In the 21st century, with gradually accelerating process of globalization, international exchanges are increasingly frequent. We should understand that within the range of the same cultural context, people have little...In the 21st century, with gradually accelerating process of globalization, international exchanges are increasingly frequent. We should understand that within the range of the same cultural context, people have little difficulties in communicating with others; however, if we use the same way to treat the one who is under other cultural backgrounds, they tend to have misunderstanding or confliction, affecting the interaction and communication and causing undue loss. Business English translation is communication process and tools held between people speaking different languages to conduct commercial communication. Culture is a factor in translation that cannot be ignored, different nations have different historical backgrounds, manners, customs, cultural traditions, therefore, business English translation must understand the cultural differences between China and the West, and tried to make these differences disappear in the interpretation process and find the exact words in the target language, so exotic cultural can represented in the target language.展开更多
English is used an important course of higher vocational colleges, which can greatly improve stuctents" language application ability to a great extent and it can also make students understand western culture knowledg...English is used an important course of higher vocational colleges, which can greatly improve stuctents" language application ability to a great extent and it can also make students understand western culture knowledge through foreign language learning. But in current higher vocational colleges, it faces many dilemmas. Only by correctly analyzing these dilemmas will it propose corresponding reasonab!e solutions, which is good for English education development of higher vocational colleges and improving English level of higher vocational college students.展开更多
The Iberian Peninsula was first inhabited by Celts, Iberians, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, and later Berbers. How is it possible that in a spam of only 50 years, the Berbers were able to go pass the Pyrenees and ...The Iberian Peninsula was first inhabited by Celts, Iberians, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, and later Berbers. How is it possible that in a spam of only 50 years, the Berbers were able to go pass the Pyrenees and practically ruled what today is Portugal, Spain, and region of France? This article attempts to uncover the sociological aspects that helped the Berbers and Arabs rule the Iberian Peninsula quite rapidly. It was due to the commonalities and not the differences that Spain's political leaders went from Arian Visigoths to Muslims for the next 800 years. Ignacio Olague's book La Revoluci6n Isldmica en Occidente (The Islamic Revolution in the West), also translated as Les Arabes N'ont Jamais Envahi l'Espagne (The Arabs Never Invaded Spain), serves as one instrument to shed light to how this historical event took place. The result of this fusion of cultures not only created a rich civilization that would planted the seeds of the Renaissance three centuries before it began in Italy, but also contributed to the formation of a new language (between 720-750 AD): El castellano o espahol (Spanish language), which today is the official language in 21 st countries.展开更多
This paper examines the directing, acting and rehearsal process in transforming the ancient Babylonian epic Gilgamesh for the stage using performers' journals as a means of determining the effect of corporeal non-wes...This paper examines the directing, acting and rehearsal process in transforming the ancient Babylonian epic Gilgamesh for the stage using performers' journals as a means of determining the effect of corporeal non-western styles on actors whose prior experience was almost exclusively in naturalistic and text-based theatre. The introduction of theatrical elements from multiple cultures including puppetry and the masks and techniques of Noh drama created a multi-tiered field for intercultural exchange. While Patrice Pavis's hourglass model for the transfer of theatrical material from a source to a target culture may hold true for productions that use linear modes of transmission, translation and incorporation of text, music, costumes and styles, its limitations make it necessary to posit alternative theories that take into account intercultural rehearsal practices, the collaboration of source and target culture and the dynamic interactions that take place through the agency of actor training in the fleshly physical theatre.展开更多
The paper investigates Saudi English textbooks in order to trace the ways in which culture was dealt with in the English curriculum in the last 33 years. To this end, the three textbooks which were published one after...The paper investigates Saudi English textbooks in order to trace the ways in which culture was dealt with in the English curriculum in the last 33 years. To this end, the three textbooks which were published one after another for the third-grade secondary school students in the last three decades were analyzed. The paper finds that in the first book published in 1982, the writer introduced only those cultural elements from outside Saudi Arabia, which could be subordinated to the self-enclosed cohesive Saudi national culture that rested and was shaped on and around the faith of Islam. The same cultural pattern is maintained in the second book published in 1998, but in the third book published in 2013, a huge number of western and multicultural elements were accommodated without any attempt to assimilate them to Saudi national culture. The paper concludes that in these textbooks, culture was taken either as Parsons's "system"--pattern-maintaining national culture-or as Rothkopf's and Friedman's "pattern-breaking" western culture, but it was seldom treated as Bauman's "matrix".展开更多
