adv. not completely
Today, there are nearly seven thousand languages spoken.
confusing
adj. causing one to be unsure
However, English spelling and grammar can be confusing.
influence
n. the power to change or affect someone or something
Knowing this language is becoming more useful... as China increases its influence.
dialect
n. a form of a language that people speak in a particular area, containing some different words and grammar
But it has many different dialects, and it is difficult to write.
fairly
adv. nearly, almost, somewhat
One reason may be its fairly simple grammar and spelling.
question
n. a sentence or word that asks for information
Consider these questions, and make the best decision for you.
best
adj. better than all others
Consider these questions, and make the best decision for you.
foreign
adj. located outside your own country
Choosing which foreign language to learn depends on what you hope to gain.
gain
v. to get something
Choosing which foreign language to learn depends on what you hope to gain.
connection
n. something that joins or connects
If you want a larger connection with the world through travel, English may be the best choice.
international
adj. involving two or more countries
It is the top language for international communication.
communication
n. the act of sharing information
It is the top language for international communication.
native
adj. born in a specific place; natural to the place where one was born
If you add native and non-native speakers, English is spoken by 1.5 billion people worldwide.
however
adv. on the other hand However, English spelling and grammar can be confusing.
grammar
n. the set of rules that explain how words are used in a language
However, English spelling and grammar can be confusing.
major
adj. important, serious, or significant
Greek is not a major international language today.
character
n. someone’s personality
Stories... and characters such as Hercules... became well known.
journey
n. the act of traveling from one place to another
If you’re starting a long journey, you’re starting an “odyssey.”
delicious
adj. very pleasant to taste
A delicious drink is called “nectar,” the drink Greek gods enjoyed.
task
n. a piece of work to be done
And a “Herculean task” is one that would be challenging even for Hercules.
local
adj. from a nearby place; not international Local languages became more popular.
remain
v. to be left
But the words from Greek myths remained.
lasting
adj. unchanging over time; enduring for a long time
But it once was, and it left a lasting influence on European languages.
trade
n. the activity of process of buying or selling goods
From about 120 BCE to 1450 CE, trade flowed along the Silk Road.
silk
n. soft material used for fine clothing
From about 120 BCE to 1450 CE, trade flowed along the Silk Road.
route
n. a way to get from one place to another
This was the trade route connecting Asia and Africa to Europe.
gate
n. a means of entry or access to a place or region
The gate into Europe was Greece.
essential
adj. very important or necessary
Knowing Greek became essential for traders.
myth
n. a traditional story passed down from generation to generation
Legends and myths from Greece spread as well.
trip
n. a journey to a place
Stories such as The Odyssey, about a Greek man who went on a long and difficult trip... became well known.
lead
v. to guide someone by going in front
When people of different cultures can speak the same language, it leads to better understanding.
one another
pron. each other; other people
He believed that this would allow people of different cultures to communicate with one another.
pride
n. a strong positive feeling about something
At the same time, they could keep their original languages and their pride.
describe
v. to express how to look in words
The first book describing the new language, called Esperanto, was published on July 26th, 1887.
achieve
v. to get something after a lot of effort
Esperanto has achieved limited success.
limited
adj. not high or great in number, amount, etc.
Esperanto has achieved limited success.
universal
adj. relating to every part of the world
But many others are working toward Dr. Zamenhof’s goal through computers and universal language programs.
chance
n. an opportunity to do something
It can mean a greater chance of existing together peacefully.
actually
adv. used to refer to what is true or real
However, trying to decide on a worldwide common language has actually caused a lot of arguments.
argument
n. a strong discussion with different opinions
However, trying to decide on a worldwide common language has actually caused a lot of arguments.
prefer
v. to like better
Too many people strongly prefer their own language.
solution
n. something of solving problem
Dr. L. L. Zamenhof thought the best solution would be for everyone to learn a new language.
logical
adj. based on reason
Dr. Zamenhof wanted the new language to be very logical.
range
n. a number of different things of the same kind
He also wanted it to express the full range of human emotions.
emotion
n. a strong feeling
He also wanted it to express the full range of human emotions.
probably
adv. very likely, almost certainly
You have probably noticed that Korean words like “kimchi” or Japanese words like “bonsai” are used in the English language.
spelling
n. how letters are arranged to make a word
Loanwords help explain why there are many words with sounds that are different from their spellings in English.
come from
phr v. to start in a certain place
This word comes from French.
final
adj. happening or coming at the end
In French, the final “t” in a word is not normally pronounced.
pronounce
v. to make the sound of a word or letter
In French, the final “t” in a word is not normally pronounced.
definitely
adv. certainly, without a doubt
These other languages have definitely given English a richer vocabulary.
richer
adj. comparative form of rich: full of variety
These other languages have definitely given English a richer vocabulary.
without
prep. not having or including
A loanword is a word taken from another language without being changed much.
loan
v. to lend; to give something you expect to get back
Words are often loaned because the thing or concept named by the word is new to the speakers of the borrowing language.
concept
n. an idea
Words are often loaned because the thing or concept named by the word is new to the speakers of the borrowing language.
borrow
v. to take and use something from others for a period of time
Therefore, the word was borrowed from Korean.
until
prep. up to
This is because that food was not known in English-speaking countries until fairly recently.
recently
adv. not long ago
This is because that food was not known in English-speaking countries until fairly recently.
therefore
adv. for this or that reason, consequently Therefore, the word was borrowed from Korean.
similarly
adv. in almost the same way Similarly, Korean borrowed “pizza” from English speakers, who had borrowed it from Italian.
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