英语国家文化题型整理

第一单元文化

munication breakdown sometimes takes place not only because of language, but more frequently because of cultural differences.

A、what is culture?

1)Culture is a very extensive concept, it is very difficult to define it strictly and

accurately, because culture involves too much. what we see in usual just like we see the edge of an iceberg, though it has been rather big, there still far more that we can not see.

2)Culture is a learned pattern of behavior, and is a way in which a person lives his life.

It is an integral part of every society, and creates a feeling of belonging and

togetherness among the people of that society. Every society has a different culture, which gives it an identity and uniqueness.

3)Culture is the way of life of a group of people developed over time and passed down

from generation to generation We have to remember that, most of the time, the

different ways that are the customs of different cultures are neither right nor wrong.

It is simply that different people do the same things in different manners.

B、Could you please give an example and make a brief analysis?

Example:

For example, if you cooked a meal, and you asked a Dutch person, how was it? He said: “yes, I like it.” That means he really liked it. But once you had this answ er from a person from high-context culture, such as China, you have to think: “Does he really like my meal? Or just don’t want me to lose face.” Example : Steve and Yaser first met in

their chemistry class at an American university. Yaser was an international student from Jordan. He was excited to get to know an American. He wanted to learn more about American culture. Yaser hoped that he and Steve would become good friends.

At first, Steve seemed very friendly. He always greeted Yaser warmly before class. Sometimes he offered to study with Yaser. He even invited Yaser to eat lunch with him. But after the semester was over, Steve seemed more distant. The two former classmates didn’t see each other very much at school. One day Yaser decided to call Steve. Steve didn’t seem very interested in talking to him. Yaser was hurt by Steve’s change of attitude. “Steve said we were friends,”Yaser complained. “and I said friends were friends forever.”

Analyze:

Americans use the word “friend” in a very gene ral way. They may call both casual acquaintances and close companions “friends”

American friendships develops quickly, and they may change just as quickly.

2. In the text “Communication Breakdown”, we get to know that language is probably not always the most important reason for cross-cultural communication breakdown. What could be other reasons for such breakdown? Please analyze the issue with real life examples.

1)Example：A is an English learner; B is a native English speaker.

A one day jumped into B’s arms and felt sorry, “I’m sorry.”

B: “I’m sorry, too.”