115 年 國立中山大學外國文學系碩士班《英文作文與閱讀》
第 1 題
PART ONE: Reading Comprehension (40%)
Instructions: Read the following passage carefully, and then choose the correct answer to the questions
below. Only one answer is correct. Each question is worth 4%.
Language, Identity, and Power in the Globalized World
Language is far more than a neutral medium for exchanging information; it is a fundamental pillar of
individual identity, a repository of collective culture, and a potent instrument of social and political
power. The words we speak and the accents we carry are not arbitrary; they situate us within complex
webs of history, community, and social hierarchy. In multilingual societies, the status afforded to
different languages often mirrors broader power dynamics, where dominant languages can marginalize
others, influencing everything from educational opportunity to legal standing.
The phenomenon of linguistic imperialism critically examines this dynamic. It describes the process by
which a dominant language - historically through colonialism and, in the contemporary era, through
globalized media, economics, and technology - imposes itself, often at the expense of local languages
and the worldviews they encode. This is not merely about vocabulary replacement; it involves the subtle
grafting of cultural norms, values, and modes of thought. In response, global movements for linguistic
rights have emerged, framing the preservation of minority and indigenous languages as a crucial aspect
of cultural survival, human dignity, and self-determination.
Literature has long been a primary battleground for these tensions. Postcolonial writers, in particular,
have wrestled with the legacy of the colonial tongue. Author Chinua Achebe, writing in English,
masterfully adapted the language to capture Igbo rhythms and philosophies in Things Fall Apart, thereby
reclaiming the narrative tool of the colonizer. Conversely, Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o made a
definitive political statement by abandoning English to write fiction and theory in his native Gîküyü,
arguing that true decolonization of the mind must begin with linguistic liberation. Their divergent
strategies highlight the same core dilemma: how to articulate an authentic self and community within or
against a dominant linguistic framework.
The digital revolution has dramatically accelerated and complicated this linguistic landscape. Social
media platforms and global communication networks have elevated English to a default lingua franca,
yet they have also empowered niche communities to create and sustain new dialects, jargon, and forms of
expression (e.g., internet slang, hashtag activism). This democratization of language creation exists in
tension with concerns about the erosion of linguistic standards, the "flattening" of expression, and the
digital divide that excludes those without access or fluency in the dominant online languages. Whether in
the curated prose of a novel, the rhetoric of a political movement, or the rapid-fire exchange on a screen,
language remains a dynamic force - capable of both enforcing hegemony and fostering revolutionary
solidarity.
Questions (4% each):
- What is the main argument presented in the first paragraph?
A. Language is primarily a tool for efficient communication.
B. Language is inseparably linked to identity, culture, and social power.
C. Multilingual societies always have clear language hierarchies.
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這篇文章的第一段開宗明義地闡述了語言的多重功能與重要性。作者首先指出語言不僅僅是交換資訊的工具，更是構成個人身份認同、承載集體文化以及展現社會政治權力的關鍵要素。接著，作者進一步說明個人所使用的詞彙和語音（口音）並非隨機，而是將我們置於歷史、社群與社會階層的複雜網絡之中。最後，作者提到在多語言社會中，不同語言的地位往往反映了權力結構，強勢語言可能會邊緣化其他語言，進而影響教育機會與法律地位。
第 2 題
- According to the passage, what does "linguistic imperialism" involve beyond simply replacing
vocabulary?
A. The improvement of educational systems.
B. The imposition of cultural norms and modes of thought.
C. The creation of new hybrid languages.
D. The promotion of bilingualism for all citizens.
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這題考驗對「語言帝國主義」(linguistic imperialism) 概念的理解，特別是其影響層面是否僅限於詞彙替換。文章第二段對此有明確的闡述。
文章原文指出："This is not merely about vocabulary replacement; it involves the subtle grafting of cultural norms, values, and modes of thought." (這不僅僅是關於詞彙的替換；它涉及到文化規範、價值觀和思維模式的微妙嫁接。)
第 3 題
- The author mentions movements for "linguistic rights" primarily to illustrate:
A. How all languages are becoming equally powerful.
B. A defensive response to the marginalization of minority languages.
C. The desire to make one global language official.
D. The decreasing importance of national languages.
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這題要求考生理解作者提及「語言權利運動」(movements for linguistic rights) 的主要目的。文章第二段在描述語言帝國主義後，接著提到這些運動。
文章原文指出："In response, global movements for linguistic rights have emerged, framing the preservation of minority and indigenous languages as a crucial aspect of cultural survival, human dignity, and self-determination." (作為回應，全
第 4 題
- How did Chinua Achebe approach the use of English in his writing, as described in the passage?
