新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3課件

1、新編研究生綜合英語教程Advanced English for Graduate Students:General Skills they fit together. Dr. L. Robert Kohls has developed a list of 13 commonly held values which help explain why Americans act as they do.,5,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,Background Information Pre-reading Questions Text A The Values Americans Live Vo

2、cabulary Exercises,Text A The Values Americans Live By,6,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,Background Information,7,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,Text A The Values Americans Live By,8,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,Exercises,9,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,Dr. L Robert Kohls, Director of International Programs at San Francisco State University, is a renow

3、ned literary contributor to the research on cultural patterns. He has developed a list of 13 (8 are listed in Text A) commonly held values which help explain to first-time visitors to the United States why Americans act as they do. He is careful, and cautions to avoid labeling these values positive

4、or negative. Whether one agrees with Kohls or not or is willing to accept as valid any generalizations about Americans his observations are thought provoking.,Background,1. Information about the author,10,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,: In recent decades, a new form of identification has emerged which breaks dow

5、n the understanding of the individual as a coherent whole subject into a collection of various cultural identifiers. These cultural identifiers may be the result of various conditions including: locality, gender, race, history, nationality, language, sexuality, religion, ethnicity, aesthetics, and e

6、ven food. Therefore, cultural identity refers to a feeling of belonging to a group. It is part of a persons self-conception and self-perception and is related to these cultural identifiersor any kind of social group that has its own distinct culture. In this way, cultural identity is both characteri

7、stic of the individual but alsoof the culturally identical group of members sharing the same cultural identity. Cultural identity can also be expressed through certain styles of clothing or other aesthetic markers. .,Background,2. Information about cultural identity,11,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,: .,Backgroun

8、d,3. Information about the Declaration of Independence,The Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson and then adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. It was regarded as the nations most cherished symbol of liberty and Jeffersons most enduring monument. “We hold these t

9、ruths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. ” was made by Abraham Lincoln as the centerpiece of his rhetoric (as in the Gettysburg Address of 1863),

10、and his politics. Since then, it has become a well-known statement on human rights.,12,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,Q1: How much do you know about the American values? Which part of American values do you think is acceptable to us? Q2: What is the cause of traditional American values? Q3: What is your view on A

11、merican values? What are the effects of American values? Q4: How is the mainstream American culture different from the Chinese culture? Q5: Do cultural values change as time changes?,Pre-reading Questions,13,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,Q1: How much do you know about the American values? Which part of American

12、values do you think is acceptable to us? Open,Pre-reading Questions,14,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,Q2: What is the cause of Traditional American values? The earliest settlers came to the North American continent to establish colonies that were free from the controls that existed in European societies. They wan

13、ted to escape the controls placed on their lives by the kings and governments, priests and churches, noblemen and aristocrats. In 1776, the British colonial settlers declared their independence from England and established a new nation, the United States of America. In doing so, they created a clima

14、te of freedom where the emphasis was on the individual. This is probably the most basic of all the American values, which is also called individualism by scholars.,Pre-reading Questions,15,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,Q3: What is your view on American values? What are the effects of American values? By freedom,

15、 Americans mean the desire and the ability of all individuals to control their own destiny without outside interference. There is, however, a price to be paid for this individual freedom: self-reliance. Individuals must learn to rely on themselves or risk losing freedom. This means achieving both fi

16、nancial and emotional independence from their parents as early as possible, usually by age of 18-21.It means that Americans believe they should take care of themselves, solve their own problems, and “stand on their own two feet.”,16,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,Q3: What is your view on American values? What are

17、 the effects of American values? Most Americans believe that they must be self-reliant in order to keep their freedom. If people are dependent, they risk losing freedom as well as the respect of their peers. In order to be in the mainstream of American life-to have power and/or respect individuals m

18、ust be seen as self-reliant. Although receiving financial support from charity, family, or the government is allowed, it is never admired. Many people believe that such individuals are setting a bad example, which may weaken the American character as a whole.,17,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,Q3: What is your vie

