The Power of Language

There is a debate going on in some colleges and universities today about the importance of a foreign language requirement. At some of these institutions, students may choose between a second language and mathematics – or some other discipline.

Of course, knowledge of a foreign language is helpful but not necessary for survival. From some students' point of view, learning foreign words or dialogues to take a trip abroad hardly merits a big investment in time and effort.

It is important, therefore, to define the benefits of learning a foreign language. In the first place, students should be made aware that learning French enables one to communicate in parts of Europe, Canada, and Africa. in the U.S. alone, over 30% of the population is Spanish-speaking or of Hispanic origin. Chinese and Arabic covers over half the people in the world!

Second, learning a foreign language leads to a better understanding of cultures and mentalities different from one's own. The important thing is the thinking and questioning process that should lead to a better understanding of one's own culture as well as those of others.

Third, learning a language opens the door to great literatures and philosophies, which can have a tremendous impact on one's life. Reading literature in the language written is truly "living" the author's creation, in a way not possible through translation – no matter how great the translator.

Finally, we do business in a global economy; the better we communicate with associates around the world, the greater success we will achieve.

Culture Shock

According to some specialists, there are three stages of culture shock. In the first stage, the newcomers like their environment. Then, when the newness wears off, they begin to hate the city, the country, the people, the apartment, and everything else in the new culture. In the final stage of culture shock, the newcomers begin to adjust to1 their surroundings and, as a result, enjoy their life more.

Some of the reasons for culture shock are obvious. Maybe the weather is unpleasant. Perhaps the customs are different. Perhaps the public service systems such as the telephone, post office, or transportation are difficult to figure out, and you make mistakes. The simplest things seem difficult.

Culture shock produces a feeling of disorientation. This disorientation may be homesickness, imagined illness or even paranoia (unreasonable fear). Familiarity and experience are the long-term solutions to the problem of culture shock.

Grammar revision Gerund Герундий

Герундий (Gerund) - неличная форма глагола, сочетающая в себе свойства глагола и существительного, образуется прибавлением -ing к основе глагола. I like reading. Я люблю читать.

Табл.6

Свойства глагола	Свойства герундия
1.имеет видо-временные формы 2. имеет формы залога 3.может иметь прямое дополнение	может быть в предложении подлежащим и выполнять другие функции, которые выполняет существительное в функции обстоятельства и определения имеет предлог 3. определяется местоимением или существительным в притяжательном падеже

Формы герундия

Форма	Действительный залог Active Voice	Страдательный залог Passive Voice
Simple (indefinite)	Writing	Being written
Perfect	Having written	Having been written

В русском языке нет формы, аналогичной форме герундия. На русский язык герундий переводится:

инфинитивом I hate working late on Sundays . - Ненавижу работать по воскресеньям.

отглагольным существительным I like swimming. – Я люблю плавать.

деепричастием He went out without leaving his address – Он ушел, не оставив адреса.

придаточным предложением Excuse me for interrupting you. –Извините, что я вас прерываю.

Ex.1. People are talking about their jobs. Underline the Gerunds and translate the following sentences into Russian.

1. I enjoy meeting new people.

2. I hate working late at night.

3. I really enjoy working with figures; this kind of work is perfect for me.

4. I don’t mind travelling long distances. It’s tiring but if I don’t visit customers regularly, our competitors will.

5. I like receiving visitors. I usually only speak to them for a few seconds on the phone so I like to visit them on person.

Ex.2. Translate the sentences into Russian paying attention to Gerund

1. You may wait anywhere from ten minutes to an hour before engaging in business conversation.

2. Meetings are necessary in establishing relationships for future business, and in negotiating deals.

3. By learning how to approach these situations functionally, you will be able to deal with the dynamics of any meeting.

4. Excuse me, would you mind repeating that, please?

5. Thank you for letting me know that.

6. I am truly grateful to you for helping me (for your advice).

7. Thank you for inviting me to your company office.

8. Thank you for contributing so much to the arranging of the meeting.

9. I wish to offer my sincere apologies for taking so long to answer your letter.

10. Thank you for advising us that you never received the 14 tons of coal covered on your purchase order No. 1239 dated S April2000.

11. I wonder if you would mind repeating that for me.

12. Would you mind spelling that (word, name) for me?

13. Don’t worry about taking notes.

14. Learning foreign words or dialogues to take a trip abroad hardly merits a big investment in time and effort.

15. Learning a foreign language leads to a better understanding of cultures and mentalities different from one's own.

16. Learning a language opens the door to great literatures and philosophies.