英语文化重点内容

2021年1月25日发(作者：顾问英文)
The English Character
1.

What is the character of Englishmen?
reserved; modest; humorous; sportsmanly; conservative

2.

What is a reserved person like?




A reserved person is one who does not talk very much to strangers, does not
show much emotion, and seldom gets excited.
3. What is English humor?




The starting point of English humor is self-dispraise. Its object is the ability
to laugh at one’s own faults, one’s own failure, even at one’s own ideals. But
the
English
do
not
laugh
at
a
cripple
or
a
madman,
or
a
tragedy
or
an
honorable failure. It has been an attitude of life.

4.

What is sportsmanship?
Sportsmanship means the ability to practice a sport according to its rules,
while also showing generosity to one’s opponent
and good temper in defeat.
It has becomes an English ideal which all Englishmen live up to.

5. What sports can you tell were invented in Britain?

Boxing, rugby, football, hockey, tennis and cricket
6.
Suggestion for getting along with Englishmen

a.

One takes the initiative of breaking the silence. It is always perfectly all
right to talk about the weather in Britain: everyone does it, and although
it
is
usually
just
a
way
of
maintaining
small
talk,
it
is
a
key
aspect
of
British
life.



personal
questions
like
“How
old
are
you?”
or
even
“What
is
your
name?”

are
not
easily
asked.
Questions
like
“
Where
did
you buy your watch?” or “What is your salary?”
are almost impossible.

b.

Conversation in Britain is in general quiet and restrained and loud speech
is considered ill- bred(
缺乏教养的
), so don’t be too excited.

c.

On the whole British habits of politeness are very informal. All politeness
is
based
on
the
elementary
rule
of
showing
consideration
for
others,
so
acknowledge the consideration they show to you and avoid big promise,
self-praise, flowery language
d.

English people attach importance to action instead of empty talk. So they
are called Man of Action.(
行动之人
) They also like doing things based on
their own experience and which makes them conservative.
7. Case study :







English
people are very reserved, they don’t show much emotion in public.
In their heart, they look down on more excitable nations and dislike loud and
animated
conversations.
Excitable
people
with
loud
speech
are
regarded
ill-mannered.
In
addition,
English
people
are
very
polite
and
modest,
they
often show consideration for others and expect others to do so. However, the
Filipinos
keep
talking
so
excitedly
in
their
native
language,
totally
ignoring
the
Britisher.
It
seemed
they
are
very
impolite
to
him,
so
he
felt
quite
unhappy.


The American Character
1.

The character of Americans





Open; outgoing; optimistic; independent; humorous; self-reliant; diligent;

adventurous; friendly; competitive; adaptable; casual; sportsmanly
2.

What are the basic roots of American character?





The pioneering spirit; the spirit of equality; the spirit of liberty
3.

Why do immigrants come to America?
In history:

They came to America for prosperity, freedom; land and gold.
And
today,
the
American
settlers
move
westward
for
good
business
opportunities and a mild climate
(In American history, there were two famous events: the westward movement
and gold rush)
4.

In what sense is the pioneering spirit still an important part of the American
character?
a.
th
e desire to start a new life in a new place (mobile)

b. the need to explore a new frontier (outer space)
c. the courage to try something new;
5.
What is the influence of the moving about on Americans’ attitudes and values?

Mobility
makes
Americans
feel
rootless,
isolated
and
indifferent
to
community welfare; And they have shallow personal relationships

5.

What characters are related to the pioneering spirit?
Adventurous; adaptable; friendly; open; outgoing
7.
What does American equality mean?
American equality doesn’t mean people are equal in abilit
y or ambition, but
that
all
people
equal
before
the
law
and
given
equal
privileges
and
opportunities.

8.
What well illustrate American belief in equality of opportunity?
American Dream.
9. What is American dream?


American
dream
refers
to
the
belief
that
any
individual
can
achieve
wealth
and fame through diligence and virtue no matter how poor he is and what
race or origin he was from.

10. What is the impact of American dream on American character?
Independent; self-reliant; optimistic; diligent; competitive; practical / realistic
11.
How do Americans evaluate one’s success?




Material possessions
become symbols
of financial success
and they evaluate
one’s social status.

12. What’s the symbol of American liberty?







The Statue of Liberty
13. Case study




Americans are very friendly, outgoing and casual. They usually call others’
first names and touch people on the shoulder to show their friendliness. However,
English people are very reserved. They don’t like to show their feelings, not to
mention
physical
contact.
So
the
American
friendly
behavior
was
seen
as
impolite.
Of
course
people
are
unfriendly
to
him,
which
made
the
American
uncomfortable.
Suggestions:

1.

Tell the American to learn more about English culture such as


English
character,
their
behaviors,
way
of
life,

way of
communication,
custom,
etc.

2.

Introduce American culture to English people

3.

Tell him to do as Romans do.
4.

…….




American Family
1.

Tell the types of family:
Extended family; nuclear family; single-parent family; blended family; dink
family
2.

What do Americans and Chinese emphasize in the family life?
Americans:


(1) The main duty of every family member:








a. not to advance the family socially or economically







b. not to bring honor to the family name







c. pursue individual fulfillment




(2) the purpose of the family:








to advance the happiness of individual members
(3) individual needs take priority
Chinese:




(1)
The main duty of every family member:










a. to advance the family socially or economically









b. to bring honor to the family name.







(2) They
emphasize children’s filial duty and parents’ responsibility







(3) They emphasize the peace and harmony of a family.
3.
What do American parents value in child raising?






Individualism; independence; equality; self-reliance
3.

How do Americans treat their newly born babies and young adults?
Americans put much stress on children’s independence.

1) a newborn child





will be put in a separate room a few weeks old
2) a young child (about 10 years old)
to make decision and to be responsible for their actions;


learn to work for money

3) a young adult (18-21 years old)




a. Encourage them to leave the nest to begin their own independent lives

b. to make major life decisions by themselves
c. to be given adequate freedom to make their own choice (such as their
career, interest, marriage, ……)

d. to rely on themselves financially and emotionally
4.

What do Chinese parents value in child raising?

Collectivism; Filial duty

Respect to seniors;

compliance / obedience
5.

What is Americans’ view of marriage?



a.
marriage is based on romantic love .
b. they hold an idealistic and romantic view of marriage
c.
they
believe
no
love,
no
marriage.
They
won
’
t
sacrifice
personal
happiness for children.
6.

Wh
at’s is Chinese view of marriage:






a.
Chinese marriage is based on ganqing (affection) which can evolve and
grows over time by means of mutual aid and mutual care.
b.
To
a
couple,
love
is
often
one
among
other
considerations,
such
as
obligations to the parents and family.
c. Well-matched in social and economic status
7.

Why is the divorce rate is so high in America?
a. it is due to American individualism.

b. their
marriage relationship is
based on the
free choice of both partners


rather than on obligation.

c. they will not sacrifice individual happiness for the sake of the children
d. they are idealistic about marriage and have too high expectation








e.
However, the high U.S. divorce rate doesn’t mean that Americans






don't consider the marriage relationship important enough.

8.

What’s the typical life of old people in America?












In


America





In

China

Financial
support

Emotional
support


Government/
social
security
or

children

welfare systems


Government/
social
security
or

Friends & children


welfare systems

/


With children


communities
Living place


retirement
nursing homes