English papers on cultural differences

Both Chinese and western countries have a long history and tradition, and each has its own unique connotation in its own culture. The following is a sample essay on cultural differences that I compiled for you. Welcome to read the reference!

English Test Paper on Cultural Differences 1

The Influence of Cultural Differences on English Learning

I. Introduction

In the process of English learning, many people try their best to learn pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar, but ignore the important role of cultural factors in language learning. In this way, although many people have certain language skills, they will still encounter many difficulties in English communication. Lack of understanding of the importance of cultural factors has seriously affected English learning.

The influence of cultural factors on language has long been concerned by scholars at home and abroad. For example, Hu Wenzhong, a famous scholar in China in 1980s, said: "Language is a form of expression of culture. It is impossible to learn English well without understanding British and American culture. " However, cultural factors have not been paid enough attention to in English teaching for many years. Therefore, this paper will discuss the influence of cultural differences on language from three aspects: Chinese and Western traditional culture, custom culture and value system.

Second, the impact of cultural differences on language

To learn English well, we should not only master the skills of pronunciation, semantics and grammar, but also pay attention to the influence of cultural differences on language learning. Language and culture are inseparable and interdependent whole. Language is the expression and carrier of culture, and at the same time it is restricted by its own culture. If you don't fully understand western culture, you can't really learn English well.

Many scholars have fully studied the connotation of culture. For example, Dai Weidong and Zhang Hongling believe that the most common and widely accepted view of cultural studies is that culture is a group's way of life, which includes everything people have learned since birth, such as language, words and deeds, content, beliefs and the material and spiritual basis on which people live. Zhang Jing believes that different nationalities have different geographical and historical environments, so different things and experiences have different coding classifications; Different nationalities have different religious beliefs, which also leads to their unique beliefs, worship and taboo mentality; Different nationalities have their own historical allusions and anecdotes because of the special historical process of their development. This paper focuses on the differences between China and the West in traditional culture, custom culture and value system and their influence on language.

(A) the differences in traditional culture

Both Chinese and western countries have a long history and tradition, and each has its own unique connotation in its own culture. Influenced by different histories and traditions, China and western countries have different traditional cultures in their long history. Therefore, when learning English, we should not only learn the language well, but also pay attention to its cultural connotation. As Liu Changjiang said, culture teaching should go hand in hand with language teaching.

Due to the differences between history and tradition, China people and westerners have different understandings and feelings about the same thing. For example, the connotation of "dragon" in Chinese and western traditional cultures is very different. "Dragon" is the totem of the Chinese nation, and we proudly call ourselves "descendants of the dragon". In the traditional culture of China, "Dragon" is a symbol of good luck and happiness. People often use words such as "Dragon and Tiger Leaping" or "Dragon and Phoenix Becoming Lucky" to describe auspicious atmosphere.

However, western culture often regards "dragon" as a symbol of evil forces, implying cruelty. In western traditional culture, "dragon" refers to a monster with wings and breathing fire, so it is directly related to cruelty.

(b) Differences in customs and cultures

The cultural differences between China and the West are particularly typical in terms of customs and culture. The customs and cultures of different countries are reflected in their social life and communication activities, such as address, etiquette, compliment and thanks. If we can't fully understand the differences between Chinese and western customs and cultures, it will seriously affect each other's communication.

For example, in terms of appellation, there are great differences between Chinese and western customs and cultures. Influenced by the patriarchal clan system, China people follow the custom of courtesy and respect for their elders. As the saying goes, "a son doesn't say his father's name, but a disciple doesn't say his teacher's taboo."

Therefore, in China, it is considered impolite for children to call their elders or teachers by their first names, and they will be punished by their parents. However, in western customs and cultures, westerners usually call others by their first names except their parents to show friendliness and closeness. This is especially common in America. Even when we first met, we called each other by their first names. The reason for this difference lies in China people's respect for the order of the young and the old, and the distinction between honor and inferiority, while westerners advocate equality and pursue freedom.

(C) the differences between different value systems

Values are generally regarded as the core of culture. Under different cultural backgrounds, people's values are necessarily different. Values have an important influence on people's speech expression in real life, so language often reflects a nation's values. The differences between Chinese and western values are also directly reflected in language expression, especially in taboo and privacy.

For example, China people's values pay attention to the close and friendly relationship between social groups, so they regard asking each other's age, income and marital status as. As their concern for each other, these issues are taboo in the eyes of westerners and personal privacy in their values, so they are avoided. Another example is that when Chinese greet acquaintances, they often ask "Where have you been" or "Have you eaten" to show their concern for each other and their close and friendly relationship. But in the eyes of westerners, this is suspected of prying into privacy.

Third, the conclusion

In English learning, language and culture are closely related. As Gao said, culture plays an extremely important role in language learning, and the use of language is restricted by the national culture to which the language belongs. Therefore, the differences between Chinese and western cultures will inevitably affect English language learning. Although some scholars have discussed this, ignoring cultural factors has not been effectively improved. Zhang Youping once pointed out that foreign language teaching should not only be language teaching, but also include cultural teaching. Therefore, to learn English, we should not only learn the language itself, but also be familiar with its cultural background. Only in this way can we really apply what we have learned to English and apply it to foreign communication accurately and smoothly.

References:

Hu Wenzhong. Cultural differences and foreign language teaching [J]. Foreign language teaching and research, 1982 (8): 45-5 1.

[2] Dai Weidong and Zhang Hongling. Cultural transfer in foreign language communication and its enlightenment to foreign language teaching reform [J]. Foreign languages, 2000 (2): 2-8.

[3] Zhang Jing. The Role of Cultural Knowledge in English Teaching [J]. Teaching and Management, 2009(2):84-85.

