2014届高考英语考前突破阅读理解能力：《法国人对英语的接受程度逐渐提高》.docVIP

法国人对英语的接受程度逐渐提高 A recent survey found that the French are the second-most insecure people in Europe after Italy about their proficiency in English. Only 13 percent of the French respondents believed they are proficient in the language, according to the European data agency Eurostat. 最近的一项调查发现，在欧洲法国人是继意大利人之后第二大对英语感到不安的人。据欧洲数据机构欧盟统计局调查显示，仅有13%的法国受访者认为他们可以熟练运用英语。? The situation is no better in business circles, where three-quarters of French executives feel unprepared to hold an interview in English and only 16 percent say they feel comfortable with the language, a separate survey showed. ? The survey results arent surprising. The French seem to have always had this cold and gloomy（沮丧的） attitude toward the English language. But what struck me is that, despite the French pessimism, living in Paris without being able to speak the language of Moliere is easier these days than in the past. ? New immigrants are part of the reason. I can have an easy chat with the owner of the laundromat in my neighborhood. Buying the medicine I need at the local pharmacy is effortless. Ordering a meal in English at the restaurant two blocks away from my apartment does not make me feel awkward（尴尬的）. It is all because the people who run these businesses are immigrants. ? With the world becoming smaller and the economic interests of countries becoming so intertwined, immigrants and foreign cultures are pouring into the country. Boundaries are becoming less visible, and it is much harder for people to live an easy life by simply clinging to their own language. ? Greater tolerance and acceptance of non-French speakers is a reflection of the fact that France, willingly or not, has begun to embrace globalization more comfortably. For instance, you will never get the same look you would have had 15 years ago if you ask for directions in English on the streets of Paris. ? I have also met many native French who are happy to communicate in English. They are usually the kind of people who are open-mind