19、w on American values? What are the effects of American values? So, it is important to understand what most Americans truly mean when they say they believe in equality of opportunity. They mean that each individual should have an equal chance for success. It helps ensure that the race for success is

20、a fair one and that a person does not win or lose just because of external forces. The phrase “going from rags to riches” became a slogan for the great American dream. There is, however, a price to be paid for this equality of opportunity: competition.,18,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,Q3: What is your view on Am

21、erican values? What are the effects of American values? People who like to compete and are more successful than others are honored by being called winners. On the other hand, those who do not like to compete and are not successful when they try are often dishonored by being called losers. The pressu

22、re to compete causes Americans to be more energetic, but it also places a constant emotional strain on them. When they retire, they are at last free from the pressures of competition. But then a new problem arises. They may feel useless and unwanted in a society that gives so much prestige to those

23、who compete well. This is why older people in the United States do not have as much honor and respect as they do in other less competitive societies.,19,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,Q4: How is the mainstream American culture different from the Chinese culture? Open,Pre-reading Questions,20,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,Q5:

24、What are the main characteristics of values? First, as part of culture, values are learned from people around: family, school, mass media, and so on. Once learned, they tend to be stable and govern people beliefs, attitudes, ideas and actions. Second, values are hidden. We do not see them as they ex

25、ist in our subconsciousness. We are not always aware of them, but we make judgments according to them.,Pre-reading Questions,21,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,Q5: What are the main characteristics of values? Third , values are pervasive. Each of us has a unique set of individual values, but there are also values

26、that tend to permeate a culture. They are called cultural values. The point we have to keep in mind is that the value of the culture may not be the value of all individuals within the culture. Fourth, values can be compared on a continuum rather than one of only two possible choices. People posses t

27、he same values to different degrees.,Pre-reading Questions,22,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,Q5: What are the main characteristics of values? Fifth, values are interrelated. They dont work alone. For example, the value toward family usually leads to those toward age, status, etc. Finally, values of a culture chan

28、ge just as cultures do. Of course, they change much more slowly than do the way people dress, the artifacts people make, and other parts of a culture that are easily seen. Contradictory values can be found in a particular culture. There is often a gulf between the values that are articulated (ideali

29、sm) and the values that are acted out (reality).,Part2_TA1_s,Pre-reading Questions,23,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,1. Most Americans would have a difficult time telling you, specifically, what the values are that Americans live by. They have never given the matter much thought. 2. Even if Americans had consider

30、ed this question, they would probably, in the end, decide not to answer in terms of a definitive list of values. The reason for this decision is itself one very American value their belief that every individual is so unique that the same list of values could never be applied to all, or even most, of

31、 their fellow citizens.,Text A The Values Americans Live By,1. 大多數(shù)美國人在談起其賴以生存的價(jià)值觀時(shí)會(huì)感到力不從心。他們從未仔細(xì)考慮過價(jià)值觀這個(gè)問題。 2. 即使美國人考慮過這個(gè)問題，最后，他們給出的答案也很可能不是什么明確的價(jià)值觀。做這個(gè)決定的原因是它本身就是一個(gè)非常美國式的價(jià)值觀他們相信每個(gè)個(gè)體都是獨(dú)一無二的，相同的價(jià)值觀不能適用于所有的美國公民，甚至不能適用于大多數(shù)公民。,L. Robert Kohls,24,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,3. Although Americans may think of themse

32、lves as being more varied and unpredictable than they actually are, it is significant that they think they are. Americans tend to think they have been only slightly influenced by family, church or schools. In the end, each believes, “I personally chose which values I want to live my own life by.” 4.

