中西文化对比

• Americans usually address others by their names without status distinction, even address their parents/grandparents by their first names. • In Chinese culture: • Same status--- by first names • Higher status---lower status: by first names • Lower status---higher status: by title/occupation
Individualism vs Collectivism
• Nearly all aspects of interpersonal relationships, that is, family members, relatives, friends, colleagues, as well as strangers, are conditioned and influenced by culture. Individualism Independent • I, self I can manage it myself. • We Cooperative Mutual concern for each other
Case 3
• Suppose that you’re a tourist guide with a group of people climbing a mountain. When you see an old lady climbing with great difficulty, what would you do?
Individualism vs Collectivism
• In individualist societies, it is believed that each person is separate from others and that children learn to think in terms of "I". • In collectivist societies, it is known that each person is part of a group and that children learn to think in terms of "we".
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Showing/Expressing Concern 表达关心
• Case 1: A professor finished a two-hour lecture. Seeing that he is rather tired, what would you like to say to him?
We are supposed to care about and help each other.
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Individualism vs Collectivism
• Generally speaking, in individualist cultures people are so independent that the relationships between each other, are relatively lax (松散的), and are not seemingly on good terms. • In collected cultures (group-oriented cultures), such as in Chinese cultures, people are so dependant that their connections（关系） are seemingly on intimate terms （亲密的关系）.
Attitudes toward old age
• 在中国称中年以上的人为老，是尊敬 的表示 • 在西方，老 意味着衰朽残年，去日无 多，所以在西方人们都忌讳老，不服 老 • Elderly people vs senior citizen
Thanks and Responses
• The professor: Xiao Zhang, thanks for your help. • Xiao Zhang: No, no. It’s my duty. ( (这是 我应该做的) • It’s my pleasure. • Don’t mention it.
Attitude toward privacy
• Chinese people attach great importance to human feelings and interpersonal relationships. • American people value their privacy more.
Power distance
• 1) Solidarity is the equal and informal relationship which indicates small power distance. People have strong desire for establishing equality, intimacy, eg, predominant in U.S. • 2) Power: is closely related to one’s social status, family position, age, education, achievement, which indicates large power distance. It predominates in Chinese culture.
Greeting
• Think about this: • Suppose you meet an American in the English corner, what would you say to him/her? Greeting --- Introduction --- Topic • Xiao Wang meets her American friend Mary at the gate of the campus. How should she greet her friend? What should she say?
What’ What’s wrong there?
• An American English teacher went to an English Corner which is organized by Chinese College students. She came back offended and said, “My God, it's so terrible! It seemed that I was in the customs office or the police office. They kept asking me my age, my marriage, my salary, and they even want to know personal stuff about my husband... How can they be so interested in people's privacies?”
• “谢谢” is seldom used between very close friends and family members. Otherwise may sound strange and may imply a distance in the relationships. • “Thank you” is used almost everywhere. To strangers, intimate friends, family members, it does not actually mean anything but is an expression of politeness.
Case 1
• The professor was Henry Smith from U.S. • A Chinese student said to him, “Mr. Smith, you must be very tired. Here is a cup of tea for you.” • Mr. Henry was very unhappy to hear that thinking that “Am I so incapable of giving two hours’ lecture?” • Tip: Thank you, Professor Smith. I appreciate your lecture very much.
• 英语中没有的称呼：赵老师， 王书记/ 工程师/经理/马主任/局长/秘书， • 英汉都有的称呼： doctor, professor, mayor, chairman, prime minister/premier, president, captain • 汉语中没有的称呼：senator( 议员), reverend（牧师）
Cases 3
• The old lady, Mrs. Brown, was from U.S. • The Chinese tourist guide said to her, “Excuse me? You are out of breath. Do you need my help?” • The old lady was angry to hear that and said furiously, “I’m very good”. And began to climb even faster. • Tip: Mrs. Brown, you are great. (You are doing great.) But if there is anything that I can help, you can ask me.
• 5) If a professor is called by his first name by his students, it indicates that: A. He is not respected. B. He is affable. 和蔼可亲的 C. He has a sense of equality. D. The students are impolite.
Case 2
• It’s cold outside. The American English teacher is wearing a thin coat. Tiantian, one of the teacher’s favorite students, said to the teacher, “Oh, you wear such a thin coat. It’s cold. You’d better put on more clothes.” • The teacher looked at the Tiantian surprised and unhappy, saying “I know, I’m not a child.”
Chinese Culture Vs English Culture
Forms of Address 称呼语
• • • • Think about: are they right or wrong? 1) Good morning, teacher! 2) Hello, Teacher Zhao! 3) May I introduce to you our Manager Zhang? • 4) This is my Uncle Sam.