专业学位硕士研究生英语教程05.docVIP

unit 5 (name名称-) Naming取名字的学问 Preview IT has been well established that we live in an age of obsessive, even competitive, parenting. The typical parent is led to believe that her every move will greatly influence her childs future accomplishments. This belief expresses itself in the first official act a parent commits: giving the baby a name. Many parents seem to think that a child will not prosper unless it is hitched to the right one; names are seen to carry great aesthetic and even predictive powers. If you have kids, youve probably thought hard about how to name your child. Should you choose a special kind of name, or rather a very trendy or well-known one? Part I. Text Reading Warm-up I. What is a good name? Do you believe a persons name is very important or even decisive in ones life, and a so-called good name can bring one good fortune? Work in pairs to decide what elements good names should have. A good name must be: plain / unusually spelled / attractive / complicated / with a special meaning / easy to remember / easy to pronounce /the same as a celebritys / trendy / unique / grotesque / interesting / funny / (or others )__________________________________________ II. Popular names in the future. The following are some most popular English names in the near future, and their implied meanings. Please try to match the corresponding meaning to each name. Name Meaning Alexandra a bird Atara springtime Ava wisdom Aviva light Clementine protector of mankind Ella merciful Emma a crown Hannah beautiful fairy woman Lauren universal, all embracing Lucienne laurel leaves, honour Maeve grace of God Rachel goddess, a purple flower Sophie little lamb III. Do you believe that names reveal certain cultural backgrounds? If so, please give some examples. Would a Roshanda by Any Other Name Smell (sound) as Sweet (pleasant)?1 Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner [1] (Believe it or not) Obsessive or not, any parent wants to be