Cross-cultural differences have often been seen as an element contributing to the variations in speech acts and this has affected the differences in interpretations of meanings. Each individual contributes to this dif...Cross-cultural differences have often been seen as an element contributing to the variations in speech acts and this has affected the differences in interpretations of meanings. Each individual contributes to this difference as a result of his/her variation in upbringing. His/her values, beliefs, traditions, norms and standards are greatly influenced by his/her culture. Cultural differences are not only seen through tangible artifacts and daily practices, but also in the articulation of thoughts. This paper will present findings from the analysis of "lunch-talks" data involving four professional Malaysian women from the two dominant ethnic communities in Malaysia: Malay and Chinese. The "lunch-talks" are free flowing semi-formal discourse events with topics ranging from family to politics to work-related issues. Data were recorded with the informants' consent and are then transcribed. Our findings indicate that Malaysian women professionals are open, direct and forward in their talk as a result of the influence of cultural and religious conditioning and conditions. With higher education and wider exposure, they are also less inhibited by traditional norms. It would seem that educational exposure and the level of experience play a role in shifting Malaysian women from being demure to being more forward. Nevertheless, some remnants of traditional, cultural and religious values are interlaced within the forwardness. This study will provide some insights into the role of culture in communication. Evidence is drawn from the way the two ethnic groups perceive, interpret, and maintain respect for each other.展开更多
This paper considers a theory and practices of Japanese manabi (学) as an alternative concept of learning in the era of post-globalization. Although the term manabi is widely used as the translation of learning and ...This paper considers a theory and practices of Japanese manabi (学) as an alternative concept of learning in the era of post-globalization. Although the term manabi is widely used as the translation of learning and Lernen in the field of pedagogy and in Japanese schools, it is important to understand its meaning, since the meaning of manabi is a comprehensive concept that differs semantically from the words learning, Lernen, and Bildung in the Western words. Faced with the globalization in the 21st century, there has been a tendency to promote educational reform and curriculum policies that could be characterized as "learnification" in which "21st century skills," "competency-based learning," and "learner-centered education" are emphasized. While the Western idea of learning that highlights active self is attractive to change classroom practices from the transmission of knowledge to an innovative style of active, collaborative, communicative learning, and problem-solving, Japanese education sustains traditional values that derive from selflessness and nothingness in Eastern philosophy.展开更多
Does a Latin American Philosophy that is more than a copy of European thought exist? This question determines the historical-systematic presentation of important philosophical approaches in the 20th century in the Sp...Does a Latin American Philosophy that is more than a copy of European thought exist? This question determines the historical-systematic presentation of important philosophical approaches in the 20th century in the Spanish speaking part of Latin America. Jos6 Marti's essay, "Our America" (1891), offers the essential topics of Latin American philosophy (liberation, literal plurality, continental and national identity, anti-positivistic emotionalism and intuitionalism, mestizo-philosophy, indigenous wisdom, unity of universal and regional principles, social-practical, ethical and intercultural orientation). These topics are paradigmatically outlined by means of the portraits of pioneering poets, philosophers, and traditions of Latin America. The most convincing approach of the present seeks for an intercultural formatting and performance of philosophical issues, which includes a sensibility for the hybrid character of many Latin American realities and the attempt to identify universal insights in local traditions. Latin American intercultural philosophy avoids relativism and relies on discovering and developing communal ethical standards which link cultures.展开更多
With the spread of globalization and information technology, the status of English as a lingua franca worldwide is undisputable. Consequently, the impact of globalization on ELT (English language teaching) is phenom...With the spread of globalization and information technology, the status of English as a lingua franca worldwide is undisputable. Consequently, the impact of globalization on ELT (English language teaching) is phenomenal. In responding to the impact of global competitors and internationalization, English teaching is often regarded as a principal issue in education. English education is treated as a tool to keep up with the rapid globalization of the world economy. Discussing ELT in Taiwan as an example, this paper aims to raise caution among the periphery educators that under the impact of globalization, the imposition of western culture and language via ELT could be potentially hegemonic and harmful to the local culture and language. This paper will be organized into three parts. Firstly, the impact of globalization on the dominance of English will be discussed. Secondly, the potential threats of linguistic hegemony via ELT will be analyzed. Thirdly, proactive solutions to the hegemonic threats of ELT are proposed as the key to ride out the wave of globalization.展开更多
