1、Unit 5 Languages Around the WorldReading and Thinking Look at the titles and pictures below.What do you think the text is about?THE CHINESE WRITING SYSTEM:CONNECTING THE PAST AND THE PRESENTThe text may be about the Chinese writing system and its history from ancient times to the present day.Read th
2、e text quickly to find the main idea of each paragraph.THE CHINESE WRITING SYSTEM:CONNECTING THE PAST AND THE PRESENTChina is widely known for its ancient civilisation which has continued all the way through into modern times,despite the many ups and downs in its history.There are many reasons why t
3、his has been possible,but one of the main factors has been the Chinese writing system.At the beginning,written Chinese was a picture-based language.It dates back several thousand years to the use of longguanimal bones and shells on which symbols were carved by ancient Chinese people.Some of the anci
4、ent symbols call still be seen in todays hanzi.By the Shang Dynasty(around 1600-1046 BCE),these symbols had become a well-developed writing system.Over the years,the system developed into different forms,as it was a time when people were divided geographically,leading to many varieties of dialects a
5、nd characters.This,however,changed under Emperor Qinshihuang of the Qin Dynasty(221-207 BCE).Emperor Qinshihuang united the seven major states into one unified country where the Chinese writing system began to develop in one direction.That writing system was of great importance in uniting the Chines
6、e people and culture.Even today,no matter where Chinese people live or what dialect they speak,they can all still communicate in writing.Written Chinese has also become in important means by which Chinas present is connected with its past.People in modern times can read the classic works which were
7、written by Chinese in ancient times.The high regard for the Chinese writing system can be seen in the development of Chinese characters as an art form,known as Chinese calligraphy,which has become an important part of Chinese culture.Today,the Chinese writing system is still an important part of Chi
8、nese culture.As China plays a greater role in global affairs,an increasing number of international students are beginning to appreciate Chinas culture and history through this amazing language.Read the text quickly to find the main idea of each paragraph.Read the text quickly to find the main idea o
9、f each paragraph.Paragraph 1:The Chinese writing system is one of the reasons why Chinese civilisation has survived into modern times.Paragraph 2:Written Chinese was a picture-based language at the beginning.Paragraph 3:The writing system became well-developed,and later developed into different form
10、s.Paragraph 4:The writing system began to develop in one direction.Paragraph 5:Written Chinese connects Chinas present with its past,and has become an art form.Paragraph 6:The Chinese language is helping to spread Chinas culture and history to the world.Scan the text to find the words and phrases th
11、at describe a time.Then write down what happened at each of those important times.Paragraph 1China is widely known for its ancient civilisation which has continued all the way through into modern times,despite the many ups and downs in its history.There are many reasons why this has been possible,bu
12、t one of the main factors has been the Chinese writing system.modern times:The Chinese civilisation still continues.Scan the text to find the words and phrases that describe a time.Then write down what happened at each of those important times.Paragraph 2At the beginning,written Chinese was a pictur
13、e-based language.It dates back several thousand years to the use of longguanimal bones and shells on which symbols were carved by ancient Chinese people.Some of the ancient symbols call still be seen in todays hanzi.at the beginning:Written Chinese was a picture-based language.dates back several tho
14、usand years:Longgu appeared.Scan the text to find the words and phrases that describe a time.Then write down what happened at each of those important times.Paragraph 3By the Shang Dynasty(around 1600-1046 BCE),these symbols had become a well-developed writing system.Over the years,the system develop
15、ed into different forms,as it was a time when people were divided geographically,leading to many varieties of dialects and characters.This,however,changed under Emperor Qinshihuang of the Qin Dynasty(221-207 BCE).by the Shang Dynasty(around 1600-1046 BCE):Symbols carved on longgu had become a well-d
16、eveloped writing system.over the years:The writing system developed into different forms,as the Chinese people were divided geographically,leading to many varieties of dialects and characters.Scan the text to find the words and phrases that describe a time.Then write down what happened at each of th
17、ose important times.Paragraph 4Emperor Qinshihuang united the seven major states into one unified country where the Chinese writing system began to develop in one direction.That writing system was of great importance in uniting the Chinese people and culture.Even today,no matter where Chinese people
18、 live or what dialect they speak,they can all still communicate in writing.the Qin Dynasty(221-207BCE):The Chinese writing system began to develop in one unified direction.Even today:Chinese people can all still communicate in writing.Scan the text to find the words and phrases that describe a time.
