文化方面英語閱讀
⑴ 談中西方文化背景對英語閱讀理解的影響
談中西方文化背景對英語閱讀理解的影響
文化背景知識學習是能夠幫助學習者在閱讀理解當中提取所需的信息，那麼，中西方文化背景對英語閱讀理解的影響是?以下是我為大家整理的談中西方文化背景對英語閱讀理解的影響，歡迎閱讀，希望大家能夠喜歡。
1.文化背景與英語閱讀之間的關系
多年教學經驗，發現其閱讀理解能力比較強的學生，往往都是有著比較深厚的英語文化背景知識。簡單來說，其學生的文化背景知識擁有豐富，就能夠對閱讀理解越容易，並且在理解過程中，也較少會產生理解上的偏差。相反，如果缺乏相應的文化背景知識，就自然而然會影響自己到英語閱讀理解。
所以在英語閱讀理解當中，除了需要掌握英語閱讀材料知識，還需要理解相應單詞、句子和段落，並且能夠擁有充實的文化知識，這樣才能夠准確去理解英語閱讀。
2.中西方文化差異對英語閱讀的影響
文化背景與英語閱讀理解之間的關系是一個相互影響的過程。換句話來說，是否具有相應的文化知識在很大程度上都將會影響到自身對閱讀的理解。本文簡單舉三個例子，來闡述一下中西方文化對英語閱讀的影響。
例一，在英語當中「Runalresidents」，用中國文化背景下理解，就會認為這單詞指的是在偏遠地區的經濟不富裕人。但是對西方文化有所了解的人，都是知道住在郊區的一般都是有錢富人，因此這個單詞不可能是按照字面的意思進行翻譯。其在西方當中，這詞意思為運行居民。
例二，以「Last night I went to visit John twice」為例，這句話翻譯成中文的意思就是昨天我去了兩趟廁所。但是如果不具備相應的西方文化背景，就很難理解「John」的意思就是「廁所」。從這也可以看出來，中西方文化之間的差異，是能夠影響到英語閱讀翻譯的。
例三， 「房東」這個詞在中國文化當中，是指那些將自己房屋出租給其他需要居住的人，並且從中獲得相應的報酬。但是由於中國歷史的原因，就造成對「房東」這個詞理解成指那些擁有土地然後去壓榨勞苦大眾。在西方國家，對於這個詞理解是沒有其他什麼意思，就只是單純指一種身份狀態。
通過上述三個例子的研究，不難知道英語背景知識是對英語閱讀理解能力有著比較強影響。所以在學習英語過程中，需要加強培養學生對西方文化的學習，從而提高學生的英語閱讀理解能力。
3.加強文化背景知識來提高英語閱讀理解能力
文化知識的.作用就是能夠使得閱讀理解更加方便。簡單來說，文化背景知識學習是能夠幫助學習者在閱讀理解當中提取所需的信息。這也就需要英語教學者引導學生通過學習英語文化背景知識來加強英語閱讀理解方面訓練。通過多年的教學經驗，筆者認為可以通過下述三方面來提高學生的英語閱讀理解能力
3.1引導學生對西方文化的學習
想要培養學生良好的閱讀能力，就需要結合英語現有的文化背景知識以及閱讀材料本身相關的資料，將其進行合理的輸入與輸出，這樣就能夠加深學生對閱讀理解印象。這也就需要英語教學者在教學過程中，適當引導學生對西方文化進行學習，並且對中西方文化的差異進行對比，從而加深學生對西方文化的理解。同樣，這也需要英語教學者，能夠結合自己教學實踐經驗，抓住閱讀訓練當中的重點，從其閱讀中的重點來引導學生對西方文化進行學習。
3.2增加文化背景知識的積累意識
通過上述論文的研究，不難發現閱讀理解能力不足與文化背景知識的缺乏存在著一定關系。所以想要更好學習英語，就需要增加相應的文化背景知識。也就是說，對文化背景知識的積累在提高閱讀理解能力中起著關鍵作用。保證學生在英語基礎知識學習的同時，也需要加深學生對英語文化的學習。對英語教學者來說，一方面是可以通過加強直觀的視頻資料環境的熏陶，加深學生對西方文化的記憶。另一方面，是可以通過文化背景知識引導，來吸引學生對其文化產生興趣並進行學習。
3.3英語閱讀教學過程中實現文化背景知識的學習
在英語的學習過程當中，因為缺乏相應的文化背景知識，也就限制了學生在閱讀理解的能力，從而也就打擊了學生學習英語的興趣。所以建議英語教師，在英語教學的過程中，加深學生對於英語文化背景的學習，才能夠保證文化背景知識與英語閱讀學習進行有機的結合。例如，英語教學者是可以通過加深學生對於「美國西部牛仔」形象的認識、「蘇格蘭短裙」文化的認識等等，讓學生在英語文化當中學習英語，也能夠讓學生在學習英語當中了解英語文化背景，讓二者學習進行有效的融合與提升。
4.總結
作為一名長期在一線從事英語教育的工作者，深感中西方文化背景對提高促進英語閱讀理解能力方面的所起的重要作用。所以對於從事英語教學的一線工作者，必須潛移默化的需要灌輸給學生豐富的中西方文化背景知識對提高學生英語閱讀理解方面的重要性。本文就是研究文化背景知識與英語學習之間的關系，尋找中西方文化背景知識差異對學習英語的影響，提出來加強文化背景知識來提高學生英語閱讀理解能力的觀點。在加強文化背景知識來提高英語閱讀理解能力當中，提出引導學生對西方文化的學習、增強文化背景知識的積累、英語閱讀教學過程中實現文化背景知識的學習這三種方法。
擴展：影響英語閱讀理解能力提高的主要問題
（一）閱讀理解詞彙量非常大，這成為理解文意的最大障礙。
閱讀理解綜合考察考生的多項基本素質，其中很重要的一項就是對詞彙量的掌握。要提高閱讀理解能力，豐富詞彙就顯得至關重要。
詞彙量的缺乏不能讓讀者快速的進入閱讀狀態，導致文章讀起來晦澀難懂，甚至會產生誤解和曲解。
（二）對英語國家的文化背景知識儲備不足。
如果對英語國家的文化背景缺乏起碼的了解，有時即使面對一些簡單的單片語成的一句簡單的話，也不能真正理解它的意思。
（三）沒有良好的閱讀習慣，閱讀時注意力不集中，閱讀效率低。
不少學生對閱讀理解有恐懼心理，做到這一部分時就顯得信心不足，這與他們不好的閱讀習慣也有很大關系。
有的學生注意力不集中，短時記憶力差，讀到後面前面的就忘了；有的學生則喜歡鑽牛角尖，碰到一段不理解，就停留在那裡，致使閱讀效率很低；還有的學生習慣用手或者筆按著材料一點點的讀，這也是一種很不好的閱讀習慣。
閱讀能有效提高英語寫作水平
英語寫作作為一項重要的技能，可以反映一個人的綜合英語學習水平。在英語學習中，寫作既是一個重點也是一個難點。
怎樣才能用英語寫出好文章？除了要打下牢固的語言基礎，即一定詞彙、語法基礎外，大量的閱讀也是必不可少的。
俗話說「讀書破萬卷，下筆如有神。」，「熟讀唐詩三百首，不會做詩也會吟」 這些都詳細闡述了中文閱讀和寫作的關系，英義同樣如此，只有讀得多了，見得廣了，才能寫出精彩的東西。
通過大量閱讀，廣泛地接觸語言材料，一方面可以積累大量優美的詞句、英語格言、警句、固定表達、習慣用語、修辭常識等，將其吸收消化為自己的東西，然後在文章中寫出來；另一方面在揣摩作者意圖，把握文章整體框架結構的基礎上，我們還可以有意識地模仿作者謀篇布局、文章銜接、遣詞造句等建構篇章的技能。
此外，大量的閱讀有助於培養提高文本分析能力、獨立思考能力、英語批判性思維能力，只有用英語來思考我們的文章才會避免漢語式的英語出現，才能創造出優美地道的英文作品。
;⑵ 關於中西方文化的初中英語閱讀理解練習題及答案
In the US, people prefer waiting for a table to sitting with people they don』t know. This means a hostess may not seat a small group until a small table is available, even if a large one is. If you are sitting at a table with people you don』t know, it is impolite to light up a cigarette without asking if it will disturb them.