This paper introduces the film "Kung Fu Panda," which contains the elements of Chinese culture and Western culture, respectively, from the philosophical thinking, animal image, folk life and expression of Chinglish ...This paper introduces the film "Kung Fu Panda," which contains the elements of Chinese culture and Western culture, respectively, from the philosophical thinking, animal image, folk life and expression of Chinglish and etiquette introduced Chinese elements, from individualism, fatalism and character introduced western culture reflected in the movie.The success of the film in the world shows that the new trend of the integration of Chinese and Western culture in the context of globalization. At the end of the paper, it gives the inspiration of the film "Kung Fu Panda" to the Chinese culture communication.展开更多
Liao songs are the cultural and artistic products brewed by the people of Zhuang ethnic minority for thousand years. In this paper, the style and characteristics of singing Zhuang ethnic minority's Liao songs with m...Liao songs are the cultural and artistic products brewed by the people of Zhuang ethnic minority for thousand years. In this paper, the style and characteristics of singing Zhuang ethnic minority's Liao songs with male's two-part voice in Guangxi are mainly introduced through an analysis of vocal music and the study on the performance forms, singing language characteristics, and vocal music and resonance is mainly included, and also the important significance of singing Zhuang ethnic minority's Liao songs with male's two-part voice is discussed. Also, it is compared with the modern Chinese folk singing styles.展开更多
Culture is a result of the accumulation of human society; language is the important carrier of culture. Infiltration of Western culture and the widely use of English seriously hinder the globalization of the Chinese c...Culture is a result of the accumulation of human society; language is the important carrier of culture. Infiltration of Western culture and the widely use of English seriously hinder the globalization of the Chinese culture and it results in "cultural aphasia" phenomenon. After having studied foreign language for several years, many foreign language learners still cannot express Chinese traditional culture correctly in international communication. This is mainly due to the neglect of Chinese culture in the process of foreign language teaching. With the development of globalization, the communication between different cultures has become more and more frequent It is necessary to pay more attention to the output of native language culture as well as the input of target language culture. As the main places of cultivating high-level talents in China, colleges and universities are focusing on how to change this phenomenon in the foreign language teaching reform. This paper begins with the introduction of "cultural aphasia" phenomenon in China, then analyzes the reasons, finally proposes suggestions and teaching strategies to overcome the culture aphasia in cross-cultural communication.展开更多
This paper focuses on the female English teachers' work-related stress in the School of Foreign Languages, Xi'an Jiaotong University. A survey produced some results that are worth studying. The teachers in this spec...This paper focuses on the female English teachers' work-related stress in the School of Foreign Languages, Xi'an Jiaotong University. A survey produced some results that are worth studying. The teachers in this special group are keeping their heavy-burdened teaching job by finding ways to escape their work-related stress and at the same time trying to save face. Answers to the questionnaire have proved that Chinese cultural characteristics have been deeply rooted in the SFL teaching staff even though they have accepted and learned western culture over a period of many years.展开更多
Textbooks material is one of the important issues that are worthy to investigate in order to enrich student's engagement and interaction in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) classrooms. In this study, the author ...Textbooks material is one of the important issues that are worthy to investigate in order to enrich student's engagement and interaction in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) classrooms. In this study, the author argues that textbooks materials used in academic institutions may well take a significant part in generating an active environment in EEL classrooms. It is believed that more opportunities will be created for students to be more involved, active, and able to understand the content being addressed more effectively. Yet, by looking at the textbooks being utilised (at a university context where the author teaches), one can notice that student's culture (Eastern) is to a large extent missing in these textbooks, most of these books instead represent dominantly "Western" culture namely American and British cultures. This can deafly be depicted by topics discussed, pictures, clothing, names, and many other issues portrayed in these textbooks. This study is an attempt to challenge and problematize such domination of Western cultures portrayed in the content of English textbooks used in academic institutions not merely within Saudi Arabia but also extended to other countries and nations in the world.展开更多
