美洲大陆的文化起源及其发展

On the Origin and Development of the Culture of the American Continent

美洲文化是在多种文化融合的基础上形成的多元混合型文化,这种文化结构的形成是同美洲当时的历史条件相适应的。在美洲文化形成的过程中,欧洲文化始终起着主导作用,欧洲文化模式是美洲多元混合型文化结构的主体框架,但决不是欧洲文化的翻板。它是以欧洲文化为主体,以印第安文化和非洲黑人文化为次要成份的混合文化结构。因此,这既不同于母体的欧洲文化,又不同于土著文化,而是一种崭新的,具有民族特色的文化,它表现了开放性、多元性、丰富性和兼收并蓄、多姿多彩的文化特色。

The American culture is a pluralistic mixed culture based on the mergence of various cultures.The formation of this cultural structure was suitable to the special historical conditions of the continent at that time.The European cultures played a constant part throughout the course of the American culture,but it does not mean at all that the American culture is a copy of the European culture.When the European colonists landed on the American continent,everything was strange to them.In order to survive and suit the local natural and social environment,they had to change some of their customs and habits of production and lives.They somewhat absorbed the cream of the Indian culture in the styles of their eating and drinking,fashions,architecture and customs.And so the Indian cultural heritage can survive stubbornly in the long colonial ruling periods and many cultural treasures with the Indian national colors have been spread widely and become an essential part of the American mixed culture.