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smoothly - хорошо, гладко, благополучно

to feel confident - чувствовать, себя уверенно soft drinks - безалкогольные напитки

household products - предмет домашнего обихода computer software - мат. обеспечение (программы) chic - шик

stylish - модно

designed items - надписи (на изделиях) to make no sense - не иметь смысла reality - реальность

recent advances - последние достижения

to keep up with - шагать в ногу, быть в курсе событий

Ex. 1. Read and translate the text.

English around the world

'Do you speak English?' - this question is most frequently heard when people from different countries gather. Although there are almost three thousand languages, English is the most universal. It is the official language in over forty countries and the most used language in international business, science, and medicine. Some people believe that English should be the international language, they think things would run more smoothly if everyone spoke the same language.

It is important for me to learn English so that I will feel confident about myself. English is everywhere. It is in signs, clothing, soft drinks, and household products around the world. The names of pop groups, computer software and magazines are often present in English. English words are also used as an element of magic to be included on T-shirt, sweat shirt, caps etc. Some think English is chic, English is stylish, even when the English on these designed items makes no sense. Sometimes we use English words for effect rather than as a language, for example adding 'O.K.!' or 'No problem!' to the end of our talk. I don't think if it is good thing or not. It's our reality, and we live in it.

Learning English is important for me because I want to know what is going on around me in the world. With recent advances in technology, the world is changing rapidly in many fields, such as business, arts, and medicine. These changes will affect me soon and it is important for me to read and keep up with these changes. In fact, learning English is the answer to a lot of the things that I need and want.

Ex. 2. Write answers to the following questions.

1. How much English do you see in our country?

2.Do you think there will be an increase in the quantity of English spoken in our country in the next few years?

3.Can you think of any reasons for this?

4.Can you name any words from English that have entered Russian language?

5.What is English to you?

6.How much has English influenced your thinking and your culture?

7.Is it possible to learn English language without learning culture of Englishspeaking nations?

8.In Israel the government forbids English culture being taught with the English language. They want to use English, but not be used by English, or changed by English. What do you think?

BRITISH AND AMERICAN ENGLISH

Learn the vocabulary:

variety – разновидность

similar – похожий, сходный, подобный considerable – значительный

to emerge – возникать, проявляться

"melting pot" – смешение

to be in the melting pot - вариться в одном котле to adopt – принимать, усваивать, придерживаться flexible – гибкий

to reflect – отражать to influence – влиять advertising – реклама though – хотя

source – источник both – оба

particularity – особенность opinion – мнение independent – независимый to disappear – исчезать

to drift apart – расходиться mercilessly – беспощадно editor – редактор nevertheless – тем не менее if only – хотя бы

noticeable – заметный

Ex. 1. Learn the pronunciation:

Ex. 2. Find in the text the words which have the same roots with the following verbs.

Ex. 3. Read and translate the text.

British and American English

These two varieties of the English language are very similar to each other. But at the same time they have considerable differences in grammar, spelling, vocabulary and pronunciation.

These difference emerged during the isolation of America from Great Britain in the 18th century. The United States had long been the “melting pot” of the world. People of many nationalities came to America and they brought their native traditions and languages with them. Those people adopted the English language, and the very flexible English language took a lot of innovations in grammar, spelling, pronunciation and, of course, vocabulary from them. American English developed rapidly. The Americans produced a new vocabulary which reflected the other no-English cultures (French, Spanish, Dutch, Mexican, Indian, African, etc.) and the life of people in a presidential republic.

Later British language was influenced by American English. A lot of Americanisms from the language of advertising, journalism, technology, music and show business have come into everyday speech of British people, and not only British. Such words as “teenager”, “superpower”, “know now”, “video”, “body building”, “okay”, “computer” and many others are well-known all over the world.

The English language has become an international language having the elements of both British English and American English.

Though British English and American English have common source, there are a number of particularities in the two varieties of the English language.

Nowadays, linguists have different opinions about the development of British English and American English. Some scholars think that if American English hasn’t become an independent language, differences between two languages will be disappearing.

Others, on the contrary, believe that American English and British English are “drifting apart so mercilessly that one day the two nations may not be able to understand each other at all.” (Robert Burchfield, editor of the Oxford English Dictionary”).

Nevertheless, it is important for those who learn English to know if only the main differences between British and American forms.

1) Pronunciation:

These are most obvious differences, but there are many others.

2) Vocabulary: