英语阅读中的西方文化

① 英语和西方文化

长期以来，英语教学中对西方文化因素没有给予足够的重视。造成这种现象的原因之一是，理论语言学在广大英语教学者头脑中有着根深蒂固的影响。他们认为语言学研究的对象只是语言本身。在这些理论的指导下，就逐步形成了固定的以培养纯语言能力为教学目的的教学模式。因此，教师们很难摆脱传统的教学模式。原因之二是可利用的参考资料太少，教学中涉及的许多文化现象就连教师本人也很难理解透彻。因此，尽管有的教师们能认识到文化因素在语言学习中的重要性，但由于以上原因而疏于传授。
众所周知，要想掌握一门语言，首先得学会这门语言的词汇、语法，并要有一定的实际操作能力。但是，我们还要认识到，语言不是孤立存在的，语言与文化密不可分。语言是文化的一部分，也是文化的载体，是思维的物质外壳，它承载着文化信息，折射出一个民族的思维特征。同时语言又受文化的制约，因为文化深植于语言。人们使用语言时要受到其民族文化的限制和影响。人们的语言表现形式更要受语言赖以存在的社会、习俗、生活方式、行为方式、价值观念、思维方式、宗教信仰、民族心理和性格等的制约和影响。中西方文化大相径庭，文化的差异决定了语言的差异，这种差异不仅包括词汇、语法、语音、语调，也包括表达方式、表达内容、以及表达的得体性。如果在用英语进行交流时不注意中西不同文化的差异，往往会造成误解。
二、西方文化导入的必要性

《大学英语课程教学要求》里明确指出大学英语教学是以英语语言知识与应用技能、学习策略和跨文化交际为主要内容。这表明大学英语教学不能仅仅停留在对语音、词汇和语法的表面意义的理解，还要充分考虑对学生国际文化知识的传授，注重培养实际言语能力，在语言教学中输入目标语中的文化背景知识，使英语学习者能够在同外国人士交流时根据不同的文化背景选择恰当的语言和表达方式，使他们逐渐具备另外一种语言所承载的文化系统，从而达到有效地进行跨文化的目的。
掌握一种语言并不仅限于学习语言本身，在语言学习中，目标语的文化知识不但是培养交际能力的重要方面，而且其本身也是教育的要求之一。目前大学英语所采用的教材中有关文化方面的内容较少，即便有相关的内容，教学的重点仍然主要安排在对词汇的记忆、语法和结构的分析，以及有限的听、说和写作的练习方面，对文化教学的活动涉及得太少，对中西文化的比较和对西方文化的吸收等方面的训练做得非常少。
非英语专业学生，尤其是理工科专业的学生，其课程结构中文科方面的内容相对少，而西方文化方面的知识更是薄弱，且因课时限制又无法为他们开设专门的文化课。很多学生希望能通过语言学习了解西方文化。近几年来，随着社会对学生英语要求的不断提
高，我们的教材越来越多地使用英美原文材料。这些原汁原味的语料中文化含量相当大，很大程度上折射出西方文化的特点。原文材料的使用给我们的英语教学提出了更高的要求。教师必须把文化因素作为教学重点，必须引导学生去注意材料的社会文化背景，培养他们的文化敏感性和洞察力。否则，缺乏对目标语文化背景知识的了解将直接影响学生对所读材料的正确理解和判断。

三、电影运用于教学的优越性

随着现代教育技术的发展、多媒体教学的普及，以及英语原版电影的大量引进和相关资料的发行，在英语教学中运用英文原版电影作为文化导入媒介有其独特的优越胜。

第一，它可以引起学生的学习兴趣，激发学生学习动机。所有学生都喜欢看电影，对电影教学非常感兴趣。把英文电影引入大学英语课堂，既可以使电影和课本相结合从而使教学立体化、实质化，使语言生命化，还可以使学生学习气氛更和谐自然，语言环境更真实，学习动机更持久，进而达到培养语言的实际应用能力的目标。

第二，它是提升大学生人文素养的良好资源。大学期间正是一个人提高文化修养的重要阶段。电影在具体的艺术实践中，融入了哲学、文学等多种社会科学的内容，并予以借鉴、交汇和以此为艺术的阶梯，从而创造出如梦如幻的影像文化。显然，这样一门直观化的艺术，对于大学生来说，是构成其丰富的社会科学知识的重要内容。英语教学中注重西方文化信息的导入，不但提高了学生的人文素养，而且对他们以后的工作也很有用。

