Lesson 11 English in the Caribbean

When we hear the word English, we naturally think of the language spoken by those living in the United Kingdom or of the people living in England. We also often think of their language as the international language, the one spoken as a native language in Ireland, the United States, Canda, Australia, and New Zealand, countries which have had a close association with England for centuries. However, English is spoken as a native or second language in a large number of other countries which were once colonies of the British Empire.

Latin America, including Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, is often thought of as a linguistically homogenous area of Latinate languages (those languages like French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish which originated from Latin.). This is generally true, as the vast majority of people there speak Spanish or Portuguese as their mother tongue. However, a number of small Caribbean island nations were also once part of the British Empire, accordingly, their citizens even after independence speak English. These nations include Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Bardados, and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Do the Caribbean English speakers speak British English? Not exactly. All over the world where English ahs been spoken for hundreds of years by speakers of other language, certain special accents or dialects have arisen. India is famous for "Indian English", "Irish English" is unmistakable, too. Likewise, Caribbean English has its own special paterns, vocabulary, and even grammatical forms different from the standard RP (received pronunciation, also referred to as Received Standard) of British English. These special features include a lilt or "sing-song" sound to the language, and plenty of local slang.

As only a relatively few people live on these islands, how can we hear their special dialect or accent? One kind of pop music called reggae is the easiest way outside of befriending someone from these naions. Reggae music has been popular since the 1980s, when performers like Bob Marley of Jamaica pleasantly surprised the world with their own original reggae music as well as their interpretations of other well-known pop Anglo music. Reggae is famous for its strong, often syncopated beat, laid-back singing style, and, of course, the "island" dialect. Another perennial music favorite if calypso, which is also sung in the Caribbean island English dialect. The hit song "Yes, We Have No Bananas", is reminiscent of this drum-heavy musical style, especially from Trinidad and Tobago.

Given the islands’ historic ties to both the United Kingdom and the United States, it is little wonder that today the people of these small nations continue to use English in government, academic, business, and trade. Lacal language still exist alongside the Caribbean English dialect, too, but they are mostly the patoies of the marketplace and home. Many of the residents of this area, also referred to as the West Indies of the Antilles, have emigrated to the UK or the US and, because of their linguistic prowess, have done relatively well as so-called "third world" immigrants. A few writers of contemporary renown also hail from this area, as do some sports figures.

If you plan to visit any of the above-mentioned islands for any purpose, do not worry about yoru language skills. Caribbean people are well-known for their friendly, patient dispositions. After a few days, your ear will become attuned to the lilting cadence of the lovely Caribbean English dialects, and your stay in this tropical paradise will be all the more rewarding.

Lesson 12 The Louvre: The World’s Best Museum?

Paris, City of Light, and of art. A playland for lovers and a painter’s dream. What better place to situate the Louvre, considered by many to be the world’s best museum of art? what makes this museum so worthy of that honor?

The museum building, or, more properly, the complex of buildings themselves is a good place to start. As with most Western and a few Asian and South American museums, large palaces or other traditional architecture are used to house museums of art and of natural science. In the case of the Louvre, officially known as Palais du Louvre (The Palace of the Louvre), the main building used today was formerly the fortress of King Philip Augustus in the 12th Century. Not until 1546 did King Francis I befin to redesign and add onto the fortress. Subsequent kings did the some, especially during the 17th century with major additions by Louis XIII and Louis XIV. Not only did these kings and their ministers add to the buildings, they also stocked within their rooms the finest art that money could buy. After the French Revolution, the Palais du Louvre was opened to the public. In the early 19th century, both Napoleon and Napoleon III added to both the structures and the collections. A controversial see-through glass pyramid-shaped structure was added by the architect I. M. Pei in the 1980s. As a consequence of centuries of continuous construction and the amassing of art treasures, today the Louvre offers a world-class collection of both French and foreign art.

The outer shell of a museum, however, no matter how artistic or historic, cannot alone make a museum truly great. The inner collections are of course of paramount interest to both the art researcher and art lover alike. The Louvre does not disappoint them. Three of the West’s premier works of art are here: the statues Victory of Samothrace and Venus de Milo accompany Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous painting, the Mona Lisa. These alone attract art devotees from around the world, but for more awaits them. The French painting collection is , not surprisingly, unsurpassed. Other major painting collections include works from the middle ages and Renaissance. The treasures of the French royalty are on display here, too, such as their bronzes, miniatures, pottery, tapestries, jewelry, and furniture. Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Mesopotamian antiquities as well as early Christian artifacts are also considered important collections. This clearly is not a museum to be seen in one morning.

Finally, the site of the museum complex contributes to the mystique of the Louvre. Paris has long been considered one of the world’s most charming cities, with its endless winding streets amidst spectacular royal and religious architecture. The fortress built by King Philip Augustus was situated on the right bank of the Seine, overlooking- at that time- splendid bucolic scenery. Today this prime location is within walking distance of man major Parisian tourist attractions, like the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Royal Palace, and the National Liberary. One could easily spend a whole week touring the heart of Paris centered around the Louvre.

Taken altogether, then, the Louvre holds its own as one of the best museums - If not the best- among the dozens of major and internationally famous art museums around the world. Its many and varied buildings, the unparalleled collection of prestigious works of art, and the delightful site of the grounds overlooking France’s most famous river all contribute to make the Palais du Louvre a must-see attraction for the serious art connoisseur and art museum-goes alike. Meet you at the Louvre!

Lesson 13 The Ivy League Schools: Excellence in Education

常春藤盟校——教育界的佼佼者

The first permanent English settlement in the New World was at Plymouth Bay in what in now the state of Massachusetts in 1620. Merely 16 years later, a group of successful settlers in New Town (renamed Cambridge after their alma mater) started a college. They named it after the Puritan minister who willed half his estate and all his books to the college. This clergyman’s name was John Harvard, and his namesake remains the most prestigious among the more than 2000 institutes of higher education in the United States today.

Harvard is not the only great school in the US, of course. A small industry has grown up around the ranking of the best tertiary schools, and year after year, seven schools dominate most of these Top Twenty or Top Fifty lists. Harvard is nearly always at or close to the top, joined frequently by Yale (in Connecticut), Princeton (in New Jersey), Dartmouth (in New Hampshire), Cornell (in New York state), Columbia (in New York city), the University of Pennsylvania, and Brown (in Rhode Island)。 These eight private universities are collectively referred to as the Ivy League schools.