A. He rejected it completely as a tool of the colonizer.
B. He used it in its standard form without adaptation.
C. He adapted it to express his native cultural rhythms and ideas.
D. He believed it was unsuitable for literary expression.
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本題聚焦於閱讀文章中關於作家 Chinua Achebe 的敘述，詢問他如何運用英文寫作。文章第三段對此有詳細說明。
文章原文提到：「Author Chinua Achebe, writing in English, masterfully adapted the language to capture Igbo rhythms and philosophies in Things Fall Apart, thereby reclaiming the narrative tool of the colonizer.」（作者 Chinua Achebe，以英文寫作，巧妙地改編了語言以捕捉《Things Fall Ap
第 5 題
- Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's decision to write in Gîkūyű is presented as an act of:
A. Linguistic purism and isolation.
B. Political and cultural liberation.
C. Ensuring commercial success in a local market.
D. Simplifying language for educational purposes.
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此題考察考生對 Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o 決定用 Gîkūyű 寫作的動機和象徵意義的理解。文章第三段對此有明確的說明。
文章原文指出：「Conversely, Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o made a definitive political statement by abandoning English to write fiction and theory in his native Gîkūyű, arguing that true decolonization of the mind must begin with linguistic liberation.」（反之，肯亞作家 Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o 透過放棄英文
第 6 題
- What is the "core dilemma" shared by Achebe and Ngũgĩ, according to the passage?
A. Choosing between writing novels or academic theory.
B. Finding a publisher for non-English works.
C. Articulating identity within or against a dominant language.
D. Deciding whether to use traditional or modern storytelling.
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這題要求考生辨識文章中指出 Achebe 和 Ngũgĩ 所共同面對的核心困境 (core dilemma)。文章第三段在介紹了兩位作家的不同寫作策略後，總結了他們的共同點。
文章原文提到：「Their divergent strategies highlight the same core dilemma: how to articulate an authentic self and community within or against a dominant linguistic framework.」（他們不同的策略突顯了同一個核心困境：如何在強勢語
第 7 題
- What is one positive effect of digital communication on language mentioned in the passage?
A. It has completely standardized global English.
B. It has erased all regional dialects.
C. It allows niche communities to create new forms of expression.
D. It has made traditional grammar obsolete.
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本題詢問數位溝通對語言產生的正面影響。文章第四段討論了數位革命對語言景觀的影響。
文章原文提到：「Social media platforms and global communication networks have elevated English to a default lingua franca, yet they have also empowered niche communities to create and sustain new dialects, jargon, and forms of expression (e.g., internet slang, hashtag activism).」（社群媒體平台和全球通訊網絡將英語提升為預設的通用語，但同時也賦予了小眾社群創造和維持新方
第 8 題
- What is one concern raised about language in the digital age?
A. That not enough people are learning to code.
B. That it may lead to a "flattening" of expression and erode standards.
C. That social media is only used for political activism.
D. That it prevents the spread of dominant languages.
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本題考察考生對數位時代語言所引發的擔憂的理解。文章第四段在描述數位溝通的正面影響後，也提到了相關的擔憂。
文章原文指出：「This democratization of language creation exists in tension with concerns about the erosion of linguistic standards, the "flattening" of expression, and the digital divide that excludes those without access or fluency in the dominant online languages.」（這種語言創造的民主化與對語言標準被侵蝕、「表達方式扁
第 9 題
- The overall tone of the passage towards the role of language can best be described as:
A. Dismissive and skeptical.
B. Celebratory and uncritical.
C. Analytical and acknowledging its complex power.
D. Nostalgic for a past with purer languages.
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本題要求考生判斷文章整體對語言角色的態度。文章從語言與身份、權力的關係，到語言帝國主義，再到數位時代的影響，內容涵蓋了語言的正面與負面、歷史與當代、個人與社會等多個層面。
文章探討了語言作為身份認同、文化載體和權力工具的多重面向；分析了語言帝國主義如何運作及其影響；並探討了數位時代帶來的機遇（新表達方式）與挑戰（標準侵蝕、數位鴻溝）。作者在陳述這些複雜現象時，保持了一種客觀、深入的分析態度，既肯定了語言的力量，也指出了其潛在的問題。
第 10 題
- Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?
A. The Grammar Handbook for the 21st Century
B. The Digital Death of Local Languages
C. Language: A Neutral Tool for Global Business
D. The Power and Politics of Language in a Connected World
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這題要求考生根據文章內容，選出最適合的標題。文章涵蓋了語言與身份、權力、文化、語言帝國主義、數位時代的影響等主題，這些主題都圍繞著語言的力量、政治意涵以及在現代世界中的作用。
文章開頭即點出語言是「個人身份認同的基石、集體文化的儲藏庫，以及社會政治權力的有力工具」。接著探討了「語言帝國主義」以及作家如何透過語言來重塑身份（Achebe 與 Ngũgĩ 的例子）。最後，文章討論了數位革命如何加速並複雜化了語言的格局，提到了英語作為通用語的興起，以及社群媒體如何賦予小眾社群新的表達方式，但也帶來了標準侵蝕的擔憂。
第 A 題
PART TWO: English Composition (60%)
Instructions: Choose one of the following prompts and write a 500-word essay.
A. "Language is not only a vehicle for thought; it is also the driver."
Reflect on this statement in relation to the passage above. How does language shape our thinking,
identity, and social relations? Use examples from literature, history, or personal experience to support
your argument.
