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1、论英语文化对于英语学习的重要意义On the Importance of English Culture Knowledge in English Language LearningContents1Introduction12.The Comparison Between Chinese Culture and English Culture12.1 Definition of Culture12.2 The Culture of Words and Expressions22.2.1Culture-Specific Concepts Embodied in the Words22.2.2
2、Different Cultural Connotation of the Phrase with the Same Denotation22.2.3 A Certain Cultural Content Reflect in the Idioms32.3Discourse Culture42.4Culture of Thinking43.The Cultivation of Comprehensive Ability53.1The Cultivation of Thinking Ability of English53.1.1The Cultivation of An Open Mind53
3、.1.2The Cultivation of Thinking Flexibility63.2The Cultivation of Self-Learning Ability of English73.3The Cultivation of English Studying Ability73.3.1Contibution to the Proper Use of Vocabulary83.3.2Facilitation the Correct Use of English94.How to Enhance the Penetration of Cultural Background Know
4、ledge104.1Course Introduction104.2Additional Source for Class Use114.3 Scene Teaching114.4 Extracurricular Input124.5 Extracurricular Reading124.6 Use the Modern Equipment and Network Resources135.Conclusion13References14On the Importance of English Culture Knowledge in English Language LearningAbst
5、ract：The article starts with the introduction of the foreign cultures definition. Then compare the difference between Chinese culture and English culture, which divided into the culture of words and expressions, discourse culture, the culture of thinking. By comparing the cultural difference between
6、 Chinese and English in terms of the 3 aspects, this paper expounds the important significance about learning foreign culture. And then this paper puts forward some good ways of learning foreign cultures and methods to avoid learning language and culture into the error, in order to achieve the purpo
7、se of fully grasp foreign languages.Key words: English Culture, English Language Phenomenon, English Learning.论英语文化对于英语学习的重要意义摘 要：本文从介绍文化的定义出发，然后比较中西方文化的不同之处，可分为词语文化，话语文化，思维文化等方面，通过比较中西文化在这些方面的差异与文化碰撞，阐述外语学习中了解英语文化的重要意义。接着提出一些学习英语文化的良好途径和方法，避免学习语言步入文化盲点的误区，以达到全方面充分掌握英语的目的。关键词：英语文化， 英语现象， 英语学习。1Intro
8、ductionWith further acceleration of the pace of Chinas opening, Chinese people put more and more emphasis on English language learning. Than ever before, the enthusiasm of the Chinese people learning English is much higher and a variety of English education resources are more abundant. However, more
9、 English learners view English only as a tool and only train language skills, so they lack English cultural education, and they are ignoring the deep-seated cultural enrichment of the nurture. Many of even the most basic of English majors have not yet read the English classics. Learning Anglo-Americ
10、an cultures is mainly to understand the Anglo-American cultural heritage and cultural tradition, arising from works.The first refers to Anglo-American cultural tradition of glorious cultural heritage of ancient Greece, the other is that embodied the Christian ideology. Anglo-American culture, nurtur
11、ed on the impact of learning English are obvious, mainly in the following Anglo-American cultural phenomenon.2.The Comparison Between Chinese Culture and English Culture2.1 Definition of CultureCulture is the reflection of human life, history records of the activities, and the needs and requirements
12、 of people. It is peoples senior spiritual life. People think that is natural, is the person spirit supporting frame. It contains certain ideological and theoretical, peoples ethics, moral and order, and that is the way people live with survival. Thought and theory is the core and soul. Without thou
13、ght and theory, the culture doesnt exist. Any kind of culture contains a kind of thought and theory, the way and method of the living. (刘宓庆,1998: 421-427)2.2 The Culture of Words and ExpressionsThere are many differences between English culture and Chinese culture, which are mostly reflect on the wo
14、rds and expressions. They are the smallest elements in every days communication. So the research is very necessary.2.2.1Culture-Specific Concepts Embodied in the WordsThere are many differences between Anglo-American culture and Chinese culture, which embodied in the understanding concepts of words.
