對中西方人不同價值取向研究報告

1、-PAGE . z對中西方人不同價值取向的研究平陽一中 東金 浩洲 舜子小鳳 新蕾 指導(dǎo)師傅詠梅開題篇一、研究的必要性節(jié)日是人類日常生活的濃縮和精華，它區(qū)隔出一個生活周期中的各個階段，集中地展現(xiàn)了各個階段的含義。并在節(jié)日活動中，保存了該民族文化中最精致、最具代表性的一面，是代代相傳的文化資產(chǎn)。任何一個民族都有屬于自己的歲時節(jié)慶，這些節(jié)慶和該民族的生活環(huán)境、生產(chǎn)方式和信仰有密切的關(guān)系。由于歷史背景不同，各民族之間的傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日及其風(fēng)俗習(xí)慣也不一樣，隨著改革開發(fā)的進(jìn)一步深入，西方的傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日已逐漸被我們了解、承受、甚至流行于當(dāng)今社會。在這一前提下，將中西方的節(jié)日風(fēng)俗進(jìn)展一番比擬歸納異同，并究其根源。培養(yǎng)

2、學(xué)生對中西方文化的比擬能力，做到能較理性地借鑒和吸取外來文化中的優(yōu)秀成果，保護(hù)和弘揚(yáng)中華民族的文化精華。二、課題研究的可行性1.經(jīng)過一段時間的選修課的學(xué)習(xí)，學(xué)生已經(jīng)了解了一些英美國家的文化，尤其是節(jié)日文化。并且對這些文化產(chǎn)生濃厚的興趣。在此根底上，發(fā)動學(xué)生用自主學(xué)習(xí)的方式進(jìn)一步熟悉西方節(jié)日風(fēng)俗，自覺比照中西方節(jié)日的不同節(jié)慶方式，透析風(fēng)俗后的價值取向已成為可能。2.經(jīng)過一段時間的選修課教學(xué)，教師已積累了一定的有關(guān)英美國家的文化，尤其是節(jié)日文化的知識和文字材料。在此根底上，指導(dǎo)學(xué)生開展研究性學(xué)習(xí)已成為可行。3.互聯(lián)網(wǎng)為本課題研究提供了可靠的資料保障，成為本課題研究的龐大資料庫。三、課題研究的前期準(zhǔn)

3、備1.在我校英語俱樂部成員過自愿組合的方式組成一個七人研究性學(xué)習(xí)小組(七人中有五人能上網(wǎng)查詢，兩人有電腦)，并推選組長。2.小組成員共同討論，在由教師提供的課題中選擇進(jìn)展研究性學(xué)習(xí)的課題，并共同設(shè)計(jì)研究方案。三、課題組成員的根本情況略四、課題研究方案：【課題目標(biāo)】語言學(xué)家拉多曾指出語言是文化的一局部，不懂得文化的模式和準(zhǔn)則，就不可能真正學(xué)到語言。文化和語言有相輔相成的關(guān)系，學(xué)習(xí)語言的過程也應(yīng)該是學(xué)習(xí)其文化的過程。實(shí)踐證明影響學(xué)生用目標(biāo)語交際的不僅在于語言本身，更在于對目標(biāo)語國家社會文化知識的了解程度以及對其交際模式的適性。因此，在高中英語教學(xué)的過程中要幫助學(xué)生學(xué)習(xí)和掌握英語語言根本功，同時，還

4、應(yīng)引導(dǎo)學(xué)生自覺了解和適應(yīng)英美國家的文化，通過各種途徑，培養(yǎng)學(xué)生對英美文化的敏感性和洞察力，在培養(yǎng)英語語感的同時，提高英美文化感。廣義地說，文化包括交際習(xí)慣，社會習(xí)俗，生活習(xí)慣等。而社會風(fēng)俗習(xí)慣在節(jié)日里表達(dá)得尤為淋漓盡致。因?yàn)楣?jié)日是人類日常生活的濃縮和精華,反映出一個民族文化中最精致,最具代表性的一面。由于歷史背景不同，各民族之間的傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日及其風(fēng)俗習(xí)慣也不一樣，隨著改革開發(fā)的進(jìn)一步深入，西方的傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日已逐漸被我們了解、承受、甚至流行于當(dāng)今社會。在這一前提下，將中西方的節(jié)日風(fēng)俗進(jìn)展一番比擬歸納異同，并究其根源。培養(yǎng)學(xué)生對中西方文化的比擬能力，做到能較理性地借鑒和吸取外來文化中的優(yōu)秀成果，保護(hù)和弘揚(yáng)

