OntheLifeOfNativeAmericanToday

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1、解放军后勤工程学院英美文化论文题 目:On the Life of Native American Today任课教师: 赵春江 班级: 营房管理 姓名: 刘欣伟 学号: 20091192030 时间:2011年7月1日ContentsI. Abstract of American cluture.31.1 Rough Environment.31.2 Ethnic Diversity.31.3 Plural religion.31.4 Current influence.4II. Abstract of American life.42.1 Their free time42.2 The o

2、utdoors.4 2.3 Sports.42.4 Introducing.52.5 Speaking on the telephone.52.6 Eating out.52.7 Tipping.6III. Abstract of American education and Chinese family education.63.1 The concepts of family education are different.63.2 The aim of family education are different.73.3 The methods are different betwee

3、n America and China73.4The different contents of family education between America and China.8 3.5 Conclusion .8I. Abstract American culture is unique because it is nurtured, formed and developed under certain conditions, which are characteristically American. The major factors contributing to the ma

4、king of this new nation and the forming of a new culture are the hard environment, ethnic diversity and plural religion, which is quite different from other nations in the world. What is more, these elements are still influencing the American culture.1.1 Rough EnvironmentThe early immigrants who wer

5、e English Puritans settled down in northeast part of American. The environment there was very rough but they believed the poor land could purify their mind so they chose the place along the coast. From 1607 to 1892, frontiers were pushed further west. The American frontier consisted of the relativel

6、y unsettled regions of the United States, usually found in the western part of the country. The frontiersmen looked for a land of rich resources and a land of promise, opportunity and freedom. Actually they looked for a better life. So individualism, self-reliance, and equality of opportunity have p

7、erhaps been the values most closely associated with the frontier heritage of American.1.2 Ethnic DiversityThe population of the United States includes a large variety of ethnic groups coming from many races, nationalities, and religions. People refer to the United States as melting pot and the domin

8、ant people are British. American is made up of WASP+MM, that is, White, Anglo Saxon, Protestants plus Middle Class and Male. In history, people from different countries in the world rushed to American three times. They brought their own culture to American and later on different cultures were mixed

9、together. Thus the unique American culture is formed, a common cultural life with commonly shared values.1.3 Plural religionThe fundamental American belief in individual freedom and the right of individuals to practice their own religion is at the center of religious experience in the United States.

10、 The great diversity of ethnic backgrounds has produced religious pluralism; almost all of the religions of the world are now practiced in the United States. Christianity is the dominant religion in American and Protestant is predominating. Any individuals are equal before God and they believe they

11、can communicate directly to God so they can share the same idea. Under the protestant, many new ones are formed and different explanations produce different sect of religion. Churches are independent and American religion is no longer religion seculars. The institution permits the practice of religi

12、on and the political power is separate from religion. So there are more religions in American than in other countries. Current influenceNowadays, we can see the continual influence of the three elements in the current American society. American family is typically parents and their unmarried childre

13、n. Middle-aged and elderly people generally do not live with their married children. Many Americans live in mobile homes whose homes are built with wheels. They can be moved. The people in American have a very strong desire to start a new life in a new place. Quite a number of people change residenc

14、es every year. The average American moves fourteen times in his lifetime. The courage to try something new has been an American characteristic. American democracy means majority rule, but it also means protection of minority rights. There is certain freedom which the United States promises to all it

15、s citizens and members of minority group cannot be denied these rights by a vote of the majority. Americans also like to be involved in many challenge activities and sports to show their adventurous spirits. All of these are affected by the heritage of the American history.II.Abstract of American li

16、fe American life is all different from life in China.2.1 Their free timeAmericans may not have much free time compared to people in some countries, but they value what they have. They will spend that time doing something for themselves, their family, or their community. Weekends and vacations are al

17、ways full of activities. 2.2 The outdoors The United States government protects large sections of land from development and preserves them for the enjoyment of all. Americans enjoy outdoor activities all year round. Depending on the region, popular activities include sailing, hiking, mountain-climbi

