3 . Language diversity is dying. While there are over 5,000 languages in the world, experts estimate (估计)that many are on their way out. Statista, a data provider, compiled(编译)the results of the ongoing work of the Endangered Languages Project to create a map of endangered languages highlighting what regions of the world are most affected.

The Endangered Language Project is an online platform administered by the University of Hawaii Manoa that collects information on the world’s languages, such as where each is spoken, the number of speakers left, what measures have been taken to preserve it, etc. For example, by perusing the Endangered Language Project’s website you can see that Irish Gaelic is an endangered language mostly spoken in Ireland and that consists of four different dialects; Irish Gaelic is spoken by 20,000 to 40,000 people worldwide.

Experts acknowledge that the rapid extinction of languages throughout the world is a fact that cannot be denied, but they also explain that it is very difficult to obtain exact numbers when it comes to languages and their extinction. This is because language information is outdated or limited, and it can be different in some cases to distinguish between languages and dialects. The Linguistic Society of America notes that some estimates state that 80 percent of the world’s languages could be gone by the next century as languages like English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese and Russian become even more of a majority.

On its website, the Endangered Language Project also features an interactive map of endangered languages that’s color-coded according to each   language’s level of threat. Each language is represented by a colored dot on the map, and clicking the dot will reveal the name of the language and its status. Clicking on the name of the language will lead you to a more detailed information card about the specific language.

4 . Prihardinni, from the Indonesian city of Surabaya, is amazed at how traditional Chinese medicine (TCM中医) has continued to develop since she began studying it a year ago.

When Prihardinni was 10 years old, she suffered from serious headaches. So, her mother took her to see a TCM doctor near their home. The doctor checked her pulse, examined her face and tongue, and wrote down a prescription(处方). After several weeks of drinking Chinese medicine, she didn’t have headaches any more.

“His medical skills were like magic,” Prihardinni recalled. The experience of being cured by TCM impressed her and it encouraged her to choose TCM study. Now, she is a freshman at the Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, which has thousands of years of history and widespread international popularity.

“TCM is becoming more and more popular worldwide and has become an important cultural symbol(象征) for China,” said Zhao Zhongting, a professor at the Gansu University of Chinese Medicine. “Many foreign students face difficulties in fully understanding the meaning and function of TCM medical terms because of cultural and language barriers,” Zhao said, adding that in order to help them, the university offers various training courses for freshmen, including chemistry, language study and Chinese medicine culture. Activities between local and international students, lectures and study tours are also provided to help students better understand the courses.

“More people in my country are becoming interested in TCM. Many social media(媒体) are sharing their experiences with Chinese medicine,” Prihardinni said, adding that she plans to return to her hometown after graduation and open a TCM clinic(诊所). “I want to tell my parents and friends that Chinese medicine is also a good and believable choice.”

5 . At Beijing’s Palace Museum, it sometimes seems that time stands still, but the clocks keep ticking at a small workshop. This is where clock conservator Qi Haonan works. As the fourth generation to repair and restore antique clocks at the museum since 1949, Qi has returned more than 100 timepieces to their former glory.

“What amazes me most about these clocks is that they combine the scientific advances, technological precision and the trend in decorative art of their particular era. I want to enable more people to marvel(惊叹) at the mechanics,” Qi says, adding that through short-video platforms, where his accounts have attracted more than 3 million followers, he can share with a wider audience just how magnificent the clocks are when they are fully functional.

“These clocks are rare treasures, not only serving as a plaything for emperors, but also witnessing the development of the mechanical weaving machine,” Qi says. He noted that the job requires extreme patience, because clock restoration is a dull and meticulous(一丝不苟) process, adding that it is proof positive of the proverb “haste makes waste” and, in this case, haste can do a great deal of damage.

Although the antique clock repairing techniques at the Palace Museum were listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2014, it was a little-known skill and in short supply of career candidates before 2016, when three-part TV documentary, Masters in the Forbidden City, brought the profession into the national consciousness. Before the release of the documentary, for a decade it had just been he and his mentor Wang Jin doing the job. They tried to recruit graduates from college, but nobody applied. Qi didn’t expect that the documentary would make that profession a big hit. As a result, in 2017, Qi got two apprentices(学徒) and Wang got three.

“With the rising attention and influence, antique clock restoration can not only be further developed, but also be expanded to more museums that house antique clocks and watches,” Qi says.

7 . Whoever you are, learning how to communicate internationally is the best way to reach out to more people with different cultures.

    1     It’s important for you to understand that cultures and beliefs are different from each other across different nations so you can communicate effectively with people from other countries.

Learn how people deal with things in their countries. The best way to handle cultural differences is to research how different countries handle business meetings or any other type of communication.     2    

Be aware of language barriers (障碍). You may sound smart with humorous English jargon (行话) among those who have been speaking the language for most of their lives.     3     So it is best to stick to formal English, which is easier to understand.

