Unit 9 Text B Searching for a Uniform Sign Language I. Teaching aims 1.Get students to master the following words and phrases. barrier, code, communicate, dial, facility, instant, overcome, project, representative, select, view, above all, agree on /upon, as to., as well, at least, in the future, search for, when it comes to 2. Improving students’ reading, writing , translation, listening & speaking skills. reading skill:-understanding synonym b. translation: as writing 请假条 intonation, giving advice, listening comprehension 3.Help students to identify signs as many as possible. Ⅱ. Main difficult points Comprehension of the text Usage of the words, phases and skills mentioned above Teaching Steps I. Introduction Because of the language barrier and a lack of signs, which are clear, uniform, and easy to comprehend, many travelers are confused by their surroundings. That’s why a number of organizations are trying to post uniform signs that will help visitors overcome the language barrier. Ⅱ. Outline Paras.1-2 Signs should overcome language barrier.  Paras.3-4 The creators of the graphic symbols wanted to find a uniform sign language.  Paras.5-6 Once the uniform signs are posted throughout the world, people everywhere would comprehend them easily.  Ⅲ Detailed study of the text 1. A picture can be worth far more than a thousand words, at least when it comes to guiding travelers. A picture is much more valuable than a thousand words, at east for guiding travelers. far: much; considerably; to a great extent e.g. The novel is far more interesting than we had expected. Tom jumps far higher than I. when it comes to :on the subject of, when one is dealing with something e.g. When it comes to playing the piano, you should consult George. When it comes to talking with native English speakers, I am almost at sea. 2. That was the reason behind an experimental project by the US Department of Transportation. That was why the US Department of Transportation performed an experimental project. 3.…as an aid to Americans and their guests from abroad. … as a means of help to Americans and their foreign guests. 4.William R. Meyers, who directs the project, requires that signs be clear, uniform, and easy to comprehend. William R. Meyers, who is the director of the project, requires that that signs (should) be clear, uniform, and easy to comprehend. “require”所接的宾语从句中谓语动词应用should+动词原形，或只用动词原形。 e.g. Our teacher requires that we (should ) practice speaking as much as possible. My parents required that I get rid of drinking. 5.“This means, above all, signs would overcome the language barrier,”… “First and foremost, this means signs that would be easily understood by people who speak different languages, ”… above all : (to emphasize that a particular thing is more important than other things)most important of all e.g. I’d like to rent a house----modern, comfortable, and above all in a quite location. Relax, and do not above all panic. 6.Far too many foreign visitors find themselves in strange and confusing surroundings, not knowing the language of the country and uncertain as to where to go to obtain help. Because they can not speak the language of the country which they are visiting and do not know where to go to get help, far too many foreign visitors realize that they are in strange and confusing surroundings. find oneself in / at etc.: to realize that one is in a particular situation, especially a bad one, that he did not expect e.g. After wondering around, we found ourselves back at the hotel. When she came to, she found herself in the hospital and surrounded by a few doctors and nurses. surroundings: the place and conditions of life cf. environment: all the surrounding conditions which influence growth and development; the natural conditions, such as air, water, and land , in which man lives One’s surroundings are the place which surrounds one, and so is one’s environment , but here it is considered from the point of view of its influence on one’s feelings, morals, and ideas. e.g. to grow up in beautiful surroundings to grow up in happy environment not knowing the language of the country and uncertain as to where to go to obtain help ,动词的现在分词形式作原因状语。 e.g. Not knowing how to solve this problem, we had to turn to our teacher. as to :about, concerning e.g. Nobody could decide as to what to do next. As to the advantages and disadvantages of family cars in China , everyone has his own opinion. 7.…widely varying signs for guiding the public. .…greatly different signs for guiding the public. vary: cause to become, different e.g. You should vary your diet. Prices vary with the quality. cf. various: adj. of a number of different sorts e.g. T6here where various questions he wanted to ask. cf. variety: n. quality of nit being the same e.g. Reptiles survived and increased in numbers and variety. 8. …their instant communication value the meanings of the symbols can be understood immediately instant: coming or happening at once; (of food ) which can be made up easily for use The play was an instant success. 9. …a stylized telephone handset a telephone handset drawn in an artificial style that does not include natural detail 10. To communicate a currency exchange… To express a currency exchange… 11. …not because the martini was judged the most popular cocktail but because the shape of the glass is distinctive, and other cocktail glasses can be easily confused with a water glass. “not because…but because, meaning ”the reason is not… but… e.g. I decided to be a teacher, not because I wanted to earn money but because I was interested in teaching. distinctive: different, separate e.g. There is a distinctive smell of beer in this room. be confused with: get one thing mistaken for another Austria is usually confused with Australia. cf. confuse… with…: mistake one thing for another e.g. You must be confusing me with someone else. 12. …to agree upon a uniform code of highway markings. … to decide to have a uniform code of highway markings. agree upon/on: to decide on something or doing something; have the same opinion about e.g. Musicians rarely agreed on the way a piece of music should be played. They have agreed on the price of the machine. cf . I agreed with your father; it’s a foolish risk. Only a few people agreed to the proposal. 13.In the future, the uniform highway signs from Europe may appear along major roads in many other countries as well. In time to come, the uniform highway signs from Europe may also be posted along major roads in many other countries. in the future: in time yet to come e.g. who can tell what will happen in the future? cf. .in future: from now on; for the future .in the distant future: at a very much later time .in the near future: soon e.g. In future, be more careful with your money. as well: also, too e.g. I understood from her that you undertook other important work as well. 14. … he can go to the information desk under the sign that has a big question mark with a circle/ simply :merely; only e.g. The baby did not simply cry; he yelled. IV. Summary of the Text An experimental project has been done by the US for checking the sign languages, as signs differ from country to country even for the same object or service, which often confuses visitors to those countries. Therefore, some American specialists decided to create a uniform system of signs that is easy too understand. And at the same time, a uniform system of highway markings has been agreed upon. Once put into use, these signs will serve as a special language to all. Ⅴ. Exercises Finish off the exercises for this part.