中西文化差异对英语教学的影响

Influences of Cultural differences between China and

Western Countries on English Teaching

Abstract:Relationship between language and culture are inseparable. If you really want to master the communication tool—English and have skillful language communication ability, you must have a knowledge of the cultural differences between China and the western countries. In the teaching of English, teachers should make their great efforts to improve the students' cultural sensitivity and eliminate negative effects of cultural differences. Teachers should improve students' ability of cultural understanding and improve the students' language ability at the same time. The writer of this paper will study the cultural differences between China and the western countries at first and then talk about the influence of cultural differences between China and the western countries on English teaching, and at last, the writer gives us some useful suggestions.

Key words: language; cultural difference; English teaching and learning; influence

摘要:语言和文化的关系密不可分。要真正掌握英语这个交际工具，具备熟练的语言交际能力，你必须对中西方国家的文化差异有所了解。在英语教学中，教师要努力提高学生的文化敏感性，消除文化差异给英语学习带来的消极影响。教师在提高学生文化领悟能力的同时提高学生的语言能力。本文作者首先探讨中西文化差异，然后浅谈中西文化差异对英语教学的影响，最后提出一些有用的建议。

关键词:语言;文化差异;英语教学;影响

Ⅰ. Introduction

In recent years, with the development of science and technology, and with the change of people’s idea, the world is globalized increasingly. People are confronted with a new international life that exchanges between people, whether it is business trade or social activities, become more than before. The language has set up a bridge to communicate with people. With the deposition of history and the development of society, China and the western countries have formed different cultural practices. Relationship between language and culture are inseparable. If students really want to master communication skills, they must have a knowledge of language and cultures of English. If students focus only on the use of English forms while ignore the cultural differences, which will lead to the improper use of language, even cause misunderstanding. To resolve this problem, teachers should cultivate students’ comprehensive ability about cultural differences when they use English in English teaching and improve students’ intercultural consciousne ss in English learning.

Ⅱ. Cultural differences between China and the western countries Actually, in China，western food has already become ordinary and popular in recent years．Also，more and more Chinese have started to enjoy imported fruits，cars and other things after the country became a member of the World Trade Organization. At the same time，more and more challenges and opportunities have come as well as culture shock. So what is culture shock？The generation gap is a good example．Sometimes Chinese parents don't understand their children．They enjoy rock and pop songs instead of Beijing Opera，they eat ham burgers instead of steamed bread，they act without inhibition and they wear strange and light music clothes. Think about computers and the net．Many of us have computers of our own．This great invention has sped up the development of the whole world．Communication has become a much easier thing．E-mail and net-business have been a great help to all of us．Many young people start to learn computer skills at a very early age．We live in the age of information．We are realistic，modern and international，of course this is not a bad thing，but have you noticed that our traditional culture is facing a great

challenge？

Take cartoons for example．I'm a super cartoon fan，but those that I usually enjoy are from Japan or produced by the Disney company．Few of them are Chinese．Think about the popular movies we usually talk about and think about Titanic，Lord of the Ring，Harry Potter and so on．But what about our old stories？They are being forgotten．This situation seems to be more common among the teens and young people．But what I want to say is “Traditional culture does play an important role in every Chinese's life．”Why do I say so？Because every country and district has its own culture．The world has become more colorful because of the differences．If one day people all over the world speak the same language，eat the same thing and wear the same clothes，it's hard to imagine how awful the world would be．Have you seen the World Cup？I'm sure you have．Besides the exciting games，do you remember the embrace of the Irish team and the wonderful dance from Senegal，the samba of the Brazilian heroes？I am sure you do．I'm sure the Korean team's team work impressed you a lot．The different cultures have made our World Cup more attractive，the great teams and their own cultures had impressed the whole world．Am I right? I want to say that although we are facing culture shock，we can't lose sight of our own culture．One is poor without his personality．A nation is poor without its culture．I know China is a great nation with a long history and special culture．Don't think that it is out of date，because we can see its great potential for study through the old surface．There is still a lot for us to discover and create．As a member of WTO，China and its traditional sectors are facing great challenges．But if we make the most use of them，they are still competitive，aren't they？And we also could learn the spirit of adventure from westerners, become more creative and keep our advantage of calm to developing economic. So I think it will be easier for us into international economic development.

East and west, they are different in many ways. Now, I want to talk about it in some specific aspects. Such as the way of Greeting, Thanks and Responses, living styles, education and so on.