18、ng, camping, and skiing. 2.3 Sports The United States probably has more professional athletes participating in a greater number of professional sports than any other country. Americans love to watch sports, either live or on television. They also love to participate in sports, and there are countles

19、s leagues for players of all ages and skill levelsWhen meeting someone for the first time, it is customary to shake hands, both for men and for women. Hugs are only exchanged between close friends. Kissing is not common, and men never kiss other men.2.4 Introducing Americans will usually introduce t

20、hemselves by their first name and last name (such as “Hello, Im John Smith”), or, if the setting is very casual, by their first name only (“Hi, Im John”). The common response when someone is introduced to you is “Pleased to meet you.” Unless someone is introduced to you with their title and last nam

21、e (such as Mister Smith or Miss Johnson), you should address them by their first name. Americans normally address everyone they meet in a social or business setting by their first name. However, you should always address your college professors by their title and last name (such as Professor Jones),

22、 unless they ask you to do otherwise. 2.5 Speaking on the telephone Americans normally answer the telephone by simply saying “Hello.” If you are calling a business, the person answering the phone will give the name of the business and usually their own name as well. If the person you would like to s

23、peak to has answered the phone, you should say hello and state your name. If not, you should ask for that person politely: “May I please speak with Andrew Brown?” The majority of Americans have answering machines in their homes. Also, the majority of businesses have voice mail accounts for their emp

24、loyees. When leaving a message, state your name clearly and leave a telephone number where you can be reached. Telephone messages should be brief and to the point. 2.6 Eating out All restaurants in America accept cash for payment, and most (even some fast food restaurants) also accept credit cards.

25、A few restaurants also accept ATM cards for payment. You will rarely find a restaurant that accepts checks. It is common to have to wait for a table at a popular restaurant. There are many popular restaurants that do not accept reservations, or will only accept reservations for large parties (for ex

26、ample, six or more people). At these restaurants, the wait can be very long on a weekend night, sometimes up to 1 hour. However, almost all upscale, or more formal, restaurants will accept reservations. Many restaurants in America (except for fast food restaurants) have a license to serve alcohol. B

27、eer and wine are always available, and at some restaurants hard liquor (such as vodka or whisky) is also available. Restaurants that serve hard liquor are said to have “a full bar.” The drinking age in America is 21. If you look young, be prepared to show proof of your age when ordering alcohol.2.7

28、Tipping There are only a few situations where tipping is expected. The one you will encounter most often is at restaurants. American restaurants do not add a service charge to the bill. Therefore it is expected that the customer will leave a tip for the server. Common practice is to leave a tip that

29、 is equal to 15% of the total bill for acceptable service, and about 20% for superior service. If the service was unusually poor, then you could leave a smaller tip, about 10%. Other professions where tipping is expected include hairdressers, taxi drivers, hotel porters, parking valets, and bartende

30、rs. The general rule is to tip approximately 15% of the bill. In situations where there is no bill (as with hotel porters and parking valets), the tip may range from $1 to $5, depending on the type of establishment and on how good the service was.III. Abstract of American education and Chinese famil

31、y education Entering twenty-first century, as one of the hottest spot, family education is becoming more and more important in peoples life. Family, as the cell of society, is the first place that children receive education and the first unit that the children get in touch with the society. Educatio

32、n is a highly complicated process which is connected with families, schools and society throughout ones whole life. There are many types of family education in the world and each of them shows distinctive features and is closely responsive to its culture. American family education and Chinese family

33、 education are parts of the most famous in the world.3.1 The concepts of family education are different The different education concepts between America and China lead children to receive different education. In China, many parents only care about whether the children have a promising future, a good

34、 job , a good life or not . Based on these expectations, the majority of parents feel that their responsibility for their children is to create as good conditions as possible they can so that the children will not worry about anything in the future. Chinese parents would like to provide everything w

35、hat they can for their children in the process of childrens growth. In short, they would like to sacrifice anything if their children can live better with their help. Therefore, in the process of childrens growth, the most important thing the parents concerning is to develop their childrens intellec