At American restaurants and coffee shops you are usually served tap water before you order. You may find the bread and butter is free, and if you order coffee, you may get a free refill.
Most cities and towns have no rules about opening and closing time for stores or restaurants, though they usually do make rules for bars. Especially in large cities, stores may be open 24 hours a day.
Serving in restaurants is often large; too large for many people. If you can』t finish your meal but would like to enjoy the food later, ask your waitress or waiter for a 「doggie bag」. It may have a picture of a dog on it, but everybody knows you』re taking the food for yourself.
Supper and dinner are both words for the evening meal. Some people have 「Sunday dinner」. This is an especially big noon meal.
Tips are not usually added to the check. They are not included in the price of the meal, either. A tip of about 15% is expected and you should leave it on the table when you leave. In some restaurants, a check is brought on a plate and you put your money there. Then the waiter or waitress brings you your change.
1. Which statement is true?
A. American people like sitting with people they don』t know.
B. A hostess always seats a small group at a large table.
C. American people never sit with people they don』t know.
D. American people would not light a cigarette if the people who sit at the same table mind their smoking.
2. What is served before you order?
A. bread B. butter C. coffee D. cold water
3. What do American people always do when servings are too large for them?
A. They take the food home with a doggie bag for their dogs.
B. They leave the food on the table and go away.
C. They take the food home with a doggie bag and enjoy the food later.
D. They ask the waitress or waiter to keep the food for them.
4. Sunday dinner is_______.
A. a dinner in the evening B. A big noon meal
C. a big lunch on Sunday D. A supper on Sunday
這是一篇講美國人的用餐習俗的閱讀。
As you know different countries have different customs. Also there are many gestures showing many meanings in many countries. Here are a few examples of gestures. A fisherman in Britain will show the size of a fish he has caught by holding his two hands, palms(手掌) facing each other, the right distance apart in front of him. But the one from certain part of Africa will measure off the size along his left arm with his right hand. In Britain the gesture to show the number 「one」 is made by holding up the index finger (the second finger), but in Switzerland it is the thumb—the first finger which is held up. Some people point at objects with finger, others by sticking out the lips. The gesture for 「come here」 is made in Britain with the index finger, which is held, pointing upwards, at eye level and bent towards the body; in Egypt the hand is held at arm』s length, palm downwards, and the fingers are then bent. The difference between the movements is very important, and the meanings of the same gestures maybe opposite in different countries. It may bring trouble to those not well known with it.
1. This passage is mainly about _______.
A. different people in different countries B. how to understand the gestures in Britain
C. the different gestures D. how to show a gesture in Egypt
2Sometimes difference between the movements in different countries may bring about _______ to you.
A. a good luck B. a new world C. all ill effect D. happiness
3 How will the Africans express if the object』s size is longer than their left arms?
A. Take a string to show it. B. Keep silent.
C. Bring the object to the spot. D. In another way.
4According to the passage we should _______.
A. look before we leap B. pick and choose
C. strike while the iron is hot D. do in Rome as the Romans do
這是篇中西方習俗的。答案就先不給你發了，希望你認真做，等你做完以後可以把你的答案告訴我，我再告訴你正確的。
⑶ 中國文化英語短文快
中國的飲食文化Chinese food culture stretching more than 170 million years, is divided into raw food, cooked food, natural cooking, science and cooking four stages of development, introction of more than 60,000 kinds of traditional dishes point, more than 20,000 kinds of instrial food, colorful and bright colors and flavors of the Feast schools, access to "Cooking kingdom" in the world.
From the content point of view, the Chinese food culture to the food source involved in the development and use of utensils to use and innovation, food proction and consumption, food service and hospitality, catering instry and food instry business and management, as well as diet and peace and prosperity , diet and literary arts, diet and the relationship between the realm of life, deep broad.
From the extension, China's food culture from the era and techniques, geographical and economic, ethnic and religion, food and utensils, consumption and levels, a variety of folk and function of the angle classification, demonstrating the different cultural tastes, reflecting different value, and splendor.
From the trait perspective, Chinese food culture and highlight the benefit sufficient to support a business-Wei Theory (vegetarian main emphasis on medicated and tonic), and pay attention to "color, smell and taste," and taste. To reconcile the realm of flavors that (distinct flavor, palatability by Jane, the "tongue cuisine" reputation), Qi is inter-change of the cooking methods (kitchen rules-oriented, flexible), Cheong God pleasing dining concept (gentle, Yue teaching at the food), etc. 4 large property has a food culture is different from the foreign countries in natural beauty. Pay attention to the Chinese food culture dishes in addition to bright colors with picturesque, but also create an atmosphere of dining with a taste, it is the personality and tradition of the Chinese nation, but also highlights the way the traditional Chinese ritual.
In effect, China's food culture directly affects Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore and other countries of the East catering cultural circle of the axis; At the same time, it also indirectly affect to Europe, the Americas, Africa and Oceania, like China's vegetarian culture, tea culture, sauce vinegar, pasta, medicated, ceramic tableware and soybeans, have the benefit of billions of people around the world.