2.1 Cultural differences in greeting

In China, when people meet acquaintances or friends, we always say, “Have you eaten yet?” What are you going to do?”

In English, people often employ the following expressions to greet each other “Good morning/evening/afternoon. “Fine day, isn’t it?”How is everything going?”etc.

2.2 Cultural differences in thanks and responses

In China, “Thank you” is not frequently used between intimate f riends and family members because it may imply a certain distance between the addresser and the addressee. “Thank you” is widely used in English to show gratitude in such cases as being invited, helped, given a gift, etc.

2.3 Cultural differences in living styles

Chinese prefer getting up early and go to bed early too. We usually go home early and cook meals, then we eat and watch TV, then we go to bed. We often work during the holidays; children often go to different spare schools to study. We like save money and when we have enough money, we then go and buy what we want, in my opinion, Chinese are so tired and busy; but in most west countries, people live in a easy and happy lives. They get up late and go to work late too, they go to pubs, bars to have a rest after they finish their work, they enjoy their holidays, they seldom go to work during the weekend. If you go to west countries, you can take part in their joyful night life. Western families advocate equality in daily life. The husband and the wife usually have an equality voice in decision-making, and on certain matters, the children, too, have a vote. In the western, most old people do not live with their children or relatives. If they have enough money they will buy house or apartments in places where other old people live. If they are not healthy and strong enough to live alone, they would rather live in nursing houses for old people than be taken by their children. Therefore they want to stay young because youth stands for hope and energy, they do not like to grow old because they will not gain honor, respect or attention as old people .Though countries have more advantages in living, I still believe that “East or west , home is best”, I still think China will always be my deeply

loved mother.

2.4 Education cultural differences

2.4.1 Family education

The traditional family education in China, on account of the respective differences in more aspects is different from that in the West. They have their own characteristics between regions and cultures. To begin with, the tendency of education is different.

The Chinese parents lay emphasis on social enlightenment, ignore the growth of children. The Chinese parents take the social compatible enlightenment serio usly, but often neglect the development of children's characteristics, they often train the children under established forms, and lay down the broad road for their growth. The western parents provide the children a environment for growth resistant to them, and foster their tenacious individuality and the good conduct, and they choose their idea and way of cultivation according to the change of society and the characteristic of children physical and mental.

Secondly, the value of family education is different. The function of China’s family education is forced by the China’s traditional culture. The Chinese traditional Confucian culture emphasize “the cultivation of one’s moral character, the running of one’s family, the administration of a state, the peace and security of the world”. In this directional thought, the family education is bestowed on the direct social significance. In addition, the Chinese traditional culture also regards the family education and children's individual growth as the direct correlative causes and effects. The Chinese parents care about the reputation in educating the child, thinking educating the child to become a useful person is their achievement, but if not, the parents feel shameful. The education's goal is for earning their living, for honor. The western family education is different from china in the educational goal. Education is not the preparation for earning their living, but for survival. “The learned education” they emphasize has the value of molding one’s mind, one kind of value which has nothing to do with the utility or the occupation consideration. Last, the focal point of education is different. What the China’s traditional culture grasps is life and morals,

so the Chinese value life and the human relations extremely. Therefore, the Chinese parents have regarded the morals as the highest value orientation in the education. Especially, in the Chinese mind, “the good child” is a child who is obedient and sensible at first, aims at the community, liked at first sight. In that case, the guardian trains the child to practice the moral culture, cultivates mental poise, self-restraining, emphasizes reservation, and the idea of social rank. The main connotation of Chinese family education is “the mercy, righteousness, the ritu al, the wisdom, the honesty, loyalty, forgiveness”, and the Chinese child was taught by historical story, ethics, loyalty, filial piety and integrity when he was young. The child was influenced by the ice-cold moral law and the rules and regulations, and studied 3-character classic and Y ounger brother Cuckoo since childhood. Y et, what the western culture grasps is knowledge, the family mainly arouses the child’s the curiosity about and the imagination of nature. As we all know knowledge creation comes from curiosity. So parents by making children interested in the nature and fairy stories, let the children have a broader imagination space, so as to help the knowledge creation. In addition, they regard the psychological development as the highest direction, so the cultivation of child's interest and the creativity is the main point of western family education.

All in all, there are many differences between China and Western family education and each has its strong points and weak points. We should reject the dross and absorb the cream of them, advance the family educational modernization instantaneously.