15、 This is a result of the different cultural tradition between them.Athens Olympic Games athletes winning awards ceremony wearing the olive branch symbolizes peace, but the audience does not know the story of origins in the Greek myth. Bellona Athena for naming the City of Athens presented an olive b
16、ranch, she wished the city of peace is always fertile. In Chinas feudal era, people of the dragons and phoenix as a symbol of imperial authority. Dragon stands for king, phoenix stands for Princess. However, the Westerners thought that the dragon is a symbol of evil. Phoenix in the Western myth repr
17、esent regeneration and resurrection. According to Greek myth, phoenix can live for many years. Thus, when one of the main buildings destroyed, the Good-hearted people will wish it was like the legendary phoenix, as a new look rises from the rubble. All roads lead to Rome， here Rome refers not only t
18、o “罗马”, but also refers to the destination people want to achieve. As the Yellow River not only refer to the Yellow River, but also a symbol of the Chinese nation.2.2.2 Different Cultural Connotation of the Phrase with the Same DenotationDenotation: the direct, explicit meaning or reference of a wor
19、d or term. Connotation: idea or notion suggested by or associated with a word, phrase, etc. in addition to its explicit meaning, or denotation: “politician” has different connotations from “statesman”. (赵静,1993:279-283)Such as English in the manager, worker, farmer and Chinese in the 经理, 工人，农民，the c
20、ultural meaning is not identical. Manager in English generally refers to salesman, but in Chinese means 经理。Storm（n.）, its original meaning is “ a rough weather condition with wind, rain, and often lightning”. For example: 1.The islanders were warned that a storm was coming. 岛民们已经得到警报，暴风雨即将来临。 2.The
21、forecast says there will be storms. 预报称将有暴风雨。Now read the following sentences:3.But his last words brought on another storm. 可是，他最后的言辞引起了激烈的反响。 4.The book provoked a storm of controversy. 这本书挑起了一场热烈的争论。 5.Her singing took New York by storm. 她的歌唱在纽约引起了轰动。6.We thought that they had decided not to get
22、married but their quarrel was just a storm in a teacup. 我们想他们已经决定不结婚了，可是，他们的争吵不过是小题大做而已。When we read above 3, 4, 5, 6 sentences, the word “storm”is based on its original meaning and acquired by association its implied meaning and metaphor meanin.( 胡文仲,1998: 421-427g.)2.2.3 A Certain Cultural Content
23、 Reflect in the IdiomsThe meaning of idioms can not be understood from the literal sense，such as “give sb a big hand” not refers to “给某人一只大手”，but refers to “Welcome to a persons speech”. We often say, “eye for eye, tooth for tooth , but do not necessarily know it from the Bible. “ Youre a lucky dog
24、”not means “你是一只幸运的狗”，but refers to “你是一个幸运儿”. Because the dog in the Anglo-American culture is mankinds faithful friend；in the eyes of Chinese people, it is curse words.Therefore, in the language study, we cannot understand a sentence meaning only by its literal meaning, but should learn its deep c
25、ultural connotation.2.3Discourse CultureDiscourse of cultural communication is mainly reflected in everyday life, it is through cultural discourse to be embodied in the Appropriateness.In everydays communication, the Anglo-American people often demonstrate respect for others, not show off their valu
26、es. British and American people to express humility in the way that is different from we Chinese. When appraised by others, British and American people would say thank you. Chinese people are accustomed to the word Where there is still a long way. If you really say that to British and American peopl
27、e, they would feel not understanding and unhappy. When the British and American people ask you questions, and you do not know the answer, if you say directly “I dont know.” This would seem impolite. Anglo-American respondents would say Im sorry, i dont know.” Ask for directions in foreign countries,
28、 if you just say, where is the train station? It would look very abrupt and impolite. You should say Excuse me, where is the train station? In the greeting, the British and American people do not say: Have you eaten? (你吃了吗?), But say: How are you? (你好吗？）. In everyday conversation, we should avoid to
29、 involving the personal questions, for example, “How old are you?”（你多大了？）、 “Are you married?”（你结婚了吗？）、 “How many children do you have?”(你有几个小孩？).2.4Culture of ThinkingThe influence of Anglo-American cultural factors on Chinese students learning English is also reflected in the English nation by a un
30、ique way of thinking. Culture of thinking is to emphasize the culture of different peoples. Their way of thinking is different. Anglo-American peoples way of thinking is a good combination of deductive and inductive. Chinese traditional way of thinking is to focus on experience and intuition of the
31、induction. The order of the Chinese peoples thinking is a result of the consequences and Anglo-American peoples mind is a result of reasons. Such as the Anglo-American people often say: Im sorry. Im late.” Rather than saying: Im late. Im sorry. Anglo-American people and the Chinese way of thinking d
32、ifference is also reflected in the sentence structure. In English, the main component of a single sentence tends to be compactly arranged together, and modification of components will be placed before and after the sentence. The main sentence often contains clauses, but because the role of conjuncti