In short, the Chinese food culture is a broad vision, deep-level, multi-angle, high-grade long-standing regional cultures; it is the Chinese people of all nationalities in more than 100 years of proction and daily life practice, in the food source development, utensils research, Food conditioning, nutrition, health and dietary aspects of aesthetic creation, accumulation and affect the neighboring countries and the world's material wealth and spiritual wealth. 中國飲食文化綿延170多萬年，分為生食、熟食、自然烹飪、科學烹飪4個發展階段，推出6萬多種傳統菜點、2萬多種工業食品、五光十色的筵宴和流光溢彩的風味流派，獲得「烹飪王國」的美譽。
從內涵上看，中國飲食文化涉及到食源的開發與利用、食具的運用與創新、食品的生產與消費、餐飲的服務與接待、餐飲業與食品業的經營與管理，以及飲食與國泰民安、飲食與文學藝術、飲食與人生境界的關系等，深厚廣博。
從外延看，中國飲食文化可以從時代與技法、地域與經濟、民族與宗教、食品與食具、消費與層次、民俗與功能等多種角度進行分類，展示出不同的文化品味，體現出不同的使用價值，異彩紛呈。
從特質看，中國飲食文化突出養助益充的營衛論（素食為主，重視葯膳和進補），並且講究「色、香、味」俱全。五味調和的境界說（風味鮮明，適口者珍，有「舌頭菜」之譽），奇正互變的烹調法（廚規為本，靈活變通），暢神怡情的美食觀（文質彬彬，寓教於食）等4大屬性，有著不同於海外各國飲食文化的天生麗質。中國的飲食文化除了講究菜餚的色彩搭配要明媚如畫外，還要搭配用餐的氛圍產生的一種情趣，它是中華民族的個性與傳統，更是中華民族傳統禮儀的凸現方式。
從影響看，中國飲食文化直接影響到日本、蒙古、朝鮮、韓國、泰國、新加坡等國家，是東方飲食文化圈的軸心；與此同時，它還間接影響到歐洲、美洲、非洲和大洋洲，像中國的素食文化、茶文化、醬醋、麵食、葯膳、陶瓷餐具和大豆等，都惠及全世界數十億人。
總之，中國飲食文化是一種廣視野、深層次、多角度、高品位的悠久區域文化；是中華各族人民在100多萬年的生產和生活實踐中，在食源開發、食具研製、食品調理、營養保健和飲食審美等方面創造、積累並影響周邊國家和世界的物質財富及精神財富。希望幫到你！
⑷ 請幫忙找有關『中國傳統文化』的英語文章
Arts
Main article: Chinese art
Chinese art has varied throughout its ancient history, divided into periods by the ruling dynasties of China and changing technology, as well as influenced by great philosophers, teachers and religion. Early forms of art in China were made from pottery and jade in the Neolithic period, to which was added bronze in the Shang Dynasty. The Shang are most remembered for their bronze casting, noted for its clarity of detail. Early Chinese music and poetry was influenced by the Book of Songs, Confucius and the Chinese poet and statesman Qu Yuan. Early Chinese music was based on percussion instruments, which later gave away to string and reed instruments.
In early imperial China, porcelain was introced and was refined to the point that in English the word China has become synonymous with high-quality porcelain. Around the 1st century AD, Buddhism arrived in China, though it did not become popular until the 4th century. At this point, Chinese Buddhist art began to flourish, a process which continued through the 8th century. Around this period, several well-known Chinese poets influenced Chinese poetry, which included Cao Cao and his sons and Tao Qian. It was ring the period of Imperial China that calligraphy and painting became highly appreciated arts in court circles, with a great deal of work done on silk until well after the invention of paper.
Buddhist architecture and sculpture thrived in the Sui and Tang dynasties, and the Tang dynasty was particularly open to foreign influence. Buddhist sculpture returned to a classical form, inspired by Indian art of the Gupta period. Toward the end of the Tang dynasty, all foreign religions were outlawed to support Taoism. Also ring this period, Chinese poetry thrived and the Tang is considered the "Golden age" of Chinese poetry. In this period, the greatest Chinese poets, Li Po and Du Fu composed their poems. Late Tang poetry was marked by the influence of two poets, Li Shangyin and Li Yu, the latter of whom introced the stanza form. Painting from the Tang dynasty period mainly consisted of landscape that was to grasp emotion or atmosphere to catch the "rhythm of nature." Also in the Tang dynasty, Chinese opera was introced.
In the Song dynasty, poetry was marked by a lyric poetry known as Ci which expressed feelings of desire, often in an adopted persona. Also in the Song dynasty, paintings of more subtle expression of landscapes appeared, with blurred outlines and mountain contours which conveyed distance through an impressionistic treatment of natural phenomena. It was ring this period that in painting, emphasis was placed on spiritual rather than emotional elements, as in the previous period. In the Yuan dynasty, painting by the Chinese painter Zhao Mengfu influenced modern Chinese landscape painting, while Yuan dynasty opera became a variant of Chinese opera which continues today as Cantonese opera.
Late imperial China was marked by two specific dynasties: Ming and Qing. Of Ming Dynasty poetry, Gao Qi was acknowledged as the greatest poet of the era. Artwork in the Ming dynasty perfected color painting and color printing, with a wider color range and busier compositions than Song paintings. In the Qing dynasty, Beijing opera was introced; it is considered the best-known form of Chinese opera. Qing poetry was marked by a poet named Yuan Mei whose poetry has been described as having "unusually clear and elegant language" and who stressed the importance of personal feeling and technical perfection.
Twentieth-century Chinese art was heavily influenced by the New Culture Movement, which adopted Western techniques, introced oil painting and employed socialist realism. Twentieth-century Chinese poetry was also influenced by the Cultural Revolution but several poets attempted to resist the Cultural Revolution by incorporating pro-democratic themes. Contemporary Chinese artists continue to proce a wide range of experimental works, multimedia installations, and performance "happenings" which have become very popular in the international art market.
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Main article: Chinese architecture
Mix of old and new at Jing'an Temple in downtown Shanghai.Chinese architecture, examples of which can be found over 2,000 years ago, has long been a landmark of Chinese culture. There are certain features common to Chinese architecture, regardless of specific region or use.
The most important is its emphasis on the horizontal. In contrast to Western architecture, which tends to grow in height and in depth, Chinese architecture stresses on the width of the buildings. The halls and palaces in the Forbidden City, for example, have rather low ceilings when compared to equivalent stately buildings in the West, but their external appearances suggest the all-embracing nature of imperial China. This of course does not apply to pagodas, which in any case are relatively rare.
Another important feature is its emphasis on symmetry, which connotes a sense of grandeur; this applies to everything from palaces to farmhouses. One notable exception is in the design of gardens, which tends to be as asymmetrical as possible. Like Chinese scroll paintings, the principle underlying the garden's composition is to create enring flow, to let the patron wander and enjoy the garden without prescription, as in nature herself.
Feng shui designed architecture plays an important role in Chinese Culture. For example, Paifang is a Feng Shui designed gate of China town.