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這是一篇要求考生就「語言不僅是思想的載體，更是驅動者」這一論點進行反思的作文題。考生需要結合文章內容，闡述語言如何塑造我們的思考、身份認同和社會關係，並引用文學、歷史或個人經驗作為佐證。
解題思路與寫作架構建議：
-
引言 (Introduction):
- 開頭可以引用文章第一段關於語言是「個人身份認同的基石、集體文化的儲藏庫，以及社會政治權力的有力工具」的觀點，引出「語言是思想的載體，也是驅動者」的論題。
- 簡要說明本篇文章將探討語言如何超越單純的溝通工具，進而主導我們的思維模式、形塑身份認同，並影響我們在社會中的互動方式。
- 提出你的核心論點（thesis statement），例如：語言不僅承載思想，其結構、詞彙和使用方式更主動地塑造了我們對世界的認知、我們如何定義自己，以及我們如何與他人建立連結。
-
主體段落一：語言如何塑造思考 (Language shapes thinking)
- 觀點： 語言的結構和詞彙會影響我們如何感知和組織世界。
- 論證：
- 參考文章中提到的「語言帝國主義」是如何透過強勢語言「嫁接文化規範、價值觀和思維模式」的。這顯示語言的影響力深入到思想層面。
- 可以引用 Sapir-Whorf 假說（雖然文章未直接提及，但可作為學術背景知識）的觀點，即語言結構影響思維方式。例如，不同語言對時間、空間、顏色等概念的描述方式不同，可能影響使用者對這些概念的理解。
- 舉例：
- 文學： 討論某些文學作品如何透過語言的運用，引導讀者以特定視角思考，例如喬治·歐威爾的《1984》中的「新語」(Newspeak)，旨在限制思想。
- 歷史： 某些政治宣傳如何利用特定詞彙來操縱公眾思維，例如使用「敵人」、「自由」等詞彙來引導群眾情感和判斷。
- 個人經驗： 學習一門新語言時，可能會發現某些概念在母語中難以表達，反之亦然，這顯示了語言的「驅動」作用。
-
主體段落二：語言如何塑造身份認同 (Language shapes identity)
- 觀點： 我們使用的語言（包括方言、口音、術語）是我們身份認同的重要標誌。
- 論證：
- 參考文章中提到的「我們所說的詞彙和我們帶有的口音並非隨機；它們將我們置於歷史、社群和社會階層的複雜網絡之中。」
- 討論語言如何連結個人與其社群、文化背景。選擇使用某種語言或方言，是在向特定群體表明歸屬。
- 舉例：
第 B 題
B. Discuss the tension between global languages (like English) and local languages in today's world.
Should we prioritize one over the other? What is lost or gained in the process? Argue your position with
reasons and examples.
Guidelines:
- Your essay must be original and written in your own words.
- Provide clear structure: introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
- Support your arguments with specific examples.
- No points will be awarded for sentences copied directly from the passage.
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這是一篇要求考生討論全球性語言（如英語）與地方語言之間緊張關係的作文題。考生需要論述在當今世界中，應該優先考慮哪一方，以及這樣做的過程中有哪些得失，並提出自己的論點並加以論證。
解題思路與寫作架構建議：
-
引言 (Introduction):
- 首先點出當今世界語言的現狀：一方面，全球化、科技和媒體的發展推動了英語等全球性語言的普及，使其成為一種「通用語」(lingua franca)。另一方面，地方語言、少數民族語言的生存空間受到擠壓，面臨著被邊緣化甚至消亡的危機。
- 明確指出這兩者之間存在的「緊張關係」(tension)。
- 提出你的核心論點（thesis statement），例如：雖然全球性語言在促進國際交流與經濟發展方面具有不可替代的作用，但我們不應以犧牲地方語言為代價，而應尋求一種平衡，以保護文化多樣性並確保語言的永續發展。
-
主體段落一：全球性語言的優勢與必要性 (Advantages and necessity of global languages)
- 觀點： 全球性語言（如英語）在促進國際交流、科學研究、商業貿易、文化傳播等方面具有顯著優勢。
- 論證：
- 在學術界，英語是發表論文、參與國際會議的主要語言，有助於知識的快速傳播和共享。
- 在商業和科技領域，英語是跨國合作、技術交流的通用語言，有利於經濟發展和創新。
- 在旅遊和國際交往中，英語能幫助人們打破語言障礙，促進不同文化之間的理解。
- 舉例： 國際組織（如聯合國、世界貿易組織）的官方語言；科技公司（如 Google, Microsoft）的內部溝通語言；國際學術期刊的發表語言。
-
主體段落二：地方語言的重要性與面臨的威脅 (Importance of local languages and the threats they face)
- 觀點： 地方語言承載著獨特的文化、歷史、價值觀和世界觀，其存亡關乎文化多樣性和人類文明的豐富性。
- 論證：
- 語言是文化的核心載體。每種語言都蘊含著其使用者獨特的思維方式、生活經驗和傳統智慧。
- 地方語言的消亡意味著一種獨特的文化視角和知識體系的永久喪失。
- 保護地方語言是文化自決和身份認同的重要體現，正如文章中 Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o 所倡導的「語言解放」。
- 舉例：
- 文化傳承： 許多地方語言中有關於當地生態、傳統醫學、手工藝的獨特知識，這些知識難以在其他語言中完整傳達。