VOA标准英语2013--Smithsonian Folklife Festival Showcases Vanishing Languages

 

Smithsonian Folklife Festival Showcases Vanishing Languages

As soon as she heard the music, festival goer Patricia Joseph knew she had to dance.

"I always felt like dancing when I heard this kind of music, and I always felt restrained. But this was so liberating¹. This is such an unusual venue² that we’re going to spend most of the day here,” said Joseph.

The song is unusual, too, It’s sung in a language that is slowly disappearing.

It's all part of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, an annual celebration of world cultures on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

One focus this year is on some of languages from around the globe that are expected to vanish. The different language representatives used a variety of art forms to express their native tongues. This includes the fast-paced music of the Quechua language from South America, the throat singing of the Tuvan language in Siberia, and the iconic dancing of the Hawaiian language.

Aaron Sala is one of the musicians for the disappearing Hawaiian language. "It’s a great experience to be with other cultures who are working to preserve and to ensure the survival and thriving of their languages," he said.

Representatives of these cultures, however, aren’t merely working to stimulate³ the auditory senses. Besides music, the festival has many authentic⁴ cultural artifacts, like a Colombian rice grinder.  

Maryland native Elisabeth Ostler said this festival, with its artifacts and music, allows Americans like herself to learn about the different cultures around the world.

"Generally speaking, we’re pretty isolated⁵ to different cultures. There’s so much to be appreciated and experienced," she said.

Ostler hopes young people like her seven children will be inspired by the festival, and will want to make a difference in the world. 

1 liberating   

解放，释放( liberate的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Revolution means liberating the productive forces. 革命就是为了解放生产力。
• They had already taken on their shoulders the burden of reforming society and liberating mankind. 甚至在这些集会聚谈中，他们就已经夸大地把改革社会、解放人群的责任放在自己的肩头了。 来自汉英文学 - 家（1-26） - 家（1-26）

2 venue   

n.犯罪地点，审判地，管辖地，发生地点，集合地点

参考例句：

• The hall provided a venue for weddings and other functions.大厅给婚礼和其他社会活动提供了场所。
• The chosen venue caused great controversy among the people.人们就审判地点的问题产生了极大的争议。

3 stimulate   

vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋

参考例句：

• Your encouragement will stimulate me to further efforts.你的鼓励会激发我进一步努力。
• Success will stimulate the people for fresh efforts.成功能鼓舞人们去作新的努力。

4 authentic   

a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的

参考例句：

• This is an authentic news report. We can depend on it. 这是篇可靠的新闻报道, 我们相信它。
• Autumn is also the authentic season of renewal. 秋天才是真正的除旧布新的季节。

5 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。