英语畅谈中国文化50主题【全】

英语畅谈中国文化50主题1. The Art of Calligraphy 奇妙的书法A: Some critics suggest that different genres of Chinese calligraphy have different political implications. Take Wang Xizhi for example. His calligraphy was repudiated as unorthodox during his lifetime but, only a few decades after his death, was established as an orthodox genre. B: Thats for sure! Historically, Chinese calligraphy and politics were closely intertwined. Over 2,000 years ago, Emperor Qin Shihuang, the first Emperor in Chinese history, established the official Chinese writing characters. The new, simplified characters made writing calligraphy less complicated. It allowed people to use characters with more straight strokes, thus making it easier to write with brushes. This created the Li genre. Over time, other variations were also developed, which eventuallly lead to the formation of the five genres in Chinese calligraphy. These were the Zhuan, Li, Kai, Xing and Cao genres. A: Ive heard that most emperors were good at calligraphy. The Tang Dynasty Emperor Li Shimin was an avid collector of Wang Xizhis writings. B: Thats right. Qing Dynasty Emperor Qian Long played a key role in compiling an authoritative collection of calligraphy. To some extent, preferences of the Emperors had an influence on the rise and fall of certain calligraphy genres. A: Ordinary Chinese people also seemed to like calligraohy a lot. B: Part of the reason was the sponsorship by the Emperors. Another reason was the Imperial Civil Service examinations that started in the 7th century. Those examinations were focused on writing and provided a way for ordinary people to achieve a better life. As a result, calligraphy became widely accepted. Calligraphy also had its practical values because it was a good way to make friends and was more presentable as a gift rather than jewelry or money. A: Does calligraphy still have these practical functions now? B: Yes. Many people practice calligraphy as a way to raise their cultural accomplishment. Older people use calligraphic writing as a method to keep fit. They believe that when a person concentrates on writing calligraphy, his inner wellbeing is stimulated. A: I had thought computers would lead to the disappearance of Chinese calligraphy. Now I understand thats not likely to happen. How can you give your boss computer-printed calligraphy as a gift? B: You dont, unless you want him to fire you. 2. The Significance of Chinese Paintings中国画的含意A:Its interesting that Chinese paintings can be created on the spot, even though most of them have similar subjects. Peony, plum blossoms, mountains, creeks or cottages are very popular. There are often painters at significant celebratory and commemorative events.B:Their educational function is, in fact, a unique feature of Chinese painting. Human profiles were used as a method to either glorify heroes or condemn traitors 2,000 years ago. Tang Dynasty officials even tried to bring painting into Confuction ideology. The Court of the Song Dynasty published an official guide to paintings. This raised criteria not only for human profiles but also for landscape and object paintings.A:Oh, what was that?B:It classified paintings into ten categories covering religious beliefs, Confucianism and state power. This classfication gave an official definition of the value and significance of the paintings. The purpose of landscape paintings was to portray the five mountains, while fruit and birds were used to exemplify or eulogize the Gods. In this case, the subjects were used as references to people in order to deliver moral messages. For example, peony and peacocks represented wealth and fortune; pine trees, bamboo, plum blossoms and orchids represented elegance and accomplishment; and pine trees and cypresses symbolized loyalty.A:As far as I know, painters who did not have to make a living by painting used diffferent skills to those specified in the guide, even though they painted the same subjects.B:Artists are usually against pragmatism. They like to give meaning to the subjects they paint. Bamboo symbolizes integrity and pine trees symbolize never giving up. Artists also like landscapes. It doesnt take a lot of training to paint landscapes. It all depends on the painters personality and ability, as well as his unique touch. Most of todays non-professional painters follow the landscape style. The objective of these painters is purely entertainment and self-satisfaction. The more successful artists have the opportunity to exhibit at public functions. That is probably the climax of their painting careers.A:What are professional painters doing?B:Some of them make a great effort to improve their painting skills. They want to develop new and innovative painting methods by borrowing from other genres. Others are busy making money. They have found ways to produce commercially attractive paintings. Some people say they are no longer artists. Instead they have become manufacturers of paintings. 