The influence of cultural differences between China and the West on daily communication.
Culture is not only a social phenomenon, but also a historical phenomenon, which is the product of people's long-term creation. There are many differences between Chinese and western cultures: the differences between wholeness and individuality; Differences in values and moral standards; Differences in social etiquette; Differences in social customs, etc. This paper analyzes the influence of cultural differences on daily communication. Understanding these differences is helpful to better realize cross-cultural communication and avoid cultural shock.
Keywords Chinese and western culture; Difference; Communication; teaching
1 Cultural differences between China and the West
Different cultural traditions have caused considerable cultural differences between China and the West in ways of thinking, values, codes of conduct and lifestyles. In the history of China's feudal society, Confucianism has always occupied a deep-rooted dominant position, which has had a far-reaching impact on China society. People in China have always regarded the thought of self-mockery as a classic in their lives. They treat people and things with pride and modesty as the foundation, and oppose excessive exposure and self-expression. Therefore, China culture embodies the cultural characteristics of the group, and it is not allowed to put individual values above the interests of the group.
The formation of values in western countries can be traced back at least to the Renaissance. The guiding ideology of the Renaissance is humanism, which advocates the supremacy of individualism and strives to develop and express itself. What do people worship in life? Strong hero? . The strong who are capable and talented are reused, and the weak who lack self-confidence can only fall behind or be ruthlessly eliminated. Therefore, western culture embodies the characteristics of individual culture and advocates that individual value is higher than group interests.
Different cultures bring different values. For example, the word "old" has always existed in China? Respect for the elderly? Tradition. ? Old? Express the concept of respect in Chinese, such as ancestor, grandfather, old gentleman, Lao Zhang, Lao Wang, etc. People in China are often proud of their age. When talking with people, the older you are, the older your qualifications are, and the more you will be respected by others. ? Is ginger still old and spicy? . In our view, the elderly are not only the embodiment of wisdom, but also the symbol of prestige. But few people in western countries are willing to call themselves old by being old? Old? . In their view? Old? what's up Useless? Is it synonymous with "and"? Is it out of date? Meaning of. British and American people don't like being called old, and they don't sell it by being old. In western culture, they regard age as an extremely important personal privacy. Women, in particular, are more afraid of being asked about their age. Even if they are willing to say their age, they have to let others guess. At this time, their real purpose is to expect others to praise how young they look. For another example, there are cultural differences between China and the West in the praise and criticism of some words. For example, the word ambition itself has two meanings: praise and criticism. China people use its derogatory meaning to express it? Ambitious? , while the British and Americans praised it and said? Ambitious? . In China, the word aggressive is often used to describe someone? Aggressive, aggressive? Americans use it to describe someone? Enterprising, pioneering? .
2 the importance of cross-cultural communication
For various reasons, there are so many cultural differences between China and the West, and cultural differences are obstacles to cross-cultural communication. Social development has brought different countries into a * * *? Global village? Cross-cultural communication has become an indispensable part of every country's life. For example, if an enterprise wants its products to sell well in the international market, it needs not only high-quality products, but also a deep understanding of the cultures of different countries, so that the packaging design and practicality of products can meet the psychological needs of the people in the target countries. Like in China? Dragon? It is our spiritual totem and a symbol of luck and strength. China people are also proud to be descendants of the dragon. But, in the eyes of westerners, right? Dragon? Without this special emotion, will it even? Dragon? It is understood as a terrible monster with its teeth bared. If an entrepreneur doesn't know much about this, will it be printed? Dragon? Products with patterns are introduced to the international market. Imagine, can this product stimulate westerners' desire to buy? Whether it can create high benefits for enterprises. Therefore, overcoming the communication barriers caused by cultural differences has become a problem. While attaching importance to language competence teaching in English teaching, we should pay special attention to cultivating students' communicative competence in daily teaching, and regard the cultural differences of languages as an important issue in English teaching.
