跨文化论文Taboos in Chinese Culture and Western Culture.docx

Taboos in Chinese Culture and Western CultureMembers: Cheng Ying, Chen Sibei, Li Hui, Liu Bixuan, Qiu Liren, Ying Siqi, Zhang WenAdviser: Chen LiSchool: Chongqing University of Arts and SciencesDecember 5th, 2015Abstract: With the development of economic globalization, the connection between China and western countries are increasingly close. Taboos are practices or verbal expressions considered by a society or culture as improper or unacceptable, so that we should know each others taboos during the communication. Every culture has its special taboos due to the different social customs or religions, such as taboos in festival, diet, society, life and so on. There is a big distinction between taboos in Chinese culture and western culture, and many taboos derive from the religions.Key Word: Taboos, Chinese culture, Western culture, Religion1. IntroductionTaboo is a religious action and religious phenomenon, the same as the idea and consciousness of the divine. The ancients once distinguish the holy God and ordinary things, to treat different from ordinary things forbidden provisions on, so it is a religious taboo.Religionistheproductofthedevelopmentofhumansocietytoacertainstage.Itistheexplorationoftheunknownandmysteriousthings.Humanbeingsarelimitedbytheirown,inordertopursuetheeternalculturephenomenon.ThetaboooriginatedfromPolynesianlanguages,intentreferstosacredandextraordinary,laterextendedtobananddangerous.Sacredconceptknownasprohibited.Sacredthingsareprohibitedthatpeoplearefreetouseanddisposeofthings,orinsomespecialcases,itisprohibitedtouseordinarythings.Sothesenseofthesacredandforbiddeniscloselyrelatedtotheconcept,thetworelyoneachother.Religioncanbemaintainedinthetabooofthesacred.Theauthorityofthetaboooriginatedfromreligion.Thereforetaboooriginatedfromthebirthofreligion,religionintabootorealizeitsownsacredness.2. Contrast of taboos in Chinese and Western cultureEach country, each nation and each region has its own different folk custom. There is no doubt that the Western culture and Eastern culture have plenty of differences whether in life or custom which have many untouchable taboos. Here are four aspects as following.2.1. Taboos in Chinese culture2.1.1 Social TaboosIn the development of Chinese feudal society, Confucianism was in the deep-rooted dominance and had a profound and long impact. Chinese are proud of being humble, modest progress-oriented, and against self-expression. In China, toast rules and whether men and women sit together or not; no leftovers in the bowl if you are invited etc. are all social taboos which you must prepare before join a dinner in China.Taboos exist here and therein life,and without experience and carefulness, it is easy to make mistakes and misunderstandings. Here are some common taboos.Chinese people stress that a pear cannot be split between two people, because the Chinese pronunciation of this behavior is like separate. Whats more, Chinese hate the number-4 because of the same reason-the pronunciation is just like death. Another taboo is related to sending gifts. The umbrella and clock are not in the consideration when you choose the gift. No one wants to receive a gift whose pronunciations are similar to separate and death. Furthermore, no Chinese will write others name in the red color unless you are guilty. 2.1.2 Language TaboosAs a common social occurrence, Chinese language taboos seep into all sides of life. Some words are considered dangerous and sacred; some words are considered embarrassing; and others are considered vulgar. These words are often restricted to certain people or in certain situations. There are some same fields in Chinese and English language taboos, but reflects different cultures. Chinese like use go to heaven, go west, under the earth to expressed meaning of death. With the development of science and technology，Chinese Taboos related diseases has been greatly reduced, it is still taboo to name it bluntly sick patients disease.2.1.3 Festival taboosSpring Festival is the most solemn and distinctive traditional festival. Due to a long history of Chinese Spring Festival, there are a lot of taboos in these days. In the spring festival, there are some taboos. First, the number four is forbidden; second, dont borrow or lend money; third, dont wash your hair in the first three days; fourth, dont use knives and scissors; fifth, dont wear white or black clothes; last one, dont sweep the floor or throw rubbish. These can ensure the safety and everything goes well in the coming year.2.1.4 Numbers taboosNumbers are special symbolic. They can be used widely. Some are fond of because they can bring about luck, others are conversely on account of the misfortune.In China, “two” is an even number, but this number cant be used when someone are dead, because nobody wants to lose two people.“Three” is another number that no one expects to get during the wedding, birthday celebration, because the pronunciation is like separate.