3. Rediscover Confucius 重新发现孔子Did you see the statue of Confucius launched by the China Confucius Fund?A:你看到中国孔子基金会发布的孔子标准像了吗？B:Yes, I did. It doesnt quite match the Confucius image in my mind though. I heard there are many different opinions about this so-called official statue. But, to be fait, its an impossible job to create an official statue of someone who lived more than 2,500 years ago. No one knows what he looked like, just like no one in the West knows what Plato looked like. Nevertheless, Confucius was a great philosopher, an educator, a politician, as well as the founder of Confucianism, which still has a tremendous influence over people today.B:看到了，但它不完全是我心目中的孔子形象。据说有很多人对这个标准像持不同意见。这也难怪，也已毕竟生活在多年前，没有谁能够想像他真实的长相，就像你们西方人不知道柏拉图的面孔一样。但是，孔子对今天中国人的生活和思想依然有着重大的影响。他是中国古代的思想家、教育家、政治家，也是儒学的创始人。A:Confucianism seems to be back in fashion again. As far as I know, about five to six million Chinese students are currently studying The analects of Confucius. Some companies are using Confucianism as a management tool. The govemment is also promoting the Confucian values of ethics, fairness, and honesty. They see it as a way to address the social problems that have emerged as a result of the accelerated economic growth.A:儒家思想似乎又风行起来了。就我所知，中国有五六百万的孩子在学习论语；不少企业家把儒家思想引进到企业管理中；中国政府也试图通过倡导道德、公正和廉洁的儒家思想，来解决经济调整发展带来的社会问题。B:Confucianism is the backbone of Chinese culture. Confucius developed his philosophy around the concept of benevolence. The Analects of Confucius is a record of his political views. Confucianism represents a set of moral principles because it stresses fairness and harmony in guman relationships, as well as the individuals social responsibility for their country. For Confucius, political honesty is based on individual ethical integrity.B:儒家思想是中国传统文化的主干。孔子的哲学体系以“仁”为核心，论语记载着他的政治学说。儒学是一套伦理道德，强调的是为人处事的正派、人际关系的和谐以及个人对国家的责任感。在孔子看来，政治的说法是以人品的正直为基础的。A:Some American scholars did a comparative study of confucius with Greek and Roman philosophers. Their conclusion was that there is more practical value in Confucianism. Why it that?A:有的美国学者将孔子与古希腊哲人相比较，认为他的思想更具有实用价值。为什么？B:Well it has extensive application in Chinese society. Confucius was also an accomplished educator. He treated his students as his equal by teaching them democratic and open-minded ideas . In the words of the American scholars, Confucius wanted to train his students to become more unrestrained and adaprable to external influences.B:因为它被广泛运用于中国社会。孔子还是个了不起的教育家，他平等对待学生，教给他们民主、开放的观念。用美国学者的话说就是：培养能够自然从容并适应环境的君子。A:There is also an increasing awareness of Confucianism in other parts of the world. This may be a result of various political, cultural, and environmental challenges due to Chinas growing economic importance. As a result, the rise of individualism in the community has become a serious threat to social harmony and progress. A different set of values are needed as a counterbalance. Confucianism emphasizes courtesy and respect whendealing with people or nature so it should be very beneficial for building harmony in any society.A:据我所知，儒家学说也在世界其他地方逐渐引起了重视。这也许与中国经济的高速发展所带来的各种政治、文化，以及环境等问题的巨大挑战有关。个人主义在商品社会中的极端发展，对社会的和谐与进步构成威胁，必须寻求另一种价值观来取得平衡。而孔子的学说恰好提倡以“礼”来处理人际关系及与自然的关系，对于和谐社会的构建大有益处。B:You are right. A scholar once said that answers concerning our survival can be found in the wisdom of Confucius, even though he lived more than 25 centuries ago.B:有道理。正如一位学者所说：世纪的生存问题，必须回到个世纪之前孔子的智慧中去寻求解决的答案。