Culture is the sum of the products from human creation of material and spiritual. It contains the values, behaviors, literary arts, customs, lifestyles, economical and political system and so on that human groups poss...Culture is the sum of the products from human creation of material and spiritual. It contains the values, behaviors, literary arts, customs, lifestyles, economical and political system and so on that human groups possess. Language is the carrier and the crystallization of culture, it is also a mirror which is reflecting the culture. Any kind of national language is always inextricably linked with the nation's culture, and any language is the reflection of the culture. Mastering a language must understand the culture of the language belongs, especially cultural differences in customs. Culture refers to cultural practices throughout society and everyday commtmication activities by the national customs form. Due to the big contrast of culture and customs between Western and Chinese, if the English learners want to grasp English, they must understand and master the differences between Chinese and Western culture, they can not speak in English with Chinese cultural communication patterns. Differences between Chinese and Western customs exist everywhere, to understand these cultural practices will help understanding and use English correctly.展开更多
Nowadays, multinational marriages are more and more widespread, especially between China and the West. However, a prevailing phenomenon is that due to the differences of China-West family values, it has caused irrecon...Nowadays, multinational marriages are more and more widespread, especially between China and the West. However, a prevailing phenomenon is that due to the differences of China-West family values, it has caused irreconcilable conflicts of culture, which undoubtedly becomes the stumbling block of cross-cultural communication. Pushing Hands (1991) is a typical movie reflecting the cultural conflicts of Sino-US families, from which we can see all kinds of inadaptations in family life caused by cultural differences. Combined with Pushing Hands, this paper compares the differences of Sino-US views on families and analyzes the causes for these differences. Such an analysis will reinforce the English learners' understanding of cultural differences and improve their ability of cross-cultural communication.展开更多
Nowadays Chinese have become much more open and willing to welcome and embrace Western culture, and therefore English plays an important role in Chinese pop culture. This paper intends to analyze the role of English i...Nowadays Chinese have become much more open and willing to welcome and embrace Western culture, and therefore English plays an important role in Chinese pop culture. This paper intends to analyze the role of English in Chinese advertisements, movies and TV shows, which are shown in China's Mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Findings show that English is pervasively used in Chinese commercials in both China's Mainland and Taiwan. Unlike the situations in Taiwan, English is always used in combination with Chinese subtitles in China's Mainland, most international commercials are re-produced to be more applicable to local Chinese communities, and the strategy of advertising is different. In Hong Kong movies, Hong Kong English is used frequently, which gives the evidence that the language mixing behavior is popular in Hong Kong.展开更多
As their attempt to assert the strength and uniqueness of traditional Chinese culture in comparison with Western culture, to transform Confucianism by creatively responding to and reinterpreting Western religious conc...As their attempt to assert the strength and uniqueness of traditional Chinese culture in comparison with Western culture, to transform Confucianism by creatively responding to and reinterpreting Western religious concepts from Confucian perspective, as well as to contribute to inter-religious dialogue, contemporary New Confucians 新儒家 have asserted the transcendence, religiousness and moral metaphysics of Confucianism. The New Confucians have also perceived the spiritual problems of modern people and suggested to deal with them by linking humans with the transcendent Heaven. In this article, I will analyse and evaluate the New Confucians' arguments on Confucian "immanent transcendence" 内在超越. I will argue that they are the bases of the New Confucians' arguments on the religiousness of Confucianism, as well as their perception of Confucianism as a moral metaphysics and the solution to the problems of modernity.展开更多
文摘In the 21st century, with gradually accelerating process of globalization, international exchanges are increasingly frequent. We should understand that within the range of the same cultural context, people have little difficulties in communicating with others; however, if we use the same way to treat the one who is under other cultural backgrounds, they tend to have misunderstanding or confliction, affecting the interaction and communication and causing undue loss. Business English translation is communication process and tools held between people speaking different languages to conduct commercial communication. Culture is a factor in translation that cannot be ignored, different nations have different historical backgrounds, manners, customs, cultural traditions, therefore, business English translation must understand the cultural differences between China and the West, and tried to make these differences disappear in the interpretation process and find the exact words in the target language, so exotic cultural can represented in the target language.
