Abstract

Sheri Spaine article explains why people ought to go abroad to consider other words. .The writer argues whether a person can learn the foreign language without going into a foreign country by attending class in his/her state.  People have developed an attitude that when you want to learn a new language, the best way to do is visiting the country. Spain argues that even though it is essential to visit a foreign country, it is not entirely true. Visiting the other country won’t be of help if you are not ready.  Readiness differs from one person to another.

Studying a foreign language and in a foreign country is that you can experience the style in the cultural context. They hear the context of how they can change the meaning of words that you have read.  To be able to take in a foreign language, try to use as little English as much as possible while abroad. The writer, says that the learner should do things as that separates you from speaking English like calling home, writing letters to home and any other activity that will require you to use English or even remember the house.

Sheri acknowledges that studying abroad will accelerate the learning process, provides authentic cultural context. People go home after their study with a different cross-culture view about things and doing activities. If the goal that wants to be achieved can be achieved through the local school of languages, it would better rather than going abroad.

Word Count: 255

Writers Reflection.

The article indicates how a learner can learn a foreign language both in his/her own country and in a foreign country. As a learner, moving to a foreign country to determine the context of their language would be more welcome than learning it in my own country. To be able to learn a foreign language, a person needs total dedication. This means restraining even from carrying activities that are pertained in his/ her natural expression. For instance, one to restrain from talking, listening, reading context that is in English and concentrates on what he/she is learning. When in a foreign country it is easier to focus on their language as there less disruptive that is directed your way. Although you will find people who want you to speak English with them, you should avoid as they will be taking a step back in your learning curve.

Similarly, the domestic experience does not offer an in-depth of cultural learning as a study abroad. In any school that you will get enrolled in, you will have to pledge to work hard, study, eat and socialize in the foreign language for the time you will be in the country. The readiness and commitment work a very long way in making sure that the goal one wants to achieve is achieved. Maybe the local schools can offer a structured learning system for the student, but I would prefer going abroad and learning their language there.

Chapter 51: Where Did English Come From?

John Algeo.

Keyword.

German                                                            Angeln

English                                                             Saxony

Old English                              French

Christian                                  tribal beginning,

Abstract

The article by John Algeo start by telling you although we know the origin of the origin, and we think it is from the same ancestors as the German, we might not be understanding the whole story. John in this article narrates the origin of the English from its German roots. As per history, the Celts who lived in British isle showed an intensified warfare and had to request for assistant form the Germanic tribes. Two tribes responded. The two main come from regions of the Angeln and Saxony. When they reached in British Irish, they loved the island, and they took over it. The speech of the two later become the modern German, Dutch, and even the Scandinavian languages. This also marked the growth of “old English.”

The group took over some of the Celts place names. They were then converted to Christian and through this Latin was incorporated in their language. In the following centuries, Britain was invaded by the Scandinavian. They were Viking riders. Through them, some new names that are mostly were adopted and used.  The 1066 invasion had the most significant impact. The Normans conquered England. They spoke French and made French the government language and thus turning England in to a trilingual country.

The English evolved, and it became a little more different with the incorporation of words from French. After the introduction of printing, the language was standardized. Englishmen then started exploring the world where they encountered new things that needed new words to be talked about ever since English has become a global language. It has been influenced and has influenced other languages over time. Most of the core vocabulary comes directly from Old English.  The writing has now expanded far beyond the tribal beginning. The writer signs off by saying that English did not come from German, but they are closely related.

Writer’s reflection.

The English language has been a combination of a different style. The word has been formed from different experiences that the English men have experienced over some centuries. The writing started as a small communal language, and with time it has developed to the most widely used over different continent like Africa.

English as the writer indicated is not derived from the German, but they have a very close history. From the description, by the writer, we can see that both of them were close languages that took a very different part of growth. The history of Anglo-Saxon speaking people can be seen as the core cause of the development of English. The invasion by the French-speaking Norman was the center of the turnaround. Maybe if the Normans did not conquer them, there wouldn’t have been English in the current world.

I would concur with the writer that English was not derived from the German and conclude that it underwent a gradual change over time. The development of English can be seen as an example of how languages in our current world have developed and how they have become intertwined. English for instance, is not related to French but it has a trace of it. The words are being borrowed from various languages all over the globe and thus creates an intertwined language world. In conclusion, English has become the primary language of the world, and that can be traced from its history as it has stood still to develop even when faced with the danger of being swallowed by other languages.