Homology of British and American cultures
The homology of British and American cultures is undeniable. More precisely, American culture has inherited many things from British culture. British culture is the root and source of American culture. This is because American history is influenced by Britain.
First of all, the British accounted for a very large proportion of the early immigrants in the United States. Let nature take its course, they brought British culture, British personality and British way of thinking to this new continent.
Secondly, in the17th century, Britain took the lead in bourgeois revolution among countries and entered the ranks of capitalist countries. Great progress has been made in the British economy. Soon, it led the world industrial revolution. Britain's strength has advanced by leaps and bounds, dominating the world. The United States is an important region for its military and cultural aggression. This history leads to the homology of British and American cultures.
Similarities between the two cultures
Homology makes the cultures of these two countries have many similarities.
1 language-all English
Religion-mainly Protestantism.
Some social details-ladies first, politeness, privacy protection, taboo Friday, number thirteen, etc.
4 festivals-Halloween, Easter, etc.
The second chapter is the expression of cultural differences between Britain and America.
There are many similarities between British and American cultures. However, with the evolution of history and the inheritance of culture, American culture, which has developed independently for more than 200 years, has undergone many variations due to different ecological environments. Today, we will talk about British and American cultures. There are already many differences.
I read a post on the internet the other day, which was about the difference between British and American returnees. Generally speaking, British returnees are well-dressed, polite in speech and manners, step by step, not in a hurry, just sour in doing things, like beating around the bush, and often go around hundreds of times before saying something unpleasant. The evaluation of returnees in the United States can be summarized in three sentences: "Dress rustic, talk arrogant, and spend money stingy". In other words, returnees studying in the United States generally dress casually and are not too particular. Even on some occasions, they are in suits and ties, gentle and gentle, and very "gentlemen". But if they don't meet other people, these "gentlemen" will show their true colors, take off their shoes, unbutton their ties and put their feet up.
The differences in behavior and speech of these returnees actually reflect the differences between British and American cultures. In fact, the differences between British and American cultures are manifested in many aspects:
First, the differences between English and American languages.
Although both Britain and America speak English, American English is different from British English. Although both British and Americans speak English, there are still great differences between the two kinds of English. Everyone who studies English knows that there are two kinds of English pronunciations: British pronunciation and American pronunciation. British English, relatively speaking, has clear pronunciation and less continuous reading, and generally sounds clearer and clearer; The principle of Americans speaking English is "saving and connecting". So for people who speak English as a second language, listening to British pronunciation will be much more comfortable. If you want to get used to American accent, I'm afraid only people who have lived in America can really do it. In addition, there are many differences in the usage of words between the two countries.
Second, the differences between British and American life customs
There are also differences in daily life customs between the British and Americans.
From the clothing point of view, the British two people are very particular about clothing, with gentlemanly manners, suits and shoes, and shiny shoes. Americans, on the other hand, are more casual, wear whatever they want, give priority to their own comfort, don't care about other people's comments, and others won't comment. When some British ladies receive friends with yellow skin, they will specially apply yellow cream to show their closeness and respect to their friends. Americans can be much more convenient. In recent years, big flower underpants have become popular in the United States, and people of all ages are indispensable to them, both inside and outside the school. But that doesn't mean they are casual everywhere. On some occasions, it is also a suit and tie, gentle and gentle, and quite a "gentleman" demeanor. But if they don't meet other people, these "gentlemen" will show their true colors, take off their shoes, unbutton their ties and put their feet up.
From the point of view of diet, the cuisines of both countries are like Britain, and they are a hodgepodge, which has widely absorbed the influence of different cultures around the world. As we all know, Britain is a place where many gentlemen and ladies gather, and the British diet also exudes the noble temperament that the British upper class should have everywhere. From the selection of ingredients to cooking, to the words and deeds at the dinner table, the British will give full play to meticulous care. Especially in table manners, you can't talk at the table, you can't have the sound of tableware knocking, you can hold a knife and fork ... Almost all the rules we know about French western food are obeyed by the British and eaten. When it comes to Americans, it seems much more casual. American food is not fastidious, but it is quick and convenient, not luxurious and more popular. Three meals a day is more casual. What Americans like best is the so-called junk food. For the United States, where the pace of life is very fast, hamburgers and French fries that can be cooked in five minutes are obviously more attractive than western food with many rules. As for the result of this eating habit, among the street pedestrians in the United States, the paunchy people are obviously much more than those with standard figure. This kind of eating habit also reflects the life of Americans to some extent, and it is vigorous and vigorous, unlike the British who procrastinate and pay attention to details.
In addition, Americans have their own Thanksgiving besides the same festivals as the British.
Third, Americans have different personalities from the British.
Some people sum up the American character as: enthusiasm, openness, adventure, innovation, unrestrained, straightforward humor.
The corresponding British personality characteristics are: indifference, reserve, introversion, conservatism, rationality and rigor, and gentleman humor.
Dickens is regarded as an English humorist. Like all comedians, Dickens allowed humor to subvert people's assumptions, whether general or special, which deeply influenced several generations in Britain and became a part of the British tradition. He took advantage of this to keep readers away from rationality and theory, to raise sincere sympathy and happy attitude to the highest moral position, to light up his lifeless commercial times with smiling emotions, and to call back people's laughter and kindness. Dickens' humor influenced many later writers. For example, the humor in the works of Lao She, a famous writer in China, is deeply influenced by Dickens. Reading Dickens' humor is a faint smile.
