UNIT

2 The longer read

An unusual learning technique

D o you know how many spoken languages

there are in the world today? Around 7,000!
However, over 2,000 languages have fewer
than 1,000 speakers which means that these
languages could eventually disappear. In some
cases, people are trying to revive their language
and encourage young people to speak it.
However, instead of organizing language classes
or posting video tutorials, they are using music
as a learning tool. Perhaps you’ve already heard
of Renata Flores, a Peruvian girl who sings pop
songs in Quechua. Do you know any other music
groups trying to keep their language alive? If you don’t like hip hop, then perhaps you
Have you heard of Kombilesa Mi? They are will like the music of Suming Rupi. Suming
a hip-hop group from the small town of San is from Taiwan but he doesn’t always sing in
Basilio de Palenque in Colombia. It’s a town Chinese. He is an Amis singer, songwriter and
with around 3,500 inhabitants and it’s home to dancer from Dulan village in the south of the
Palenquero, one of 68 indigenous languages island. Amis is one of 16 indigenous tribes in
in Colombia. Although it is small, the town Taiwan and Suming is keen to develop his
is historically famous because it was one of tribe’s culture within today’s society. In the
the few places where slaves could become 20th century, there was a lot of discrimination
free as far back as the 1700s. As a result, it’s against the indigenous people which stopped
no surprise that Palenquero is a mix of Bantu, people from using their local language. Now,
an African language, Spanish and Portuguese. however, the indigenous
Over time, people stopped using this language people are gaining more of a
as it was seen as poorly spoken Spanish voice. Suming believes that
rather than an individual language. However, by writing good melodies
towards the end of the 20th century, a revival and providing a good
movement began. atmosphere, people will
The group Kombilesa Mi, which means ‘my want to listen to his songs
friends’ in Palenquero, has been together and learn the language.
since 2011 and has nine members. Their sound He has travelled all
is a mix of urban music and champeta (a over the world and
blend of African and Caribbean rhythms) has even performed at
which they call rap champeteado. They play Glastonbury Festival in
traditional instruments like marimbula and the UK. He also started
maracas which has helped convince the his own Amis Music Festival
older generations that it is traditional music. seven years ago to help
However, the sound has a modern beat which promote awareness of the
younger generations enjoy listening to. They indigenous culture.
have already released two albums and are If you haven’t heard of either
popular in Colombia. They want to protect the of these musical groups,
Palenquero language and pass it on to new go online and find them.
generations because they feel it is part of their Have a listen and see what
identity. They hope their fans will learn some you think. Perhaps you’ll
of their tunes by heart and at the same time like one enough to start
learn a little of the language. learning a new language!

Get Involved! B1 © Macmillan Education Limited 2021

 UNIT
2 The longer read
1 Look at the title and the pictures. What do
you think the article is about?
Subskill: Scanning for specific information
Read the questions before you read
the text so you know what kind of
information you need to find: numbers,
dates, names, etc. As you scan the
text, underline words that could be
the answer. This way you know which
sentences to read more carefully.
2 Read the questions and decide what
information you are looking for. Scan the
text and choose the correct answers.
1 How many languages have fewer than
1,000 speakers today?
a 1700 b 3,500 c 2,000
2 How many people are in the band
Kombilesa Mi?
a9 b6 c5
3 Where is Suming from?
a Colombia b Taiwan c Africa
3 Read the questions and choose what
information you need. Then read the text
and answer the questions.
1 How many people live in San Basilio
de Palenque?
2 How long has the band Kombilesa
Mi been together?
3 What is Kombilesa Mi’s music like?
4 How many albums have Kombilesa
Mi produced?
5 How many indigenous tribes are there
in Taiwan?
6 Has Suming played at Glastonbury
music festival?
Get Involved! B1 © Macmillan Education Limited 2021
4 Are the sentences T (true) or F (false)?
Correct the false sentences.
1 San Basilio de Palenque is a small
town in Colombia. T/F
2 There are 86 indigenous languages
in Colombia. T/F
3 The Palenquero language is similar
to Bantu, an African language. T/F
4 Kombilesa Mi want to revive the
Palenquero language because they
believe it is part of their culture. T/F
5 Suming hopes that by writing good
songs, more people will learn about
the Amis language. T/F
5 Word work Match the underlined words in
the text with definitions 1–6.
1 to make someone believe something
2 unfair treatment of someone because
of their race, religion or other personal
features
3 something that belongs naturally to one
place because it developed there over a
long time
4 used to show that something has existed
for a long time
5 to make something popular again
6 used to describe a group of people that
are born and live around the same time
6 Answer the questions for you.
1 Do you think you can learn a language by
listening to songs? Why/Why not?
2 Do you agree that it’s important to keep
languages alive? Why/Why not?