5、中華民族的文化精華。【研究課題】比照中西方節(jié)日風(fēng)俗，看中西方人的不同價值取向【研究容】了解英美國家的主要傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日及其節(jié)日風(fēng)俗和節(jié)日來源。了解中國的主要傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日及其節(jié)日風(fēng)俗和節(jié)日來源。比照中西方節(jié)日來源和風(fēng)俗的異同，探究中西方人的不同價值取向。借鑒和吸取西方人的積極價值觀念，指導(dǎo)中學(xué)生的日常行為習(xí)慣?！狙芯糠椒ā课墨I(xiàn)研究法和調(diào)查研究法【研究過程】1.組建小組、制定方案。在我校英語俱樂部成員過自愿組合的方式組成一個七人研究性學(xué)習(xí)小組(七人中有五人能上網(wǎng)查詢，兩人有電腦)，并推選組長。小組成員共同討論，在由教師提供的課題中選擇進(jìn)展研究性學(xué)習(xí)的課題，并共同設(shè)計(jì)研究方案。2.英美國家的主要傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日知多少

6、.課題組成員用英語或中文談?wù)撟约褐赖挠⒚绹业闹饕獋鹘y(tǒng)節(jié)日，及其節(jié)日的來源、風(fēng)俗等。并由組長做好記錄。3.了解英美國家的主要傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日。通過第一次的交流討論，課題組成員決定就以下英美國家的主要傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日進(jìn)展研究。它們是：情人節(jié)、愚人節(jié)、復(fù)活節(jié)Easter、萬圣節(jié)、感恩節(jié)、圣誕節(jié)等。課題組各成員通過資料文獻(xiàn)的查尋和上網(wǎng)查詢等方式收集有關(guān)的信息。尤其關(guān)注自己未知的節(jié)日風(fēng)俗。并做好信息記錄抄錄或下載。4.了解我國的主要傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日。課題組成員通過一樣的渠道收集有關(guān)中國傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日的信息，尤其關(guān)注具有民族特色的節(jié)慶習(xí)俗。主要傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日有：春節(jié)、元宵節(jié)、清明節(jié)、端午節(jié)、七夕、中秋節(jié)、重陽節(jié)、新年等。并做好信息記錄。

7、5.比照中西方節(jié)日風(fēng)俗。課題組成員分析研究已整理成冊的資料，比照中西方節(jié)日風(fēng)俗，歸納異同。尤其關(guān)注可比性較強(qiáng)的信息。并做好記錄。6.研究比照中西方人的不同價值取向。課題組成員根據(jù)較具可比性的中西方節(jié)日風(fēng)俗的異同，探究中西方人的不同價值取向，借鑒西方人的積極價值觀念，指導(dǎo)中學(xué)生的日常行為習(xí)慣。并總結(jié)提煉，撰寫研究報告?！疚墨I(xiàn)資料】1.Family Album, U.S.A.(麥克米倫出版公司)2.Folkways of the West (傅詠梅編寫的校本教材)3.美國文化探奇西方交通大學(xué)，黃亦、馬瓊編4.英美文化拾趣文匯，立柱編5.中國文化要略外語研究，程裕禎著6. .cq*h./7. .8.