3 problems that should be paid attention to in daily communication
Cultural differences between China and the West are reflected in many aspects of daily communication, and we should fully understand these differences in English learning.
3. 1 Daily greetings
China people are used to asking: Have you eaten? If you say this to people in English-speaking countries, they will misunderstand that you want to invite them to dinner. People in English-speaking countries usually talk about weather, health, transportation, sports and hobbies. For another example, when people in China meet acquaintances, they are used to asking: Where to go? If you greet West Renye Fang like this, they may be very unhappy. Answer? It's none of your business. ? Westerners often say: Good morning/afternoon/evening? ,? How are you, acquaintances can also say: Hello? Or? Hi? .
3.2 Daily address
In Chinese, kinship terms are often widely used, usually among non-relatives: do young people address their elders? Aunt and uncle? ; Weigh your peers? Big brother and big sister? . But in English, kinship terms are not widely used in social intercourse. What if we call our elders whose mother tongue is English? UncleTom？ , the other party will feel very strange. In English culture, such kinship terms are only used when the relationship is very close. For example, students in China often play it? Teacher Wang? What's your name? Teacher Wang? . In fact, English teachers are just a profession; China people have a tradition of respecting teachers. Teacher? It is not only a profession, but also a respect for people, but it sounds incredible to westerners. In English, people are generally called Mr., Ms., Ms. and so on.
thank you
Generally speaking, we in China seldom use it among family members? Thank you? . If you use it, it will sound strange, or there will be a distance between the two. And in English-speaking countries? Thank you. ? It is used in almost all occasions, between all people, even between parents and children, and between brothers and sisters. Send a bottle of drink and prepare a delicious meal, and the other party will say? Thank you. ? No matter what others do for you in public, you should say hello. Thank you ..? This is the minimum etiquette.
3.4 treat
Inviting guests to dinner, when the host will ask what to eat or drink, we are usually used to being polite first and answering:? No, don't bother, okay? Wait a minute. If you say the same thing when dealing with westerners, they will not insist on persuading you, and you may not have enough to eat. According to the custom of English-speaking countries, you don't have to refuse if you want it. Yes, please. ? If you don't want it, just say so? No, thanks. ? Do it. This also fully embodies the implicit communication between China people and the direct difference between westerners.
3.5 Privacy
When Chinese meet for the first time, they usually ask about their age, marriage and income to show their concern. English-speaking countries are disgusted with this, thinking that these involve personal privacy, because English-speaking countries want to look young in the eyes of each other and keep their actual age secret, especially women. Similarly, when Chinese people show concern, they usually ask? What are you doing? In English, it has become an interrogation of spying on others' privacy and listening to others' words, which makes people very unhappy.
3.6 Festivals and Receiving Gifts
Cultural differences between China and English-speaking countries are also obvious in festivals. Apart from the festivals shared by China and English-speaking countries, both sides also have their own unique festivals. China has Spring Festival, Lantern Festival and Dragon Boat Festival, while English-speaking countries have Valentine's Day, Easter, April Fool's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The customs and habits of festivals in China and the West are also very different.
Same. In festivals, people in China often refuse other people's gifts and accept them helplessly, but they usually don't open them in person after accepting them. If you open it and smile at your face, you may incur? Greed? Suspected. In British culture, people usually open gifts from others and praise them in person, and thank them gladly.
4 conclusion
In English teaching, there are various teaching methods of cultural knowledge. Teachers should adopt different methods to improve students' cultural sensitivity and cultivate cultural awareness, such as strengthening the comparison between Chinese and western cultures and infiltrating the differences in conversation topics and values between Chinese and western cultures into teaching. In a word, there are many differences between Chinese and western cultures. In English teaching, we should not only attach importance to language teaching, but also strengthen the cultural introduction of language and attach importance to the influence of language and cultural differences on language. Only in this way can we not only speak correct English sentences in daily life, but also know what to say when facing westerners and avoid embarrassment in communication.