2.4.2 School education

In a U.S. high school English class, the teacher convey the topic to the whole class. The students have clustered into groups, with the internet to find information. They speak loudly, and there are even debate competitions held in two groups which teachers sometimes participate in the discussion. Classroom atmosphere is very active. The moment the bell ring, students still talk of the questions.

American English teachers' style is quite dramatic. The overall classroom atmosphere is casual. In the class, the students can eat fruits and chewing gum. Some American teachers talk so excited that they sit up the podium. American teachers

encourage students to ask questions, the more the better for the students to ask questions. Questions are curricular content and it can be outside of school. The students who are usually ask questions are considered to be good. When a Beijing school teachers teaching in the United States, a class of students have been asked the question about China and he answered questions on the whole class with his well prepared lesson plan left useless. In addition to American students ask questions, they are also actively in speaking to state their point of view. American scholars: students speak more involved, indicating that the more successful teachers in the class. .When the United States experienced teachers can not answer the question, always sincere to say: I am Sorry, I don't know. Let's discuss it;

In short, the American stressed that students should think more about the school, ask questions, encouraged students stumped teachers.

While Chinese teachers hold the ideas that teachers are models of virtue for others. The contents hold the ideas that teachers are models of virtue for others. The content of the classes is always confined into the textbooks and the teaching programs. With regard to other knowledge which has no relation with the textbook, teachers are unable to teach though they would like to because there is no time for students to learn anything but the knowledge which is related to their examinations. In the class, considering a large amount of classroom teaching, there is less time for students to think the questions ; and teacher can only offer students brief answers; teachers should allow students to participate in classroom performance, but actually they did not do that ; teachers often prolong the classes and take up spare time of students. Moreover, the students are numb at class and busy with notes written on the blackboard, and don not know what should do if there is nothing on the blackboard. Eventually, teachers and their students are tired of writing.

In short, the classes of Chinese teachers are considered to be in stable type. They prepare lessons meticulously and explain the knowledge points elaborately. They will not say the words which are have nothing to do with the class and not to mention active gestures and other non-verbal expression.

2.5 Other customs

In our China the bride and bridegroom would in red because we believe the red color reprsents lucky and the wedding would be host in the bridegroom’s house.In American the bride always in her white wedding gown and their wedding will be host in a church.

In China if we patted on a child’s head,it means we like the child. Americans treat the action as a misbehavious. T hey think you don’t respect the child so you will make his parents angry.

Chinese are indifferent to privacy mentality, holding that individuals belong to groups and striving for fraternal unity and concern between each other. For this reason, Chinese people is more often than not willing to understand joys and sorrows of others and the counterpart is willing to reveal one’s innermost feelings frankly. While American people attach great importance to personal privacy, stressing individual space, being unwilling to mention too many personal affairs to others, let alone the interference of others. Therefore, conflicts on privacy often occur between Chinese and Americans. For instance, at the meeting for the first time, easterners often make inquires of other’s age, marital status, children, occupation and even income. For easterners, they do not regard it as asking personal affairs, it is regard as concerns, but for westerners, these questions infringe their privacy. And the westerns think it’s imploite and we don’t say “thanks” all the times especially saying it.

In the culture of British and America, it is very important to consult a time before you invite somebody to attend a banquet or take part in social activities. Esp. in America, invite somebody means you are borrow times of others. So they respect time very much. While in China, people prefer an uninvited guest.

In china if we have a supper, we would invite many people and we usually think the more the better because we think it will be livelier. On the other hand, if the host respects you he will give you a seat at first and sit on the left chair. And the host will get something tast well into the gust’s bowl .Americans would like to keep quiet and make the banquet sweet. They regard the right as a symbol of respect. The host will let the guests to choose what to eat or drink. If the host got something into the g uest’s

bowl, they will think that the host forces them to finish it.

Western people always try to make their leaving sound reluctant by finding some reasons and apologize for it to make the leaving acceptable for both parties. They often signal several times before leaving. Such as, “I am afraid I must be off, I have to …” “Well, it’s been nice to see you again. I do enjoy our talk and the lovely dinner, but I must be going soon”. “Thank you very much for asking me over. I hope we’ll be able to get together again before long…”

Now we have learned many differences between east and west in culture, in my opinion, there are many advantages we could learn from western culture and we also have our own advantages. So we can absorb their cream and keep our good traditional culture, then we could do many propaganda about our culture to westerners. Thus, it will be helpful for us in developing international economic.