33、 The different behaviors of a people or a culture make sense only when seen through the basic beliefs, assumptions and values of that particular group. When you encounter an action, or hear a statement in the United States that surprises you, try to see it as an expression of one or more of the valu

34、es listed here.,3. 盡管美國人可能認(rèn)為他們自己比實(shí)際看上去更加變幻莫測，重要的是他們有這種想法。美國人普遍認(rèn)為他們受家庭、教會(huì)或?qū)W校影響很輕微。最后，每個(gè)人都認(rèn)為“我要選擇自我生活所依賴的價(jià)值觀”。 4. 一個(gè)特定民族的行為和文化之所以有意義，是因?yàn)槿藗冋驹谠撁褡宓幕拘叛?、觀念的角度去看待問題。在美國，如果某一個(gè)行為或某一句話使你感到吃驚，那么你可以將其與下面羅列的價(jià)值觀對號(hào)入座。,25,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,5. Before proceeding to the list itself, we should also point out that Americ

35、ans see all of these values as very positive ones. They are not aware, for example, that the people in many Third World countries view some of these values as negative or threatening. In fact, all of these American values are judged by many of the worlds citizens as negative and undesirable. Therefo

36、re, it is not enough simply to familiarize yourself with these values. You must also, so far as possible, consider them without the negative or derogatory connotation that they might have for you, based on your own experience and cultural identity.,5. 在切入正題之前, 有必要指出美國人認(rèn)為這些價(jià)值觀是充滿正能量的。他們沒有意識(shí)到某些第三世界國家的

37、人可能認(rèn)為其中一些價(jià)值觀是消極可怕的。事實(shí)上,許多外國人認(rèn)為美國人的這些價(jià)值觀充滿負(fù)能量、不受歡迎。因此，僅僅熟悉這些價(jià)值觀是不夠的，應(yīng)該以自己的經(jīng)歷和文化認(rèn)同為基礎(chǔ)盡力不戴有色眼鏡去看待這些價(jià)值觀。,26,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,Personal Control over the Environment 6. Americans no longer believe in the power of Fate, and they have come to look at people who do as being backward, primitive, or hopelessly

38、naive. To be called “fatalistic” is one of the worst criticisms one can receive in the American context; to an American, it means one is superstitious and lazy, unwilling to take any initiative in bringing about improvement.,對環(huán)境的自我把握 6. 美國人不再相信命運(yùn)的力量，那些相信此道的人被認(rèn)為是落后、原始和幼稚可笑的。在美國語境下，“宿命論者”是對一個(gè)人最糟糕的評(píng)價(jià)之一

39、；對美國人來說，這一評(píng)價(jià)意味著這個(gè)人迷信、懶惰，而且不思進(jìn)取。,27,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,7. In the United States, people consider it normal and right that Man should control Nature, rather than the other way around. More specifically, people believe every single individual should have control over whatever in the environment might pote

40、ntially affect him or her. The problems of ones life are not seen as having resulted from bad luck as much as having come from ones laziness in pursuing a better life. Furthermore, it is considered normal that anyone should look out for his or her own self-interests first and foremost.,7. 在美國, 人們認(rèn)為人

41、定勝天, 而非受制于自然。更確切的說，人們相信每個(gè)人都應(yīng)該能夠控制周圍環(huán)境中可能影響自己的因素。一個(gè)人追求美好生活中出現(xiàn)挫折不是因?yàn)檫\(yùn)氣不好，而只能歸咎于自己沒有盡最大的努力。另外人們認(rèn)為如果一個(gè)人把追尋個(gè)人利益放在第一位，那也是非常正常的事情。,28,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,Time and Its Control 8. Time is, for the average American, of utmost importance. To the foreign visitor, Americans seem to be more concerned with getting th

42、ings accomplished on time (according to a predetermined schedule) than they are with developing deep interpersonal relations. Schedules, for the American, are meant to be planned and then followed in the smallest detail. 9. It may seem to you that most Americans are completely controlled by the litt

43、le machines they wear on their wrists, cutting their discussions off abruptly to make it to their next appointment on time.,把握時(shí)間 8. 對大多數(shù)美國人來說，時(shí)間至關(guān)重要。在外國人看來，美國人似乎更重視按時(shí)（根據(jù)預(yù)定的日程表）完成任務(wù)而不是發(fā)展深層人際關(guān)系。美國人認(rèn)為，哪怕最小的細(xì)節(jié)也必須在日程安排中列出來并付諸實(shí)施。 9. 你或許會(huì)覺得美國人完全被戴在手腕上的那個(gè)小玩意所控制著，為了能準(zhǔn)時(shí)赴下一個(gè)約會(huì)，他們會(huì)突然打斷談話。,29,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,10

