2009年专八英语作文真题:方言在公众场合使用

China's State Administration of Radio Film and Television (SARFT) recently issued a notice banning domestic radio and TV stations from translating foreign radio and TV programmes into any local dialect. The notice said that such dialect translation contradicts the national initiative to promote Putonghua, or Mandarin, around the country. Foreign programmes that have been translated into dialects must be removed from television and radio immediately. The notice evoked a mixed response from experts and audio and video producers, as well as the general public. Many voiced their concerns that local dialects would be forbidden in public places. Mandarin, which means "common language", is the country's predominant language and is widely used by more than 70 percent of the population. However, local dialects still enjoy popularity for relatively less-educated people in some occasions. The dialects do make unique role and should be tolerated for existence in public places. Though promoted widely in public places, dialects are acceptable in public places. First, it is more than a mere tool for communication. It is, most importantly, the messenger of its respective culture. If the dialect was eliminated from daily use, the culture will be broken. Second, Mandarin can absorb the elit part of local dialect to enrich its vocabulary and usage. This is the perfection of Mandarin from thousands of years blend and contact. The dialects can also be popular in the public. Along with the famous short play by comic actors in NE China, the local dialect came into the spotlight, and enjoyed more popularity throughout China. Such a cultural phenomenon represents the audience an attitude to local dialects which cater to the taste of the majority. Third, dialect is the only mean of communication to some undereducated local people. If local dialects are forbidden in the public places, they cannot communicate. To sum up, local dialects should be tolerated in public places for its unique role which Mandarin cannot substitute. We should guarantee its survival because dialects stand for our spiritual land. From a long-term perspective, dialects should not and would not be wiped out. There is no need for any purposeful and deliberate attempt to protect dialects. Just let dialects take their natural course. The best way to protect a dialect is to use it in daily life and pass it down from generation to generation.