Unit 2 导读 话题妙切入 教材讲解 2021-2022学年 外研版（2019）高中英语必修第一册

Language is the only instrument of science，and words are but the signs of ideas.—Samuel Johnson

语言是科学的唯一工具，而词则是思想的符号。

——塞缪尔·约翰逊

Language is the amber in which a thousand precious and subtle thoughts have been safely embedded and preserved.—Richard C．Trench

语言是孕育着千百种宝贵和微妙思想的琥珀。

——理查德C.特伦奇

Languages are to be learned only by reading and talking，and not by scraps of authors got by heart.—John Locke

语言只有通过读和说才能学会，决不是仅凭记住一些作家的只言片语。                                         ——约翰·洛克

On a dark night，an old mouse led a little mouse out to look for food.In the kitchen，there were many leftovers in the garbage can.While they were eating in the garbage can，suddenly came a voice that made them heartbreaking，“Meow...”It was a big cat's voice.They all ran for their lives.Finally，the little mouse couldn't escape and was caught by the cat.When the cat was about to eat the little mouse，suddenly came a series of dog barks，which frightened the cat to run for its life.After the cat left，the old mouse came out from behind the garbage can and said，“I told you before learning one more language is beneficial and harmless.”It seems to be a joke，but it has profound meaning.More skills，more roads.Continuous learning is the lifelong commitment of successful people.

The history of the English language really started when other peoples arrived in England during the 5th century.

Old English

The invading Germans spoke similar languages，which in Britain developed into what we now call Old English.Old English didn't sound or look like English today.Native English speakers now would have great difficulty understanding Old English.However，about half of the most commonly used words in Modern English have Old English roots.

Middle English

In 1066，the Norman invaded and conquered England and brought with them French.For a period，the lower classes spoke English and the upper classes spoke French.In the 14th century，English became dominant in Britain again，with many French words added.This language is called Middle English.

Late Modern English　

The main difference between Early Modern English and Late Modern English is vocabulary.Late Modern English has many more words，resulting from two main factors：technology development and the expansion of the British Empire.The English language used foreign words from many countries.

 Now there are many other varieties of English in the world，such as Australian English，New Zealand English，Canadian English，South African English，Indian English and Caribbean English.

[探索发现]

1．How do the native English speakers now find the Old English?

They find it difficult to understand.

2．Who introduced French into England?

The Norman who invaded and conquered England.

3．Which variety of English do you find easier to learn?

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