[4] Liu Changjiang. On the compatibility between the target language culture and the mother tongue culture in foreign language education [J]. Foreign Language Industry, 2003(4): 14- 18.

[5] Gao. Cultural Cognition in Communicative Foreign Language Teaching [J]. Foreign Language and Foreign Language Teaching, 2003(8):33-38.

[6] Zhang Youping. Re-understanding of language teaching and cultural teaching [J]. Foreign Language Industry, 2003(3):4 1-48.

Cultural differences English thesis II

On the influence of cultural differences between English and Chinese on language

Language is an important way of communication in human society and an important carrier of culture. The language of each nation is influenced by its own social culture, and it also reflects its own cultural connotation. If people of one nationality don't understand the cultural factors and connotation of another nationality, it will be difficult to communicate smoothly. Therefore, we must combine language knowledge with cultural knowledge in order to communicate smoothly. Therefore, the influence of cultural differences on translation should not be underestimated.

[Keywords:] cultural differences, religious beliefs, historical allusions, customs and habits

Translation is not only a process of language conversion, but also a process of cultural transmission. Mr. Zhao, an expert in teaching Chinese as a foreign language, said: "Cross-cultural communication is possible because human beings enjoy certain cultural information;" There are some deviations in cross-cultural communication because both sides can't enjoy other different cultural information. This paper discusses the influence of cultural differences between English and Chinese on translation from three aspects: living environment, religious belief, historical allusions and customs.

First, the impact of differences in living environment on translation

The influence of different living environments on translation can be said to be basic, obvious and deep-rooted. The use of idioms is the difference between English and Chinese living environments, and it is a very important expression in language use. The emergence and application of idioms are closely related to people's work and life. For example, in the Han culture, China people have the impression that the east wind is warm and only the northwest wind is cold. Britain is located in the western hemisphere, with a maritime climate. Please look at the following example: How many winters have I seen him standing in the snow and the east wind with a black face? I always see him in many winter days, his nose is red and purple with cold, standing in the snow and in the east wind. Qian Gechuan thinks that the east wind of this sentence should be west wind or north wind when translated into Chinese, which is the difference of cultural atmosphere caused by the difference of geographical environment and our living environment. For another example, in the eyes of China people, summer is always associated with extreme heat, and "scorching sun is like fire" and "scorching sun is like fire" are words that China people often use to describe summer. Summer in Britain is warm, bright and comfortable, which is the most comfortable season in a year, just like spring in China. Obviously, due to different geographical environments, English and Chinese have different living environments, and the ways and angles of observing objective things and reflecting the objective world are also different. Therefore, translation must not be translated word for word according to the meaning in the dictionary, otherwise effective and smooth communication cannot be achieved.

Secondly, the influence of religious beliefs and historical allusions on translation.

There are also great differences in religious beliefs and historical allusions between English and Chinese cultures. This has a great influence on translation, so we should have a deep understanding. Most westerners believe in _ _ and believe that God can create everything, so there is a saying that "God helps those who help themselves". China people believe in Buddhism and Taoism, and there are many words such as Jade Emperor, Guanyin, Bodhisattva and Compassion. In China culture, there are various historical allusions, such as "Pangu opened the sky", "Cowherd and Weaver Girl" and "Sleeping on the salary and tasting courage". In western culture, many historical allusions come from ancient Greek and Roman myths and biblical stories. Look at the following example: when a teacher is at the scene of creation, when clay begins to breathe. Christ, God made man, and man came from dust. Therefore, creation means "God" in English. And clay means "man created by God". After understanding the religious connotation of the words creation and clay sculpture, we can translate them into: the teacher is the witness of creation and the growth of life. It can be seen that different religious beliefs in English and Chinese cultures run through their respective language expressions and exchanges. If the translator lacks a deep understanding of the cultural personality of the translation, it will be difficult to understand the cultural connotation of the sentence, which will affect the accuracy of the translation and thus prevent effective communication.

Thirdly, the influence of different customs on translation.

There are great differences in customs between English and Chinese, which will inevitably have some influence on translation. In China, people regard "Dragon" as the auspicious god with great power, so it is the symbol of the supreme emperor in China culture, so there is a saying of "hoping for success", but in Britain and the United States, it is regarded as a fierce monster that smokes and spits fire. On the contrary, in China, owls are considered unlucky, while in Britain, being as smart as owls is considered as a symbol of wisdom. In English-Chinese communication, we often find that similar examples give people a new feeling, that is, different customs and habits lead to deep-rooted cultural differences. In the process of translation, translators must be deeply aware of this and consider the influence of customs and habits on translation, so that English and Chinese can communicate effectively.

Four. conclusion

No matter an excellent translator or an excellent translation critic, he should be a real cultural person, with two cultural awareness and proficiency in two languages. Communication promotes understanding, communication contributes to progress, and translation is a bridge of communication. Let's really do a good job in translation, build a bridge between English and Chinese, and make due contributions to English-Chinese communication.

refer to

[1] Cui Jianjing. Infiltration of British and American culture in English teaching in middle schools [J]. Journal of Dalian Institute of Education, 2003(6).

[2] Zhang Peiji. English-Chinese Translation Course [M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2004.

[3] Bao Huinan. Cultural context and translation [M]. Beijing: China Foreign Translation Publishing Company, 200 1.

[4] Peng Baoliang. On the establishment of word meaning in English-Chinese translation from the perspective of cultural differences [J]. Translated by China, 1998( 1):25.

[5] Deng Yanchang, Liu Runqing. Language and culture-A comparison between English and Chinese languages and cultures [M]. Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 1989: 159.