英美性格对比

A Contrastive Study of British and American
Characters And Its Implications
Zhang Tingting
Abstract: This paper is to have a contrastive study of British and American Characters and Implications. The author firstly give us a general Introduction of British and American characters, secondly introduce British and American characters apartly, then summarize the diffreences between British and American characters, and finally tell us the implications of this Study. England and America are all great powers in the world. The chance we contact with them are also frequent. Through this article, we can deedly see the similarities and differences between them.
Key words: contrastive study; British character; American character; implications
1.Introduction
National character, as a common national psychological quality, refers to a psychological state which is condensed during the process of the formation and development of each nation and manifested in characteristics of the national culture". The forming of a national character is not happened overnight, nor by a person or a group of people, which includs a lot of factors. A kind of culture embodys through people’s the principles, behavior standards, ways of thinking, and life attitudes etc specific actions living in the scope of this culture radiation, constitutes unique national character which the creat the culture. So, national character can't live without the existence of national culture, and at the same time, people’s faith, the experiences of the nationa in its history and geographical environment of the nation, are to a large extent influence the national common psychology.
And, of course, as the world’s two strong nations, Britain and the United States, their common characteristic is confident, integrity, vigorous and eager to make progress. And the differences of British and American national character is basically the difference of British and American culture, this is not formed overnight, but gone thongh hundreds of years’ baptism. A
nation is called a nationa is due to owning their own this characters. What we are talking about is only the differences of two national characters, not a discuss about which is better or worse, for there is no good or bad points of culture itself. As a fact the culture of the two nations are inevitably influenced by each other because of the strengthening of the cultural exchange.
2.The Contrastive Study of British and American Characters
As two big powers in the current society, Britain and the United States, are extremely similar in many places. They are both capitalist countries which speak English, mastering the final results of many events today's society, ownning strict legal and perfect social system, and have world's leading universities which students are dreaming of. People in Britain and the United States are convinced of each other. British insist that Americans have no history, but Americans say the English men who can't understand the future. So similar the two countries are, and do they have obvious differences?
2.1 British Character
The wording of ‘ British character’ is also ex parte. As is known to all, English and not a single ethnic nation. England, Scotland, wales and Northern Ireland people each have their own traditions and national cultural identity. From t his level of speaking, there seems to be no ‘British character’; Or, the so-called "British character, is in fact mainly referred to as the ‘England character ’.
2.1.1 manners
On one hand, English people pay great attention to privacy and personal space. There is a English proverb that says: ‘ An Englishman's house is his castle’ . British people do not ask about other people's private affairs, nor infringe upon other people's space, nor impose his or her concepts and values onto others. The whole British society is based on the composition of individual understanding and respect.
On the other hand, the British are well-mannered ,kind and friendly to the one they do not know. In the small or medium town with not too fast life pace, passers-by will greet you when you go outside; In the bus or shop, people who don't know you will also talk to you for minutes.
The UK is recognized as ‘JunZiGuo’ in Europe with perfect order social civilization. Britain has the world's oldest modern public management system. With centuries’ accumulation , men and women of all ages in Britain, are gentle to others. The British order is widely recognized all over the
world. In the bus station, shops or Banks, as long as there is a line, it must be in apple-pie order.
The English people devote particular care to gentle demeanour, with suits and leather shoes. When recepting yellow skin friends, some British lady daub yellow face cream specially to show close and respect to friends. Can't being snub, students study abroad in British, of course,are wearing suits and ties. On how to wear or make up in different occasions, they also dance to their tune.
British people talk very politely, behave courtesy, follow the prescribed order, never be anxious or rash.
Britain was a honest society. Rarely defraudation, cheat, abduction or swindle exist among people. As long as customers don't like, goods sold in stores,can ask to be returned back for any reason at any time.
Being quiet, shy, conservative, elegant and reserved, as a country with a long history, Britain has formed a complete set of culture, etiquette, habit tradition. Besides the British empire was once the most powerful country in the world, the pride for big nation has already made Britain formed the self-righteous closed and conservative character. The British can only be relax in crowd familiar to them, and when they meet a stranger or foreigner they will feel uneasy or even embarrassed.
2.1.2 arrogance and inflexibility
But with no doubt, under the surface of British politeness, the re’s an arrogant heart. The British generally have a kind of profound superiority complex. But, as the British saying, they should not be blamed, they are British. English is an international language, which are learned by students from all over the world. This undoubtedly add the British the sense of superiority and inertia (actually the popular of English is mostly the contribution of United States). Many British people still think most of the world is the domain of the British empire in the heart. Britain has the glorious history dominating the world, and this feeling of overlooking the world has becomes a indelible part of their character.
