常春藤生活英语【117】Voices of Taiwan 热闹多元的台湾之声

Voices of Taiwan 热闹多元的台湾之声

Language is more than just what we use to talk to each other. The way we speak expresses who we are, where our ancestors came from, and where we are going to in the future. Language is closely connected to culture, which means it is part of our personal identities. Even though Taiwan is merely a small island, many languages are spoken on it. Some are languages in the Chinese language family while others began right here on the island. Together, these languages and others make up the voices of Taiwan.

The first languages in Taiwan were the Formosan languages. These are the languages of the indigenous peoples of Taiwan. Initially, there were 26 Formosan languages, but many of them have become extinct. The first ones to die out were those spoken on the western plains because of foreign traders and explorers. Today, some people are putting a lot of effort into saving Formosan languages before they are lost for good. The Formosan languages have great historic value. Linguists have discovered that the languages spoken on almost all of the Pacific islands came from Taiwan. Examples include the languages of Hawaii, Madagascar, New Zealand, and mainland Malaysia.

Hakka is one of the languages that were brought over from China. Those who speak it have ancestors who once lived in Guangdong, Jiangxi, or Fujian. Hakka people moved around a lot in history. Therefore, Hakka speakers can be found throughout the world.

语言不仅仅是我们用来互相交谈的工具。我们说话的方式还表达出我们是谁、我们的祖先来自何方，以及我们未来的方向。语言和文化密不可分，这也意谓着它是我们个人认同感的一部份。虽然台湾只是座小岛，但是岛上人们说着许多种语言。有些语言属于中文语系，然而有些则发源于这座岛上。这些及其它语言共同形成了台湾之声。

台湾最早的语言是台湾南岛语言。这些是台湾原住民的语言。台湾南岛语言起初有二十六种，不过大多数都已失传。最早绝迹的语言是在西部平原所使用的话，这是受到外来商人和探险者影响之故。如今，有些人正竭尽心力要在台湾南岛语言永远失传前挽救它们。台湾南岛语言有着重要的历史意义。语言学家发现几乎所有太平洋群岛上使用的语言都源于台湾。例如夏威夷、马达加斯加、纽西兰和马来西亚本土等地所说的语言。

客家话是传自中国的语言之一。说客家话的人，其祖先曾住在广东、江西，或福建。过去客家人经常迁移。因此在世界各地都能找到说客家话的人。

Building Your Vocabulary

1. closely　adv. 密切地，紧密地
The two murder cases are closely related.
这两件谋杀案有着密切的关联。
2. identity　n.（民族、个人等的）认同感
Koreans have a strong national identity.
韩国人有着强烈的国家认同感。
3. merely　adv. 仅仅，只不过
Sam won the game merely due to luck.
山姆会赢得比赛只不过是因为运气好而已。
4. initially　adv. 起初
Initially, no one thought it was a good idea.
一开始没人认为这是个好主意。
5. extinct　a. 灭绝的，绝种的
A lot of animals are becoming extinct.
许多动物正濒临绝种。

Phrases for Learning

1. make up...　　形成∕构成……
Flowers made up half of the decorations.
这些摆设中有一半是花朵。
2. die out　　灭绝，绝迹
This kind of plant has already died out.
这种植物如今已不复见了。
3. for good　　永远
Jerry is leaving his hometown for good.
杰瑞要永远离开他的故乡。

Extra Words

1. ancestor　n. 祖先
2. indigenous　a. 土生土长的
3. trader　n. 商人，生意人
4. explorer　n. 探险者
5. linguist　n. 语言学家
6. mainland　n. 本土，大陆（本文中作形容词用）

Tips In Use

These are the languages of the indigenous peoples of Taiwan.
（这些是台湾原住民的语言。）
people 在本句并不作 person 的复数形用，而是表『民族，种族』，是一可数名词，此时 people 本身为单数，故须加 -s 以构成复数形。

Three different peoples live together in this country.
（有三个不同民族的人共同住在这个国家里。）
Those who speak it have ancestors...
（说客家话的人，其祖先……）
those who...　　凡……者∕的人
Those who have lunch here can get a free dessert.
（凡是在这里用午餐的人都能获得一份免费的甜点。）

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