Go over any form of written communication before you send it out. It is easy to cause misunderstandings when you deal with people from different parts of the world.       4     When reviewing it, make sure that you’re not using disrespectful terms or sentences.

Always stay updated with the social developments.     5     It’s important that you keep up with the information technology and try to use the more effective ones in your communication.

8 . The Chinese Farmers’Harvest Festival is the first national festival that has been set up for farmers since 2018.Without farmers’ hard work, social and economic development is impossible.The creation of the harvest festival is meeting Chinese farmers’ expectations for society’s emphasis (重视) on agriculture.It reminds people that more attention needs to be paid to agriculture and farmers since agriculture is the foundation (基础) of China’s national economy and the source of the Chinese population’s food supply including grain,meat,vegetables and fruits.

The most important thing is how to celebrate the festival. Farmers are the major players during this festival and relevant authorities (有关部门) plan and promote harvest activities in a way that attracts farmers’ interest and draws them out to participate.This will hopefully lead to their celebrating the festival with energy and enthusiasm, which will impact on the coming years’ celebrations. Apart from farmers, people from all walks of life can also take a short trip to different places and take part in the harvest activities. Not only can they experience and taste the joy of the harvest, but they can also buy green agricultural products online and offline to contribufe to farmers’incomes.

The festival creates an atmosphere of respect and caring for farmers. It is necessary to make full use of preferential policies(政策), capital and good environment to boost agricultural production and the rural economy, and to improve farmers’ living conditions so that they can devote themselves to their agricultural work. Although recent years have seen economic growth in most rural areas, there has not been the same increase in farmers’ income. The festival will help to increase food output, encouraging farmers to grow more quality food, which will greatly improve farmers’ life quality.

9 . Have you imagined spending a night in a museum? Fortunately, your fantasy may come true in the following museums.

Spy Museum | Washington, DC

The Spy Museum is entirely committed to the all-but-invisible profession and displays the largest collection of spy objects in the world! "Operation Secret Sleepover" invites a group of juniors and parents for a night of detective training, like creating a fake name, gathering intelligence, studying questioning techniques, breaking codes, hunting for a lead, and more. The next mission kicks off on Friday, September 9, 2022.

Ages: 9 to 13

Cost: $115 for general admission/$105 for members

Baseball Hall of Fame | Cooperstown, New York

Fans of America's hobbies will take the opportunity to stay a few extra nights here. Travel along the hallowed galleries; enjoy a screening in the Grandstand Theater; show your respect to honoring legendary players like Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, and Ted Williams. Dates sell out quickly. To secure your spot, call（607）547—0329.

Ages: 7 to 12

Cost: $50 for general admission

Milwaukee Public Museum | Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Who says kids get to have all the fun? The adults-only overnight at Milwaukee Public Museum is intended for the 21+ crowd. Tickets include dinner, two drinks, snacks, special tours, films in the six-story theater, entry to the new traveling exhibit “Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed,” and continental breakfast. The next event is October 20, 2022. Registration closes two weeks prior.

Ages: 21+

Cost: $125 for general admission

Baltimore National Aquarium | Baltimore, Maryland

Ocean and shark lovers will be delighted to spend nights at BNA. Dive into the fascinating underwater world, reveal myths, and discover the importance of these incredible creatures. Join experts for a behind-the-scenes tour, interact with marine life, and watch a 4D film.

Ages: 8+

Cost: $120 for general admission | $100 for members

10 . To give a tip or not? If so, how much? They can be headaches even for the most experienced tourists. This week, the main political parties in the UK have finally come to rescue by passing laws to forbid bars and restaurants taking tips from the customers.

However, not every country in the world takes the matter as seriously as the British, who are believed to have invented the custom in the 17th century — originally as a noble practice of giving small gifts to the so-called “inferior (低等的) classes”. Later, tipping has become a habit widely accepted in the world, although it is influenced by a nation’s culture and values.

A common joke among Americans is that only getting tax return is more confusing than tipping. Tips were imported into the country in the 19th century, when wealthy Americans began travelling to Europe. The custom was originally disapproved in the US. Critics accused tippers of creating a class of people who “begged for favors”. Fast forward to the 21st century and you will still find Americans debating the pros and cons. But tipping is now completely ingrained (根深蒂固的) in the national soul.

Like many Asian countries, China is largely a no-tipping culture for decades it was actually prohibited and considered illegal. To this day, it remains relatively uncommon.

Japan’s complex manner system includes tipping. It is socially acceptable on special occasions such as weddings, but on the other occasions, it can actually make the receiver feel ashamed, if not abused. Even on occasions where tips are expected,the money is expected to be sealed in special envelopes as a sign of gratitude and respect. Otherwise, it will be refused because tips are usually included in the payment for the service.