44、. Americans language is filled with references to time, giving a clear indication of how much it is valued. Time is something to be “on,” to be “kept,” “filled,” “saved,” “used,” “spent,” “wasted,” “l(fā)ost,” “gained,” “planned,” “given,” “made the most of,” even “killed.” 11. The international visitor

45、 soon learns that it is considered very rude to be late even by 10 minutes for an appointment in the United States. (Whenever it is absolutely impossible to be on time, you should phone ahead and tell the person you have been unavoidably detained and will be a half hour or whatever late.),10. 美國人的日常

46、用語中充斥著時(shí)間的指示詞，這也暗示出時(shí)間對于他們的重要性。人們可以守時(shí)、準(zhǔn)時(shí)、惜時(shí)、省時(shí)、利用或度過時(shí)間，也可以浪費(fèi)時(shí)間 、失去時(shí)間、贏得時(shí)間、計(jì)劃時(shí)間、給予時(shí)間，充分利用時(shí)間，甚至消磨時(shí)間。 11. 外國人很快就會(huì)發(fā)現(xiàn)，與美國人約會(huì)時(shí)，只遲到 10 分鐘也會(huì)被認(rèn)為是很不禮貌的行為。如果實(shí)在無法準(zhǔn)時(shí)到達(dá)，你也必須事先打個(gè)電話告訴別人你被什么事情耽擱了，將遲到半小時(shí)或遲到多久。,30,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,Equality 12. Equality is, for Americans, one of their most cherished values. This concept

47、is so important for Americans that they have even given it a religious basis. They say all people have been “created equal.” Most Americans believe that God views all humans alike without regard to intelligence, physical condition or economic status. In secular terms this belief is translated into t

48、he assertion that all people have an equal opportunity to succeed in life. Americans differ in opinion about how to make this ideal into a reality. Yet virtually all agree that equality is an important civic and social goal.,平等 12. 平等是美國人民最珍視的價(jià)值理念之一，美國人賦予這一理念以宗教意義來鞏固它的重要地位。他們說人“生來平等”。大多數(shù)美國人相信上帝會(huì)平等地看

49、待每一個(gè)人，而不計(jì)較他們在智力、體力或經(jīng)濟(jì)狀況上的差異。通俗地說，每個(gè)人都有平等獲得成功的機(jī)會(huì)。美國人在如何把理想轉(zhuǎn)化成現(xiàn)實(shí)上會(huì)有分歧，但人們一致認(rèn)為平等是公民和社會(huì)共同追求的重要目標(biāo)。,31,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,13. The equality concept often makes Americans seem strange to foreign visitors. Seven-eighths of the world feels quite differently. To them, rank and status and authority are seen as mu

50、ch more desirable considerations even if they personally happen to find themselves near the bottom of the social order. Class and authority seem to give people in those other societies a sense of security and certainty. People outside the United States consider it reassuring to know, from birth, who

51、 they are and where they fit into the complex system called “society.”,13. 外國人會(huì)認(rèn)為美國的平等理念不可思議，十之八九的外國人不會(huì)認(rèn)同美國人的平等理念。對他們來說，社會(huì)等級(jí)、地位和權(quán)力是人所共求的哪怕他們突然發(fā)現(xiàn)自己接近社會(huì)次序的底層。等級(jí)和權(quán)力好像給這些其他國家的人一種安全感和確定感。美國以外的人認(rèn)為一個(gè)人從剛一出生就應(yīng)該知道他們是誰、屬于被稱之為“社會(huì)”的復(fù)雜的體系的哪個(gè)階層。,32,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,14. Many highly-placed foreign visitors to the Un