Ceramics and ceramic wares
Chinese porcelain - Porcelain - Potter's wheel - Glazes
]
Cinema
Main article: Cinema of China
For many years Hong Kong has been a center of filmmaking. Traditionally, the majority of films made centered around the common themes of martial arts (Wu-xia films), organized crime (in particular Triads), and other traditionally Chinese themes. While these films were always popular in the domestic Hong Kong market, they were also popular around the globe, and especially in the United States. This reached its zenith in the 1970s, when martial arts films were very popular in the United States. Now, in the 2000s, Asian-made films seem to be having a resurgence in popularity abroad. In recent years Mainland China has also become a hotbed of filmmaking with such films as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero, and House of Flying Daggers being popular not only in China but around the world. American filmmaker Quentin Tarantino plans to shoot his next film, a traditional Wu-Xia movie, in China and have its dialogue in Mandarin Chinese.
Another genre of films that become better known internationally is those depicting the exotic past of Hong Kong as a colonial city and of China with remarkable traditional symbols, notably under the directors Wong Kar-wai (Mandarin: Wang Jia-Wei) and Zhang Yimou. However, some critics argue that both directors distorted the history so as to make the depiction more appealing.
Detail of Dragon Throne used by the Qianlong Emperor of China, Forbidden City, Qing Dynasty. Artifact circulating in US museums on loan from Beijing[edit]
Dance
Main articles: dragon dance
Music
Main article: Music of China
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Opera
Main article: Chinese
Language and literature
Chinese astrology - Chinese calendar - Chinese classic texts - Chinese constellation - Chinese dragon - Chinese mythology - Chinese New Year - Chinese philosophy - Confucianism - Confucius - Eastern philosophy - Five elements - Futs-Lung - I Ching - Qilin - Lao Zi - Listing of noted Confucianists - Listing of noted Taoists - Lung - Lunisolar calendar - Mohism - Qi - Taoism - Yin Yang - Zhang San Feng
]
Language
Main articles: Chinese language, Languages of China
The majority of people in China speak one form or another of the Chinese language. In addition to their native local dialect, nearly all can speak Standard Mandarin. There has been ongoing debate as to whether "Chinese" is actually a defined "language" or in fact a family of many languages. The fact this debate exists is not only for political and unity reasons, but also partly e to the fact that written Chinese is a common standard throughtout China. For example a person who only speaks their local dialect is able to communicate with another person from a different area by using written Chinese. Although this written Chinese is itself based on one variety of spoken Chinese; Standard Mandarin or putonghua/guoyu. The written script across China is largely unified, and is the last of its kind that survives as a major language in the contemporary world. It is said, somewhat correctly, that Suzhou people cannot understand Shanghainese, despite them being less than 200km away from each other. This situation could be compared to the difference between French and Spanish.
Chinese character - Chinese numerals - Chinese written language - Classical Chinese - List of Chinese dialects - Pinyin - Zhuyin
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Literature
Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:
Chinese proverbsMain article: Chinese literature
Chinese classic texts - Chinese poetry - List of Chinese language poets
Clothing
China's clothing varies by region, ethnic background, and economic situations. Contemporary urban clothing seemed to have developed an obsession with brand names (Giordano being one of the generic ones). In major urban centres, especially Shanghai, an increased western look is preferred, and there is an emphasis on formal wear over casual wear for alts on the streets. Teenagers prefer brand names. Children usually wear clothes that have a cartoon character.
Han Chinese clothing - Qipao - Ming official headwear - Manchu official headwear - Mandarin square
Contemporary Culture of China
Especially beginning in the late 1980's and early 1990's, China became exposed to more western elements, notably pop culture. American cinema is very popular in China. Young people tend to gather late at night at bars and nightclubs. The obsession with brand names is becoming more apparent by the day, and teen slang is incorporating more and more western language elements.
Cuisine
Main article: Chinese cuisine
American Chinese cuisine - Boba milk tea - Cantonese cuisine - Cardamom - Chinese Buddhist cuisine - Chinese food therapy - Chinese Islamic cuisine - Chiuchow cuisine - Chopsticks - Chop suey - Dim sum - Double steaming - Fingerroot - Five-spice powder - Fortune cookie - Ginger root - Hakka cuisine - Hot salt frying - Hot sand frying - Hunan cuisine - Longan - Lychee - Mandarin cuisine - Monosodium glutamate - Shanghai cuisine - Soy sauce - Stir frying - Szechuan cuisine - Szechuan pepper - Taiwanese cuisine - Tofu - Wok
http://www.uvm.e/~chinese/chincul.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_culture#Opera
http://www.chinapage.com/china.html
⑸ 關於文化差異的英語文章
不同的自然環境和社會背景孕育了不同的 文化 。下面是我帶來的關於文化差異的英語 文章 ，歡迎閱讀!
關於文化差異的英語文章1
Cultural differences
There are plenty of. people in the world. They come from different countried, have their own race, belief and way of life. What is more, their culture is different from others'. So, there is no doubt that cultural difference exist among lots of countries, especially between eastern and western countries.
Compared with the way of life, eastern people always have a bath in the evening or at night in order to relax themselves after one-day's hard work while western people take a bath in the morning. so as to keep freshly for the whole day. In general, it is true, especially for Chinese people. We, Chinese people would like to take baths at night rather than in the morning. It is a kind of habits we behave all the time.
Compared with the relationships, differences are as follow: firstly, eastern people like to make friends, sometimes through their friends, parents, relatives. While western people behave a little shyly. They do not want to make friends all the time. Secondly, eastern people would like to hang out with the person they do not know about quite a lot. while western people just like going out with the person whom they get along well with.
Finally, eastern people have much more friends than western people for their quite different way of getting along with. their friends. There is no doubt that eastern people are more outgoing than western people, so I agree with these a lot.
As for way of solving problems, eastern people always deal with things indirectly. They pay much attention to many things around them, and always work for a long time to solve the problem. However, western people just go straight the heart of the problem and solve it directly and efficiently. As far as I am concerned, this difference between eastern and western people is quite normal and correct. Eastern people, especially Chinese people care about things around them a lot, they always want to satisfy everyone's need, so that they spend much more time to solve a problem than western people.
As for way of thinking, people in eastern areas usually think indirectly. They used to think about the things around them a lot and try to deal with things in a reasonable even perfect way. However, in comparison with the eastern people, people in the western areas often think directly. They pay less attention to the things around them and care much more about themselves. Honestly speaking, I disagree to this.In my opinion, everyone is special and has their right and obligations to do things. There is no need for us to critise others and what we should do is to respect their own. decision.
There are a lot of differences between eastern and western culture. These are the symbols of their own characteristics and we need time to dig out more differences so as to learn more about them. Most importantly, we must respect their culture firstly!
