Please talk about the differences between China culture and western culture.

On the Differences between Chinese and Western Cultures

Shura, School of Business, South-Central University for Nationalities

Due to the differences in history, culture, customs, living environment and religious beliefs, there are great differences between Chinese and western languages, which leads to various interference factors in cultural learning and communication. In order to overcome the communication barriers caused by cultural differences between China and the West, teachers should understand and master the cultural differences in language teaching.

Keywords cultural differences; cultural education

Language is the product of society and the crystallization of human history and culture. It embodies the social consciousness, history, culture, customs and all the characteristics of human society handed down from generation to generation by a nation. Different cultural backgrounds and traditions have caused considerable cultural differences between China and the West in ways of thinking, values, codes of conduct and lifestyles. Language is the carrier of culture, which directly reflects the cultural differences. Therefore, teachers should understand the differences between different cultures, which is helpful to improve the effect and quality of education. Here are some examples for your reference.

First, the differences between values and moral standards.

1. Personal Honor and Modesty Westerners worship personal struggle, especially their pride in personal achievements, and never hide their confidence, sense of honor and ecstasy after their achievements. On the contrary, China culture does not advocate showing off personal honor, advocates modesty, and opposes the boasting of old women selling melons. However, China people's modesty or self-denial often makes westerners dissatisfied.

Your English is very good.

No, no, my English is poor.

You did a great job.

I don't think so. This is the result of joint efforts. In the eyes of westerners, this modesty not only denies oneself, but also denies the taste of connoisseurs.

2. Self-centeredness and selfless dedication

Westerners have a strong sense of self-centeredness and independence, mainly manifested in:

(1) Be responsible for yourself. Everyone's lifestyle and quality of life depend on their own abilities. Therefore, everyone should strive for themselves and put personal interests first.

(2) I'm not used to caring and helping others, but I don't ask other people's things.

(3) Taking the initiative to help others or accepting others' help is often embarrassing in the West. Because accepting help can only prove your incompetence, and taking the initiative to help others will be considered as interfering in other people's private affairs.

China people's code of conduct is "whether I am useful to others and society", and personal value is reflected in dedication. China culture advocates a noble sentiment-selfless dedication. In China, it is a virtue to take the initiative to care for others and give them meticulous consideration. Therefore, China people are willing to take the initiative to care about other people's major events and family affairs, which will be regarded as "meddling" by the West.

3. Innovative spirit and the doctrine of the mean

Western culture encourages people to innovate and do something outstanding and extraordinary that has never been done before. However, the traditional culture of China requires people to be impartial and mean. China people are good at predicting future dangers and are more willing to maintain the status quo and harmony.

4. Freedom of personality and unity and cooperation

Westerners cherish personal freedom very much, and they can do whatever they like, going it alone and not wanting to be restricted. China culture emphasizes collectivism, advocates that individual interests are subordinate to collective interests, and advocates sharing weal and woe, unity and cooperation, and keeping pace.

Second, the differences in social relations.

1. Equality consciousness and hierarchical concept

Westerners have a strong sense of equality. No matter rich or poor, everyone will respect themselves and will not allow others to infringe on their rights. At the same time, everyone can fully respect others. In the United States, few people are proud of their distinguished family background, and few people are ashamed of being born in poverty. Because they all know that as long as they work hard, they will succeed. As a popular American proverb says, "Cowboys can be presidents as long as they work hard." If you work hard, even a cowboy can be president. )

Although New China has been established for more than 50 years, the traditional concept of hierarchy is still deeply rooted in the minds of China people. The father is the absolute authority in the eyes of his son, and the teacher is the absolute authority in the eyes of his students. Family background still plays an important role in people's growth.

2. The nuclear family has four generations under one roof.

The American-style family structure is relatively simple: parents and minor children are called nuclear families. Once the children get married, they have to move out and become financially independent. Parents are no longer obliged to raise their children. This practice provides young people with maximum freedom and cultivates their ability to live independently, but it also alienates the relationship between relatives.

The family structure in China is complicated, and the traditional happy family is four generations living under one roof. In such a family, the elderly help to look after the children, and the children and grandchildren help to support the elderly when they grow up. Family members depend on each other and help each other, which brings them closer to each other. But this lifestyle is not conducive to cultivating young people's independent ability.

Third, the differences in social etiquette.

