[英语]unit 1 The English Character 英国人的性格特征

Reserved (Conservative)
The best-known quality of the English. And they are also noted for the character. The British view their way of doing things is the best and most reasonable. The majority of the British are unwilling to accept new things but oldfashioned conservative ideology. When the invention of central air conditioner was born in America, the British refused to accept it but continue to use fireplaces and electric stoves.
"I know the trouble I am causing you, but would you mind…? " "I don't really like to ask you, but…"
Please think of more polite expressions
Para 5 ★ 3rd Humorous 4 Its starting-point is self-dispraise, and its great enemy is conceit. Its object is the ability to laugh at oneself---at one’s own faults, one’s own failure, even at one’s own ideals.
The sense of humor is highly valued in England.
British Humour VS. American Humor:
B: with a lovely twist, laugh at anything, socio-cultural related, more serious, reflecting a life attitude, subtle, sarcastic, difficult to understand A: casual, universal, with exaggerated body language, carefree, amusing, easy to understand Look down on those: Who are more excitable, Who make big promises, Who show feelings openly, Who brag and boast, Who use flowery language a lot
Typical Englishman: Reserve , Modesty, A sense of humour
Sense of Humor
Key Words to understand British humor: self-dispraise, laugh at oneself, an attitude to life British humour: Not Easy to Understand!
Modest：
Adj.
谦虚的，谦逊的，谦恭的
Para 4
Modesty
Within their hearts, the English are perhaps no less conceited than anybody else, but in their relations with others they value at least a show of modesty. Self-praise is felt to be impolite. How to take other people’s compliments? E.g. ---You play the piano very well! A: (American) ---______________________ B: (British) C: (Chinese) ---______________________ ---______________________
However, they are really human and pleased when other people succeed in breaking the silence.
Para 4 ★ 2th modest 2
Within their hearts, the English are perhaps no less conceited than anybody else, but in their relations with others they value at least a show of modesty.
Para 1
Reserved
The characteristics of being reserved: Don’t like— talk to strangers, show emotion; talk about personal matters.
How do such people impress you? they are indifferent, exclusive, aloof, cold However, they are perfectly human behind their barrier of reserve.
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Adaptability to Foreign Conditions
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In your mind, what is an English like?
Reserved (conservative) polite
When making a journey, they may try their best to find an empty seat or compartment. ( 车厢 ) In addition, even the colleagues who have work at the same office in many years will also don't know each other's home address, family member, hobbies, etc, because they never talk about these things.
Hot-tempered, open-hearted
The Britons, different peoples
Text A The English Character (I)
Because of geography, history, culture and other reasons, the various nationalities in the world, different from the other ethnic character. British is no exception, after several years of social change, they formed their unique way of thinking and behavior, with people of other countries with different quality and characteristics. Sum up, there are the following character traits.
Para 1 ★ 1th reserved
1
The best-known quality of the English is being reserved.
reserved:
adj. (of a person or his character) slow to show feelings or express opinions, disposition, manner, etc. 寡言的；矜持的；
From Politics
1.An old-fashioned government 2.On the basis of constitutional monarchy 3.Head of state: the king or queen 4. In practice: the Sovereign reigns, but does not rule.
A. “Yes,” B. “Well, I’m very fond of it.” C. “I’m not bad.” D. “Well, I’m very keen on tennis.”
The followings are pictures of the queen, from which we can see she is very polite and modest.
E.g. ① 35 is a very attractive age: London society is full of women who have, of their own free choice, remained 35 for years. ② Whenever people agree with me, I always feel I must be wrong. ---Oscar Wilde ③ From now on, ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I shall not put. ④ You can always count on Americans to do the right thing—after they’ve tried everything else. ---Winston Churchill
Unit 1 The English Character
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When I think of Britain, I think of…
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Patience
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Refusal to Admit Defeat
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Your choices are:
(A) _________, _________, ___________
(B) _________, _________, ___________
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the English, the Welsh, the Scots, the Irish
Preser源自文库e their own language, emotional, less reserved Serious, cautious, thrifty, inventive, mystical
Para 4
If a person is, let us say, very good at tennis and someone asks him if he is a good player, he will reply except except “Yes,” because people will think him conceited.
cold
British Character
humorous
modest
sportsmanship
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The Britons VS. the Americans
energetic, reserved, optimistic, self-reliant, proud, adventurous, modest, extrovert, romantic, out-going, polite, patient