The Britishmen value the legal system and order, which originally is a good thing. But if they go to extremes they may be not flexible enough. The British are pedantic, conservative and mechanical which are reflected in many ways. For example not very long ago Britain's referendum rejected the government's offer to join the euro area that reflected the British people are reluctant to change.
2.2 American Characters
Each nation has its unique character, people often talk about the reserved manner of the British people, the romantic of French, the submissiveness of Japanese women, and the American character also has its distinct characteristic.
2.2.1 ways of making friends
Americans value the impression they give to others very much. What Americans are worrying about is becoming isolated, which means to common people loneliness, to politic ians, the failure of the election campaign. Hence, characteristics of the way the United States making friends is that they make friends extensively of which are all very harmonious. They hope to give everyone a good impression, but often lacking the kind of friends who can be intimate.
2.2.2 independence
The second feature of American character is independence and the eagerness to make progress. Since young, Americans has formed the habits of independence and struggle. On the street, you can see preteens boys go from house to house to deliver newspapers every morning, no matter it snows or rains,they never cause delay or hindrance. When studying at schools, they rely on their scholarship or work-study program.
2.2.3 the pursuit of reality
The third characteristic of American character is the pursuit of reality. The person who they admire are intelligent and capable. They would like to do-it-yourselfery towards everything, and can solve all sizes of things. Most Americans know how to use machines, repair electrical equipments and paint the wall.
2.2.4 eagerness for success
The fourth characteristics of Americans character is that they value much of success. In the eyes of American, what counts is not a person's family background, but his own talence and ability.
2.2.5 frankness
The Americans are candid and straightforward. They call a spade a spade, not full of twists and turns. They are quite active to air their opinion and ask questions in class. even if it is irrelevant to the subject, or full of loopholes, they don't care at all. There’s no psychological pressure of losing face.
2.2.6 public spirit
A majority of Americans are not only very law-abiding, but also have great public spirit. Americans put low at the first place, emphasize to act
according to laws. And their civic virtue can be reflected in their everyday behavior. If someone was behind when entering into the room, American will generally hold the door so as not to hit others back. If you hold the door for other people, he would have to say thank you.
2.2.7 spirits of taking risks
Y ou may notice that Americans are very active. Americans like to travel in their own country or all over the world. They always want to know what it looks like outside the nearby hills or citys. The change residence phenomenon in America is very common. In a way, this reflects that they are not used to the bland life, eagering to see new places, looking for new jobs, gaining new characters to succeed. The innovation and adventure spirit of American character, was indeed more outstanding compared with those of other nationas.
2.3. The Differences in British and American Characters
In history, the special geography and environment of the British island, created favorable conditions for the development of the navigation, navy, foreign expansion and the establishment of the powerful empire. Island geography and brilliant history bring up the English people strong island nation complex, the pride and exclusive character, and influenced all aspects of the social life in UK.
The United States is a multi-national country. Her history is short but unique. Her people also have distinct national characteristics. American society formed its specific national character and values in its development process. And the shape of the national character is closely related to the development of the western region in the history of the United States. This deeply influence the model of the American national character, such as the spirit of brave exploration and adventure, and the optimistic personality. 3.Implications of this Study
All the nationas above are from " a country, a nationality", "nation is formed by history , which is a social group of common historical and cultural traditions and national identity", so the Britain and the United States are called different ethnic groups. Each nation has its own cultural mode. Different national character differences are generated by the nation’s cultural and historical background and different aesthetic psychology. Chinese traditional culture emphasizes the sociality of human beings, blood relations, filial piety in the family, and the moral principles of obedience and sacrifice; Thus anglo-american westerners are self-centered, and the kinships are weakened. Maybe Chinese can learn some sense of humor and personal
feelings from west, sublime ourselves base on the previous good quality. As a good nation, The Chinese people need to absorb more in the material desire world if we want to stand firm.
4.Conclusion
Usually，we say that different people have different personality, and this is because each person grows in a different social environment. Also, due to different reasons from geography, history, culture and other aspects, each nation of the world becomes different from other nations. As an island, Britain is separated from the continent of Europe and other nations by the English Channel. In addition with the splendid civilization, the British character is hard to avoid to be aloof and proud. The American are bold and unrestrained, easy-going, dare to take risks are mostly connected with its short history, colonial process and bordering on many countries. It is because of the differences of the geographical environment, historical background and culture in British and American that American and British own significant differences in character even with the same language background.
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