36、t, except for caring childrens daily life. In order to make their children have a good performance in study, become outstanding, or even become a famous person in the future, they would not let children do anything except studying. Contrastively, American parents generally believe that the growth of

37、 children must rely on their own strength and experiences. Based on this concept, most American parents emphasize more to train their childrens ability of independence once they are born because they think that children should form a self-supporting will and the capacity to live independently since

38、their childhood. And the capacity comes from the training in the early age.In the film Geishas Treatment , there is a scene that Datong ordered his son to apologize to his boss son when his saw his son was fighting with his boss son . Whats more , he slapped his son in the face when his son refused

39、to apologize , which gave his boss quite a shock . His boss became confused why the father would show the regret by striking his son. This scene and the bosss confusion reflect the different concepts between the two countries .Traditional Chinese family education emphasize kindheartedness and obedie

40、nce, so we can say that Chinese parents like Datong in the film always want to model their children. On the contrary, America children have more rights of autonomy because their parents emphasis on justice and freedom in the process of family education. 3.2 The aim of family education is different T

41、he aim of family education is to foster the children to grow in some direction by family education. It is the restrictive factor for the direction of family education, deciding the general effect of it. So the aim of family education is the core of family education and the fundamental reason for the

42、 differences between the two countries on family education.There is an essential difference between two countries aim of family education, with to expect the child to become an outstanding personage and to hope the child to be an comprehensive and independent person giving expressions to the differe

43、nce. To most Chinese parents, the aim is expecting their child to be a “dragon”, which is “ wangzicheng long ” in Chinese . But American parents take hoping the child to be a man of ability which is “ wangzichengren ” in Chinese as their aim . For Chinese parents, their aim is to do anything to supp

44、ort their children to get high marks . What forms apparent contrast to it is, America parents give their children more training about improving abilities . They try to train their children to have the ability of adapting to environmental variety and the ability of living independently.3.3 The method

45、s are different between America and China The differences of concepts and aim cause the children to be taught by different ways and methods . In Chinese family , affected by Chinese traditional culture , parents educate children by “ control ” and “ seal ” type . There are three tips for it :(1)Chin

46、ese parents prepare all things for their children in daily life . In Chinese family , children dont have to do any housework . (2)Chinese parents protect the children to excess in social activities . Many children are prevented from exposure to the outer world because their parents worry about child

47、rens being affected by bad things .(3)Chinese parents have a rather strict attitude toward childrens study . Parents regard the grades as the only standard for future success .“ Tasks Sea ” strategy is often used in study . Chinese children are tired of doing many extra exercises .So Chinese childre

48、n spend more time in studying than doing other things . What about America children ? Lets talk about the famous film The Pacifier . In the film , it may be unconscious , but Shane Wolfe had let the kids master many skills by training them during the time when he cared them . So American parents bri

49、ng up their children by the method of “ letting go ” but “ not indulging ” to exercise childrens abilities of independent living .3.4 The different contents of family education between America and China The differences of family education between the two countries are also reflected in the contents

50、of family education . Although the contents of Chinese family education can also divided into moral education , intellectual education , physical education and artistic education , but intellectual education has been the most important one since they go to school . However , the contents of American

51、 family education is abundant , which pay more attention to the harmonious development of language , emotion , knowledge and so on . It is so-called “ education for all-around development ” . 3.5 ConclusionAmerican famous writer John Brasal said in his best seller Family May Hurt You When a person g

52、row up, all his behaviors are determined by the family environment when he was a child. Every child grows up under his parents family education, what kind a person will be, depends on what kind of family education he received. Childrens character and destiny are connected closely to family education

53、. For the family, for the children, for the parents, we should change the wrong conception of family education and correct it at once. We, Chinese, should change utopian expectation of childrens education. Give up the harmful types of family education. Pick up good idea from American family educatio

54、n. To turn “talent” education into “human” education. To turn “one-sided” family education into “all-round” family education. To turn “restrained” education into “loose and comfortable” education. To use scientific mode of family education to speed the reform of family education. If we can follow these changing, Chinese family education will go to a bright future. American also can get something they lack of from our family education.