關於文化差異的英語文章2
The difference between chinese and western culture
With the rapidly challging word, people throughout the world have found it increasingly necessary to minimize the rate of misunderstanding e to miscommunication in their contacts with another. In the oast most human beings were born, lived, and died within a limited geoographical area, never encountering people of other cultural backgrounds. It might be said that technological advances have been most effective in creating the borderless word, the global community. As our world shrinks and its inhabitants become interdependent, people from remot cultures increasingly come into contact on a daily basis. It is no longer hard to find situations in which membes of ince isolared groups of people. Now these people may live thousands of miles away or right next door to each other. So all the people are faced with the challenge of understand this world. So when the east meet west, there are many problems. Some problems are listed as follows.
First of all, the way of eating. All huaman beings have certain basic needs. Our fundamental needs for things that keep us alive. This is the physioligical need. All indivials must eat in order to survive. But what people eat, when they eat, and the manners in which they eat are all patterned by culture. No society views everything in its environment that is edible and might provide nurishment as food. Americans eat oysters but not snail. The French eat snails but not locusts. The Jews eat fish but not pork. The Hins eat pork but not beef. The Russiand eat beef but not snake. We all have ideas about what kinds of food are good to eat. We also have ideas about what kinds of food are bad to eat. As a result, people from one culture often think the food that people from another culture eat are disgusting or nauseating. Dislike is not the only reason why some culture will not eat a certain food. In some clture, certain foods are taboo. Sometimes the food taboos may be so strong thrat just the thought of eating forbidden foods can cause an indival to feel ill. We can also find culture difference in way of bring up children treating the early, greeting each other, saying and spending money before other people do in everyday, but in some English-speaking countries, people do not agree with us. We chinese may enjoy something that is not usually consider as edible by the English-speaking people. Generally we perfer to have thing hot and much emphasis on the taste. We eat from one plate when we are eating with others, and we like to seat one by one, and in the shape of a round. On the opposite, some English-speaking contries, most of the people like to seat in two rows, two people face to face. They have their own plate. On the aspect of table manners, there are many differences between chinese and English-speaking people. For example, in some Englishi-speaking countries, Bread plates are to the left of the main plate, beverage glasses are to the right. Salad fork, knife and soup spoon are further from the main plate than the main course knife, fork and spoon. When eating bread rolls, break off a piece before buttering. Use the knife only to butter the bread, not to cut it. They should not start eating before your host does or instructs to do so. At larger meals, it is considered okay to start eating once others have been served. When finished, place the knife and fork together at five o’clock with the fork on the left. It is considered rude to answer the telephone at the table. If need to take an urgent call, excuse self and go outside. Try to eat all the food you are served. But in China, the table manners are different. Chinese traditionally eat rice from a small bowl held in the left hand. The rice bowl is raised to the mouth and the rice pushed into the mouth using the chopsticks. Some Chinese find it offensive to scoop rice from the bowl using a spoon. If rice is served on a plate, as is more common in the West, it is acceptable and more practical to eat it with a fork or spoon. The thumb must always be above the edge of the bowl. The host should always make sure the guests drinks are sufficiently full. One should not pour for ones self, but should offer to pour for a neighbor. When your drink is being poured, you should say "thank you" and tap fingers on the table to show appreciation. When people wish to clink drinks together in the form of a cheer, it is important to observe that younger members should clink the edge of their drink below the edge of an elder to show respect.
Secondly, the way of communication. Form birth to death, communication plays an integral part in our life. There are some language problems, including the different styles of using language such as direct, indirect; expansive, succinct; argumentative, conciliatory; instrumental, harmonnizing; and so on. These different styles can lead to wrong interpretations of intent and evaluation of insincerity, aggreeiveness, deviousness, or arrogance, among other. The misinterpretation nonverbal signs and symbols such as gestures, postures, and other body movements. It is a definite communication barrier. But it is possible to learn the meanings of these observable message,usually in informal rather ways. It is more difficult to understand the less obvious unspoken codes of the other cultures. Language, as the carrier of culture, is created ring the process of human beings’ proctive labor and serves as the tool of communication to convey the message between people. However, it has been endowed with magic and power in particular language acts. As the old saying goes, troubles come out of the tongue. Superstitious people think that the language itself can bring about fortune or misfortune so that taboos to restrict the use of language are created. Anyone who violates them will get punishment, whereas those who faithfully obey the restrictions of language taboo will get protection. Furthermore, linguistic taboos change with the development of society .The paper firstly analyzes the evolution of linguistic taboo. It is indicated in the paper that linguistic taboo exists in almost every aspect of people’s life and is a universal social phenomenon in China and Britain. Both Chinese and English cultures are in agreement about linguistic taboos such as pronunciation taboo, and vocabulary taboo. However, influenced by different cultural backgrounds, ideologies and the concepts of value, Chinese and English linguistic taboos also have differences, as is discussed in the paper from the aspects of taboo subjects, taboo numbers and names. At last, this paper puts forward two effective ways of avoiding taboo, that is, using euphemism and having a good knowledge of the taboo culture. And this discussion would help English learners improve their ability of cross-cultural communication and achieve better communicational effects. For example, During the feudal times, people were not equal to the rulers and were suppressed by their superiors. The distinction between the upper and the lower classes was also reflected in the evaluation of the language used by them respectively. The words of upper class used were considered good and elegant while those used by the lower class were regarded as vulgar and indecent and should be avoided in the speech of ladies and gentlemen. In modern society, as a result of the development of science and technology, many natural phenomena are no longer mysterious. Human beings not only constantly improve their abilities to exploit the world where they are living through their great wisdom and knowledge, but also make efforts to explore the extraterrestrial world. Science has much more say in today’s society. Thereby, the superstitious elements in linguistic taboos decrease while those reflecting spiritual civilization increase.
In short, by comparison, we can find that both Chinese and English communication reflect people’s psychology for good will, for safety and fortune and pleasantness. The Chinese and English people restrict their words and deeds through taboos, trying to keep a harmonious relationship between human and nature, or between people and society. They are a reflection of people’s pursuit of freedom and equality.
The most important, the different way of family structure, family values and family ecation. Family structure is the big difference between east and west, traditional chinese, amony many other Asians, repect their elders and feel a deep sense of ty toward them. Children repay their parents` sacrifices by being successful and supporting them in old age. This is accepted as a natural part of life in China. In contrast, taking care of aged parents is often viewed as a tremendous burden in the English-speaking countries, where aging and family support are not honored highly. In some English-speaking countries are still extrmely family-oriented. They are dedicated to helping their children and will sacrifice greatly for their children to get an edcuation. In turn, the children are devoted to their parents, who often live nearby. Grown children who go away and leave the country for the economic reasons typically send large parts of their salary home to their parents and the rest of the family. Or in some Asia, any decisions or actions are done from family consideration, not indivial desires. Peope`s behavior is judged on whether it brings shame or pride to the family. The children are trained to rely on their families, to honor elderly people, and to fear foreigners. And many of them think that their actions in this life will influence their status in the next life.
