《中英（英语国家）文化习俗比较》读书笔记 胡文仲 English
2012-08-11 16:27阅读：
中英（英语国家）文化习俗比较读书笔记 胡文仲
You do know the differences
At the first sight of this
book, I was deeply attracted by the title of the book named The
Comparison between Chinese cultural customs and English cultural
customs.It was written by Hu Wenzhong.
The following is about
the main content about this book. It comprises
different aspects of customs, such as Naming Customs, Appellation
Customs, Greetings Customs, Introducing Customs, Meeting etiquette,
Visiting Customs, Gifts Customs, Thanks and Apology, Praise
Customs, Taboo Customs and so on. It totally explains the content
and comparison of different cultural customs. Each chapter includes
three points, the first point is the Chinese customs; the English
customs is the second; and the last one is about the
difference.
The three most impressive
ch
apters is Thanks and Apology, Praise Customs and Taboo Customs.
Thanks and Apology is the significant part and standard of
behavior in our daily communication. It can affect the relationship
among people. It also contributes to the Civilizing Process. Thanks
for other people's help is a normal and kind manners. The degree of
thanks differ from objects. For example, 'thank you! Many thanks!
Thanks a lot! Thank you very much! Thank you very much indeed! I
really don't know how to thank you enough.' Actually,
English-speaking countries do not prefer to thanks too much
considering the Principle of Proportionality. It seems to be fake
if you thank others frequently. As for Chinese culture and customs,
not in all cases, thanks is always necessary. If two persons has
intimate relations, perhaps thanks will make people alienated.
People often misunderstand Apology as a sign of humiliation. The
expression of western countries' apology can be divided into three
types. The first expression is used to convey the feeling of
regret. For instance, 'I'm sorry'. Asking for forgiveness is the
second type. For example, 'please pardon me.' Last one is Apology.
We say'I apologize.' Sometimes they would explain the reasons that
why I make the mistakes. However, in this regard, Chinese culture
quite distinguish with English culture. Chinese people thought that
it's more important to take the responsibilities than excusing too
much.
Praise Customs also
constitute the human civilization. A sincere praise could make a
good impression on people around you. And your friends could also
benefit from your praise. Chinese people are more pleasure to hear
others' praise. They regard it as a sense of affirmation. A famous
expect has ever reported that three differences exist in two
cultures.
lexicologically , of all the compliments in their data, 80
percent are of the adjective type and 16 percent make use of verbs.
However, in Chinese, positive words expressing compliments are
mainly adjectives,adverbs, and verbs. Another linguistic feature of
Chinese compliments is that many of them start with the pronouns
'you' or 'your',while in English compliments the pronouns 'I' is
more often to be used. As to the responses, which vary greatly in
different situations. Among the intimate or good friends, it's same
to react as casual way in both cultures. But in formal occasions,
English people tend to accept the compliments. The Chinese choose
to respond on and off the scene. Modesty is consider as a kind for
Chinese traditional virtue.
Taboo can be defined as
avoiding to use some unsuitable words and expressions because of
regional and social reasons. Interrupting or visiting people
without informing ahead is also an impolite behaviour in both
culture. You should make others learned if one thing is called off.
It don't allow to talk about five things in the communication of
English countries, such as family, personal experience, marriage,
age, health. Concerning the eating customs, China pay more
attention on what we eat rather than how to conduct
oneself.
In English culture, people
always wouldn't kill any animals which are the symbol of religions.
Last but important one is taboo of colour. One example is given.
White is a sad colour in our Chinese eye. It's usually used in the
ancient funerals. But western people thought white is equal to pure
and loyal. You can see it in marriage parties.
After finishing reading the
book, I have more deep understanding about different cultures and
customs between the west and east. Indeed, if you have little
knowledge of both culture, you would easily suffer from the culture
shock. Although every chapter is specific
enough, it still lack of interesting topics and examples. And there
are less logical relations. It seems a little complicated and
disordered. In all cases, politics, culture, thought pattern,
eating, dressing, daily communication, I need to further study the
detailed information.
It is the comment on the
content of the book. If you ask me about our opinions on the
different customs in two cultures. I can answer you according to
what I know. Chinese is a country of a long history. Instead of
religious and social reasons, all sorts of customs came into being
thanks to fairytale or politics.
JoJo