文摘English is used an important course of higher vocational colleges, which can greatly improve stuctents" language application ability to a great extent and it can also make students understand western culture knowledge through foreign language learning. But in current higher vocational colleges, it faces many dilemmas. Only by correctly analyzing these dilemmas will it propose corresponding reasonab!e solutions, which is good for English education development of higher vocational colleges and improving English level of higher vocational college students.
文摘The Iberian Peninsula was first inhabited by Celts, Iberians, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, and later Berbers. How is it possible that in a spam of only 50 years, the Berbers were able to go pass the Pyrenees and practically ruled what today is Portugal, Spain, and region of France? This article attempts to uncover the sociological aspects that helped the Berbers and Arabs rule the Iberian Peninsula quite rapidly. It was due to the commonalities and not the differences that Spain's political leaders went from Arian Visigoths to Muslims for the next 800 years. Ignacio Olague's book La Revoluci6n Isldmica en Occidente (The Islamic Revolution in the West), also translated as Les Arabes N'ont Jamais Envahi l'Espagne (The Arabs Never Invaded Spain), serves as one instrument to shed light to how this historical event took place. The result of this fusion of cultures not only created a rich civilization that would planted the seeds of the Renaissance three centuries before it began in Italy, but also contributed to the formation of a new language (between 720-750 AD): El castellano o espahol (Spanish language), which today is the official language in 21 st countries.
文摘This paper examines the directing, acting and rehearsal process in transforming the ancient Babylonian epic Gilgamesh for the stage using performers' journals as a means of determining the effect of corporeal non-western styles on actors whose prior experience was almost exclusively in naturalistic and text-based theatre. The introduction of theatrical elements from multiple cultures including puppetry and the masks and techniques of Noh drama created a multi-tiered field for intercultural exchange. While Patrice Pavis's hourglass model for the transfer of theatrical material from a source to a target culture may hold true for productions that use linear modes of transmission, translation and incorporation of text, music, costumes and styles, its limitations make it necessary to posit alternative theories that take into account intercultural rehearsal practices, the collaboration of source and target culture and the dynamic interactions that take place through the agency of actor training in the fleshly physical theatre.
文摘The paper investigates Saudi English textbooks in order to trace the ways in which culture was dealt with in the English curriculum in the last 33 years. To this end, the three textbooks which were published one after another for the third-grade secondary school students in the last three decades were analyzed. The paper finds that in the first book published in 1982, the writer introduced only those cultural elements from outside Saudi Arabia, which could be subordinated to the self-enclosed cohesive Saudi national culture that rested and was shaped on and around the faith of Islam. The same cultural pattern is maintained in the second book published in 1998, but in the third book published in 2013, a huge number of western and multicultural elements were accommodated without any attempt to assimilate them to Saudi national culture. The paper concludes that in these textbooks, culture was taken either as Parsons's "system"--pattern-maintaining national culture-or as Rothkopf's and Friedman's "pattern-breaking" western culture, but it was seldom treated as Bauman's "matrix".
文摘Cross-cultural differences have often been seen as an element contributing to the variations in speech acts and this has affected the differences in interpretations of meanings. Each individual contributes to this difference as a result of his/her variation in upbringing. His/her values, beliefs, traditions, norms and standards are greatly influenced by his/her culture. Cultural differences are not only seen through tangible artifacts and daily practices, but also in the articulation of thoughts. This paper will present findings from the analysis of "lunch-talks" data involving four professional Malaysian women from the two dominant ethnic communities in Malaysia: Malay and Chinese. The "lunch-talks" are free flowing semi-formal discourse events with topics ranging from family to politics to work-related issues. Data were recorded with the informants' consent and are then transcribed. Our findings indicate that Malaysian women professionals are open, direct and forward in their talk as a result of the influence of cultural and religious conditioning and conditions. With higher education and wider exposure, they are also less inhibited by traditional norms. It would seem that educational exposure and the level of experience play a role in shifting Malaysian women from being demure to being more forward. Nevertheless, some remnants of traditional, cultural and religious values are interlaced within the forwardness. This study will provide some insights into the role of culture in communication. Evidence is drawn from the way the two ethnic groups perceive, interpret, and maintain respect for each other.
