New College English (Book Two, Second Edition)

Unit 7 Culture

Contents

Preparation1

Words and Phrases2

In-Class Reading3

4 After-Class Reading

4

PREPARATION

Culture Shock

Culture is a broad term used to describe the arts, the belief, the value, the customs, the traditions, the institutions that are considered to be characteristic of a community, a people, a region, or a nation.

Discussion

Look carefully at the following cartoons and topics, then pick one of them. Present a three-minute speech on it before your class.

Do you have stereotypes on certain people? Give us an

example.

What do you think of “melting pot” in which people from all

cultures have blended together?

What do you think of “ tossed salad” in which people from different cultures

stick to their own groups?

For reference

A " stereotype " is a commonly held public belief about specific social groups, or types of individuals. The concepts of "stereotype" and “prejudice" are often confused with many other different meanings. Stereotypes are standardized and simplified conceptions of groups, based on some prior assumptions. Stereotypes can have a negative and positive impact on individuals.

For many years the image of a "melting pot" was used to describe the experience of immigrants coming to America. The expectation was that as people from diverse backgrounds, cultures and religions make their way to America, a sort of American cultural pot would melt away all the differences leaving one homogenous social stew.

The "tossed salad" metaphor is meant to signify that the various ethnic groups are staying relatively separate (while still contributing to the whole), rather than blending into one thick creamy soup.

Words and Phrases

杨丽萍小姐是一位动作如此优雅的舞者。

Ms. Yang Liping is such a graceful dancer.

1. gracefully (title) adv. 得体地名词形式： grace 优美；优雅（尤指在结构或动作

上）形容词形式： graceful

It was gracious of you to come.

蒙您光临，不胜感激。

词义辨析： graceful 与 gracious gracious adj. (of persons and their behavior) pleasant; kind; agreeable （指人及其行为）亲切的，和善的，和蔼的

The host welcomed the guests in his program _________________. ( 态度亲切地 )

in a gracious manner

那个贼悄悄溜走没被人看到。

岁月岁月在不知不觉中过去在不知不觉中过去。。

The thief slipped away/out/past without being seen.

The years slipped by.

2. slip (Line 2, Para. 1) to (cause to) enter (a place) silently or secretly

（使）……偷偷地或悄悄地进入 v. go or move quickly or quietly 滑

3. expose (Line 2, Para. 1) vt. 1) uncover; leave uncovered or unprotected 暴露；使遭受；使接触

As we know, Da Shan is a foreigner who has been exposed to Chinese for many years.

接触中文多年的外国人

Her brother John is a man with an abrupt manner. 他的弟弟约翰是一个举止粗鲁的人。

The road to the small town was full of abrupt turns.

急转弯

4. abrupt (Line 5, Para. 1) adj. 1) seeming rude and unfriendly 唐突的；鲁莽的

Give the Chinese of the following phrases.

abrupt departure 突然的离去

abrupt attack 突袭

骤停

突如其来的终止

突变

abrupt stop

abrupt ending

abrupt change

副词形式： abruptly名词形式： abruptness

5. accomplish (Line 10, Para. 2) v. succeed in doing something 完成

We tried to persuade them but We tried to persuade them but accomplished nothingaccomplished nothing..

我们想说服他们，但并没有成功。

Just like us, Taiwan compatriots also observe the lunar new year. 和我们一样，台湾同胞 (compatriot) 也过农历新年。

6. observe (Line 12, Para. 3) v. 1) obey (a law, rule or custom) 遵守，奉行

他们就机场的建设向市长强烈抗议。

They made a strong protest to the mayor about the building of the new airport.

7. protest (Line 13, Para. 3) n. a strong complaint that shows you disagree with, or are angry about something that you think is wrong or unfair 反对；抗议

Those rescue team members assured the worried mother that they would try their best to look for her missing son. 援救队的成员们援救队的成员们向那位焦急的母亲保证向那位焦急的母亲保证他们会尽全他们会尽全力去寻找她失踪的儿子。力去寻找她失踪的儿子。

8. assure (Line 25, Para. 5) v. 1) tell somebody that something will definitely happen so that they are less worried 向……保证

形容词形式 : assured adj. sure; confident 确信的；深信的

______________________ our government could effectively put the overheating economy under control.

你尽可以放心，我们的政府能够有效地控制过热增长的经济。

You may rest assured that

名词形式： assurance n. certainty; confidence 确信；信心

9. discourage (Line 30, Para. 6) v. 1) lessen, take away, the courage or confidence of 使…气馁；使…沮丧

别因为一次失败就气馁，再试一次。

Don’t let one failure discourage you; try again.

She is very pleased that people compliment her on her beauty.

