues. We’ll use existing world-class venues, spectacular city centre locations, and most importantly, we’ll create an Olympic park which is just seven minutes from the centre of London. In the Olympic park there’ll be a magnificent

80,000 seat Olympic stadium and a fantastic aquatic centre for the swimming events. Half of the venues will be only five minutes from the athletes’ accommodation and only ten per cent will be more than twenty minutes away.

3

The Olympic park will contain the Olympic village; we’ll put athletes at the heart of the games. There’ll be 8,000 double rooms and this accommodation will be modern, spacious and comfortable. Athletes will be just a short walk from the main stadium. They’ll be at the centre of the Olympic experience.

4

The Olympic park will be only seven minutes from Central London by train via a new highspeed train service. Nine other railway and underground lines will form the basis of a comprehensive public transport system serving every venue. A special Olympic bus service will provide quick and easy journeys between venues. Finally, we’ll give free public transport to all athletes, officials and spectators.

Track 18

См. Track 17

Track 19

Presenter, Bradana

P: Now, for our ‘Language now’ slot. My guest today is Bradana MacKinnon, spokesperson for the Society for the Promotion of Gaelic. Thank you for being on our radio programme today and, indeed, on our series on different languages.

B: Thank you. It’s a pleasure to be here.

P: Bradana, I’d like to begin with your name. It’s quite unusual. Is it a Celtic word?

B: Yes, it is, and it’s not common. It’s a Gaelic word meaning ‘salmon’. Just a small point here

– Celtic usually refers to the culture; Gaelic is the language.

P: Thank you, Bradana, I’ll remember that. If you don’t mind, I’ll get straight to the point. Should we fight to keep a dying language alive, even if few people will ever use it or hear it?

B: Mmm, that is something to consider, I suppose, but I’m not sure it’s a relevant question here. It’s true that in the last 100 years or so, the number of Gaelic-only speakers in Scotland, and I mean people speaking just Gaelic and no English, well, that number has fallen from nearly 44, 000 to zero. And yes … Gaelic has declined throughout the 20th century.

But it’s also true to say that since the 1970s there has been a revival in the Celtic culture and Gaelic language.

P: I see. So where do you find that revival – in schools?

B: Yes, definitely in schools, and that’s important. If we have Gaelic-medium education at all levels, more people will speak Gaelic. There has been a huge increase in the number of young children being educated in Gaelic in primary schools … and nurseries. So, if Gaelic is a dying language, then why are more and more Gaelic schools starting in Scotland?

P: Good point, but if it’s only schools …

B: Yes, I agree. We need more. If we have more TV and radio programmes in Gaelic, more people may listen to the language. Also, if the economy in the Gaelic-speaking heartland improves, then Gaelic will not die out. Opinion polls show that people are more confident in the Gaelic-speaking communities – they feel that the economy is improving. If young people return to live and work in those communities after university, then things will improve.

P: Well, that all sounds very promising. So, what is the Society for the Promotion of Gaelic doing now?

B: Oh, we have lots going on. Unless we all continue to promote Gaelic, there might not be a significant increase in speakers of Gaelic. But, to answer your question … at the moment we’re trying to raise our profile, and we have a new fund-raising campaign. When we reach our targets, we’ll invest in more Gaelic books in public libraries. And as soon as we get more Gaelic speakers involved, we’ll run more Gaelic language classes. But unless we recruit and train more Gaelic-medium teachers, we won’t make a big difference in schools. Basically our fundraising supports all of that. P: To go back to my first question, Bradana, why should we fight to keep Gaelic alive?

B: Well, I believe that every language provides us with knowledge about human thinking and behaviour. And every language, like every species of animal, is unique and worth protecting. When we lose a language, we lose a lot of knowledge.

B: Bradana MacKinnon, thank you very much.

Track 20

Andy, Cassie, Li

A: Right then, does anyone have any ideas for the last few spaces? Cassie?

C: Well, what about having a music show on Friday evening? There aren’t any other music shows in the festival. Is that OK, Li?

L: Yes, I think that’s a good idea. Let’s have traditional music and modern music. I know a Malaysian pop band – and that traditional Cambodian group wants to come again.

A: Excellent. And let’s have the dance workshop on Saturday afternoon. What do you think?

L: Erm, … I’m not sure, Andy. C: Yeah, … I don’t agree with you. A: You don’t? Why not?

C: Well, Andy, the traditional boat races are very popular, and the dance workshops need a lot of people. I’d like to have the dance workshop in the morning, and I’d like to have the international food market in the afternoon. People often go to the market during the races and before the barbecue.

A: OK. I agree. What about Saturday evening? What would you like to have then, Li?

L: Why don’t we have a drum concert then? The Burmese drum circles are very exciting. A: Great idea, Li. That way people either watch a film or watch the drum concert, if they don’t come to the barbecue, of course.