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On the cultural differences between China and the West from the perspective of table manners.
[Abstract] By comparing the differences between Chinese and western table manners in the use of tableware, seating arrangement, dining atmosphere and table discourse, we can see the cultural differences in cross-cultural communication, aiming at explaining that while adhering to our excellent cultural traditions, we should adopt an objective, tolerant and respectful attitude towards foreign cultures in order to communicate appropriately and appropriately in cross-cultural communication.
[Paper Keywords] table manners
Mr. Yi Zhongtian once expounded Chinese and Western cultures in "Culture at the Table". What is the ideological core of China culture? Group consciousness? What is the core of the thought? Individual consciousness? . Therefore, even if westerners invite guests to dinner, they will order their own food and drink their own wine without imposing their will on others. China culture holds that individual will must obey collective will. Since its purpose is to be human and related by blood, its manners and etiquette naturally value harmony. Therefore, people in China like to have dinner, enjoy delicious food and make peace. The author believes that in cross-cultural communication, faced with a strange culture, due to the different ways of thinking, living habits and behavior, cultural conflicts will inevitably occur in the communication process. The author makes a simple comparison between Chinese and western table manners from the following four aspects, so as to communicate appropriately and appropriately in cross-cultural communication.
First, from the use of tableware to see the cultural differences between China and the West
Chopsticks and knives and forks are the most basic differences between Chinese and western table manners. Professor You of Zhejiang University believes that the difference between chopsticks and knives and forks between the East and the West is related to this. Chopsticks should originate where there is bamboo. There are many trees in the north of China and many bamboos in the south. Our ancestors used local materials, and bamboo has become the most primitive raw material for chopsticks in China. Knife and fork appeared much later than chopsticks. According to Professor You's research, the original origin of knives and forks is related to the living habits of nomadic people in ancient Europe. They immediately live with knives and often cook and cut the meat to eat. Around the15th century, in order to improve the posture of eating, Europeans used double sharp forks. It wasn't until18th century that there were four forks. Knife, fork and chopsticks not only bring about differences in eating habits, but also affect the concept of life of eastern and western people. Professor You believes that knives and forks will inevitably lead to the sharing system, and chopsticks will definitely be accompanied by family members sitting around the table to eat together. The west divided itself into two from the beginning, which led to the idea and habit that westerners pay attention to independence and children will enter the world independently when they grow up. The dining system brought by chopsticks highlights the family unit where the old and the young sit together, thus giving orientals a relatively strong family concept. The author reminds that there are different norms in the use of tableware in China and the West. For example, don't play with chopsticks when eating Chinese food (it's very impolite to use chopsticks as chicken legs), and don't point or gesture at people with chopsticks. Of course, you must never suck chopsticks or put them in rice. This is a big no-no (like a funeral candle, it is considered unlucky). There are also some taboos when using knives and forks. Don't tell me what to do when you have a knife and fork in your hand. It is polite to put a knife and fork on a plate when talking or talking. Don't help others with your own tableware. Don't bend down to pick up the tableware when it is dropped. Don't cut the food at once, especially the food with soup, eat it in small pieces and so on.
Second, look at the cultural differences between China and the West from the seating arrangement.
Both China and the West pay attention to the seating arrangement of formal banquets. Traditionally, people in China entertain guests with square tables. Opposite the door, the seats are on both sides. When entertaining guests, the elderly, guests or people with high status are seated, the male and female hosts or accompanying guests are seated, and the rest of the guests are seated in the wrong order. Westerners treat guests with a long table, where the host and hostess sit at both ends respectively, and then arrange the seats according to the order of male and female guests and ordinary guests, that is, men and women are alternately arranged, subject to the hostess's seat, the guests sit on the upper right of the hostess and the guests' wives sit on the upper right of the host. Pay attention? Ladies first? All western gentlemen will show their concern to ladies. In China, the left is the respect, and the right is the second; The first is respect, the second is time; China is the most important, followed by. In the west, right is the most important, and left is the second.