33、on, grammar, sentence structure is very complex and has become well-structured. Beginner Chinese students of English are often not suited to English grammar, that is also because the phrase does not nurture a sense of British and do not understand the way of American peoples thinking. For example ，“
34、我认识坐在那边的那个女孩。”In English ，it should be said : “I know the girl who is sitting there.” 3.The Cultivation of Comprehensive Ability Entering into the 21st century, multicultural society culture gradually attracts peoples attention. Cultural differences exist between individuals and between the nation a
35、nd state. To develop the sensitivity of cultural, shorten the distance of culture, development of cultural communication appear particularly important. In cultivation of cross-cultural communication ability of students, the lesson of English culture plays an important role.3.1The Cultivation of Thin
36、king Ability of EnglishCultural studies should make clear that the learning aim is that on the basis of understanding other cultures and ethnic culture, then compare the differences between them. i.e. take a cross-cultural perspective to treat cultural phenomenon. Thinking ability includes flexibili
37、ty ability to think and open thinking ability.3.1.1The Cultivation of An Open MindSince China adopted foreign cultures to their dross, whichever is the essence of the principle, so that culture teaching is very selective and political. In the cultural learning, students often contains ethical though
38、ts, often center with their behavior habit and standard to judge others, advocate their values and beliefs, contempt values and beliefs of others, and tries to discuss the cultural content that make is wrong judgment. The national center of ideas clearly makes bad impacts on cultural exchanges. For
39、example, due to historical reasons, students generally have a sense of exclusion on Japans national culture, leading to lack of understanding of the whole Japanese culture. In addition, the students understanding of foreign culture, or with some kind of prejudice, or too simplistic, such as thinking
40、 that the Americans are self-confidence, Germans are rigid, Jews are smart. All these factors may hinder students understanding foreign cultures. In view of this phenomenon, in teaching you can choose a classic example to break the stereotypes of foreign cultures, develop their comprehensive analysi
41、s of the habits, and enhance the capacity of three-dimensional thinking. If in the discussion of British culture, from the Round Table knights of democracy embodied consciousness, Robin Hoods outlaw image, punk and other cultural phenomena and looks to break, the students feel more cautious of Briti
42、sh stereotypes, arouse their curiosity, and then to find the reasons behind the cultural phenomena in order to overcome the cultural learning in the one-sided and simplistic tendency.3.1.2The Cultivation of Thinking FlexibilityCulture learning is an excellent opportunity to train our flexible thinki
43、ng. In learning foreign culture, you can find students from the law of the phenomenon and find things link, establish a common connection point of view. If the British special geographic environment and historical background is associated with the British foreign policy, it is easy to understand the
44、 British foreign policy. At the same time, due to historical reasons, the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States have an inseparable connection, thus creating a characteristic of todays diplomacy.3.2The Cultivation of Self-Learning Ability of EnglishCultural learning is a process. This require
45、s that culture learning is not only the introduction of cultural knowledge, but should develop self-learning ability. First of all, to involve students in managing their own learning, teaching courses on cultural planning, monitoring and evaluation. Teachers should change their role as students, col
46、laborators, organizers and coordinators. Second, students must have their own strong sense of learning and good at reflection. The course can take the form of discussion. By teachers asking questions, assigning tasks to students in data collection, collation and analysis. Teachers no longer play the
47、 role of authority, but to help students find the answers. To enable students to understand that cultural learning is a mental training process, some problems may be have no solution in order to break the traditional mode of teaching. Third, stimulate students curiosity and self-confidence and enhan
48、ce motivation. Let students from passive learning into active learning. Students are often curious about the unknown knowledge, and consciously add in the extra-curricular knowledge. Fourth, master a variety of learning methods suitable for their own, according to the needs of flexible use. Teachers
49、 no longer play a guiding role to help students to analyze and solve the problem. Students find their own way for their own learning. For example, students discuss the British Foreign affairs Policy issues, we find little information available for inspection on the turn from the economic literature, the arts, to read