10. compliment (Line 40, Para. 9) v. say something nice to someone in order to praise him/her 赞扬

谨致佳节祝贺（西方人圣诞、新年互相祝贺用语）

n. 1) expression of admiration, approval, etc., either in words or by action (e.g. by asking somebody for his advice or opinions, or by imitating him) （以言语或行动做出的）恭维的表示；敬意；

赞扬 （例如向某人请教或效法他）

with the with the complimentscompliments of the season of the season

To modify some terms of the contract seems quite necessary.

修改合同中的某些条款看来非常必要。

11. modify (Line 55, Para. 12) vt. 1) make small changes to something, often in order to improve it 修改；变更

“Don’t see me off.”

to slip into a culture

to see a guest off to the farthest feasible point

a feeling of mission

“别送我了。”

融入一种文化

送客人送到尽可能远的地方

一种使命感

American and Chinese cultures are at polar opposites.

“Please don’t bother.”

honor roll

中美文化完全不同。

“不用麻烦。”

光荣榜

In-Class Reading

Information related to the textChinese in foreign eyes

1. In general, the Chinese are reserved and value an individual’s ability to remain calm and collected no matter what the situation is. They hide their emotions, and express this serenity by keeping their faces and bodies immobile and composed during conversations. They do not wave their hands around, hit the table, cross their legs, or slouch in their chairs.

Information related to the textChinese in foreign eyes

2. The idea of shame, usually expressed as “face”, could be loosely defined as the “status” or “self-respect” in Chinese and by no means alien to foreigners. It is the worst thing for a Chinese to lose face. Never insult, embarrass, shame, yell at or otherwise demean a person. Since all these actions would risk putting a Chinese in a situation that he might lose face. Neither should you try to prove someone wrong nor shout at him in public. In order to get a successful effect without letting a Chinese lose face, any criticism should be delivered privately.

Information related to the textChinese in foreign eyes

3. Chinese seldom express what they think directly and they prefer a roundabout way. Neither do they show their emotions and feelings in public. They usually greet people with a handshake, rather than embrace or kiss when greeting or saying good-bye. Also, it is advisable to be fairly cautious in political discussions. Do not particularly push yourself forward, or else you may become unwelcome.

One custom is that the host and hostess should say to guests words and phrases that will smooth over the visitors’ leaving and make them feel they will be welcome to come again. The other one is that the host and hostess feel they must see a guest off to the farthest point except those less important or young.

What are the two parting customs in China mentioned in the article?

A Chinese will appear to be modest and apologize for giving “nothing” even slightly edible and for not showing enough honor by providing proper dishes; an American is likely to say, “Oh, I’m so glad that you liked it. I cooked it especially for you.”

What are Chinese and American’s responses when they are complimented for cooking skills?

Chinese parents will say that their children, even if at the top of their class in school, are always so “naughty”, never studying, never listening to their elders, and so forth; American parents will straightforwardly speak proudly of their children’s achievements.

What are Chinese and American parents’ comments when they evaluate their children?

It’s rather difficult for a foreigner to slip into a culture without all his foreignness exposed.

Topic sentence (para. 1)

Supporting evidence Parting customs in China (para. 1-7)

A. At a party when complimented for cooking skills

Chinese modesty vs. American straightforwardness (para. 8-12)

B. When talking about their children

C. Hearing the word “no”

Conclusion (para. 13)Life becomes much easier once you have studiedup on cultural differences.

1. 1. Why is itWhy is it that when you study a foreign language, you that when you study a foreign language, you never learn the little phrases that let you slip into a never learn the little phrases that let you slip into a culture without all your foreignness exposed? culture without all your foreignness exposed? (Line (Line 11))

整个句子其实就是：整个句子其实就是： Why is it?Why is it? 只是只是 itit 是形式主语，是形式主语，真正的主语是从句真正的主语是从句 that when you studythat when you study……without without all your foreignness exposedall your foreignness exposed 。。主语从句中又含有主语从句中又含有两个从句，一个是时间状语从句两个从句，一个是时间状语从句 when you study a when you study a foreign languageforeign language ，，一个是定语从句一个是定语从句 that let you that let you slip into a cultureslip into a culture…, …, 修 饰 先 行 词修 饰 先 行 词 the little the little phrases.phrases.