04-Differences Between Chinese and Western Medicines中西医的差异A: For many years, there have been repeated discussions to give up Chinese medicine. Its recently become a hot topic once again. And because believe the Chinese medicine is not scientifically based in comparison to Western medicine. B: Although it is debatable why Chinese medicine is scientifically sound .You cannot deny it has a rich philosophic significance. This is very different from Western medicine. Usually, a Chinese medicine practitioner approaches on the home and abroad perspective, emphasis its entirety and dialectical implications. This is why some people view it as a holistic medicine. In contrast, a Western doctor deals to recipe with symptoms. For instance, if someone has a sore throat, a Western doctor will treated it as a throat problem while a Chinese doctor may link it to the disorder of the patients stomach.A: Whats the difference between Chinese and Western medicines? B: A Chinese doctor examines its patients by using methods like observing, smelling , asking and feeling. His Western counterparts relies on symptoms or evidence, like body temperature and lab tests . A Chinese doctor determines the problem of patients interior organs by influence through observing very exterior signs such as complexion or the tongue .A Western doctor, on the other hand, makes his judgement based on the results of lab tests on the internal organs. He then reinforces its judgement by examining exterior symptoms. A Western doctor uses chemical based medicines and surgery, but a Chinese doctor relies on some herb medicines and acupuncture. A: For patient, which is preferable? B: It depends. Usually a Chinese doctor will recommend Western medicine for intensive treatment and Chinese medicine for the recovery. In fact, Chinese medicine is probably more effective in treating some functional diseases, while the cause is difficult to discover. A: What will happen if Chinese medicine is indeed abandoned?B: No idea, but for people with terminal diseases, Chinese medicine may be the last result. Chinese medicine can not only alleviate pain but also offers the option of different treatment. 05-the role of operas戏曲的作用A: In his book, Chinese characteristics , which was written more than 100 years ago, A.H. Smith said the Chinese people liked opera. To them, opera was the only entertainment like sports for the British and bull-fighting for the Spanians. B: In the traditional Chinese society, opera was used as vehicles to spread knowledge and ethical teachings. Most operas were based on historical events, fore clown or classical novels. They promoted traditional values and moral principles such as punishing the evil and eulogizing the good, loyalty and kindness and denunciation of ungraceful. Operas were able to fill the gaps of education and teaching , especially in the agricultural society.A: Opera fans were like todays popular music fans. They enjoy singing in an arena.B: The dominant Emperor Cixi in the Qing Dynasty was a super opera fan. She often had opera troops perform for her in her court. This is why Beijing opera overtook all other operas and became national entertainment. It was said the emperors were deeply influenced by the teachings of the operas. Especially those who relating to gratitude. A: I know she would pardon anyone to whom she thought in dated regardless any mistakes. B: Thats right. Some of her stories even suggests that when she engaged the boxes to fight against the Westerners. She was under the illusion they were invisible. She got the notion from the operas they could not be heard by bullets. Of course, she was wrong. And the boxes were quickly defeated by the Westerners. A: Well, if emperors had so much influence on the danger operas I think it would be even more so on ordinary people. Seems Beijing opera is no longer as popular as it was. Does it still have influence on people? B: Now, it is TV. Since every household has a TV. Its influence should not be underestimated. There was a popular Korean TV drama not long ago which captivated the audience by its costumes and food. As a result, some studios in Beijing began taking photo portraits in Korean costumes and some restaurants introduce similar Korean food. A: Now, I understand why the government discourages TV house from imitating Hongkong and Taiwan accents. It also explains why TV stations are forbidden for every programs about dottery and other ethical topics. B: Thats great, China has been experiencing in any increasingly high divaricates where dottery is decided as the main reason 06-Gardens and Born Sights园林和盆景A:Have you ever been to Suzhou? You can find over one hundreds private gardens from the old times in this city.B:Suzhou is one of my favourite cities. Gardens in that area are known for their skillful combination of landscapes. The use manmade structures such as creeks, rocks, trees, plants, civilians, platforms, terraces and