8、 language.tom./9. .10. .11. .【相關(guān)的課題】中西方文化差異談。禮為何物.敬人還是敬神.消費(fèi)觀念與文化背景。節(jié)慶風(fēng)俗與民族凝聚力。過程篇研究一：英美國家主要傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日知多少.課題組成員用英語或中文談?wù)撟约褐赖挠⒚绹业闹饕獋鹘y(tǒng)節(jié)日，及其節(jié)日的來源、風(fēng)俗等。經(jīng)過討論大家認(rèn)為英美國家主要傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日有：時間節(jié)日時間節(jié)日1.1元旦New Years Day6.14美國國旗制定紀(jì)念日2.12林肯誕辰Lincolns Birthday6父親節(jié)Fathers Day(6月第3個周末)2.14情人節(jié)Saint ValentinesDay7.4美國獨(dú)立日Independence2.18華

9、盛頓誕辰Washingtons Birthday9.1勞動節(jié)Labor Day3.17圣帕特里克節(jié)Saint Patricks Day10.12哥倫布日Columbus Day4.1遇人節(jié)Fools Day10退伍軍人日(10月的第4個周一)4復(fù)活節(jié)Easter(春分月圓后)10.31萬圣節(jié)Halloween植樹節(jié)(5月份的第2個周末)11.11第一次世界大戰(zhàn)休戰(zhàn)紀(jì)念日母親節(jié)Mother Day(5月第5個周末)11.27感恩節(jié)Thanksgiving Day5.26陣亡將士紀(jì)念日Memorial Day12.25圣誕節(jié)Christmas課題組成員分工瀏覽報刊雜志，查詢電腦網(wǎng)絡(luò)，獲取有關(guān)的節(jié)日

10、信息。研究二：了解英美國家主要傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日的來源和節(jié)慶方式在課題組成員分工瀏覽報刊雜志，查詢電腦網(wǎng)絡(luò)的根底上，整理有關(guān)的節(jié)日信息如下(節(jié)選)。Information Item One: On ChristmasPassage One The History of ChristmasThe history of Christmas dates back over 4000 years. Many of our Christmas traditions were celebrated centuries before the Christ child was born. The 12 days of

11、Christmas, the bright fires, the yule log, the giving of gifts, carnivals(parades) with floats, carolers who sing while going from house to house, the holiday feasts, and the church processions can all be traced back to the early Mesopotamians. Many of these traditions began with the Mesopotamian ce

12、lebration of New Years. The Mesopotamians believed in many gods, and as their chief god - Marduk. Each year as winter arrived it was believed that Marduk would do battle with the monsters of chaos. To assist Marduk in his struggle the Mesopotamians held a festival for the New Year. This was Zagmuk,

13、the New Years festival that lasted for 12 days. The Mesopotamian king would return to the temple of Marduk and swear his faithfulness to the god. The traditions called for the king to die at the end of the year and to return with Marduk to battle at his side. To spare their king, the Mesopotamians u

14、sed the idea of a mock king. A criminal was chosen and dressed in royal clothes. He was given all the respect and privileges of a real king. At the end of the celebration the mock king was stripped of the royal clothes and slain, sparing the life of the real king.The Persians and the Babylonians cel

15、ebrated a similar festival called the Sacaea. Part of that celebration included the e*changing of places, the slaves would bee the masters and the masters were to obey. Early Europeans believed in evil spirits, witches, ghosts and trolls. As the Winter Solstice approached, with its long cold nights

16、and short days, many people feared the sun would not return. Special rituals and celebrations were held to wele back the sun.In Scandinavia during the winter months the sun would disappear for many days. After thirty-five days scouts would be sent to the mountain tops to look for the return of the s

17、un. When the first light was seen the scouts would return with the good news. A great festival would be held, called the Yuletide, and a special feast would be served around a fire burning with the Yule log. Great bonfires would also be lit to celebrate the return of the sun. In some areas people wo

18、uld tie apples to branches of trees to remind themselves that spring and summer would return.The ancient Greeks held a festival similar to that of the Zagmuk/Sacaea festivals to assist their god Kronos who would battle the god Zeus and his Titans.The Romans celebrated their god Saturn. Their festiva

19、l was called Saturnalia which began the middle of December and ended January 1st. With cries of Jo Saturnalia! the celebration would include masquerades in the streets, big festive meals, visiting friends, and the e*change of good-luck gifts called Strenae (lucky fruits). The Romans decked their hal

20、ls with garlands of laurel and green trees lit with candles. Again the masters and slaves would e*change places. Jo Saturnalia! was a fun and festive time for the Romans, but the Christians though it an abomination to honor the pagan god. The early Christians wanted to keep the birthday of their Chr