文摘This paper considers a theory and practices of Japanese manabi (学) as an alternative concept of learning in the era of post-globalization. Although the term manabi is widely used as the translation of learning and Lernen in the field of pedagogy and in Japanese schools, it is important to understand its meaning, since the meaning of manabi is a comprehensive concept that differs semantically from the words learning, Lernen, and Bildung in the Western words. Faced with the globalization in the 21st century, there has been a tendency to promote educational reform and curriculum policies that could be characterized as "learnification" in which "21st century skills," "competency-based learning," and "learner-centered education" are emphasized. While the Western idea of learning that highlights active self is attractive to change classroom practices from the transmission of knowledge to an innovative style of active, collaborative, communicative learning, and problem-solving, Japanese education sustains traditional values that derive from selflessness and nothingness in Eastern philosophy.
文摘Does a Latin American Philosophy that is more than a copy of European thought exist? This question determines the historical-systematic presentation of important philosophical approaches in the 20th century in the Spanish speaking part of Latin America. Jos6 Marti's essay, "Our America" (1891), offers the essential topics of Latin American philosophy (liberation, literal plurality, continental and national identity, anti-positivistic emotionalism and intuitionalism, mestizo-philosophy, indigenous wisdom, unity of universal and regional principles, social-practical, ethical and intercultural orientation). These topics are paradigmatically outlined by means of the portraits of pioneering poets, philosophers, and traditions of Latin America. The most convincing approach of the present seeks for an intercultural formatting and performance of philosophical issues, which includes a sensibility for the hybrid character of many Latin American realities and the attempt to identify universal insights in local traditions. Latin American intercultural philosophy avoids relativism and relies on discovering and developing communal ethical standards which link cultures.
文摘With the spread of globalization and information technology, the status of English as a lingua franca worldwide is undisputable. Consequently, the impact of globalization on ELT (English language teaching) is phenomenal. In responding to the impact of global competitors and internationalization, English teaching is often regarded as a principal issue in education. English education is treated as a tool to keep up with the rapid globalization of the world economy. Discussing ELT in Taiwan as an example, this paper aims to raise caution among the periphery educators that under the impact of globalization, the imposition of western culture and language via ELT could be potentially hegemonic and harmful to the local culture and language. This paper will be organized into three parts. Firstly, the impact of globalization on the dominance of English will be discussed. Secondly, the potential threats of linguistic hegemony via ELT will be analyzed. Thirdly, proactive solutions to the hegemonic threats of ELT are proposed as the key to ride out the wave of globalization.
文摘This paper introduces the film "Kung Fu Panda," which contains the elements of Chinese culture and Western culture, respectively, from the philosophical thinking, animal image, folk life and expression of Chinglish and etiquette introduced Chinese elements, from individualism, fatalism and character introduced western culture reflected in the movie.The success of the film in the world shows that the new trend of the integration of Chinese and Western culture in the context of globalization. At the end of the paper, it gives the inspiration of the film "Kung Fu Panda" to the Chinese culture communication.
文摘Liao songs are the cultural and artistic products brewed by the people of Zhuang ethnic minority for thousand years. In this paper, the style and characteristics of singing Zhuang ethnic minority's Liao songs with male's two-part voice in Guangxi are mainly introduced through an analysis of vocal music and the study on the performance forms, singing language characteristics, and vocal music and resonance is mainly included, and also the important significance of singing Zhuang ethnic minority's Liao songs with male's two-part voice is discussed. Also, it is compared with the modern Chinese folk singing styles.
文摘Culture is a result of the accumulation of human society; language is the important carrier of culture. Infiltration of Western culture and the widely use of English seriously hinder the globalization of the Chinese culture and it results in "cultural aphasia" phenomenon. After having studied foreign language for several years, many foreign language learners still cannot express Chinese traditional culture correctly in international communication. This is mainly due to the neglect of Chinese culture in the process of foreign language teaching. With the development of globalization, the communication between different cultures has become more and more frequent It is necessary to pay more attention to the output of native language culture as well as the input of target language culture. As the main places of cultivating high-level talents in China, colleges and universities are focusing on how to change this phenomenon in the foreign language teaching reform. This paper begins with the introduction of "cultural aphasia" phenomenon in China, then analyzes the reasons, finally proposes suggestions and teaching strategies to overcome the culture aphasia in cross-cultural communication.
