Homology of British and American cultures
The homology of British and American cultures is undeniable. More precisely, American culture has inherited many things from British culture. British culture is the root and source of American culture. This is because American history is influenced by Britain.
First of all, the British accounted for a very large proportion of the early immigrants in the United States. Let nature take its course, they brought British culture, British personality and British way of thinking to this new continent.
Secondly, in the17th century, Britain took the lead in bourgeois revolution among countries and entered the ranks of capitalist countries. Great progress has been made in the British economy. Soon, it led the world industrial revolution. Britain's strength has advanced by leaps and bounds, dominating the world. The United States is an important region for its military and cultural aggression. This history leads to the homology of British and American cultures.
Similarities between the two cultures
Homology makes the cultures of these two countries have many similarities.
1 language-all English
Religion-mainly Protestantism.
Some social details-ladies first, politeness, privacy protection, taboo Friday, number thirteen, etc.
4 festivals-Halloween, Easter, etc.
The expression of cultural differences between Britain and America
There are many similarities between British and American cultures. However, with the evolution of history and the inheritance of culture, American culture, which has developed independently for more than 200 years, has undergone many variations due to different ecological environments. Today, we will talk about British and American cultures. There are already many differences.
I read a post on the internet the other day, which was about the difference between British and American returnees. Generally speaking, British returnees are well-dressed, polite in speech and manners, step by step, not in a hurry, just sour in doing things, like beating around the bush, and often go around hundreds of times before saying something unpleasant. The evaluation of returnees in the United States can be summarized in three sentences: "Dress rustic, talk arrogant, and spend money stingy". In other words, returnees studying in the United States generally dress casually and are not too particular. Even on some occasions, they are in suits and ties, gentle and gentle, and very "gentlemen". But if they don't meet other people, these "gentlemen" will show their true colors, take off their shoes, unbutton their ties and put their feet up.
The differences in behavior and speech of these returnees actually reflect the differences between British and American cultures. In fact, the differences between British and American cultures are manifested in many aspects:
First, the differences between English and American languages.
Although both Britain and America speak English, American English is different from British English. Although both British and Americans speak English, there are still great differences between the two kinds of English. Everyone who studies English knows that there are two kinds of English pronunciations: British pronunciation and American pronunciation. British English, relatively speaking, has clear pronunciation and less continuous reading, and generally sounds clearer and clearer; The principle of Americans speaking English is "saving and connecting". So for people who speak English as a second language, listening to British pronunciation will be much more comfortable. If you want to get used to American accent, I'm afraid only people who have lived in America can really do it. In addition, there are many differences in the usage of words between the two countries, such as: 1.
United States of America
Britain, England
second floor
second floor
The first floor; The second floor
subway
subway
below ground
Telephone busy signal
The line is busy.
The line is busy.
school term
school term
school term
Holidays; holiday
holiday
holiday
shop
shop
shop
Language and culture are closely related. Language carries cultural information. A nation's specific speech acts reflect its cultural characteristics, and greetings are one of them. They are closely related to our daily life and truly reflect social life and social culture. This paper discusses the similarities and differences of greetings between China and Britain and America, thus reflecting some cultural differences between China and Britain and America. Keywords: greetings; Anglo-American countries; China Library Classification. : H0 ID number:No. A document number:'1002-6908 (2007)10199-02 When you meet a friend on the road, it is inevitable to say hello and say a few words. Cold means cold. Noisy means warm. Literally, greeting means asking about the temperature. Modern Chinese Dictionary defines the word "greetings" as "talking about the warm and cold weather when we meet". "It refers to communicate with some established words. Greetings are short and kind. Often used as an introduction to communication. When meeting others, if you can choose the appropriate greeting, it will often pave the way for further conversation between the two sides. On the contrary, it is very impolite to say nothing when you should exchange a few pleasantries. People in China and Britain and America have the habit of greeting each other. As a way of human communication, greetings must have some common features and perform the same functions in different ethnic groups, which reflects the * * * nature of language. However, due to the differences in geographical environment, mode of production, social system, traditional customs and national way of thinking, there are also some differences in language expressions of cold pupils, reflecting some differences between China and Britain and the United States. The contrast between English and Chinese greetings is helpful to further understand the two cultures. Comparison is an important way for people to understand objective things. As Engels said, "Only by comparing your mother tongue with other languages can you truly understand your own language. 