bridges. Together, they created a poetic atmosphere, just like painting that combines poems, calligraphy, and scenery all in well. The rocks in the garden dont have to be huge to look meaningful as long as they arranged in order. The same is true with the creeks. It is not the length of the creeks but the term of the curve which give the garden the feeling of liveliness. This is the manifestation of Confucian belief of harmony between man and nature. And the tower is worship of nature.A: I dont see a lot of harmony between man and nature in those particular gardens. There is too much human interference. You never find vast expenses grass and trees, most objects are symbolic and artificial, and they are separated from outside of the world by a wall.B: This is something to do with Chinese philosophy. The imitation of nature reflects the worship of the nature. And pursuit a poetic state of mind. The walls around the garden are in effect a way to show modesty and unpretentiousness. Also, it separates people with different backgrounds.A: humans interference is at its utmost with Chinese born sights, instead of allowing them to growing freely, the plant is restricted and distorted in a crowed space. B: Indeed, born sights are forced on different environments to plants. However, people like them for the philosophic applications, representing and interaction with world through portrait landscape, the used to be a saying to goes: three leaves and two flowers represent the world. In other words, the few pieces of leaves and flowers are enough to make you feel the change of the weather, the earth and the universe. Thats the beauty of born sights, the miniature give people of feeling of closeness to nature.A: Frankly, I still think is a bizarre way to enjoy nature by distorting at the first place. But thanks for your explanation, it help me understand that this is an unique view through an unique culture. B: This is diversify of the world, we need to learn to accommodate each other. Maybe these were traditional Chinese gardens and born sights are all about. 7. Glazed Tiles and Imperial Architecture琉璃瓦与宫廷建筑A: I went to the Forbidden City on Sunday. It was a beautiful day with a blue sky and white clouds. The yellow tiles look gorgeous.B: Glazed tiles are unique to Chinese architecture. They were used exclusively on imperial palaces and buildings. Junior officials or ordinary people were not allowed to use them. Thats why you can only see them in the Forbidden Palace, the Summer Palace and other imperial architecture. Theres a place in Beijing called Liulichang, which means glazed tile factory. It is where glazed tiles were made during the Ming Dynasty.A: Is yellow the only color for those tiles?B: No, there are other colors, such as green、blue、 purple and black. There were strict rules for the use of the tiles: yellow tiles for imperial palaces, and green tiles for the homes of the emperors brothers.A: Sound special. Could you tell me more about the colors?B: The colors are related to the five elements that make up our world. Those elements are metal、wood、 water、 fire and earth. And they are represented by the colors of white、green、black、red and yellow. Each element is also influenced by the four seasons. The five regions on earth are ruled respectively by five different emperors. The yellow emperor is in the center and is assisted by the god of earth. In the east is the green emperor, who is assisted by the god of wood and responsible for spring. The red emperor in the south is assisted by the god of fire and responsible for summer. The white emperor is in the west. He is assisted by the god of metal and responsible for autumn. The black emperor is in the north, being assisted by the god of water and responsible for winter. So, the colors used in traditional architecture correspond to the theory of the five elements and five regions.A: Are those theories used in any of the contemporary buildings?B: Not much. The Ten-mile Stone buildings built in the 1950s follow the traditional style, but not todays landmark buildings in Beijing. Those buildings were designed together with western architects. They seldom use any of the traditional colors.A: If Beijing uses the five Olympic colors to dress up the city, it will definitely look very impressive. Itll also be true with five-color theory.B: Thats an interesting thought. Unfortunately, theres no white in Olympic colors. Otherwise, it wo