Step 2 - Reading

Tattoos

You are going to read a text about tattoos.

Assignment 1

On your own read the text, copy and fill in the grid. Discuss your answers in your group.

What information do you get ?

Only write down the most important facts. (use key words)

introduction

 

 

history

 

 

tribal societies

 

 

reasons for having tattoos

 

criminality

 

 

fashion

 

 

removing tattoos

 

 

 

Tattoos
A tattoo is an image which is permanently marked on the skin and is created by inserting ink under the skin.
The word tattoo was introduced into English from the Polynesian languages of the Pacific region.
English sailors first encountered the word and the practice during their ocean voyages in the 18th century.
Tattooing has an ancient history that may go back to the New Stone Age which began about ten thousand years ago. Otzi the Iceman, a perfectly preserved human body dating back approximately five and a half thousand years, had 57 small dots tattooed on his body. Tattooing in Japan goes back even further and tattoos were common throughout Europe in pre-Christian times according to historical accounts.

In some tribal societies, tattoos were created by cutting designs into the skin and then rubbing ink or ashes into the wound. Some cultures followed a process of tapping the ink into the skin with sharpened sticks or bones, or more recently, metal needles.
Nowadays, electric tattoo machines are the most common method of inserting ink into the skin layers. People have tattoos for many reasons: for body beautification or as a fashion statement, for religious purposes, to mark important stages in life or to display membership of a group.

Tattoos have negative associations in many cultures and are often linked to criminality. In Japan full body tattoos are associated with organised crime groups called Yakuza, and in the U.S., prisoners and criminals use distinctive tattoos to indicate criminal behaviour. For example, tear drops tattooed on the face show how many people a person has murdered.
In some cultures, the practice of tattooing virtually died out when the country was colonised. In recent times, indigenous people have begun to re-claim their rights by returning to their old customs. An example is New Zealand where the traditional Maori art of tattoo is undergoing a revival.

In recent decades, tattoos have become a popular part of global fashion. The practice is common among men and women, all economic groups and age groups ranging from teens to middle age. Pop stars and famous sports people proudly display tattoos.
It is not impossible to remove a tattoo but it is difficult and expensive. The removal process can be painful and often only partially successful. The best advice is to be absolutely sure that you love your design. You will probably have it for life.

Source: http://www.victoria.ac.nz/lals/about/staff/publications/4000-BNC-SRs-for-ESL-Learners.pdf