L: Fantastic. Right, that’s all then. Let’s go and get something to eat.

A: Great. I’m starving. Let’s go for a burger. C: A burger? Huh, OK.

Track 21

C: I’d like to have the dance workshop in the morning, and I’d like to have the international food market in the afternoon. People often go to the market during the races and before the barbecue.

A: OK. I agree.

L: Fantastic. Right, that’s all then. Let’s go and get something to eat.

A: Great. I’m starving. Let’s go for a burger. C: A burger? Huh, OK.

Track 22

a)OK

b)OK

Track 23

1.Yes, …

2.Excellent.

3.OK. I agree.

4.Great idea, Li.

5.Fantastic.

6. Great.

Track 24

Presenter, Jenny, Carl

P: Our theme on Culture Corner this week is parties and we have a couple of teenagers from Britain in the studio: Jenny and Carl. Thank you for coming.

J: You’re welcome.

C: Thanks for inviting us.

P: So, could you, perhaps, give some advice to our listeners about what to do and what not to do at parties in the UK?

J: Well, obviously, it depends on what kind of party it is. You know, if it’s very formal you should dress smartly.

C: Yes, but nowadays for most parties you don’t have to be too formal. I mean I never put a tie on, except at weddings maybe.

J: Right.

P: Are there any special things you should do when you are invited to someone’s house?

J: Again, it depends. It’s not a good idea to arrive late for a dinner party: the dinner could be ruined. You should get there more or less on time. But don’t get there too early because they won’t be ready.

C: And it’s a good idea to take something with you, maybe a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates.

J: Yeah, or flowers maybe. And you should always thank your host when you leave.

P: What about the sort of parties teenagers like yourselves go to?

J: Oh, er … well, they are not so formal. We just get together with friends to chat, dance and play music.

C: Yeah, we don’t really have any rules, you don’t really have to dress up and you can turn up when you want.

J: That’s true, but not too late ‘cause you’ll miss the fun.

C: But …er … you shouldn’t drink too much at parties.

J: No, and you shouldn’t accept a lift home from a person you don’t know.

C: Yeah, that’s important. And never get in a car with someone who’s drunk alcohol.

P: What about the stories you sometimes hear

…

Track 25

См. U9 ex4g

Track 26

Kate, Jackie, Carry

K: Hello, I’m Kate Colin and this is 6 minute English. Today I'm joined by

Jackie Dalton. Hi, Jackie.

J:Hi, Kate

K:As you may know, yesterday, April 1st was April Fool's Day!

J:Well, to be honest, I completely forgot … until I was caught out that is…

K:Oh, no – what happened?

J:Well, my flat mate changed my clock so I ended up getting up a whole hour

earlier than I needed to. And I only realized just before I was about to leave the

house and I heard the time on the radio. I felt quite silly!

K:Well, April Fool's Day is the one day of the year when we are all allowed to have some fun and play a few jokes on our

friends and colleagues. Newspapers, radio stations and even large companies

have their share of fun as well. But before we go any further, here' s my

question for this week…

J:OK.

K:In the UK on April Fool's Day, we are traditionally allowed to play jokes on

people until what time. Is it: a) midnight

b) midday c) 4 o'clock

J:I’m almost certain it’s midday.

K:OK, we'll see if you answered correctly at the end of the programme. Next we're going to hear from our colleague Carrie as she tells us what usually happens on April Fool's Day. See if you can hear how she describes the jokes that are played on people.

C:It's usually people playing practical jokes on other people. So if somebody makes somebody else look rather silly, by telling them something that isn't true, by playing a practical joke

on them.

J:She calls the jokes 'practical jokes' and these are when you play a trick on

someone or do something to make them look silly. So the joke my flat mate played

on me was an excellent example of a 'practical joke'. I'll get her back next year

though!

K:Another expression which has a similar meaning to 'practical joke' is 'hoax'. A

hoax is when people are deceived into thinking something false and it's usually on

a larger scale than a practical joke, involving many people. A 'media hoax' is

when people in charge of the media (TV, radio or newspapers and online) play

a trick on their audience. Yes, and it can be easy to be 'taken in' by these kind of stories. 'Taken in by' is a phrasal verb we use when we believe something that isn't true. Another way of

describing someone who is easily taken in by things is to say they are 'gullible'. A

'gullible' person will believe most things you tell them, no matter how unlikely

they are to be true.

J:And the BBC have been quite naughty pranksters in the past. A prankster is

someone who plays tricks or pranks on someone else. And in 1965, the BBC told

the public that they were broadcasting smells through the airwaves so that if they

sniffed their radios they would be able to get smells sent over from the BBC.

Many viewers actually contacted the BBC to say that they could indeed smell

things coming through their radio.

K:I bet they felt very silly after they realized it was just an April Fool. It's amazing what some people will believe….