The way of family edcation is also the different. We all know the family ecation is the elementary ecation for children. Many serious problems have appeared in our ecation system in recent years. Almost everyone has realized the importance of solving these problems and many people have presented a lot of valuable suggestions. There are many types of family ecation in the world and each of them shows distinctive features and is closely responsive to its culture. And American family ecation is the most famous one among them. There are great differences in the concepts of ecation, methods of ecation and results of ecation between East family ecation and West family ecation. In some English-speaking countries, parents’ aims are to train their children to have the ability of adapting to environmental variety and the ability of living independently. Based on this concept, most American parents emphasize more to train their children’s ability of independence once they are born. They generally believe that children’s growth must rely on their own experiences, because they think that children should form a self-supporting will and the capacity to live independently since their childhood. And the capacity comes from the training in the early age. The so-called training contains many aspects, such as work, temper will, patience, the spirit of hard work, etc. However, the most fundamental training is the ability of adapting to hard conditions. Through the process of work, children will form the labor sense, learn some work skills and form a habit of labor. Besides, children can learn how to overcome difficulties, temper their willpower, develop their talents and skills, rich their knowledge, and form a habit of hard work and thrifty by working in hard conditions. It is just in the unconsciously process that children will obtain the independent survivability and take the responsibilities for the society. Compared with some English-speaking countries, Chinese parents have a very different concept of children’s ecation. Some parents in China only care about whether the children have a promising future, a good job, a good life or not. Based on these expectations, the majority of parents feel that their responsibility for their children is to create as good conditions as possible they can so that the children will not worry about anything in the future. Chinese parents would like to provide everything what they can for their children in the process of children’s growth. In short, they would like to sacrifice anything if their children can live better with their help. Therefore, in the process of children’s growth, the most important thing the parents concerning is to developing their children’s intellect, except for caring children’s daily life. In order to make their children have a good performance in study, become outstanding, or even become a famous person in the future, they would not let children do anything except studying. As for the children’s independence, civic awareness and their ability adapting to the society in the future, they consider little or not at all. From these aspects we can find the obvious differences of family ecation between America and China.
When we faced with those difference between West and East, we should give some advice to solve these problems. According to the three big difference that pointed, we should find some way to deal with these problems.
We can study other languages and learn to expect in nonvwebal forms and other cultural aspects. We can train ourselves to meet intercultural encounters with more attention to situation details. We can use an investigative approach rather than stereotypes and preconceptions. We can graally expose ourselves to differences so that they become less threatening. We can even learn to lower our tension level when needed to advoid triggering defensive reactions. The overall goal should be to achieve intercultural communication competence.
So the ideal solution to rece the problems are to share knowledge with others in communication. This is why it is easiest to communicate with other members of the same group. This is why people so often gather together socially with others who are very much like them. Since intercultural communication is communication with members of different cultual groups, and therefore, because we do not share knowledge, assumptions, values, and forms of discourse with them, we must expect there to be problems of interpretation. We must look for these problems, anticipate where they will arise out of our differences, and then plan our aommunications to be as effective as possible.
However, we have to remember that, most of the time, the different ways that are the customs of dfferent cultures are neither right nor wrong. It is simply that different people do the same tings in different manners, even though we can not understand ,we should show the respect. I believe this is the best way to make our life become more comfortable and make the world more harmonious.
⑹ 有關美國文化的英語文章
21世紀的美國 文化 是兼容性和進取性很強的文化,同時又是開放性和寬容性很強的文化。它兼容並收,各種文化現象都可以產生並存在。下面是我帶來的有關美國文化的英語 文章 ，歡迎閱讀!
有關美國文化的英語文章篇一
Marriage of American Style美式婚姻
"I do." To Americans those two words carry great meaning. They can even change your life. Especially if you say them at your own wedding. Making wedding vows is like signing a contract. Now Americans don't really think marriage is a business deal. But marriage is serious business.
「我願意」這句話對美國人而言具有重大意義，它甚至可以改變你的生命，特別是當你在自己的婚禮上說出這句話時，在婚禮中所發的誓言就如同簽訂契約一樣，美國人並不是真把婚姻當作商業交易，但是，結婚確實是件嚴肅的事情。
It all begins with engagement. Traditionally, a young man asks the father of his sweetheart for permission to marry her. If the father agrees, the man later proposes to her. Often he tries to surprise her by "popping the question" in a romantic way.
結婚是從訂婚開始，在傳統上，年輕人會請求他的女朋友的父親允許他娶她，如果女方的父親答應，之後方可向女方求婚。通常男方會試著以羅曼蒂克的方式「提出這個問題」以帶給女方驚喜。
Sometimes the couple just decides together that the time is right to get married. The man usually gives his fiancee a diamond ring as a symbol of their engagement. They may be engaged for weeks, months or even years. As the big day approaches, bridal showers and bachelor's parties provide many useful gifts. Today many couples also receive counseling ring engagement. This prepares them for the challenges of married life.
有時候雙方會覺得現在結婚正是時候，於是男方通常會送女方鑽戒做為互訂終身的象徵。他們可能訂婚幾個星期、幾個月，甚至幾年，當大喜的日子接近時，賀禮贈送會和單身漢俱樂部都會贈送許多實用的禮物。今天有許多訂婚的男女在訂婚期間接受咨詢服務，這是為了讓他們有準備接受婚姻生活的挑戰。
At last it's time for the wedding. Although most weddings follow long-held traditions, there's still room for American indivialism. For example, the usual place for a wedding is in a church. But some people get married outdoors in a scenic spot. A few even have the ceremony while skydiving or riding on horseback! The couple may invite hundreds of people or just a few close friends. They choose their own style of colors, decorations and music ring the ceremony. But some things rarely change. The bride usually wears a beautiful, long white wedding dress. She traditionally wears "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue." The groom wears a formal suit or tuxedo. Several close friends participate in the ceremony as attendants, including the best man and the maid of honor.
最後就是婚禮了，雖然大多的婚禮仍沿襲長久以來的傳統，但是美國人的個人主義仍有其空間，例如，通常婚禮的地點是在教堂，但是有些人卻是到戶外的風景區結婚，有些人甚至是跳傘或騎馬結婚!雙方可能邀請上百人或者只是一些熟朋友，婚禮的顏色風格，布置和音樂都由他們自己決定，但有些事是不太會變的;新娘通常都穿著美麗的白色結婚禮服，按照傳統她必須穿的衣服上包括了：一些舊的，一些新的，一些借來的，及一些藍色的東西。新郎則穿著正式的西裝或燕尾晚禮服，幾位熟朋友參加婚禮並協助幫忙，包括了伴郎和伴娘。
As the ceremony begins, the groom and his attendants stand with the minister, facing the audience. Music signals the entrance of the bride's attendants, followed by the beautiful bride. Nervously, the young couple repeats their vows. Traditionally, they promise to love each other "for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health." But sometimes the couple has composed their own vows. They give each other a gold ring to symbolize their marriage commitment. Finally the minister announces the big moment: "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride!"