文摘This paper focuses on the female English teachers' work-related stress in the School of Foreign Languages, Xi'an Jiaotong University. A survey produced some results that are worth studying. The teachers in this special group are keeping their heavy-burdened teaching job by finding ways to escape their work-related stress and at the same time trying to save face. Answers to the questionnaire have proved that Chinese cultural characteristics have been deeply rooted in the SFL teaching staff even though they have accepted and learned western culture over a period of many years.
文摘Textbooks material is one of the important issues that are worthy to investigate in order to enrich student's engagement and interaction in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) classrooms. In this study, the author argues that textbooks materials used in academic institutions may well take a significant part in generating an active environment in EEL classrooms. It is believed that more opportunities will be created for students to be more involved, active, and able to understand the content being addressed more effectively. Yet, by looking at the textbooks being utilised (at a university context where the author teaches), one can notice that student's culture (Eastern) is to a large extent missing in these textbooks, most of these books instead represent dominantly "Western" culture namely American and British cultures. This can deafly be depicted by topics discussed, pictures, clothing, names, and many other issues portrayed in these textbooks. This study is an attempt to challenge and problematize such domination of Western cultures portrayed in the content of English textbooks used in academic institutions not merely within Saudi Arabia but also extended to other countries and nations in the world.
文摘Culture is the sum of the products from human creation of material and spiritual. It contains the values, behaviors, literary arts, customs, lifestyles, economical and political system and so on that human groups possess. Language is the carrier and the crystallization of culture, it is also a mirror which is reflecting the culture. Any kind of national language is always inextricably linked with the nation's culture, and any language is the reflection of the culture. Mastering a language must understand the culture of the language belongs, especially cultural differences in customs. Culture refers to cultural practices throughout society and everyday commtmication activities by the national customs form. Due to the big contrast of culture and customs between Western and Chinese, if the English learners want to grasp English, they must understand and master the differences between Chinese and Western culture, they can not speak in English with Chinese cultural communication patterns. Differences between Chinese and Western customs exist everywhere, to understand these cultural practices will help understanding and use English correctly.
文摘Nowadays, multinational marriages are more and more widespread, especially between China and the West. However, a prevailing phenomenon is that due to the differences of China-West family values, it has caused irreconcilable conflicts of culture, which undoubtedly becomes the stumbling block of cross-cultural communication. Pushing Hands (1991) is a typical movie reflecting the cultural conflicts of Sino-US families, from which we can see all kinds of inadaptations in family life caused by cultural differences. Combined with Pushing Hands, this paper compares the differences of Sino-US views on families and analyzes the causes for these differences. Such an analysis will reinforce the English learners' understanding of cultural differences and improve their ability of cross-cultural communication.
文摘Nowadays Chinese have become much more open and willing to welcome and embrace Western culture, and therefore English plays an important role in Chinese pop culture. This paper intends to analyze the role of English in Chinese advertisements, movies and TV shows, which are shown in China's Mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Findings show that English is pervasively used in Chinese commercials in both China's Mainland and Taiwan. Unlike the situations in Taiwan, English is always used in combination with Chinese subtitles in China's Mainland, most international commercials are re-produced to be more applicable to local Chinese communities, and the strategy of advertising is different. In Hong Kong movies, Hong Kong English is used frequently, which gives the evidence that the language mixing behavior is popular in Hong Kong.
文摘As their attempt to assert the strength and uniqueness of traditional Chinese culture in comparison with Western culture, to transform Confucianism by creatively responding to and reinterpreting Western religious concepts from Confucian perspective, as well as to contribute to inter-religious dialogue, contemporary New Confucians 新儒家 have asserted the transcendence, religiousness and moral metaphysics of Confucianism. The New Confucians have also perceived the spiritual problems of modern people and suggested to deal with them by linking humans with the transcendent Heaven. In this article, I will analyse and evaluate the New Confucians' arguments on Confucian "immanent transcendence" 内在超越. I will argue that they are the bases of the New Confucians' arguments on the religiousness of Confucianism, as well as their perception of Confucianism as a moral metaphysics and the solution to the problems of modernity.