“The pronunciation of four” is similar to death. So there isnt “four” in the license plate number.2.2 Taboos in Western Culture 2.2.1 Social CustomIn Western culture, the privacy issue is regarded as the problem that cannot be asked without thinking, otherwise you will be considered rude. Especially you inquire strangers about age, income, marital status, family property, political orientation, religion and so on. All of them are viewed as the biggest taboo.Robert Smith is publisher of the Privacy magazine in the United States. He said, Americans pay attention to the privacy with long history. America was created by European immigrants, and the North American continent was still a British colony, they had been aware of the needing privacy was order to engage in political activities which didnt be knew by the King of England. After that, it has further emphasized privacy to seek religious freedom. Westerners believe no privacy, no free society. Also, privacy is an important part of Western individualistic culture which is regarded as one of basic human rights and sacrosanct and which is protected by law. Nobody has the right to interfere in other peoples privacy.2.2.2 Language taboos In English, the language of racism is an important part of taboo languages. The phenomenon in American English has been particularly evident. African-Americans are treated with much discrimination in the past, and those words of discrimination have become sensitive to them, so it has been the language of racism. For example, nigger is strongly insulting language. Nigger is most likely originating from the Latin Niger which meaning black, to some extent, Nigeria is related to the African country-Nigeria, and there are a lot of variants: Nig, Nigel, Niggy, Niggly, etc. Blacks can laugh at themselves, but you call them “Nigger” with a strongly insulting, it will have serious consequences.2.2.3 Festival Taboos Western culture has been influenced Christianity for long history, so its traditional festivals have quite strong religious overtones, such as Christmas, Easter, Halloween and so on. In these festivals, there are a lot of taboos. Easter is an important Christian festival in nowadays. It is on the first Sunday after the vernal equinox each year. During Easter Festival, people wear new clothes instead of old clothes and some people still prefer to clean their houses thoroughly, keeping them clean. This is because that Christians believe Easter stand for rebirth and hope. And it is to commemorate event that in AD 33, Jesus was resurgent on the third day after the crucifixion. Therefore, these taboos and customs are representative of a new life start.2.2.4 Number taboos Number: In Western culture,13 is yet again quite complicated due to different beliefs. However, the most infamous and widely debated number would be none other than thirteen. Mostly known for being unlucky, there are many different stories that are surrounded this number such as Jesus Christs last supper and the arrest of the Knights Templar. For example: In a meeting or a meal, you cannot let thirteen people sit in the same table, nor serve thirteen dishes; Doorplate, floor number and other numbers are not appropriate to choose 13 this number; Whats more anyone cannot begin a new task or try to do something new in the13th ;Stores should not be opened in the 13th.2.2 Taboos in Western Culture2.2.1 Social CustomIn Western culture, the privacy issue is regarded as the problem that cannot be asked without thinking, otherwise you will be considered rude. Especially you inquire strangers about age, income, marital status, family property, political orientation, religion and so on. All of them are viewed as the biggest taboo.Robert Smith is publisher of the Privacy magazine in the United States. He said, Americans pay attention to the privacy with long history. America was created by European immigrants, and the North American continent was still a British colony, they had been aware of the needing privacy was order to engage in political activities which didnt be knew by the King of England. After that, it has further emphasized privacy to seek religious freedom. Westerners believe no privacy, no free society. Also, privacy is an important part of Western individualistic culture which is regarded as one of basic human rights and sacrosanct and which is protected by law. Nobody has the right to interfere in other peoples privacy.2.2.2 Language taboosIn English, the language of racism is an important part of taboo languages. The phenomenon in American English has been particularly evident. African-Americans are treated with much discrimination in the past, and those words of discrimination have become sensitive to them, so it has been the language of racism. For example, nigger is strongly insulting language. Nigger is most likely originating from the Latin Niger which meaning black, to some extent, Nigeria is related to the African country-Nigeria, and there are a lot of variants: Nig, Nigel, Niggy, Niggly, etc. Blacks can laugh at themselves, but you call them “Nigger” with a strongly insulting, it will have serious consequences.2.2.3 Festival Taboos Western culture has been influenced Christianity for long history, so its traditional festivals have quite strong religious overtones, such as Christmas, Easter, Halloween and so on. In these festivals, there are a lot of taboos. Easter is an important Christian festival in nowadays. It is on the first Sunday after the vernal equinox each year. During Easter Festival, people wear new clothes instead of old clothes and some people still prefer to clean their houses thoroughly, keeping them clean. This is because that Christians believe Easter stand for rebirth and hope. And it is to commemorate event that in AD 33, Jesus was resurgent on the third day after the crucifixion. Therefore, these taboos and customs are representative of a new life start.2.2.4 Number taboos Number: In Western culture,13 is yet again quite complicated due to different beliefs. However, the most infamous and widely debated number would be none other than thirteen. Mostly known for being unlucky, there are many different stories that are surrounded this number such as Jesus Christs last supper and the arrest of the Knights Templar. For example: In a meeting or a meal, you cannot let thirteen people sit in the same table, nor serve thirteen dishes; Doorplate, floor number and other numbers are not appropriate to choose 13 this number; Whats more anyone cannot begin a new task or try to do something new in the13th ;Stores shou