21、ist child a solemn and religious holiday, not one of cheer and merriment as was the pagan Saturnalia. But as Christianity spread they were alarmed by the continuing celebration of pagan customs and Saturnalia among their converts. At first the Church forbid this kind of celebration. But it was to no

22、 avail. Eventually it was decided that the celebration would be tamed and made into a celebration fit for the Christian Son of God. Some legends claim that the Christian Christmas celebration was inventedto pete against the pagan celebrations of December. The 25th was not only sacred to the Romans b

23、ut also the Persians whose religion Mithraism was one of Christianitys main rivals at that time. The Church eventually was successful in taking the merriment, lights, and gifts from the Saturanilia festival and bringing them to the celebration of Christmas.The e*act day of the Christ childs birth ha

24、s never been pinpointed. Traditions say that it has been celebrated since the year 98 AD. In 137 AD the Bishop of Rome ordered the birthday of the Christ Child celebrated as a solemn feast. In 350 AD another Bishop of Rome, Julius I, choose December 25th as the observance of Christmas. PassageSi* 圣誕

25、節(jié)圣誕節(jié)是美國最大最熱鬧的節(jié)日。每年12月25日，全國便 沉浸在一派喜氣洋洋的節(jié)日氣氛中。 圣誕節(jié)原是基督徒為慶賀耶穌誕辰而定的一個節(jié)日。但耶穌終究是哪一天誕生，誰也無從知曉。圣誕節(jié)是公元354年由羅馬 天主教教會規(guī)定的。但近幾十年，圣誕節(jié)已不再只是的節(jié)日 了，而逐漸社會化，成為政府規(guī)定的公眾假期。 據(jù)圣經(jīng)中說，在基督出生前，羅馬皇帝奧古斯都有旨意下 來，叫天下人都報名上冊。因此大家都要回到老家，按照本族本家 登記注冊。圣母馬利亞的丈夫約瑟本是猶太大衛(wèi)家的人，于是他 們匣離開拿撒勒城，回到伯利恒居住?？墒钱?dāng)他們到達(dá)伯利恒時， 城中的客店已全都客滿，無處安身，只好暫時棲息在馬棚里。入 夜，耶穌降

26、生在馬棚中，這里連塊干凈的地方也找不到，圣母馬利 .亞不得已只好把耶穌放在馬槽里。這天夜里，天使光臨到伯利恒 郊外，向守護(hù)羊群的牧人報告了這一喜訊。與此同時，有三位 賢土發(fā)現(xiàn)天上有一顆新星，他們在這顆星的指引下來到伯利恒，找 到了耶穌和他的母親馬利亞，并送上許多黃金和乳香等珍責(zé)禮品。 今天圣誕節(jié)的許多風(fēng)俗都來源于圣經(jīng)中的這段傳說。 根據(jù)耶穌誕生在夜里這種說法。圣誕節(jié)的慶?；顒右矎?2月 24日夜間開場，半夜時分到達(dá)最高潮。這一夜就被稱為圣誕夜。 圣誕夜是一個狂歡的夜晚。美國人常常通宵達(dá)旦地舉行慶?；顒?。他們有的聚在酒館、舞廳、俱樂部中盡情歡樂；有的全家共 進(jìn)豐富的晚餐，然后圍坐在熊熊燃燒的火爐

27、旁，彈琴唱歌，共敘天倫之樂；那些虔誠的信徒們則在燈火通明的天主教堂里，參加紀(jì)念 耶穌誕生的午夜禮拜，有些人還在家中擺起圣誕馬槽。所謂圣誕馬槽，就是用紙搭一個小洞，上撤白粉象征皚皚白雪，洞中放上自制馬槽，槽里擺上耶穌像，有時旁邊還擺上約瑟和馬利亞的像。 洞前點(diǎn)燃蠟燭，供上鮮花。圣誕馬槽既可用來贊美上帝，也可供 親友們欣賞。但在圣誕夜里，最有趣的活動還要數(shù)報佳音。它象征天使在伯利恒郊外向牧羊人報告基督降生的喜訊。當(dāng)深夜降臨，教堂里的唱詩班就挨家挨戶地來到教徒家門前齊聲唱起圣誕頌歌。于是這家人就要走出門來熱烈地應(yīng)酬他們，參加歌唱。唱罷，主人把大家邀入屋中，以茶點(diǎn)招待。說笑一番后，唱詩班就再到別人家去

