There are almost two billions people speaking or learning English in the world (The information is from wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language). It is amazing that China will become the largest English speaking country. As English beats all other language and becomes global language, will it lose its own originality?
The importance of English is obvious. It is like a bridge making people from different countries communicate with each other easily. For international companies, English let all workers around the world cooperate smoothly. Learning English is the key to succeed. If you are good at English especially in developing countries, you will have more opportunities to get a better job for seeking a better life. In China, 25% of high school students’ grade is based on English in the entrance exams for the University (The information is from the video: English Mania!). Moreover, English is the access to get the latest information of the changeable world. For instance, all the essential journals and research are published in English. It is the irresistible trend that English becomes global language. However, some people worry about that the depth, quality and originality of English will be affected because more and more non-native speakers use English in their own way.
In my opinion, English will not lost its depth, quality and originality. On the other hand, it will have more and more abundant vocabulary, usages, and patterns because of the following reasons. First, language is not merely a communication tool. It is alive. More and more people use English in different situations: on the Internet, writing books, making speeches…Gradually, English grammars and usages change. Take Face Book as an example. Now people are used to saying that “Do you have Face Book? I want to “friend ” you!”, which we seldom use that way before. Because of frequent use of English, it has more opportunities to increase usages and patterns of vocabulary and sentences. Second, language is a part of the culture. As English is used in different countries, various and colorful culture will penetrate secretly into English. When it comes to food, every place has its own dish. Therefore, new vocabulary appears. For example, “Teriyaki” which is derived from Japanese now is popularly used in restaurants in the US. Third, because English becomes a global language, linguists all over the world dedicate their whole lives in conducting research on English, including its originality, history and evolution. As a result, English will be one of the most completely studied conserved languages.
In conclude, English as a global language rather than lost its depth, quality and originality, it has more diversity and variability because it is frequently used, enriched by a variety of culture and well studied by people all over the world.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
movie review Up
It is a story about a flying house. Carl Fredricksen, a balloon vender and energetic zoo keeper, Ellie are happy couples. When young, Ellie has a dream live in Paradise Falls in South America. Therefore, they try to save every penny for the trip to Paradise Falls. Days by days, just as they finally are able to start their adventure, Ellie passes away. Reluctant to go to retirement home, Carl comes up with an intelligent idea to fulfill Ellie’s dream. One day, a huge big bag rises slowly into the sky and is getting bigger and bigger. Suddenly, thousands of colorful balloons float out of the bag into the sky and pull Carl’s house from the ground. Accidentally, Russel, a young Wilderness Explorer, just stands on the porch of the house. As a result, Carl and Russel start their exciting adventure with a flying house!
On their way to Paradise Falls, Russel finds a tropical giant bird, Kelvin, and a talking dog, Dug. With their companion, the journey becomes more funny and exciting. Carl even meets Ellie’s and his idol-the famous explore, Charles F Muntz. Can Carl and Russel arrive at Paradise Falls safe and sound? Will Kelvin and Dug make this journey more complicated? Why elder Charles Muntz stays in the South America? You have to join the mysterious trip and find out. “Adventure is out there!”
“Up” is a 2009 American computer-animated comedy-adventure film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and directed by Pete Docter (The information is written on Imdb http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1049413/ and Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_(2009_film) ). Compared to other animations produced by Pixar, similarly, “Up” has intriguing adventure, humorous and entertaining conversations, and characters with vivid and comparable personalities. The most different aspect of this film is that “colors” play an essential role even more than music. When Ellie passes away, Carl’s life becomes dull with nothing to live for. They use more gray and lifeless colors. On the contrary, after Carl starts his adventure with Russel, they use bright and delightful colors. I was impressed by the colorful reflections of thousands of balloons from the windows of the building when the house flies into the sky.
Most important of all, the story is unique and unpredictable. You can not imagine what is going to happen in next second with a floating house! Comparatively, there is not so much romance in this film. However, you will be touched especially by the relationship between Carl and Russel. Because of love and care, they become stronger to overcome all the obstacles and finally realize what is the most important thing in their lives. It is the time for you to let your imagination fly world wide with countless colorful balloons.
