英美文化对比全英论文.doc

外国语学院英美文化基础课程论文 论文题目：A Contrastive Study of British and American Characters and Implications 姓名: 班级: 学号: 日期: A Contrastive Study of British and American Characters and ImplicationsAbstract: This paper is to have a contrastive study of British and American characters and implications; The author firstly makes an introduction of British characters and American characters. Secondly, the author introduces the two countries characters in details .For example, the British people are most characterized by understatement and modesty. American most known characters are passion, independence and so on. Then, the author talks about the differences between British characters and American characters, and resumes the reasons that cause the difference. Finally, the author writes the implications of this study and makes a conclusion of the whole studying period.Key words: contrastive study; British character; American character; implications1. IntroductionIt is known that there is a closely contact between Britain and America. There are both some similarities and differences between British characters and American characters because of the history, geography and the change of time. This paper has made a Contrastive Study of British and American Characters. It can help readers to know more about British and American culture, which will also improve the readers interest in English learning.2. The Contrastive Study of British and American Characters2.1 British CharactersIt is known that Britain is a country with a long period of monarchy. It owes conservative evident at such a historical background. Apart from that, Britain is an island country. It seems to be independent of the other countries. Besides, some social changes have taken places in Britain. Because of geography, history, social changes and other reasons, British people have formed their own unique characters.First of all, the most known quality of British, and in particular of the English, is “reserve”. British people dont talk very much to strangers, dont show much emotion, and seldom get excited. They tend to be less emotional and lacking in enthusiasm and passion. It is likely that there is no conversation when British people have to share the compartment with a stranger. Even if a conversation does start, they will refuse to answer personal questions. As a famous saying goes, “An Englishmans house is his castle”. On one hand, the British people pay little attention to the private affairs of others because they dont like to impose their own ideas and values on other people. On the other hand, they dont want their space to be interfered. But in fact, they are perfectly human behind their barrier of reserve. A magazine, which is named English world, says that, “An Englishman feels no less deeply than any other nationality, but he tends to display his feelings far less”. British people maybe very pleased when a friendly stranger or foreigner succeeds for a time in breaking the barrier down.Secondly, English modesty is closely related to English reserve. Someone has said that “an Englishman will say I have a little house in the country, when he invites you to stay with him, you will discover that the little house is a place with three hundred bedrooms. If he is a world tennis champion, say yes, I dont play too badly .If he has crossed the Atlantic alone in a small boat, say I do a little sailing.” Even a definite achievement like the last mentioned will often be stated in such a manner as to suggest that it was only due to an incomprehensible piece of good luck. Within their hearts, the English are perhaps no less conceited than anybody else, but in their relations with others they value at least a show of modesty. In their opinion, self-praise is felt to be impolite. This is typically English self-deprecation Thirdly is the famous English sense of humor. Maybe the British people often give the impression of coldness, actually the British people are all top-notch humorist. The English humor is an attitude to life rather than the mere ability to laugh at jokes. Prince Philip, both praised it and illustrated it when he talked of “Gods greatest gift to mankind-a sense of humor” its starting point is self-deprecation, and its great enemy is conceit. When a bad thing happens, they used to talk about it with irony. This shows their sprit of optimism. British people often use the two sentences “It could be worse” and “I have seen worse”Except for those characters, British people are arrogant, it is undeniable. Britain used to be the strongest country in the world at once. Many British people still consider that the world is under control of Britain. Nowadays, English has become a bridge to the world, which makes the British people more proud of themselves.To sum up, British people are full of contradictions. They are reserve while they are humorous. And they are modest while they are arrogant.2.2 American CharactersThe US is a huge nation, the fourth largest in the world. Besides, it is also a young country, a nation of immigrants. With many years of development, America has become the strongest country in the world. They owe many good qualities. In general, American people are characterized by passion, independence, informality and so on.When it comes to American characters, the first one comes to mind maybe “hard-working”. They owe the pioneering spirit of immigrant which led American settlers to travel westward by the thousands in search of land and gold. The need to explore a new frontier is basic to the American characters .Horatio Alger wrote books about the little newsboy or bootblack