28、唱。這時，主人一家也往往隨同前去。報佳音的隊(duì) 伍就愈來愈大，他們一家家地唱下去，歡樂的氣氛有增無減，常常持續(xù)到天明。 待到圣誕節(jié)黎明時，熟人們相見，都要親切地互致問候。但他 們不是像往常那樣說聲早安，而是說圣誕快樂。確實(shí)，圣誕 節(jié)這一天，人們個個興高采烈，家家戶戶、大街小巷都要舉行各種 慶祝活動。 提到圣誕節(jié)，人們首先想到的便是裝飾得琳瑯滿目的圣誕樹。 圣誕樹的來歷可以追溯到幾百年前。據(jù)說它最早出現(xiàn)在德國，到 了1830年前后，裝扮圣誕樹的風(fēng)俗才由德國移民們帶到美國的東 部沿岸地區(qū)。從此，圣誕樹也成為美國人過圣誕節(jié)所必不可少的 裝飾。但圣誕樹的來歷，還有許多美好的傳說。有一個是說，在一個大雪紛

29、飛的圣誕夜里，有個窮孩子無家可歸，又冷又餓。但他幸運(yùn)地遇到一位善良的農(nóng)民，將他帶回家中，讓他在爐火旁度過了一個愉快的圣誕夜。滿心感謝的孩子臨行前折了一段杉樹枝插在地上，杉樹枝立刻就變成一株小杉樹。孩子對農(nóng)民祝福說：從今后，年年此日禮物將掛滿枝頭，留下這棵美麗的杉樹，報答您的善心。諸如此類的傳說，更為圣誕樹增添了美麗的色彩。 每逢圣誕節(jié)，人們便要在小杉樹或小松樹上掛滿禮物、彩花和彩燈(傳統(tǒng)習(xí)慣是掛蠟燭，后來為了防止失火，就用彩燈取而代之)，樹頂還裝上一顆大星。最初這些裝飾品都是具有象征意義的，樹上的蠟燭象征耶穌是世界的光明，樹頂上的大星則代表耶穌降生后將三位賢士引到伯利恒的那顆星。當(dāng)彩燈點(diǎn)亮后，

30、圣誕樹光華四射，分外迷人。這時大人們會站在一旁欣賞圣誕樹，孩子們更是手舞足蹈，甚至手拉手地圍著圣誕樹跳起歡快的舞蹈。有時做游戲，一家人蒙上眼睛，輪流到圣誕樹前摸彩，取得自己的禮物。 在圣誕節(jié)里，除去圣誕樹是必備之物外，人們還忘不了和藹可親的圣誕老人。在公共場所、賀年片上到處部有圣誕老人的形象。 有時在家里也由一人扮成圣誕老人，為大家分發(fā)禮物。在人們的想象中，圣誕老人留著一臉銀白色的胡須，身穿一件鑲有白毛皮 邊的紅外套。他那一副總是樂呵呵的樣子，真不知為圣誕節(jié)增添 了多少歡樂的氣氛。 相傳圣誕老人是當(dāng)年小亞細(xì)亞米拉城的主教圣尼古拉斯的化 身。他為人仁慈，樂善好施，生前做過許多好事。他死后，人們

31、十分思念他，把他稱為保護(hù)兒童之神。他的故事在歐美已經(jīng)傳為 神話。據(jù)說，有一次他曾經(jīng)偷偷把三袋金子送給一個窮人的三個 女兒做嫁檢，當(dāng)他悄悄地把金子從煙囪口扔進(jìn)去時，有一袋恰巧掉 進(jìn)晾在壁爐上的一只長統(tǒng)襪子里。于是在長統(tǒng)襪子中裝進(jìn)禮物送 給兒童的習(xí)俗便流傳下來了。直到今天，天真的孩子們還總是在 圣誕節(jié)前夜重其事地把長統(tǒng)襪掛在壁爐上，滿懷希望地等待圣 誕老人像傳說中所講的那樣，從北方雪國乘坐八匹馴鹿拉的雪橇 前來把禮物送給他們。圣誕老人在孩子們心中真是既親切又神秘。 美國不少大百貨公司為了拉生意，在圣誕節(jié)期間專門雇傭身高體 胖的人裝扮成圣誕老人，在店中同顧客所攜帶的兒童拍照并散發(fā)糖果，可謂生財有道。