當典禮開始時，新郎和伴郎和牧師站在一起，面對觀眾，音樂一起，表示伴娘入場，後面就跟著美麗的新娘。年輕的男女雙方緊張地跟著說出他們的誓言，傳統上而言，他們會承諾要彼此相愛，「不論好、壞、貧、富、生病時或健康時」，但是有時候，他們也可能自己編一套自己的誓言，他們互贈金戒指以此表示結婚的承諾，最後牧師宣布這重大的時刻：「我現在宣布你們成為夫妻，你可以親吻你的新娘!」
At the wedding reception, the bride and groom greet their guests. Then they cut the wedding cake and feed each other a bite. Guests mingle while enjoying cake, punch and other treats. Later the bride throws her bouquet of flowers to a group of single girls. Tradition says that the one who catches the bouquet will be the next to marry. During the reception, playful friends "decorate" the couple's car with tissue paper, tin cans and a "Just Married" sign. When the reception is over, the newlyweds run to their "decorated" car and speed off. Many couples take a honeymoon, a one- to two-week vacation trip, to celebrate their new marriage.
在結婚宴會上，新娘新郎向賓客問候.然後切結婚 蛋糕 並互相喂對方一口。賓客們在享受蛋糕、飲料及其他的食物時就混在一起交談。之後新娘將捧花投向一群單身女孩，傳統說接到捧花的女孩會成為下一位新娘。在婚宴上，愛鬧的朋友用面紙、鋁罐和「新婚」標志「裝飾」禮車，宴會結束後，新婚的小倆口就跑向他們「裝飾完成」的禮車，迅速地離開，許多夫妻會去渡蜜月，就是一至二星期的假期以慶祝他們的新婚。
Almost every culture has rituals to signal a change in one's life. Marriage is one of the most basic life changes for people of all cultures. So it's no surprise to find many traditions about getting married . . . even in America. Yet each couple follows the traditions in a way that is uniquely their own.
幾乎每一種文化都有儀式來表示一個人生命中的改變。結婚對於所有文化的人而言是一生中最重要的大事之一，所以會有這么多婚禮的習俗就不足為奇了，美國也不例外。然而每對新人都以自己認為獨特的方式來跟隨傳統。
有關美國文化的英語文章篇二
Pets 美國寵物
mericans love pets. And it's not just puppy love, either. Many pet owners treat their furryfriends as part of the family. Sometimes they spice up their pets' lives with entertaining videosand amusing toys. If they have an eye for fashion, pet owners can dress their pets in stylishclothes. For special occasions, they can use canine perfume to make their dogs smell, well, lessbeastly. You might say Americans treat their pets like they treat their children-sometimes evenbetter.
美國人很愛寵物，而且這不只是一種不成熟、短暫的愛。很多寵物的主人把這些毛茸茸的朋友當作家庭的一部分，有時候還為寵物准備娛樂用的錄像帶和玩具來增添它們生活的樂趣，如果寵物的主人具有流行的眼光，還會讓他們的寵物穿上時髦的衣服，在特殊的場合里，甚至為寵物噴上狗兒專用的香水，讓它們味道好聞一點，減少一些動物身上的味道。你也可以說，美國人待他們的寵物如同待他們的孩子一樣——有時甚至更好。
In America, there are more households with pets than those with children. At least 43percent of U.S. homes have pets of some sort. Exotic creatures, such as monkeys, snakes andeven wolves, find a home with some Americans. More common pets include tropical fish, miceand birds. But the all-time favorites are cats and dogs, even at the White House. The Clintons'cat, Socks, has replaced the Bushes' dog, Millie, as reigning First Pet. Americans sometimeshave strong feelings about whether dogs or cats make better pets. "Dog people" and "catpeople" often enjoy friendly rivalries.
在美國，有寵物的家庭比有孩子的家庭還多。至少百分之四十三的美國家庭有寵物，有些美國家庭養一些外國品種的動物，例如猴子、蛇、甚至狼;比較常見的寵物有熱帶魚、老鼠、和鳥。不過，一直廣受歡迎的是貓和狗，連白宮也不例外。柯林頓總統的貓——襪子，已經取代了布希的狗——米利，成為神氣的「第一寵物」。美國人有時候很在乎到底最好的寵物是貓還是狗，「愛狗的人」和「愛貓的人」喜歡開玩笑地彼此爭辯。
Leading a dog's life in America isn't such a bad thing. Many grocery stores sell gourmet petfoods to owners eager to please their pets. In Houston, Texas, dogs can have their dinnerdelivered to their homes, just like pizza. Well-to-do canines can attend doggy daycare centerswhile their owners work. Pets can even accompany their owners on vacation. Fancy hotels arebeginning to accommodate both man and beast. Furry guests at Four Seasons Hotels canenjoy gourmet meals served on fine china and sleep in soft beds.
在美國，狗所過的生活並不壞，很多雜貨店都賣有寵物美食，讓主人可以討好他們的寵物。在德州的休斯敦市，狗兒還能享用專程送到家的晚餐，就跟披薩一樣。家境富裕的狗兒在主人上班的時候可以去狗兒托育中心。寵物甚至可以和它們的主人一同去度假，高級飯店已經開始可以同時留宿人和寵物，這些毛茸茸的客人在四季飯店可以享用以精緻瓷器盛裝的美食，並在柔軟的床上睡覺。
Beneath the fluffy luxuries, there lies a basic American belief: Pets have a right to be treatedwell. At least 75 animal welfare organizations exist in America. These provide care and adoptionservices for homeless and abused animals. Veterinarians can give animals an incredible level ofmedical careNfor an incredible price. To pay for the high-tech health care, people can buyhealth insurance for their pets. And when it's time to say good-bye, owners can bury theirpets in a respectable pet cemetery.
在舒適奢華的享受之下，其實存在著美國人的一種基本信念：寵物有受到妥善對待的權利。美國至少有七十五個動物福利組織，他們為流浪動物及被虐待動物提供照顧與領養的服務。獸醫能提供給動物極好的醫療照顧——價格也極昂貴，若為了負擔更先進的健康醫療照顧，人們可以為他們的寵物買健康 保險 。如果和寵物道別的時機到了，主人們可以為寵物買一塊體面的墓地。
The average American enjoys having pets around, and for good reason. Researchers havediscovered that interacting with animals lowers a person's blood pressure. Dogs can offerprotection from burglars and unwelcome visitors. Cats can help rid the home of unwantedpests. Little creatures of all shapes and sizes can provide companionship and love. In manycases, having a pet prepares a young couple for the responsibilities of parenthood. Pets evenencourage social relationships: They give their owners an appearance of friendliness, andthey provide a good topic of conversation.
