Minority groups, race and ethnicity.

1. Minority groups are known to be groups of people whose physical appearance or cultural characteristics mark them as different from the dominant group and subject them to unequal treatment. Because the term minority implies social rather than numerical disadvantage, it is possible for a group to be a numerical minority but to dominate others by virtue of power, prestige, and status. Conversely, women constitute the majority of the American population but occupy relatively few positions of power. Hence minority and dominant groups are sure to reflect patterns of economic and political domination in the political structure of a society.

2. From a biological perspective, a race may seem to be a population that has bred through many generations to develop distinctive characteristics that are transmitted genetically. Sociologists emphasize race as a social construct: racial differences exist because people think that these differences are important and respond accordingly. Hence sociologists define a race as a group of people who perceive themselves and are perceived by others as possessing certain distinctive hereditary physical traits. These traits are assumed to be related to a variety of nonphysical attributes. Hence members of a race think of themselves as different from other groups of people, and other groups begin to treat men as if they are different.

3. Ethnicity is also a social construct. Whereas race is based on the perception of physical differences, ethnicity is based on the perception of cultural differences. An ethnic group is a group of people who perceive themselves and are perceived by others as sharing cultural traits such as language, religion, family customs, and preferences in food.

4. Labels such as minority group, race, and ethnicity have several social consequences, some positive and some negative, They may result in a sense of identification. Conversly, they may cause alienation. A sense of racial and ethnic identity may satisfy an important psychological need – a sense of belonging. It also can serve important economic and political interests. Finally, racism may result in the doctrine that some races are inherently inferior to others and some are inherently superior.

IX. Ответьте на вопросы.

1. What does the term minority imply?

2. Why is the definition of “race” limited?

3. What is ethnicity based on?

X. Подтвердите или опровергните следующую информацию.

1. Minority and dominant groups reflect patterns of economic and political domination in the political structure of a society.

8. Ethnicity is based on the perception of physical differences.

9. Labels have negative consequences.

ВАРИАНТ 4

I. Перепишите следующие предложения. Подчеркните в них инфинитив и переведите предложения на русский язык.

1. Our discussion of the problem began with a definition of the phenomenon to be considered.

2. To use a language is human activity.

3. It was impossible to explain what he meant.

4. We were too tired to discuss the matter.

5. Our plan was to introduce new methods of research.

6. The young scientists found it difficult to speak in public.

7. Liberty is the right to do everything which the laws allow.

II. Перепишите следующие предложения. Подчеркните инфинитивные обороты Complex Subject и Complex Object и переведите их на русский язык. Найдите в 1 абзаце текста 2 предложения с Complex Subject , выпишите их и переведите на русский язык.

1. The new logic shows this objection to be groundless.

2. The results of this experiment are reported to be published in two weeks.

3. Our armed forces are unlikely to be reformed in the nearest future.

4. They wanted him to become a politician.

5. He turned out to become an eminent scholar.

6. Human character is known to be influenced both by hereditary and environment factors.

7. In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.

III. Найдите ошибку в предложениях и исправьте ее. Перепишите исправленный вариант и переведите его на русский язык.

1. Why not to take into consideration the results of the survey.

2. I felt somebody touched my hand.

3. They would sooner losing everything than leave their native place.

4. We could do nothing but to support our position.