中英思维模式差异及分析(英文)

1、A comparative study on the Chinese thought pattern and English thought patternAbstract This context is basing on the study of Robert B. Kalpan, J. Needham and Nelson, analyzing the differences between Chinese and English thought pattern. It also studies the factors contributing to those differences.

2、 The author hopes it can help people to have a better understanding of Chinese and English culture and to avoid the misunderstanding rising by those differences.Key words: Chinese and English thought pattern; comparative study; differences; cause This context studies three thinking mode counterparts

3、: circular thinking vs. linear thinking, concrete thinking vs. abstract thinking and integrative thinking vs. analysis thinking.Circular Thinking vs. Linear Thinking Kalpan says Chinese thought pattern is characterized by circular type while English one is linear type according to the study of their

4、 different paragraph format. According to the study of Kaplan, the development of Chinese paragraph is screw-type which means the theme of the paragraph isnt pointed out directly but using a roundabout way to explain. Though former narration has informed the theme, it paves the way of theme with rep

5、eated spiral hint rather telling clearly. So, the Chinese thought pattern is circuitous one. On the contrary, an English expository paragraph usually begins with a topic statement, and then, by a series of subdivisions of that topic statement, each supported by example and illustrations, proceeds to

6、 develop that central idea and relate that idea to all the other ideas in the whole essay, and to employ that idea in its proper relationship with the other ideas, to prove something, or perhaps to argue something. That is to say, English thought pattern is linear pattern.Concrete Thinking vs. Abstr

7、act Thinking Basing on the study of two languagess characteristic, J. Needham gives a new vision of two cultural thought patterns. He says Chinese thought pattern is concrete thinking while English is abstract thinking. J. Needham pointes out that Chinese thought pattern was likely to be related to

8、Chinese characters. Most acknowledge of its words and characters is beginning with the acknowledge of image. To perceive graphic retrieval, first you must pay attention to the whole image then to the details. So, it is a kind of cognitive action called global precedence or concrete thinking. English

9、, belonging to the Indo-European Language system, is phonemic language which form just stands for sound rather meaning. As sound is different from image, it can be visualization (expect onomatopoeia). There is no directed connection of meaning between the word meaning and form. So, it need a series

10、of abstract concept to arousing association, form image so that express meaning clearly. It is clear that westerner pay more attention on abstract thought. It is called abstract thought pattern.Integrative Thinking vs. Analysis Thinking Linguist Nelson also gives a new vision of it. He called his Ch

11、inese students “global leaners”, which means their thought pattern is integrative thought pattern. Those global leaners begin with the whole picture when they think. Nelson called western students who have analytic (abstract ) thought “analytic leaners. While the analytic leaner begins with the sepa

12、rate parts and pieces them together to make a whole when he thinks.Factors contributing to the differences Learning those different characteristics of two cultures, people begin to search what is causing those differences. The author looked up various information and found that since both two nation

13、 had found their own society, the differences had been decided. There are three factors can be contributing to those differences: philosophical foundation, economic system and geographic environment.Philosophical foundation China and England have different philosophical foundation. Chinese philosoph

14、y is based on Confucianism and Taoism while English philosophy is based on ancient Geek philosophical. While Chinese people tend to emphasize the direct experience of oneness via intuitive concepts and contemplation, English people view the faculty of the intellect as the primary instrument of world

15、ly mastery. While Chinese people tends to conclude in more or less vague, imprecise statements with flexibility, English people prefer clear and distinct ideas by means of categorization and the linear analytic logic of syllogism. While Chinese people look for the drive for growth in spiritual attai

16、nment of oneness with the universe, the English people seek it in material progress and social change.Economic system Chinas traditional economy is a typical self-sufficient natural economy. After the Spring and Autumn Period, China stepped into the period of private ownership economy while Chinese

17、people had a lack of the outside world, tunnel vision and thinking occlusion. They attached great importance to the family ethical morality. People took the concept of family as the most important things in the group action. They were amenable to some of the specific authority of the rights of indiv

18、iduals and did not like to insist personal right. English economy is basing on the development of business and seafaring. It rises peoples great attention to astronomy, meteorology, geometry and other science. From that on, science become one of the most important thing in English peoples logical th

19、inking. Especially after Industrial Revolution, people are infected by the characteristic of large industrial production mode which is unique organizational, scientific, democratic. Equity theory, self-fulfillment theory and competitive spirit become the typical characteristics of the English though

20、t pattern.Geographic environment China is a closed continental geographical environment and less pressure from nature. Living in mainland, people lack of communication and competition with other countries and have narrow national consciousness of centralism. Enclosed continental geographical environ

21、ment leads to a introverted thought pattern. British live near the sea. Ocean circulation often brings tsunami and turbulent to people. So people pay more attention to space and military conquest. Living in such opened environment, people can communicate and compete with other countries consequently

22、. their mind and vision cant be restricted by region. They pay more attention to space, present and future. Therefore, English people like seeking different, change and active as they have extroverted thought pattern.Conclusion Different philosophical foundation, economic system and geographic environment lead to China and England have different thought pattern. Confucianism and Taoism, enclosed environment and other factors lead to Chin