1. Similarities between China and Britain and the United States (1) From the function of greetings, greetings are an indispensable part in both languages. First of all, greeting is a polite expression and a necessary communication. Use greetings to show that you value each other and get their respect. Secondly, greetings can shorten the distance between people, enhance each other's feelings and win each other's good feelings for you. Third. Greeting is the beginning of sincere communication between friends, which can make the following conversation go smoothly. From the perspective of communicative psychology, proper greetings can make both sides feel a sense of identity, assimilate one side into the other's feelings, reflect people's affinity requirements in communication, and successfully achieve the purpose of communication. (2) From the function of greetings, greetings are not really used to exchange information or opinions. It's just a communication language to create an atmosphere, and the pleasantries of China and Britain and the United States may not necessarily have substance. It is only used to establish and maintain social relations between speakers. For example, people in China greet others: "Have you eaten?" I don't really want to know whether the other party has eaten or not. Do you want to have dinner? It's just emotional communication This is just a polite remark. In Britain and America, people say "Goodmorning" when they meet in the morning. They don't want to express this momangi. Good. But just say hello to others. Another example is "Today is a sad day. 1Sn't ",this is not to confirm whether the weather is really good. "Is everything all right? It's just for greeting people, not really wanting to know other people's physical condition or recent situation. This greeting is not impolite, but a polite answer "You're welcome". (3) From the content of greetings, including greetings, compliments, thanks and other small talk. Specifically, China, Britain and the United States greet each other in the following ways: 1 greet each other directly. In China, it is more appropriate to say "hello". -Hello! The British and Americans will say "HJ. /hello. /goodmorrant ~。 Good afternoon/good evening. /howd 0 you 0 "and so on. 2. Express the joy of meeting or getting to know each other. In China, such greetings are "Nice to meet you" or "Pleased to meet you". Gentle greetings, such as "I've heard so much about you" or "Nice to meet you", are used in more solemn occasions. You can also say, "I've heard your name", "So-and-so has often told me about you", or "I've read your masterpiece", "I've heard your report" and so on. Nice to meet you. /I'm glad to meet you. Nice to meet you. ) "3 question greeting. Generally used between acquaintances, such greetings can be cordial and specific. For example, people in China often ask, "Where are you going?" , "Go to work?" "What have you been up to recently?" , "do what? And "How is your family? "Simple and can express the speaker's love. British and American people usually ask their friends how they are doing, such as "Howa|eyou? /}lowareyoudoing？ /What's the matter? D song ing? Or "How was your day? How are you doing? )"。 The answer is usually-"I'm fine. Menanagud. /Jarnock. /ia ii is very good. I'm fine. "If the other person is unhappy recently. You can also answer: iusts 0 1 ‰ (just so-so. Not bad. Not bad. You can also say "Notsogood" if the other person has recently encountered something particularly unlucky. //Terrible (shit. ) "What is this?" 、“Whatareyouupto？ What are you up to? "。 Of course, after a short answer, a "thank you. "It is also crucial. Many times, the other party will not just answer. Out of courtesy, they also ask others. In a shop or restaurant, the greeting words of waiters include "welcome" or "hello". In Britain and America, waiters usually say hello simply. At this time, you can tell the other party what help you need without answering, or after saying "hi". (4) China people should pay attention to the occasion when greeting British and American people, that is, the time, place and object of cold friendship should be considered, which varies from time to time, from place to place and from person to person. I met a friend at work and said, "Go to work?" Seems natural, "off work? "Greetings do not apply to this time. In China, if you meet someone who just came out of the toilet, you will also ask, "Have you eaten? ".will make each other very embarrassed. People who live in different circles have different greetings. For example, students can ask, "Are you going to class? "? " Neighbors can "go shopping"? Second, the differences between China and Britain and the United States (1) The greeting "Have you eaten?" ""or "Have you eaten?" China people all know that it's just a general greeting. It's very simple. And achieved the purpose of exchanging feelings. But this greeting does not apply to western countries. English speakers never greet others. ''。 If you greet a foreigner like this, he will probably think that you are going to invite him to a big meal, which will lead to misunderstanding. "This has no intention of asking cultural errors, which is worse than syntactic errors in the language. Therefore, when we use greetings, we must start from the cultural background and pay attention to the objects of greetings. (2) China people have frequent interpersonal communication and strong interpersonal relationship. Everyone asks questions to each other, and they often ask private affairs in other people's lives in their greetings. For example, "How old are you? "Are you married?" . In English culture, such topics as age, home address, work unit, income, marital status, family situation, beliefs and so on. It belongs to the category of personal privacy, and it is taboo for others to hear it. If you ask people in Britain and America, "Where are you going?" Their reaction is likely to be: "Ic. Do you care? ) "British and American people usually talk about work, hobbies and state affairs in their greetings. (3) Some greetings in Chinese express strong concern for others. You don't look well today. Are you sick? /Long time no see, you have gained weight again. /You've lost weight again. Pay attention to your health. "China people won't be angry. But if the British and Americans hear people say "Youarc cylinder/youa" is so thin. " They will be very angry and embarrassed because it is impolite. In Britain and America, talking about the weather is always the right topic to say hello. Even people who don't talk much are happy to chat. They talk about the weather more often than people in China, such as "Itnafineday, Tuon't Nai/it's swindytoday". /it's going to i-aln "and so on. (5) British and American people often compliment others, especially men compliment women. For example, "Youlooksosmarttoday! You look great today! )mpyouaresoprett3rtoday！ You are so beautiful today! ) "or even" youaresosex! You are so sexy! Praise from the heart will make people very happy, and the other party will be more interested in the upcoming conversation. Praising women's clothes, looks and talents in person is considered as a polite and educated performance. The response of the person being complimented is often cheerful, often "thank you!" " "Express the joy in my heart. But in China. People who are praised usually look embarrassed and use "where?" Or "I'm flattered. In this regard, conservative women may feel that these compliments are frivolous and malicious. But culture is dynamic, not static. It is open, not closed. With the increase of cross-cultural communication, cultural communication is getting closer and closer. The cultures of different nationalities absorb and blend with each other in communication. Today, young people in China often praise others when greeting each other.