People in China like to ask each other's name, age, company and income when they meet. Westerners hate being asked personal questions such as age and income. Acquaintances in Lu Yu, China always say "Have you eaten?" "Where to?" "Go to work?" Wait a minute. In our opinion, this is a polite greeting. But if you greet westerners like this, "Have you eaten?" "Where are you going?" They will think that you will invite him to dinner or interfere in his private affairs, which will cause misunderstanding. Westerners usually say hello when they meet! "Hello!" "Nice day, isn't it?"

China people usually show modesty when praised by others, and they have a set of modest words, such as "shame", "where", "humble" and "poor writing". Westerners always answer "thank you" and happily accept it. China people use "thank you" less than westerners, especially among very close friends and family. On the other hand, westerners will say "thank you" all day, even among relatives, friends and family. When people in China receive gifts, they often put them aside (for fear of being called greedy). When westerners receive gifts, they should immediately open them in front of the guests and even claim that they are good. China people are hospitable. They pour wine into cups and serve food again and again. Guests can't eat or drink, which makes westerners find it difficult to deal with. The habit of westerners is: "Help yourself!" When Chinese send guests off, the host and guests often say, "Go slowly!" "Be careful!" "Goodbye, go!" "You go in!" "Please stay" and so on. Westerners will only say, "Bye-bye!" "See you later!" "See you next time!" "Good night!"

Fourth, the differences of social customs.

1. Attitude towards women

Women in the United States and women in China may suffer from hidden discrimination. But American women are lucky and enjoy a lot of superficial respect. Courtesy of respecting women can be seen everywhere in American society: men open doors for women; Help the lady get off the bus; On the road, men walk outside and women walk inside to provide protection for women; When the lady enters the restaurant, all the men should stand up; Before going to the dinner table, the man will open the chair for the lady, and then send the chair back to the lady's back and ask her to sit down.

There seems to be less concern and etiquette for women in China society. Some experts have noticed that quite a few Chinese characters with the word "female" contain derogatory meanings, such as "devil, traitor, slave, jealousy and jealousy".

2. Attitude towards marriage

Westerners' views on marriage are very different from those of China. Because they think that marriage is purely a personal matter, and no one can interfere. For example, divorce is more common in America. A person has the right to choose to live with the person he likes. Once the existing marriage is found to be a mistake, he/she has the right to make a second choice. In their view, it is cruel to force two people who don't love each other to live together.

China's marriage is relatively stable. This is because China people regard marriage as the top priority in their lives. Everyone treats it with caution and chooses it carefully. Once a decision is made, it will not be changed easily. In addition, China people have always regarded marriage as a serious moral issue, and it is considered extremely immoral to like the new and dislike the old.

Verb (abbreviation of verb) living environment

The emergence of language is closely related to people's work and life. Britain is an island country, and the navigation industry once led the world in history; The Han people live and multiply in the Asian continent, and people's lives are inseparable from the land. Metaphorically speaking, spending money is a waste, while spending money in English is like running water, while spending money in Chinese is like running water. There are many idioms about boats and water in English, but there are no similar idioms in Chinese, such as resting in one's sky, keeping one's head on the water, and being at sea.

In the cultural atmosphere of Chinese, "East Wind" means "Spring Breeze". Summer is often associated with extreme heat. "The sun burns like fire" and "The sun burns like fire" are words that are often used to describe summer. However, Britain is located in the western hemisphere and has a maritime climate, but it is the news that the west wind heralds spring. Ode to the west wind by Shelley, a famous English poet, is a hymn of spring. Summer in England is a warm and pleasant season, which is often associated with loveliness, gentleness and beauty. Shakespeare compared his lovers to summer in one of his sonnets. Can I compare them to summer? /You are cuter and gentler.

Sixth, religious belief, Buddhism

Buddhism has been introduced into China for more than 1000 years. Many people believe that there is a "Buddha Lord" who controls everything in the world. There are many languages related to this, such as "offering Buddha with flowers", "not burning incense in leisure, cramming for Buddha's feet temporarily" and so on. In many western countries, especially in Britain and the United States, people believe in Christianity, which is related to "God helps those who help themselves". Go to hull. Go to hell! ) such a curse.

7. Historical allusions There are a large number of words composed of historical allusions in English and Chinese. These idioms are simple in structure and far-reaching, which cannot be understood and translated literally, such as "learning from the East is effective", "losing reputation in Sun Shan" and "Ye Gong loves dragons". In English, Achilles heel (fatal wound, the biggest weakness), meet one'swaterloo (failure), Penelope'sweb (endless work), pandoras box (the root of disaster, trouble and disaster) and so on.

In a word, there are many differences between Chinese and western cultures.