第三，电影作为人类新兴的综合性、高科技的文化载体，它是建立在建筑、音乐、绘画、雕塑、诗、舞蹈等艺术品种的交叉点上的综合性艺术，它通过艺术形象的展示，表达一定的思想情感，反映不同社会文化，体现不同时代和不同民族精神。例如，要让学生了解英美人结婚嫁娶等知识时，就可以让学生观看《四个婚礼一个葬礼》《走出非洲》反映了西方国家和非洲国家人们的婚姻、生活、教育等价值观念与文化取向，也反映了一些风俗习惯和社交礼仪《与狼共舞》是一部历史文化片，它展示和颂扬了印第安人的灿烂文化和优秀品质，揭露了白人在西部拓荒过程中对印第安人进行的种族灭绝的血腥罪行，同时通过一个白人背叛自己原有文化的历程，热情讴歌了跨越两种文化的友谊与爱情。
英语原版电影是为我们打开了望西方国家语言与文化的窗口，具有书本及其它视听材料所不具备的特点和优势，它能逼真地再现言语交际情景，为学生提供大量自然语言，并为相关的语言实践活动提供近乎真实的背景：是了解西方文化的便捷、直观、生动的有效途径。因此，让学生通过欣赏原声英文电影，在学习英语语言的同时，了解西方国家的自然、地理、历史、经济、政治等基本情况，了解其文化取向、思维方式、价值观念、社会规范、风俗习惯等文化知识，让语言知识与文化知识同步传授，使二者构成一个水乳交融般完整的教学体系。
目前英文电影的种类与数量浩如烟海，用于教学内容的影片选择就显得格外重要。选择影片应遵循以下三个原则：第一，所选内容要有益于学生树立正确的人生观、价值观，让学生通过这些影片的欣赏，以正确的视角解读西方人的思想意识、价值观念、道德标准、风俗习惯等；第二，所选内容的难易度要适合学生水平；第三，运用所选影片的方法要灵活。良好的教学资源配以良好的方法才会起到最佳的教学效果。

② 求几篇高中英语阅读理解原文，内容要是介绍西方某个节日，文化，习俗方面的。

网络有相关文章加以修饰就OK啦

③ 关于中西方文化的初中英语阅读理解练习题及答案

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
这是一篇讲美国人的用餐习俗的阅读。
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

这是篇中西方习俗的。答案就先不给你发了，希望你认真做，等你做完以后可以把你的答案告诉我，我再告诉你正确的。

④ 浅谈英语学习与西方文化之间的关系

当然可以啦，任何语言都根植于特定的文化背景之中，反映特定的文化内容。实际上，英语学习中，语言的学习与运用就是一种文化与另一种文化的交流与传播。静止孤立地学习某种语言，只能得到语言知识的皮毛，不可能获得语言能力，不可能得体地运用该语言。所以，要学好和使用好英语，就要了解产生、使用这种语言的特定的社会文化背景和文化习俗，才能在实际应用中表达正确、符合习惯。否则，对英语文化背景知识缺乏了解，必然导致交际障碍、冲突和误解。

⑤ 对英语学习有帮助的中西方文化和习俗

读读圣经吧。整个西方世界都是建立咋基督教的教训之上的，从法律，到版政治，到社会，到经济，权到日常生活。这是根源。不要一听到“圣经”就觉得，哈，我知道，我已经很懂了。“其实，懂的也就是”圣经“这两个字罢了。多看看，多想想，会发现其实人的所有的反应和行为都是那么的不同。祝你学习进步。

⑥ 中西方文化差异英语作文

The culture differences between the East and West

As we know ,there are so many differences between culture of the East and West that I can not list all of their different aspects.I will focus on the differences of diet custom and teaching system.For your better understanding ,I will set examples of China and America.

It is no doubtthat it is a tradition to use chopsticks for Chinese.But people in America prefer to forks and knives.This different result is based on different food they like .Americans choose to eat beefsteak,bread,and salad,while Chinese people choose noodles ,pancakes and rice.What is more,the custom of drinking tea in China and drinking coffee in America are stand out particularly.However,there is a trend that the food in both countries has been mixture.For example,the coffee and bread have introced to China.The famous KFC is very popular at children.