32、 圣誕節(jié)用冬青和槲寄生點(diǎn)綴環(huán)境，是西方人民的又一傳統(tǒng)習(xí)俗。美國人常常用冬青樹枝編成花環(huán)掛在大門上，或是將幾枝冬青擺放在餐桌上。據(jù)說綠色可以驅(qū)邪，而冬青那紅艷艷的果實(shí)、綠油油的葉于，在寒冬臘月里確實(shí)使入感到一股春天的氣息。比冬青更勝一籌的是槲寄生，按照傳統(tǒng)習(xí)俗，圣誕節(jié)時，但凡女子站在槲寄生下面，任何人都可以去親吻地。屆時。美國許多家庭都要在室門框或天花板上懸掛一束椒寄生。那些頑皮的男孩子，常常成心把女孩子引到椒寄生下面，理直氣壯地親吻她一下。 為圣誕節(jié)添姿增色的還有美味圣誕蛋糕。人們常常把圣誕蛋糕做得新奇漂亮。上面用奶油或果醬澆圣誕快樂的字樣，四周插上特制的圣誕蠟燭。蠟燭形狀小巧，只有三四寸長，

33、但用料精致，五顏六色，有的還做成螺旋形。點(diǎn)燃之后，由主人次熄，然后大家分吃蛋糕。人們有時還在蛋糕里放進(jìn)三粒豆子，以此代表圣經(jīng)故事中的三個賢土，誰吃著豆子誰就當(dāng)上了三王，令人感到十分有趣。圣誕節(jié)中包含了這樣多的傳說和有趣的風(fēng)俗，無怪乎它是美國人向往的一個熱鬧非凡的節(jié)日。可以說從感恩節(jié)過后的第二天，美國人就開場為圣誕節(jié)大忙特忙起來。每家商店都是人流滾滾，商人們要鼓起如簧之舌，推銷他們的各種貨物，普通入也愿意趁此時機(jī)棄舊更新。據(jù)粗略估計(jì)，美國商店在圣誕節(jié)期間的商品銷售額占全年的四分之一。有的商店甚至占到二分之一。就拿圣誕卡片來說，處處堆積如山，形形色色，花花綠綠，親戚、朋友、同窗、同事之間都要寄上一

34、，弄得各郵局雖增加不少臨時工，但仍然忙得不可開交。 圣誕節(jié)在美國是如此受人重視，人們恐怕很難想象，他們的祖先曾經(jīng)制止過圣誕節(jié)。當(dāng)年英國清教徒受盡英國國教的迫害，千里迢迢來到新大陸，他們對英國國教的倒行逆施，深惡痛絕，以至開展到但凡國教所實(shí)行的，他們都加以反對，因此便對圣誕節(jié)的慶祝也嚴(yán)加制止。他們規(guī)定，凡移民有人膽敢慶祝圣誕節(jié)者，必須罰款。這條禁令一直到19世紀(jì)德國及愛爾蘭移民大量移入美國后才逐漸解除。今天圣誕節(jié)已成為美國人民最喜愛的節(jié)日之一，這段往事，也已成為一件歷史趣聞了。研究三：了解我國主要傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日的來源和節(jié)慶方式課題組成員通過各種渠道收集有關(guān)我國主要傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日的信息，尤其關(guān)注民族特色的節(jié)慶

35、習(xí)俗。節(jié)選我國的傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日有：春節(jié) (包含正月初一日至十五日之間的節(jié)日)元宵節(jié)、燈節(jié)(農(nóng)歷正月十五)清明節(jié)(陽歷四月五日)端午節(jié)(農(nóng)歷五月五日)七夕(農(nóng)歷七月七日)中秋節(jié)(農(nóng)歷八月十五日)重陽節(jié)(農(nóng)歷九月九日)新年 (陽歷一月一日)Information Item One: On Chinese New Year The Chinese New Year has a great history. In other traditions, by this time in the year, most resolutions - made on December 31 - have been sub

