2016年初中英语日常训练：英语语言

 　The English language was originally formed on the basis of the languages of small tribes¹. At first small tribes of people who lived in Northern Europe left their countries and settled in England.

　　While they were isolated² in the island community, the various tribes used languages that became more and more like each other and less like the other languages of Europe. In the end, the languages they used had so many things in common that a common language was formed which was used by all speakers in England. English speakers have since been increasing quickly.

　　English language has more than 300,000,000 native speakers by now and is far more widespread than Chinese. It is spoken throughout the continent of North America, in the British Isles³, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and also the most important language of colonization⁴ in Asia, Africa and Oceania. In addition, it is the second language of many countries that formerly⁵ had French or German in that position.

　　Today English serves as an international second language in several areas. It has been adopted as the language of commerce, air traffic, and also one of the official languages of the United Nations. Besides, English has become the language of most published materials in the world.

1 tribes   

n.部落( tribe的名词复数 )；（动、植物的）族；（一）帮；大群

参考例句：

• tribes living in remote areas of the Amazonian rainforest 居住在亚马孙河雨林偏远地区的部落
• In Africa the snake is still sacred with many tribes. 非洲许多部落仍认为蛇是不可冒犯的。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 isolated   

adj.与世隔绝的

参考例句：

• His bad behaviour was just an isolated incident. 他的不良行为只是个别事件。
• Patients with the disease should be isolated. 这种病的患者应予以隔离。

3 isles   

岛( isle的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• the geology of the British Isles 不列颠群岛的地质
• The boat left for the isles. 小船驶向那些小岛。

4 colonization   

殖民地的开拓，殖民，殖民地化； 移殖

参考例句：

• Colonization took place during the Habsburg dynasty. 开拓殖民地在哈布斯堡王朝就进行过。
• These countries took part in the colonization of Africa. 这些国家参与非洲殖民地的开发。

5 formerly   

adv.从前，以前

参考例句：

• We now enjoy these comforts of which formerly we had only heard.我们现在享受到了过去只是听说过的那些舒适条件。
• This boat was formerly used on the rivers of China.这船从前航行在中国内河里。