在外语学习中，有一些简单的词语，一旦掌握，就能让你不知不觉地融入另一种文化，而丝毫不会暴露你是一个外国人。但你为什么总学不会呢？

1. 1. Why is itWhy is it that when you study a foreign language, you that when you study a foreign language, you never learn the little phrases that let you slip into a never learn the little phrases that let you slip into a culture without all your foreignness exposed? culture without all your foreignness exposed? (Line (Line 11))

2. 2. Every Chinese-language textbook starts out with the Every Chinese-language textbook starts out with the standard phrase for greeting people; but as an standard phrase for greeting people; but as an American, I constantly found myselfAmerican, I constantly found myself tongue-tied when it came to seeing guests off at the door. （（ Line Line 44 ））

when it comes to +when it comes to + 名词名词 // 动名词动名词 // 代词代词等等 表示“当谈到表示“当谈到…………的时候”的时候”

每本汉语课本都是从问候语开始的。但是作为美国人，每当要我送客出门时，我总是舌头打结。

2. Every Chinese-language textbook starts out with the 2. Every Chinese-language textbook starts out with the standard phrase for greeting people; but as an standard phrase for greeting people; but as an American, I constantly found myselfAmerican, I constantly found myself tongue-tied when it came to seeing guests off at the door. （（ Line Line 44 ））

后来，听得多了，我开始学会了说一些话，使送客的气氛轻松了许多。我感到我不仅完成了任务，而且完成得很出色。

3. Then finally, listening to others, I began to pick up the phrases that eased relations and sent people off with a feeling of mission not only accomplished but surpassed. （ Line 9 ）

4. The same rules 4. The same rules hold true with regard tohold true with regard to children. children.

(Line (Line 4444))

hold true for/to适用于……；对……有效 with/in regard to 关于……，至于…… (without regard to 无视……，对……不加考虑 )

同样的规则在对待小孩上也适用。

4. The same rules hold true with regard to children.

(Line 44)

After-Class Reading

Passage I Dining Customs in America

Match the paragraph number with a suitable topic of the paragraph.

Para. 1

Para. 2

Para.3

Para.4

Para.5

Para.6

Para.7

Para.8

Para.9

a. What a guest should do if he leaves the table?

b. The difference between American and European customs in using the knife and forkc. Customs to be observed when guests take a seat

d. Cases in which Americans use or don’t use fingers to eat e. The way American guests express appreciation when taking their leavef. The first rule of being a polite guest

g. Some customs to be observed after guests are seated and before dinner is servedh. Dining customs concerning the placement and the use of silverware

i. How long a guest may stay after dinner?

Passage I Dining Customs in America

Words and phrases to be remembered:

1. be apt to 2. customary 3. embarrassment 4. original 5. peculiar 6. sensitive 7. thoughtful 8. thoroughly 9. break up 10. on the contrary 11. at one’s best

Passage II Specific Taboos

Find for each taboo its corresponding country/region and reason.

Passage II Specific Taboos

Country/Region

America

Middle East

Hong Kong, China

Europe

Korea

China

Latin America

France

Japan

Taboos

a. Giving a single itemb. Giving a gift of perfumesc. Giving an even number of flowersd. Giving gifts regardless of positione. Giving a lily at a time other than Easterf. Presenting a handkerchief

g. Giving a gift of knife

h. Giving a clock

i. Giving four of anything

Reason

1.It suggests tears or parting2.The word has a funeral connotation

3.It’s the bad luck number4.It’s like carrying coal to Newcastle5.It suggests cutting of a relationship6.It carries bad luck

7.It’s a rank-conscious society8.It’s consider a symbol of death9.It’s considered bad luck

Words and phrases to be remembered:

1. a bouquet of 2. inappropriate3. prestige4. in accordance with5. tone down6. other than7. signify

Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition according to the following situation. You should write at least 120 words.

“You are talking with several students in English corner. Two foreign students from the U. S. have introduced some

dining customs in America. Now it’s your turn to introduce DINING CUSTOMS IN CHINA to them.”

Just now, our American friends introduced some dining customs in the States. Next, I’d like to talk something about our Chinese peculiar dining customs, from inviting guests to seeing them off.

Dinging Customs in China

The Chinese feel that a courteous (礼貌的 ) guest should be modest first. If you are invited to dinner, though you are willing to, you have to decline (婉言谢绝 ) first and accept it finally. At this point, we Chinese are not as “straightforward” as you Americans.

Usually as a guest, you are expected to bring some gifts to the host. Similarly, the host doesn’t accept the gift at once. He will say, “No, don’t bother!” or “Why did you bring gifts? You are too polite!”

When the dinner begins, usually the guests will not eat until the host says, “Please help yourselves!” Furthermore, the host or hostess will put food in the tray or the bowl of the guest. The guest will say, “No, …” at the beginning and will accept it finally. At a Chinese table a guest should not

eat too quickly nor too much. The Chinese like to talk with each other during the dinner. The guests seldom eat much, and some food is left to show that the host and the hostess have prepared more food than enough.

After dinner, the guests will stay for a while and leave before it is too late. The host and hostess may urge every guest to stay longer in order to be polite, though.

It is customary for the host to see the guests off. The host tries to see them off to the farthest feasible point while the guests try to let them stop and not see them off.

This is the whole procedure of inviting guests home for dinner in China. Following these customs, your life will become easier. When you are in China, do as the Chinese do.