On their way to Paradise Falls, Russel finds a tropical giant bird, Kelvin, and a talking dog, Dug. With their companion, the journey becomes more funny and exciting. Carl even meets Ellie’s and his idol-the famous explore, Charles F Muntz. Can Carl and Russel arrive at Paradise Falls safe and sound? Will Kelvin and Dug make this journey more complicated? Why elder Charles Muntz stays in the South America? You have to join the mysterious trip and find out. “Adventure is out there!”
“Up” is a 2009 American computer-animated comedy-adventure film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and directed by Pete Docter (The information is written on Imdb http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1049413/ and Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_(2009_film) ). Compared to other animations produced by Pixar, similarly, “Up” has intriguing adventure, humorous and entertaining conversations, and characters with vivid and comparable personalities. The most different aspect of this film is that “colors” play an essential role even more than music. When Ellie passes away, Carl’s life becomes dull with nothing to live for. They use more gray and lifeless colors. On the contrary, after Carl starts his adventure with Russel, they use bright and delightful colors. I was impressed by the colorful reflections of thousands of balloons from the windows of the building when the house flies into the sky.
Most important of all, the story is unique and unpredictable. You can not imagine what is going to happen in next second with a floating house! Comparatively, there is not so much romance in this film. However, you will be touched especially by the relationship between Carl and Russel. Because of love and care, they become stronger to overcome all the obstacles and finally realize what is the most important thing in their lives. It is the time for you to let your imagination fly world wide with countless colorful balloons.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Compare bus system in Seattle to bus system in Taipei
When showing your U-PASS to travel all over Seattle, feel satisfied with the complete bus system here? Do you know there is a city providing convenient bus service in six times lower price than in Seattle? Taipei is a city also proud of their bus transportation. There are differences and similarities of these two bus systems, especially in their bus schedules, facilities and passengers.
The bus schedules are more constant in Seattle than in Taipei. In Seattle, on the bus stop there is a huge sheet which lists all accurate time of when the bus arrives. On the bus also provides brochures that indicate the time when the bus arrives in every stop. Therefore, it is convenient for passengers to organize their schedules. On the contrary, in Taiwan, people do not know exactly when the bus will come. All the information passengers have is the bus will come every 10 minutes or 15 minutes. Although the bus schedule is changeable, there are so many buses that passengers seldom wait for the bus more than 20 minutes. However, in Seattle, some buses do not operate on the weekend or late in the night, whereas in Taipei, almost every bus offers service from early morning until midnight for 365 days! The strategies of bus service in these two cities are different. One provides constant bus schedules every day, while the other increases the service time and numbers of buses for their citizens.
The quality of buses in these two cities is good. In Seattle, buses are big and provide comfortable chairs. Likewise, in Taipei, buses are clean and bright with big windows for passengers to enjoy the scenery of busy traffic and crowded roads. The only difference is that in Taipei, there is a screen inside the bus that gives passengers clear information of next stop, while in Seattle, bus drivers only use unclear microphones to inform passengers. Bus drivers in Seattle and Taipei are very kind and friendly. They try to help passengers and provide their best service as much as they can. In Taipei, some bus drivers also decorate their buses with thank you cards received from the passengers. Both Taipei and Seattle provide their citizens with not only high quality buses but also thoughtful service.
Passengers in these two cities also have differences and similarities. In Seattle, most of their passengers are students and office workers. Not so many elderly people take the bus. In contrast, in Taipei, bus service is free for the elderly, so, especially not in peak hours, the majority of the passengers are elder people. Bus conduct in these two cities is similar. In Taiwan, people yield seats to the elderly, children, pregnant women and physical challenging people. In Seattle, gentlemen also yield their seats to ladies. Although there are different majority of people who take the bus in Seattle and Taipei, both of their passengers respect each other to maintain a comfortable environment.
