CROSSROADSCROSSROA DS Language StudioÊs Newsletter January,January, 201
20 1 8Dogs

have often
been called man’s bestfriend, but did you
ever wonder how theycame to be known thatway? If not, then you
aren’talone—evenexperts have difficulty
determining
howrelationships between
dogs and humans
developed.
What we do know is that before even theadvent of agriculture, humans were huntersand gatherers. In this time period, humans
formed a partnership with another animal—
the grey wolf. Over time, those wolves andhumans became more dependent on eachother. Evolution began to physically changethese wolves who partnered with humans—
their skulls, teeth, and paws shrank, theirElla
ears flopped, they became more docile,andthey learned how to read human facial
expressions.
Whenexactly
did
dogs
becomeJanis
domesticated? It’s not certain, with somepeople saying it happened 10,000 years ago
and others suggesting as far back as 30,000years ago. But dog domestication is uniquefrom the domestication of other animals, suchas cats, chickens, cows, pigs, etc., in two ways.
For one, dogs were the first animals thathumans managed to domesticate. And two,domestication of dogs happened in two
different places.
It’s believed that the first wolves weredomesticated in central Asia. Then, about
1,000-2,000 years later, people in Europe also
domesticated wolves. Two different cultures
on different sides of the world both making thedecision to domesticate the same kind ofanimal is very unusual. How could that have
happened?

There are a few possible scenarios suggested
by scientists. One is that wolves basicallydomesticated themselves to take advantage ofhuman resources. They would scavenge thecarcasses left behind by human hunters andhang around human campfires until in time,they became tamer. Another theory is thathumans actively bred and trained wolves sothey could be more effective hunters.
Whatever the case, fossil evidence suggests
humans and dogs began closely associatingaround 15,000 years ago. That’s when people
began burying dogs, which suggests a sign ofaffection. In some cases, humans were buried
alongside dogs. As far back as 8,000 years ago,dogs were considered an important part of thehuman family to aid in hunting.
So how did dogs go from being hunting
partners to companions kept inside the home?
That’s believed to have begun around 2,000years ago during the time of the RomanEmpire.
Today, dogs are the most common pet inmany different countries across the world. The
most common form of bonding between two
different species is between dogs and humans.
Not only have humans managed to influence
the behavior of dogs, but it’s believed by someanthropologists that dogs have influenced thebehavior of humans. Human behaviors such associal bonding and marking territory in theform of symbols is believed to have beenlearned through our interactions with dogsand wolves.
So celebrate the Year of the Dog bygiving a thought to man’s best friend.

Article by Perry

NET LESSONS: Too busy to come to CROSSROADS?
…. Try our lessons on the net!
Here’s a site with a short history about dogs:
http://www.petwebsite.co.uk/dogs/about-dogs/history-ofdogs

Joshua Says: Many early philosophers, such as Plato, branded writing as a
detriment to the human intellect. Well, for Plato at least, this may have been true,
but writing in your second language is a great tool for developing confidence inspeaking. Writing, especially dialogue, gives you a chance to “see” how you speak
and to analyze the mistakes you make while speaking. Writing also allows you toconsolidate your thoughts in your second language.... Oh, and Happy New Year!
Junko Says: Another New Year has come and gone and here we are in 2018
already! Crossroads will be turning 35 at the end of this year! I can’t believe
it! I can’t believe how the time, the years, have gone by. But as the saying
goes, “time waits for no one.” So, we’ll just continue to help you to develop
your second language skills and be as supportive as we possibly can. I wish
everyone a Happy New Year, and I hope you continue to studying hard!
Perry Says: New Year’s resolutions are commonly made in January. People
will try to set massive goals, such as losing weight, improve finances, or makeother big changes. But a 2007 study showed that 88% fail to keep resolutions.
Many people make too many, fail to track their progress, or just set unrealistic
goals. So if you set a resolution, make it a manageable goal and be sure tokeep track of your progress.
Darrin Says: And another year is upon us. Phew, 2017 seemed to whizz by
so fast, I barely had time to get into it. Okay 2018, I’m ready for you. I’ve
enjoyed my New Years feast, said my prayers, made my resolutions, sobring it on. I Hope that you all have a great 2018.
Mandcy dit: J’espère que vous avez passé des bonnes vacances. Bonneannée et bonne santé à tous !!! Je vous adresse tous mes vœux de bonheur
pour 2018 !!! N’oubliez-pas non plus ce mois-ci de vous régaler avec lagalette des rois !! Et de prendre beaucoup de résolutions ! Et surtout de lestenir. Encore une belle année en votre compagnie... A bientôt pour denouvelles aventures,
1ACROSS
1 in essence, fundamentally
3 overcome wildness
4 willing to be taught, led or supervised
5 decrease in size
7 forming a close relationship9 fell loosely (usually down)
12 an important arrival or beginning
13 feed on dead animals
15 keeping company withDOWN
2 scientists who study the origins of human societies
3 relying upon or needing support
6 dead bodies of animals
8 deciding
10 a positive feeling of liking
11 able to achieve a purpose
14 highly unusual or rare (print version here)

2

3
4
5

6
7

8
910

11

12

13

1415

From Sri Lanka’s Summer to Ehime’s WinterFrom S(a)3’s TaroIf you read Crossroads’ newsletter in July, you will know I

That’s me!

went to Sri Lanka this summer on a business trip for Ehime
Prefecture International Center (EPIC). In Sri Lanka, mostpeople could speak English fluently. Perhaps this was because
their country was colonized by England in the past. It was agood practical opportunity for me to communicate in English.
From December 3rd to the 10th last year, I had another great
During my trip to Sri Lanka last year
chance to talk with Sri Lankans in English. As a matter of fact, SriLankan government staff came to Japan and I was appointed to take care of them. They stayedin Ehime for a week in order to study how to cultivate mikan (mandarins). So, they visitedmany orchards and markets in Ehime. While they were here, I worked as a chauffeur, aphotographer and an interpreter.
When I escorted them to Yawatahama City in the southern area of Ehime, it was snowing. At
first, they looked excited. They said that their country is a tropical island and they shivered. On
our way to their hotel, I had to maximize the heater in my car in response to their request.
At a fruit market in Uwajima City, the Sri Lankan officials showed an interest in someproduce such as kaki (persimmons) or sake (Japanese wine). When they asked us what theywere, my boss tried to look up the names in his English dictionary. However, thanks to outteacher Joshua, I knew “kaki” and “sake” can be used in English. In fact, the Sri Lankans
understood those words correctly. My boss was surprised to know that “kaki” and “sake” wereinternational words. I remembered that my classmates and I at Crossroads had the same
reaction when Joshua taught us that English is a very versatile language.
To tell the truth, I was a little nervous about working with foreigners at first. But fear is often
greater than danger. Thanks to communicating in English with Joshua and my friends everyweek, I was able to have a smooth conversation with them. Thank you!

PRS O P H I S T I C A T I O N
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M E M O R A N D U M
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H A B I T A T
EICEPI N C O N V E N I E N TTUS E L F - S U S T A I N A B L E

Last Month’s Puzzle Solution
ACROSS
2 refined, complex and worldly
6 written proposal
8 furthest or highest in degree
9 a sudden and violent event
12 imagine, picture to oneself
14 an environment that supports
life
15 discomfort or not convenient
16 needing no outside support

DOWN
1 a full-scale working model
3 selected as an alternative
4 having a common center
5 complicated in structure
7 make free
10 a strong desire for success
11 a general idea
13 an indication that something
once existed

Don’t forget… Our SPECIAL 1+1 Campaign offer! Up to 50% off!!
See our notice board, or ask Junko in our office, for the details.