The gap of teaching system between China and America is big.Chinese students always complain about their homework.Too much homework has limited the time to exercise and relax.They have to recite many things as to get a high mark.Homework comes the first to them.

In my opinion,the study in America is more interesting .Teachers pay attentions to training students skills in thinking in realastic life not to emphasis on the importances of memories.In a addition,the rate of going to school ,the salary of teaching ,and the job of gruates are quite different,too.I should say that Chima government should make great efforts to improve its teaching syetem.I am also expect to be one day ,the West give more cheersto our country.

⑦ 能告诉我怎样很好的了解西方文学的文化吗这对英语中的阅读理解很有帮助

可以读点叫的出名的西方名著中英版，如荷马史诗之类的

⑧ 求一篇中西方文化差异与英语学习的文章!

两篇供你参考，希望对你有帮助～～呵呵～
(一）
What are the major differences between chinese and western culture?

I'll list down a few differences:

West:

1. Western culture is based on indivialism rather than on mass (collectivism). For instance, in the US, you always talk about indivial rights, instead of placing the whole society above your own self. This is clearly different in China where a country, society or family are placed above your own self.

2. Western culture is adventurous and exploration based. Westerners like to discover new things, invention and expand outwards. For instance, bungee jumping is considered adventurous and common in western culture, but you will probably find no-one doing such a thing in China.

3. Western culture is based on science, which attempts to resolve people and nature's relationship.

4. West uses law to resolve people and people's relationship. You can never find 'law' well-established in China. For 2000 years, China is a land that's based on human relationship rather than law.

5. West uses 'god' and religion to resolve human and spiritualism relationship. In case of problems with your own self, you just pray to god.

6. A culture that expands and develop outwards.
Chinese Culture:

1. A culture based on masses (collectivism). People placed country and family above your own self.

2. A culture that is based on humanism and people

3. To resolve the relationship betwen man and nature, the chinese attempts to fuse the human and 'heaven' as one. (天人和一)

4. To resolve people and people's relationship, chinese uses ethics and tolerance (中恕之道)

5. To resolve human and spiritualism, chinese emphasizes internal cultivation (修身养性)

6. A focus on balance and mean. By 'mean', it means 'middle way'. You don't go into extremism. Peace is always honoured.

7. Pay homage to heaven and earth, as well as bearing a remembrance to the homeland. (敬仰天地,思乡怀土) This was accorded to the fact that chinese had been a farming civilization and therefore will be more prone to remember their land.

8. A culture that expands internally rather than outwards.
Some of the disadvantage of old chinese culture:

1. Debase women and chauvanistic

2. An over-emphasis on past history instead of present (lacks pragmatism)
Can you list some more differences? Any comments and contributions are appreciated.

（二）

The difference between west and east

I wonder how many things do you know about the difference between west and east? I can tell you some. East and west , they are different in many ways. Today, I want to talk about it in the following three parts. They are food, dressing and living styles.
First , food.

In China, we prefer noodles, rice , jiaozi as the main course. We like cooking a lot of delicious dishes, then we set up the tables, put the dishes on the tables, sit together, and taste the dishes together, we don’t eat with indivial plates, when we eating ,we like chatting and laughing, we think it’s warm and happy to eat this way; But in England or other west countries, people like eating hamburgers, chips, pizza, pasta as their main course, they eat them with vegetable salad, they eat with drinking (water or juice),and they eat with separate plates. In China, we become full up when we finish all the food, then we don’t eat anything, but in west countries, people eat desserts after they finish their meals.

Second, dressing.

In China, we prefer colorful clothes, we dress them in different places, some time many people don’t mind the places we will go, and dress more formal or less formal, and some people just wearing beautiful clothes, don’t make up; But in west countries, people dress according their visiting places, in daily times, they often wear casual clothes, but if they go to a formal places ,they often wear suits, ladies wearing beautiful dresses, pretty hats. No matter how old the ladies are, they always make up.

Third, 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 ring 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 ring the weekend. if you go to west countries, you can take part in their joyful night life.

That’s the differences I found ring the days I stayed in England. They are not all of them, but I think they can give my friends some information. Though west 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.

⑨ 用英语介绍中西方文化差异的文章

我也在想这个问题，我是参加希望之星培训的，最近也要写这个问题，高中北师大的英语书有哦