who, because he was hard-working, honest and lucky, grew up to become rich and respected. These popular “rags-to-riches” stories exemplified the “American dream”. U.S president Truman had ever been a farmer, grocery owner, officer and lawyer before he was chosen as president. President Reagan had also engaged in broadcasting, film acting and any other works. At the same time, Americans are independent. It is often seen that children in the street selling newspapers, delivering the milk. No matter what class the family is in, the children are encouraged to be independent and earn money by their own hands. They have the courage to try something new and it is still an important part of the American characters.Closely related to American independence is “American move”. Generally specking, Americans are people on the move. According to a survey, about 40 million Americans change residences every year. The average American moves 14 times in his lifetime. They like changes and challenges and they are eager to seek chances. By the way of moving, they can get more job opportunities. In addition, attending college, serving in the armed forces, or just seeking new and independent lives may cause moving, and Americans enjoy moving very much. Besides, groups of Americans go travelling in holidays every year. The cost of travelling takes up much of their payout.Americans all believe that, “all men are born equal”. It means all people should be treated equally before the law and given equal privileges and opportunities insofar as government can control these. These are certain freedoms which the United States promises to all citizens and members of minority groups cant be denied these rights by a vote of the majority. Public protests left their mark upon the American character.In addition, Americans are friendly and humorous, they owe a strong sense of law, and they always think from small to big. These are all American valuable characters. 2.3. The Differences in British and American CharactersIn the history, there is a closely relationship between Britain and America .However, because of the different history, geography and the change of time, the two countries have developed different characters.In general, British people tend to be calm and quiet, but American people tend to be enthusiastic and active. Firstly, British people are reserved; they seldom talk with a stranger. By contrast, American people are talkative and easy-going. They are willing to make a friend with a stranger. Secondly, British people are more conservative. They are proud of their fathers or grandfathers achievements and they focus on their living class. Besides, British people pay little attention to other people and other countries because within their hearts, they look down on the others. American people are risk-takers, they like changes and challenges. They would like to travel around the world to seek opportunities. In their opinion, success relies on personal efforts. They are more independent than British people. Finally, British people are modest, and they dont like to be excitable. American people are full of passion, and they are good at communicating. When come across a beautiful girl, the American will cant help saying that, “a priceless jewel”, “divine” or “precious”. At the same time, British people will only say, “Um, she is all right”.History may be one of the reasons, because Britain owes a longer history than Americas. So, British people are more conservative. Then, Britain is an island country. America is a country much larger than Britain and has some neighbors. So it is easy for American to communicate with others and keep pace with the time.3. Implications of this StudyThrough this study, it is easy to see the differences between British people and American people. By contrast, British people are more understate. They tend to be full of modesty because of their self-effacing behavior. But they are undeniably conceited which results from their brilliant history in 17601914. It is one shortcoming of British people. But time has changed a lot during the last few years. Britain is not as prosperous as it used to be. The character of arrogance leads them to continue walking in the old steps and seclude themselves. They are not willing to accept innovation and they look down on other nations, which is hard for them to make progress. This is just like China in Qing dynasty when Chinese self-esteem led to a quantity of tribulation and hardship. So, it is necessary for British people to realize their disadvantage in character and find out good solution to overcome it. Compared with British behavior, Americans may seem to be a little rough and frivolous. Actually, Americans are diligent and conscientious. They are modest enough to learn from others. So, Americans have commanded most advanced techniques all over the world. Besides, they are eager to take risks and challenge themselves. This character will prevent America to fall behind of the other countries. It is obvious that America still has a good outlook. In addition, Americans are independent and make great effort for their lives. This is why America becomes so successful. Different national conditions result in different characters while the characters play an important role in the countries future development. So, improving the personality of people is a good and effective way to make a country stronger, especially for developing countries, just like our homeland, China. Generally speaking, such kind of study is very meaningful and helpful. It has made a contrastive study of the two countries characters. It is h