36、tly forgotten and placed in a cupboard marked maybe ne*t year. However, all hope is not lost, as theres a second chance to start afresh with the celebration of Chinese New Year on February 5th.The Chinese New Year is very similar to the Western one, swathed in traditions and rituals.The origin of th

37、e Chinese New Year is itself centuries old - in fact, too old to actually be traced. It is popularly recognised as the Spring Festival and celebrations last 15 days. Preparations tend to begin a month from the date of the Chinese New Year (similar to a Western Christmas), when people start buying pr

38、esents, decoration materials, food and clothing. A huge clean-up gets underway days before the New Year, when Chinese houses are cleaned from top to bottom, to sweep away any traces of bad luck, and doors and windowpanes are given a new coat of paint, usually red. The doors and windows are then deco

39、rated with paper cuts and couplets with themes such as happiness, wealth and longevity printed on them. The eve of the New Year is perhaps the most e*citing part of the event, as anticipation creeps in. Here, traditions and rituals are very carefully observed in everything from food to clothing. Din

40、ner is usually a feast of seafood and dumplings, signifying different good wishes. Delicacies include prawns, for liveliness and happiness, dried oysters (or ho *i), for all things good, raw fish salad or yu sheng to bring good luck and prosperity, Fai-hai (Angel Hair), an edible hair-like seaweed t

41、o bring prosperity, and dumplings boiled in water (Jiaozi) signifying a long-lost good wish for a family. Its usual to wear something red as this colour is meant to ward off evil spirits - but black and white are out, as these are associated with mourning. After dinner, the family sit up for the nig

42、ht playing cards, board games or watching TV programmes dedicated to the occasion. At midnight, the sky is lit up by fireworks.On the day itself, an ancient custom called Hong Bao, meaning Red Packet, takes place. This involves married couples giving children and unmarried adults money in red envelo

43、pes. Then the family begins to say greetings from door to door, first to their relatives and then their neighbours. Like the Western saying let bygones be bygones, at Chinese New Year, grudges are very easily cast aside.The end of the New Year is marked by the Festival of Lanterns, which is a celebr

44、ation with singing, dancing and lantern shows. Although celebrations of the Chinese New Year vary, the underlying message is one of peace and happiness for family members and friends.Information ItemTwo: On the Spring FestivalPassage One 春節(jié) 農(nóng)歷正月初一是春節(jié)，又叫陰歷(農(nóng)歷)年，俗稱過年。這是我國民間最隆重、最熱鬧的一個古老傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日。 春節(jié)是漢族最重要的節(jié)

45、日。然而，我國是個多民族的國家，除漢族外，還有滿、蒙古，瑤、壯、白、高山、赫哲、哈尼、達(dá)斡爾、侗、黎等十幾個少數(shù)民族也有過春節(jié)的習(xí)俗。春節(jié)的歷史很悠久，它起源于殷商時期年頭歲尾的祭神祭祖活動。有關(guān)年的傳說也很多。古代的春節(jié)叫元日、元旦、新年。辛亥革命后，才將農(nóng)歷正月初一正式定名為春節(jié)。漫長的歷史歲月使年俗活動容變得異常豐富多彩。其中，那些敬天祭神的迷信容，已逐漸被淘汰，而那些富有生活情趣的容，像貼春聯(lián)、貼年畫、貼福字、剪窗花、蒸年糕、包餃子、燃爆竹、除夕守夜、拜年等習(xí)俗至今仍很盛行。研究四：比照中西方節(jié)日風(fēng)俗的異同課題組成員分析研究已整理成冊的資料，比照中西方節(jié)日風(fēng)俗，歸納異同。尤其關(guān)注可比性