美國人一般都喜歡有寵物為伴，這是有原因的。研究人員發現，與動物為伍能夠降低人的血壓。狗能防止小偷及不受歡迎的訪客。貓能幫忙清除家裡討人厭的害蟲和有害的小動物。任何種類及大小的小寵物都能帶給人們相伴與愛的感覺。很多時候，擁有一隻寵物能幫助年輕夫妻做為人父母責任的准備。寵物甚至有助於人際關系：它們使主人們看起來更友善，並且也帶給人們一個交談的好話題。
Pets are as basic to American culture as hot dogs or apple pie. To Americans, pets are notjust property, but a part of the family. After all, pets are people, too.
寵物是美國文化中很基本的一部分，就如熱狗和蘋果派一樣。對美國人而言，寵物不僅僅是他們所擁有的一樣東西而已，它是家庭的一部分。畢竟，寵物也是「人」啊!
有關美國文化的英語文章篇三
Friendship 美式友誼
Steve and Yaser first met in their chemistry class at an American university. Yaser was aninter-national student from Jordan. He was excited to get to know an American. He wanted tolearn more about American culture. Yaser hoped that he and Steve would become good friends.
At first, Steve seemed very friendly. He always greeted Yaser warmly before class.Sometimes he offered to study with Yaser. He even invited Yaser to eat lunch with him. Butafter the semester was over, Steve seemed more distant. The two former classmates didn't seeeach other very much at school. One day Yaser decided to call Steve. Steve didn't seem veryinterested in talking to him. Yaser was hurt by Steve's change of attitude. "Steve said we werefriends," Yaser complained. "And I thought friends were friends forever."
Yaser is a little confused. He is an outsider to American culture. He doesn't understandthe way Americans view friendship. Americans use the word friend in a very general way. Theymay call both casual acquaintances and close companions "friends". Americans have schoolfriends, work friends, sports friends and neighborhood friends. These friendships are based oncommon interests. When the shared activity ends, the friendship may fade. Now Steve andYaser are no longer classmates. Their friendship has changed.
In some cultures friendship means a strong life-long bond between two people. In thesecultures friendships develop slowly, since they are built to last. American society is one of rapidchange. Studies show that one out of five American families moves every year. Americanfriendships develop quickly, and they may change just as quickly.
People from the United States may at first seem friendly. Americans often chat easily withstrangers. They exchange information about their families, hobbies and work. They may smilewarmly and say, "Have a nice day" or "See you later." Schoolmates may say, "Let's get togethersometime." But American friendliness is not always an offer of true friendship.
After an experience like Yaser's, outsiders may consider Americans to be fickle. Learninghow Americans view friendship can help non-Americans avoid misunderstandings. It can alsohelp them make friends the American way.
Here are a few tips on making friends with Americans:
1. Visit places Americans enjoy: parties, churches, Western restaurants, parks, sportsclubs.
2. Be willing to take the first step. Don't wait for them to approach you. Americans inChina may not know you speak English. They may be embarrassed if they can't speak yourlanguage.
3. Use small talk to open the conversation. Ask them where they're from, why they cameto China, etc. Remember: Be careful to avoid personal questions about age, salary, maritalstatus and appearance.
4. Show an interest in their culture, their country or their job. (Americans like to talk aboutthemselves!)
5. Invite them to join you for dinner or just for coffee or tea. Try to set a specific time.Americans sometimes make general invitations like "Let's get together sometime." Often this isjust a way to be friendly. It is not always a real invitation.
6. Don't expect too much at first. Maybe they're just being friendly. But maybe they dowant to be your good friends. It will take time to tell.
People like Yaser shouldn't give up trying to make American friends. Americans do valuestrong, life-long friendships, even with non-Americans. When making friends, it helps to have agood dose of cultural understanding.
史帝夫和亞瑟最初是在一所美國大學的化學課上認識的。亞瑟是從約旦來的國際學生。他很興奮能夠認識美國人，他要更多學習美國文化;亞瑟希望他和史帝夫會成為好朋友。
剛開始史帝夫似乎非常友善，上課前他總是熱情地和亞瑟打招呼，有時他和亞瑟一起讀書;他甚至邀請亞瑟一起共進午餐。但是學期結束後，史帝夫似乎較冷淡了，這兩個以前的同學在學校不常碰面了。有一天，亞瑟決定打電話給史帝夫，史帝夫似乎沒有興趣和他講話，對於史帝夫態度的改變，亞瑟感到受傷害。「史帝夫曾說我們是朋友，」亞瑟抱怨，「而且我認為一朝是朋友就永遠是朋友。」
亞瑟有點困惑了，對於美國文化，他是個局外人(外行)。他不了解美國人對友誼的看法。美國人把「朋友」這個字用得非常廣泛，一般的泛泛之交和親密夥伴都算是朋友。美國人的朋友包含有學校的朋友、工作的朋友、運動的朋友或是街坊鄰居。這些友誼都是建立在共同的興趣上，當共同從事的活動結束時，友誼也可能跟著消失了。現在，史帝夫和亞瑟不再是同學，他們的「友誼」也就改變了。
在一些文化里，友誼意即兩人之間一種強烈的，一世之久的情感。在這些文化里，友誼發展得慢，因為要持久。但美國是個急速變化的社會，有些研究發現每年每五個美國家庭之中，就有一個家庭搬家。美國人的友誼建立得快，但也可能改變得快。
從美國來的人可能剛開始看起來很親切。美國人常能很容易地和陌生人聊天，他們交換關於自己的家庭、興趣和工作的個人資料，他們可能熱情地微笑說「祝你有愉快的一天」或是「待會兒見」，而同學也許會說「我們找一天聚聚」，但是美國人的友善並不意謂真正的友誼。
經過像亞瑟的經歷之後，局外人也許會視美國人為善變的。了解美國人如何看待友誼，能夠幫助非美國人士避免誤會，也能幫助他們以美國人的方式交朋友。
以下是一些和美國人交朋友的秘訣：
1.到一些美國人喜歡去的地方：宴會、教會、西餐廳、公園和健身房。
2.樂意跨出第一步，不要等他們來接近你。在中國的美國人不知道你會不會講英語。如果他們不會講你的語言，他們可能覺得不好意思。
3.以閑聊來展開話題，問他們來自哪裡，為什麼到中國等等。切記：注意避免非常私人的問題，例如年齡、薪水、婚姻狀況和長相。
4.對他們的文化、國家或者工作表示興趣。(美國人喜歡談論自己)
5.邀請他們和你一起吃飯或喝茶。要講定時間，否則，美國人有時會用一些一般性的邀請，像「找個時間聚聚吧!」，但這只是表示友善的 方法 而非真正的邀請。
6.不要一開始就對你們的友誼期待太多，也許他們只是表示友善，但也可能他們真的要做你的好朋友，這需要時間證明。
像亞瑟一樣的人不應放棄交朋友，美國人還是看重強烈，一生之久的友誼，即使是和非美國人士。交朋友時，對於文化有某種程度的了解將會有所幫助。