英语语言与文化

Task 5

一、Words for animals and plants usually have the same denotations in different languages, but very often have distinct connotations. For example, “dog” has quite different connotations in Chinese and English. gou(狗) is quite derogative in China: 狗急跳墙，狗仗人势，狼心狗肺，狗腿子，etc. But “dog” in the west is considered the best friend of man, which is well established in their cultures. So they feel disgusted at eating dog meat. In most cases dog is positive in its connotations. Examples are: “You lucky dog.” “Every dog has its day.” “Love me, love my dog.” “He worked like a dog.” “You can?t teach old dog new tricks.”Find out the connotations of the following animals in both languages.

dragon, phoenix, owl, bat, peacock

dragon: In Chinese: it stands for king or emperor, it thus brings about such positive meanings as success and majesty(最高权威).

In English: it is a symbol of evil, a fierce monster（邪恶的怪物）that destroys and therefore must be destroyed.

phoenix :In Chinese: it stands for the king of bird, good luck but In English: it means rebuilt and reborn.

owl : In Chinese, owl means bad luck, Chinese people hate to run into it, especially at night, but in English, it stands for justice and wisdom.

Bat:In Chinese: it is a symbol of good fortune, well-being, happiness. But In English: is stands for ugly, sinister（邪恶的）, blood-sucking（吸血鬼）.

Peacock ：

3二、In China we address a stranger with an advanced age “Grandpa” or “Grandma”. Why do we do so since that stranger is not connected to us by blood? How does this

sound to an English ear?

The answer is that: In China when baby was born he will be taught many customs such as we address a stranger with an advanced age “Grandpa” or “Grandma”.This means you have a high quality. But this sound to an English ear complicated. They will address many strangers with ladies or gentlemen.

三、Read the case story (from Zanger, 1985) and

answer the questions below.

John, an American, was happy when his Saudi Arabian neighbor invited him to a party at his apartment, just down the hall in the same apartment building. After work, John made a special trip to the neighborhood liquor store to buy a bottle of his favorite white wine for the party.

When John got to the party, his host, Mazen, greeted him at the door in a friendly way. He put his arm around John?s shoulders and said,

“Oh, John. I?m so glad you could come.”

John answered, “How?re you doing, Mazen? Looks like a great party. Here, I brought you some of my favorite wine.”

Mazen took the wine but said nothing about it. Then he said, “I?d like you to meet my sister who came from Raid, my city, just two days ago.”

John reached out to shake Mazen?s sister?s hand, but she just stood there, and stopped smiling. John decided that she was probably shy. So he tried to be especially friendly to her. They had a nice conversation until Mazen ended it.

John wa s saying to Mazen?s sister, “So, it looks like your brother is going to show you the town.” Because John was feeling very friendly to his host and his host?s sister, her put one arm around each of them. Mazen suddenly looked very serious.

He stood up and took John by the arm and said, “Come over here and try some of our food.”

John enjoyed himself very much at the party that night. He couldn?t believe how much food Mazen had prepared. As he was leaving, he realized that he had not seen his bottle of wine. He decided that in all the confusion, Mazen had probably forgotten to open it.

Questions:

1) Why did John buy the wine?

Because he want to make a special gift for Mazen? party.

2) Why didn?t Mazen open it?

Maybe his country has such custom, so he did not open it.

3) Why didn?t Mazen say anything to John about the wine?

Because in his country most people are used to doing such things. So he didn?t say anything to John about the wine.

4) Why didn?t Mazen?s sister shake hands with John?

Because in Saudi Arabian every woman is not allowed to shake hands with men. So Mazen?s sister didn?t shake hands with John?

5) Why did John put his arm around Mazen and his sister?

Because John was feeling very friendly to Mazen and his sister, so he put one arm around each of them.

6)Why did Mazen suddenly end John?s conversation with his sister？

Because John he tried to be especially friendly to his sister , that will not be allowed in Saudi Arabian.

四、A South Korean student in American wrote: “We went to visit an American friend. When we saw him, he opened the window and said to us: …I?m sorry, I don?t have time. I have to work at my studies.? Then he closed his window.”

Why was this student confused?

Because in American, people don?t like to play with their friends when they are busy at work or studying until they do finished their task. But that is different from South Korean. In South Korean , you are well received when you visit your friends. So he this student confused, when he was refused.

五、Are the generalizations about the US culture true or false?

1）Most young people in the US start dating around the age of twelve.(false)

2）The bill in most restaurants in the US includes a service charge.(true)

3）In the US, shopping for groceries is usually done by going to a supermarket once a week.(true)

4）Most Americans do their own housework.(false)

5）In American cities, people who walk their dogs in public are required to clean up after them.(true)

6）It is polite to ask Americans questions about their salary.(false)

7）When invited to a birthday party in the US, you are expected to give a gift of money.(true) 8）In the US, saying “Thank you ”is a common way of reacting to a compliment(赞美的话).(true)

9）The cost of university tuition is so expensive in the US that only the very rich can afford it.(false)

10）In families, it is often the mother who does most the food shopping.(false)