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  3. We all believe that words of a language evolve (进化) gradually over the centuries, rather as animals and plants evolve over milli

We all believe that words of a language evolve (进化) gradually over the centuries, rather as animals and plants evolve over milli

admin2009-04-10  37
问题     We all believe that words of a language evolve (进化) gradually over the centuries, rather as animals and plants evolve over millions of years. Sometimes the change is so slight. as to be almost unnoticeable--finger, for example, means the same today as it did 1,000 years ago. Other words have changed out of all recognition. For example, modem English "lord", a person with high social positions, comes from Old English "hlaford". It used to mean "guardian of the bread", a person who protects the bread. But not all word meanings change like this. Just as new and different types of animals and plants can be reproduced, we can call completely new words into being.
    Anyone can make a word. The difficult part is to make it stay in the language. To stand the best chance it should probably relate to a particular and fairly specialized subject. That cuts down the number of people who need to agree to use it. Chemists are often having to find expressions for new findings. Once that is achieved, there may be a chance for wider recognition if the expression comes to be of interest to the general public.
    Ordinary people can make long-lasting words, though. In 1924, a competition (比赛) was held to make a word for a drinker of illegal liquor (非法出售的酒). A prize of US $200 was offered, and there were reportedly over 25,000 suggestions. The winners were Henry Irving Dale and Kate L. Butler, who both came up with "scofflaw". And that word exists in American English to this day, in the rather wider sense "someone who disobeys the law".
选项 A、It is the duty of specialists to make new words.
B、People are encouraged to make new words.
C、Words evolve faster than animals and plants.
D、New words are usually made by chemists.
答案C
解析
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