Bus service is an essential public transportation in Seattle and Taipei. There are pros and cons in these two bus systems. In Seattle, they have constant bus schedules. On the other hand In Taipei, they offer more frequent bus service. Both of them have high quality facilities and service to make their citizens enjoy taking a bus.
The bus schedules are more constant in Seattle than in Taipei. In Seattle, on the bus stop there is a huge sheet which lists all accurate time of when the bus arrives. On the bus also provides brochures that indicate the time when the bus arrives in every stop. Therefore, it is convenient for passengers to organize their schedules. On the contrary, in Taiwan, people do not know exactly when the bus will come. All the information passengers have is the bus will come every 10 minutes or 15 minutes. Although the bus schedule is changeable, there are so many buses that passengers seldom wait for the bus more than 20 minutes. However, in Seattle, some buses do not operate on the weekend or late in the night, whereas in Taipei, almost every bus offers service from early morning until midnight for 365 days! The strategies of bus service in these two cities are different. One provides constant bus schedules every day, while the other increases the service time and numbers of buses for their citizens.
The quality of buses in these two cities is good. In Seattle, buses are big and provide comfortable chairs. Likewise, in Taipei, buses are clean and bright with big windows for passengers to enjoy the scenery of busy traffic and crowded roads. The only difference is that in Taipei, there is a screen inside the bus that gives passengers clear information of next stop, while in Seattle, bus drivers only use unclear microphones to inform passengers. Bus drivers in Seattle and Taipei are very kind and friendly. They try to help passengers and provide their best service as much as they can. In Taipei, some bus drivers also decorate their buses with thank you cards received from the passengers. Both Taipei and Seattle provide their citizens with not only high quality buses but also thoughtful service.
Passengers in these two cities also have differences and similarities. In Seattle, most of their passengers are students and office workers. Not so many elderly people take the bus. In contrast, in Taipei, bus service is free for the elderly, so, especially not in peak hours, the majority of the passengers are elder people. Bus conduct in these two cities is similar. In Taiwan, people yield seats to the elderly, children, pregnant women and physical challenging people. In Seattle, gentlemen also yield their seats to ladies. Although there are different majority of people who take the bus in Seattle and Taipei, both of their passengers respect each other to maintain a comfortable environment.
Bus service is an essential public transportation in Seattle and Taipei. There are pros and cons in these two bus systems. In Seattle, they have constant bus schedules. On the other hand In Taipei, they offer more frequent bus service. Both of them have high quality facilities and service to make their citizens enjoy taking a bus.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Holiday
When can you enjoy wonderful food, get lots of money, and have fun? The answer is Chinese New Year! Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in my country. Family and friends get together, enjoy good food and prepare for “a whole new start.”
Taiwan, we have ten days off to prepare for and celebrate the New Year. People clean the house carefully because we believe that the broom can sweep all bad luck away. People go shopping during Chinese New Year. You can hear happy and energetic songs everywhere. All stores provide candies for customers. People wear new clothes, especially red for good luck. We also buy new furniture to redecorate the house. Not only what you see and touch are new but what you hear is people’s cheerful greeting and laughing all the time. You will be totally emerged in the happy and exciting atmosphere for celebrating the coming of the New Year.
Chinese New Year is also an essential holiday for family to get together and have a big meal. It is interesting that every dish has its own meaning-roast chicken stands for “Safe home”, fish means “Wealth”, and cake represents “Progress”. People also visit old friends on Chinese New Year, which is the most intriguing event for children. They try to say “good words” for greeting to hosts, and they will get red envelops with money. Chinese New Year is the time for people to fill their stomachs with delicious food and their wallets with “lucky money”.
Chinese New Year is the most important holiday for family to get together, to enjoy nice food, get some pocket money, and most important of all-to welcome the New Year. Once you have a chance, visit Taiwan during Chinese New Year. You will experience the most interesting and energetic parts of our culture.