19、Then write down what happened at each of those important times.Paragraph 5Written Chinese has also become in important means by which Chinas present is connected with its past.People in modern times can read the classic works which were written by Chinese in ancient times.The high regard for the Chi
20、nese writing system can be seen in the development of Chinese characters as an art form,known as Chinese calligraphy,which has become an important part of Chinese culture.in modern times:Chinese people can read the classic works which were written by Chinese in ancient times.Scan the text to find th
21、e words and phrases that describe a time.Then write down what happened at each of those important times.Paragraph 6Today,the Chinese writing system is still an important part of Chinese culture.As China plays a greater role in global affairs,an increasing number of international students are beginni
22、ng to appreciate Chinas culture and history through this amazing language.today:The Chinese characters are still a vital part of Chinese culture.Read the text again and discuss the questions.1.How did written Chinese unify Chinese people divided by geography and dialects?It allowed Chinese people,no
23、 matter where they lived or what dialect they had,to communicate with each other.2.How does written Chinese connect Chinese people today with those of the past?Chinese people today can read and understand classic works from ancient times.3.According to the writer,the Chinese writing system is one fa
24、ctor that has helped the Chinese language and culture survive.What do you think are some of the other factors?Except for the writing system of Chinese language,the continuous development of Chinas agriculture,a relatively powerful government,distinguished philosophical schools developed,and an open
25、mind to embrace different cultures are all possible and important factors.Besides,education is always emphasised in Chinas family traditions.When talking about the writing system,the pinyin system also helped the language thrive in the modern world as it became possible to use Chinese characters on
26、computers and phones,and also helped make it easier for speakers of other languages to learn Chinese.Complete the passage with the correct words and phrase below.Chinese calligraphy has developed along with Chinas _.It is difficult to say when exactly calligraphy started.Chinese writing was first do
27、ne by _ symbols onto bones and shells,but as it developed into a writing _,it also developed as a form of art done with a brush.It is believed that Chinese calligraphy _ to at least the Han Dynasty(202 BCE220 CE).Soon after that,the idea developed that calligraphy was not only a beautiful art form b
28、ut also a _ of showing the character of the“man behind the brush”.Today,anyone from small children to old people can enjoy practising the _ art of Chinese calligraphy.carvingsystemdates back meanscivilisation classicsystemcarvingmeans dates backclassiccivilisation Guess the meaning of the underlined
29、 words in the sentences.Then look in the text for the words they are related to.1 Many Chinese characters symbolise their meanings,unlike English words which are spelt out according to how they sound.2 The basic forms of the English writing system are known as letters.3 A unified writing system is c
30、onsidered to be an important part of civilised society.4 Learning Chinese calligraphy will increase your appreciation of Chinese culture.象征；代表象征；代表 symbol基本的；基础的基本的；基础的 based文明的文明的 civilization欣赏欣赏 appreciateWords and Phrasessystem n._despite prep._factor n._ based adj._ _base vt._n._体系；制度；系统以（某事）为基
31、础的；以为重要部分（或特征）的 底部；根据因素；要素 以为据点；以为基础即使；尽管Words and Phrasesbone n._shell n._symbol n._carve vt.&vi._dynasty n._variety n._ _骨头；骨（质）雕刻（植物、语言等的）变体；异体；多样化符号；象征王朝；朝代壳；壳状物Words and Phrasesmajor adj._ n._ vi._dialectn._ means n._classic adj._ n._ 主要的；重要的；大的地方话；方言传统的；最优秀的；典型的经典作品；名著主修；专门研究方式；方法；途径主修课程；主修学生W
32、ords and Phrasesregard n._ vt._character n._ _ calligraphy n._global adj._affair n._ 尊重；关注全球的；全世界的公共事务；事件；关系文字；符号；角色；品质；特点书法；书法艺术把视为；看待Words and Phrasesappreciatevt._ vi._specific n._date back to _ ups and downs _no matter where,who,what,etc._CE(=Common Era)_ 欣赏；重视；感激；领会浮沉；兴衰；荣辱不论；不管特定的；明确的；具体的追溯到增值公元Thank You!