One day, British writer Dickens (18 12- 1870) was sitting by the river fishing. A stranger came up to him and asked him, "What, are you fishing?" "Yes," Dickens casually replied, "it's a terrible day. Not yet. But I was still here yesterday, and I got 15! " "Is that so?" The man said, "But do you know who I am? I am in charge of this section of the river, and fishing is forbidden here! " As he spoke, he took out the invoice book from his pocket and demanded a fine. Dickens quickly asked, "Do you know who I am? I am responsible for fictional stories. Fictional stories are a writer's profession, and I can't be punished! "
But Dickens' humor was disdained by Mark Twain, a famous American writer. Mark Twain once said that in Dickens' works, he could not read anything absurd. In fact, Mark Twain's statement is somewhat biased. Because his understanding of humor is American humor. He himself is also a representative figure of American humor. His humor enjoys a high reputation in the United States and even the whole country. Mark Twain's humor contains satire, wit, teasing and jokes, which can make you cry and make your heart tremble with laughter. It's like eating an olive, sweet and astringent.
Once, American writer Mark Twain stayed in a hotel in a small town in England. When signing the passenger register, he found that a famous passenger before him signed it like this: "Duke von Butterford and his many servants." Mark Twain smiled and wrote in the passenger register: "Mark Twain and a box."
The British and Americans don't trust each other. The British say that Americans have no history and are arrogant. Americans say that the British are conservative and rigid, and they don't understand the future.
Fourth, Britain and the United States have different educational concepts.
Americans' unremitting pursuit of equality and freedom is reflected in education. Education is pluralistic, open (open to people with different learning abilities and economic conditions), international and flexible (schools of different natures meet the needs of different target groups, and the country has no unified education system), so that American education can meet the needs of different groups and people at different levels, ensure educational fairness and equal opportunities, and meet and give full play to the needs of different educatees.
The conservatism and preciseness of the British are reflected in the rigorous style of study and perfect education system. It has a strict quality control system, and the evaluation results of teaching quality and scientific research level of major universities are announced to the world, and higher education in Britain will be inspected regularly. The scientific research level of British universities has maintained a high level for a long time, which is also inseparable from this quality control system. Many breakthrough research inventions began in Britain, for example, the first cloned sheep was bred in Edinburgh University. The quality of British education is also reflected in the strict examination of students. Some majors can be described as "cruel", and many people are eliminated and cannot get degrees. English teachers usually don't let students go because they are just short. Their professional ethics and professionalism effectively ensure the quality of education.
Two countries, two cultures and two completely different educational styles all represent the top education level in the world education field, which is not unrelated to the profound understanding of education by the government and the people. Americans believe that no matter what kind of situation a person is in, there are two things that must be done and will accompany him all his life: education and religion. Americans attach importance to education and reach the level of piety as religious belief. The slogan advertised by British education is: You can do the best-you can do the extreme, which reflects their educational ideas and beliefs that they have always pursued. In this sense, both American education and British education are not only purely utilitarian activities, but also have religious piety, which is almost a sacred religious act.
5. British and American corporate cultures are different.
American corporate culture emphasizes innovation while Britain is conservative. American corporate culture believes that everyone can realize personal value, but British corporate culture will emphasize hierarchy. American corporate culture believes that competition is the source of enterprise life, while British enterprises reject competition. This, in turn, leads to the difference in the development prospects between American enterprises and British enterprises.
The third chapter is the reasons for the cultural differences between Britain and America.
Why are British and American cultures so different in their respective essence? I think the ecological environment of culture is different.
First, the geographical environment is different.
They are located in different geographical locations, one is the European continent and the other is the American continent. After a long period of development, Britain has become very rich. But when America first came to a completely strange continent, the first immigrants were called pioneers, so they should take risks. Without the spirit of adventure, they can't survive, let alone develop.
In addition, the differences between the whole European culture and American culture also influenced them.
Second, the differences in human environment.
The difference in cultural environment is the main reason for the cultural differences between the two countries.
Britain is a traditional European country with a long history. There has been a long-standing hierarchy in its society, and there has always been a monarch. So British people like nostalgia, conservatism, gentlemanliness and so on. All these aspects need historical precipitation and accumulation, without which it is often impossible. The United States is only a young country with no deep historical accumulation. So Americans are brave in innovation and emphasize personal value. Because there are not many traditional things for them to remember and pass on, and they need to explore. On the other hand, there are not many constraints, so you can let go of your hands and feet and make bold innovations.
In addition, the demographic composition of the two countries is also different. The United States is an immigrant country, and people from all countries and regions in the world are in the United States. Therefore, American culture presents many characteristics. Therefore, American culture is also very receptive and inclusive, and can accept and absorb all cultural factors. It shows an open attitude towards foreign cultures. This culture affects Americans, that is, Americans are very enthusiastic and cheerful, and are good at accepting different people and things. However, compared with the United States, the population structure of Britain is much simpler. Therefore, Britain is not easy to accept foreign culture. Reflected in the British character, it is more restrained and implicit.