52、ited States are insulted by the way they are treated by service personnel (such as waiters in restaurants, clerks in stores, taxi drivers, etc.). Americans have an aversion to treating people of high position in a deferential manner, and, conversely often treat lower class people as if they were ver

53、y important. Newcomers to the United States should realize that no insult or personal indignity is intended by this lack of deference to rank or position in society. A foreigner should be prepared to be considered “just like anybody else” while in the country.,14. 很多到美國來的外國權(quán)貴會(huì)被美國服務(wù)人員（例如餐廳里的侍者、商店里的店員

54、和出租車司機(jī)）對待他們的態(tài)度所觸怒。美國人不喜歡以一種恭敬的態(tài)度對待有權(quán)勢的人；相反，那些身份不高的人常常會(huì)感到自己在美國很受尊重。初到美國的人應(yīng)該體會(huì)到這種對身份地位的漠然中并不包含任何私人恩怨。外國人要做好被當(dāng)做“和其他人一樣”的普通人看待的心理準(zhǔn)備。,33,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,Individualism and Privacy 15. Americans think they are more individualist in their thoughts and actions than, in fact, they are. They resist being thou

55、ght of as representatives of a homogenous group, whatever the group. They may, and do, join groups in fact many groups but somehow believe theyre just a little different, just a little unique, just a little special, from other members of the same group. And they tend to leave groups as easily as the

56、y enter them.,15. 美國人認(rèn)為自己在思想和行動(dòng)上都是高度個(gè)人主義的。他們抗拒擔(dān)任任何同質(zhì)組織的典型代表。他們的確會(huì)加入一個(gè)群體（亦或許多群體），但他們相信他們與眾不同、獨(dú)一無二，與其他團(tuán)體成員總有區(qū)別。而且他們可以隨時(shí)加入或退出某個(gè)團(tuán)體。,34,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,16. Privacy, the ultimate result of individualism is perhaps even more difficult for the foreigner to comprehend. The word “privacy” does not even exist

57、 in many languages. If it does, it is likely to have a strongly negative connotation, suggesting loneliness or isolation from the group. In the United States, privacy is not only seen as a very positive condition, but it is also viewed as a requirement that all humans would find equally necessary, d

58、esirable and satisfying. It is not uncommon for Americans to say and believe such statements as “If I dont have at least half an hour a day to myself, I will go stark mad.”,16. 外國人也許更難理解個(gè)人主義的終極產(chǎn)物隱私。在許多語言中甚至不存在“隱私”這個(gè)字眼。即使有，也可能帶有強(qiáng)烈的貶義，暗示孤獨(dú)寂寞或與其他群體成員格格不入。而在美國，隱私不僅被看做一個(gè)非常積極的狀態(tài)，而且被看成一個(gè)必需品，人們普遍認(rèn)為其不可或缺、令人向

59、往。難怪美國人會(huì)有這樣一種說法：“如果每天我沒有至少半個(gè)小時(shí)留給自己，我將會(huì)徹底瘋掉”。,35,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,工作至上 17. 一句典型的美國忠告：“不要光說不練，做點(diǎn)什么！”雖然這句話通常用在危機(jī)狀況中，但在一定意義上說明了美國人積極的生活方式。在美國人的生活中，認(rèn)為活動(dòng)任何活動(dòng)都比不作為要好。,Action/Work Orientation 17 . “Dont just stand there,” goes a typical bit of American advice, “do something!” This expression is normally use

60、d in a crisis situation, yet, in a sense, it describes most Americans entire waking life, where action any action is seen to be superior to inaction.,36,新編研究生英語綜合教程TEXT3,18. 美國人的一天通常會(huì)安排得很緊湊。任何放松消遣都必須限制在一定時(shí)間內(nèi)，而且這也是為了“更好地工作”，因此一旦他們結(jié)束“放松”之后他們會(huì)更加努力地工作。美國人認(rèn)為休閑活動(dòng)應(yīng)該只占人生的一小部分。人們認(rèn)為“浪費(fèi)時(shí)間”、“無所事事”或“白日做夢”是“大逆不道的