III. Influence of cultural differences between China and the western countries on English teaching

Overcoming the communication barriers caused by cultural differences has become the common problems faced by the whole world. As an English teacher, we should pay more attention to language of teaching, especially developing students' communicative competence, and treat effect of cultural differences in English language teaching as an important issue.

Students will feel impact of cultural differences on learning and using English in the learning process. These differences often exist in folk habits, lifestyles, ways of thinking, character traits and so on. For example, the following several points:

3.1 English teaching about folk custom difference

In China, since thousands of years of traditional culture and thought, people attached great importance to fa mily relationship. People can’t call the old people’s name directly. Each family has a name. However, in English, brothers, sisters, table cousins, table hall and sisters are as simple as brother, sister, cousin.

3.2 English teaching about the way of greeting

In China, we have many different kinds of way on greeting. The most common is “did you eat?” “Where you go?” In fact, we are not interested in these answers. They

are merely a way of greeting. In western countries, people dislike these issues and feel strange. The way they greet each other often involves talking about the weather. For example, “Nice day, isn’t it?” “Y es, marvelous.” They do not have to show their feelings or talk about their private affairs.

3.3 English teaching about expression of modest

Modest is a traditional Chinese virtue. They respect their elders and superiors. They don't want to express themselves so much. However, westerners would accept it. For example, In China, some people praise you that “Y ou speak English very well.” The re ply is always “not well, just so-so”. However, foreigners’ reply is “Thank Y ou.”

3.4 English teaching about receiving gifts

When Chinese people receive gifts, they will not open it at once. It seems not impolite. While foreigners receive gifts, they will open it at once and express their gratitude to guests. They often say “Oh, how nice, thank you.” “Oh, I like it, thank you.” and so on.

3.5 English teaching about thanks

Generally, Chinese rarely use “Thank you”. If use it, people will feel strange and divide us. But foreigners use “Thank you” in almost all occasions between all people. This is the minimum level of courtesy. When someone asks, “would you like something to eat / drink?” Chinese often say,“Don't bother”. The foreigners will say “Yes,please.” or “No,thanks.”

3.6 English teaching about privacy

Chinese ask about the age, marriage and income to show their concern when they first meet. But English speaking countries have this more disgusted because these are personal privacy. As in JEFC Book 1Lesson 16, there is such a dialogue, “How old are you, Mrs Read?” “It’s a secret!” Why Mrs Read refused to tell her age? Because English speaking countries people hope to seem to be full of go and youth in each other’s eyes, so they keep their actual age secret. Futher more, it is not welcome that Chinese say “where are you going?”, “what are you doing?” to show their concern. Because in English, it will be a prying judge.

3.7 English teaching about the cultural connotations of vocabulary

English vocabulary have accumulated the rich cultural connotation in use. So teachers must pay more attention to the introduction of cultural significance in the teaching of English vocabulary in order to prevent students from make subjective evaluation from the words themselves. For example, the word “red”, it is often related in celebration or festive days whether in China or in the English speaking countries, especially in China, red is a symbol of revolution, socialism and the positive significance, but in English “red” also means the dangerous state or make people angry, such as “red flag”. And when seen in the commercial, the English “in the red”, do not think that it is profit, in contrast, it is the loss, or the debt.

IV. Conclusion

In the teaching of English, teachers should make their great efforts to improve the students' cultural sensitivity and eliminate negative effects of cultural differences to English learning. Teachers improve students' ability of cultural understanding and improve the students' language ability at the same time. Such as strengthening the comparison of cultural differences in Chinese and Western; absorbing and experiencing foreign cultures in different ways; giving students an understanding of foreign art, history and customs.

In a word, there are many cultural differences between China and the western countries. We cannot ignore the influence of cultural differences on language. Only in this way can we use the language correctly in real life.

References

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[2]胡文仲．胡文仲英语教育自选集．北京：外语教学与研究出版社，2006.

[3]刘永红．从汉英语言的差异看中西文化的不同．英语学习，2001:(1)

[4]王展鹏．接近英语的母胎．英语学习，7 0 中国科教创新导刊2001:(6)

[5]章京萍.中西文化差异对英汉词汇交流的影响.湖南科技学院学报，2005:（10）

题目：中西方文化差异对于英语教学活动的影响

作者：韩晗

班级：08级心理班

指导教师：郭雪林