The author especially reminds western food seating etiquette: the most suitable sitting method is to sit from the left. Don't put your elbows on the table or cross your legs. Don't leave during the meal (if you really need to leave, say hello to the guests around you in a low voice). When eating, sit up straight, keep your back straight and stretch your neck. The upper arm and back should lean on the back of the chair, and the abdomen should keep a fist distance from the table. Remember to eat with your head up. When you put the food in front of you in your mouth, you should eat it with your mouth instead of bending down.
Third, look at the cultural differences between China and the West from the dining atmosphere.
The most fundamental difference between Chinese and western table manners is the noise on the table in China and the quietness on the table in the west. The difference of dining table atmosphere, China dining table moves, while the western dining table is quiet. China people take food as their greatest pleasure in life, and the ostentation and extravagance and lively atmosphere are often breathtaking. As soon as China people sit at the dining table, they will talk endlessly, help each other with food, persuade them to drink, and enjoy delicacies. This kind of banquet can reflect the enthusiasm and sincerity of the host, and the excitement at the table reflects the heartfelt joy of the diners. This kind? Trouble? To some extent, it can reflect the warmth of family, the harmony of neighborhood and the unity of people in China. Harmony? . As soon as westerners sit at the dinner table, they concentrate on cutting their own dishes quietly. Don't make any noise when you drink soup. If the soup is overheated, wait until it is a little cooler. Don't blow with your mouth. Shut up and chew while eating. Don't lick your lips or smack your lips. You can talk to the guests around you while eating, but don't just talk to a few acquaintances. If you don't know the guests around, you can introduce yourself first. Don't interrupt when others are talking. Keep the volume at a level that the other party can hear. Chew food without talking. Even if someone talks to you, don't answer until you swallow your food.
Fourth, look at the cultural differences between China and the West from the table discourse.
People in China treat people to dinner, and there are many dishes on the table, including at least seven or eight courses. If it is a feast, there will be more main courses, more expensive and more exotic dishes, which can better reflect the director's hospitality and the identity of the guests. And the host often says? Nothing is good for everyone today. 、? The food is not ready, please forgive me for eating more? 、 ? Ignore you? Something like that Western-style meals are usually four to five courses, and the best amount is to finish eating or have a little surplus. If you are at home, you'd better finish all the dishes, so that the hostess will be very happy and feel that everyone likes her cooking. In the face of a sumptuous banquet, the host will say? Did you do everything to entertain everyone? In that case. It is easy to come to the conclusion that China people followed the Chinese and Western hosts' table discourse. Despise yourself and respect others? The principle of. Westerners, on the other hand, emphasize the values of efficiency and pragmatism and attach great importance to their face needs in communication. If westerners don't talk about disgusting things at parties, they will try to use subtle and elegant words instead of toilets, such as? Where can I wash my hands? I wonder if I can go somewhere. ? 、? Can you add some powder or something? Besides, don't ask in western countries? Have you eaten? Waiting for our country's customary greetings. ? Have you eaten? It is easy to confuse the audience and even lead to misunderstanding. For example, in Britain, if you ask someone if they have eaten, it means that you are interested in inviting them to dinner; For unmarried men and women, it means that you are interested in dating each other.
Verb (abbreviation of verb) conclusion
All cultures in the world are equal. There is no good or bad culture. We should avoid using our own culture and values as the standard of measurement and judgment, but adopt an objective and tolerant attitude towards foreign cultures; At the same time, we should avoid blindly following and imitating foreign cultures, but stick to our own excellent cultural traditions.
References:
[1] Yi Zhongtian, culture on the table, Wen Wei Po. Pen club
[2] Lin Dajin, A Study of Intercultural Communication, Fujian People's Publishing House,1996.438+00: 92-127.
[3] Li, Modern International Etiquette Knowledge, published by World Knowledge Publishing House, 2003.438+02: 109.