46、較強(qiáng)的信息。比照一：節(jié)日來歷1.中國的節(jié)日主要與人文文化有關(guān)。1和人物有關(guān)。如，端午節(jié)、清明節(jié)等2和節(jié)氣與生產(chǎn)勞動有關(guān)。如，重陽節(jié)、除夕、中秋節(jié)等。2.西方的節(jié)日主要與文化有關(guān)。比照二：節(jié)慶方式1.中國的節(jié)日慶祝方式繁多，隨民族的不同而不同。主要的節(jié)慶方式有：家人團(tuán)聚、家庭聚餐、祭祀活動、大小型的群眾娛樂活動。2.西方的節(jié)慶方式相對同一，主要以祭祀活動為主。但隨著時間的推移，也出現(xiàn)了越來越多的團(tuán)聚慶典活動。研究五：研究比照中西方人的不同價值取向課題組成員經(jīng)過一個多學(xué)期的查找、分析、研究、討論和交流，對中西方的不同價值取向有了一定的認(rèn)識，并以小組為單位寫出了以下四篇總結(jié)報告?？偨Y(jié)報告一：Cult

47、ural Differences Between China and English-Speaking CountriesWestern culture lays more emphasis on religion, which has something to do with the history of the westerners. In those days religion played a very important role in their daily life. The most outstanding holiday in the western country is C

48、hristmas, which is celebrated in memory of the forefather of them Jesus Christ. As a result, there are a lot of religious activities during the festival.Chinese have a fairly long history, which is filled with famous people who contributed to the development of the whole nation. So Chinese pay much

49、attention and devote much energy to celebrating certain holiday related to the famous people.總結(jié)報告二：Cultural similarities Between China and English-Speaking CountriesThough there are a lot of differences in Culture between China and English-speaking countries, yet with time passing by and the opening

50、 to the outside world, there are more and more similarities in culture between the countries. The most important one is that people all over the world take the chance of the holiday to have a get-together with the family. Maybe, with the development of the society and technology, more and more peopl

51、e are going away to have a job. When the holiday es, they will have a day or some days off, it is a good chance to go back home to meet the family members. And of course, having a delicious dinner is a most part of the activity. At the dinner, a lot of food is served. Some of the food is so special

52、that it is not seen on other occasions, and it is used to make the holiday different from others, such as the moon cake.總結(jié)報告三：Do-it-by-yourselfAs has been talked above, it is the custom to have something special to eat at the festivals. And it is as well a custom to send each other gifts at such fes

53、tivals to wish each other good luck. We Chinese used to have the habit to make food and gifts by ourselves. Yet with time passing by, our life is improving day by day. As a result, more and more people are buying food and gifts in stores instead of making them by themselves. Westerners have a quite

54、opposite trend, that is they still prefer do it by yourself Whats more, the richer a person is, the more likely that he likes do-it yourself For e*ample, the former Prime Minister of England decorated her own apartment all by herself. There is some reason to make food and gifts by ourselves. It can

55、offer you the chance to use your head to make something special for someone special. It can help deliver a passion you have for a special person. So here I suggest, why not do-it-by-yourself.總結(jié)報告四：HolidayPartyLove for ones nationI have once seen on TV, westerners observed their holidays at parties w

56、here a lot of people got together, drinking, singing and dancing. What a harmony atmosphere. I envy the way they have their holidays, which is quite different from ours, that is, having a big meal at home, visiting relatives to have more big meals and spending the rest of the time watching TV alone.

57、 What a boring holiday.Of course if some other parts of our country, people observe their holiday in a large group. They will have a procession, hold a party, and so on. In fact, all these activities bring the people from different families, even different areas together. They will learn to live in

58、harmony, as they know they belong to the some family and should have love for each other. I think it is a good way to educate people to have a love for their own nation or country. Why always stay away from others Why just stay at home watching TV Why only observe the holiday with your family member

59、s Why not try stepping out of the door to join others思考篇思考一益林Culture Is Sometimes More Important Than Language ItselfAs we know, it is certainly important for us to master English grammar, vocabulary and synta* well. But that isnt enough, for there are too many cultural differences between China and

60、 English-speaking countries. So as English learners, we should pay much attention to cultural differences and social customs. If not, we may fail to municate effectively. For e*ample, it is mon to ask about age in China when people meet. In a way, the older a person is, the greater respect he mands.