Taiwan, we have ten days off to prepare for and celebrate the New Year. People clean the house carefully because we believe that the broom can sweep all bad luck away. People go shopping during Chinese New Year. You can hear happy and energetic songs everywhere. All stores provide candies for customers. People wear new clothes, especially red for good luck. We also buy new furniture to redecorate the house. Not only what you see and touch are new but what you hear is people’s cheerful greeting and laughing all the time. You will be totally emerged in the happy and exciting atmosphere for celebrating the coming of the New Year.
Chinese New Year is also an essential holiday for family to get together and have a big meal. It is interesting that every dish has its own meaning-roast chicken stands for “Safe home”, fish means “Wealth”, and cake represents “Progress”. People also visit old friends on Chinese New Year, which is the most intriguing event for children. They try to say “good words” for greeting to hosts, and they will get red envelops with money. Chinese New Year is the time for people to fill their stomachs with delicious food and their wallets with “lucky money”.
Chinese New Year is the most important holiday for family to get together, to enjoy nice food, get some pocket money, and most important of all-to welcome the New Year. Once you have a chance, visit Taiwan during Chinese New Year. You will experience the most interesting and energetic parts of our culture.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
My favorite place at UW
Sakuma Viewpoint
Viewpoint is a place that you can see something from. There is the best place to view the beauty of Portage Bay- the place is called Sakuma Viewpoint. In sunny day, you can see luxurious houses along the lake on the opposite site. The brilliant roof and colorful trees become a beautiful ribbon of Lake Washington. In lunch time, you can buy tasty Mexican food from VguaVerde beside the Sakuma Viewpoint, sit on the wooden chair, and then enjoy nice food, glory sunshine and the magnificent scene of mirror-like lake. In the afternoon, with a pleasant smell of coffee, you can see, on the right hand side, the well-designed University Bridge which crosses the lake. Various kinds of vehicles drive through the bridge busily. On the contrary, you can see people
canoeing leisurely like a swan. Sakuma Viewpoint is my favorite place at UW for one to escape from the crowded and noisy campus and fall in love with the beautiful viewpoint of Lake Washington.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Who am I
I am enthusiastic and optimistic
I wonder how far I can run
I hear the wind whispering
I see leaves flying
I want to run to the end of the world
I am enthusiastic and optimistic
I pretend to be a pirate
I feel I am the king of the ocean
I touch a bloody sword
I worry my treasures will be stolen
I cry when my crews are in danger
I am enthusiastic and optimistic
I understand milk is good for growing up
I say"I hate milk."
I dream I am as tall as a giant
I try to make a dunk shot
I hope to jump as a frog
I am enthusiastic and optimistic
Friday, October 9, 2009
Good bye my lovely hometown, Taipei
11:30 pm, September 12, it was the time that I had to leave Taipei and start my new life in a foreign country. The airplane had already taken off. Thousands of buildings and stars-like street lights were under my feet and became smaller and smaller. Suddenly, I truly felt that I was leaving the place I have lived for 22 years. Few hours ago, I just finally set out. Drawing my big, heavy, and orange luggage, I went down stairs slowly. “Dom! Dom! Dom!” the wheels of my luggage hit the stairs and made a deep noise. The sound let my feeling of leaving become stronger and stronger. After giving my grandmother and grandfather a deep and long hug, I left for the airport. When I waited in a crowded line for checking in, all my friends showed up surprise. They gave me presents and sincere blessings. It is really touching. Drinking the tea that the beautiful flight attendant gave me reminded me that my best friend, Ruby, bought the ice cream black tea for me last night. It seemed that I could still taste the vanilla ice cream melting in my mouth and smell the aroma of black tea. I knew I would miss that so much! Staring out from the airplane’s window, this time I could not see lights and the land anymore. Out of boring, I slowly open my present. It was a huge post filled with photos which were taken with my friends- having picnics on campus, traveling to Kaohsiung, surfing in Kenting, wining basketball games…. Suddenly, all my memory came out and my tears fell down. I looked every photo carefully not knowing time went through. Gradually, the light came in from the window, the sky became brighter and brighter and a spectacular mountain stood erect in my sight. I knew it was the time to start my new adventure here in Seattle!
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