有關(guān)美國文化的英語文章
有關(guān)美國文化的英語文章
21世紀(jì)的美國文化是兼容性和進(jìn)取性很強(qiáng)的文化,同時(shí)又是開放性和寬容性很強(qiáng)的文化。它兼容并收,各種文化現(xiàn)象都可以產(chǎn)生并存在。下面是學(xué)習(xí)啦小編帶來的有關(guān)美國文化的英語文章,歡迎閱讀!
有關(guān)美國文化的英語文章篇一
Marriage of American Style美式婚姻
"I do." To Americans those two words carry great meaning. They can even change your life. Especially if you say them at your own wedding. Making wedding vows is like signing a contract. Now Americans don't really think marriage is a business deal. But marriage is serious business.
「我愿意」這句話對美國人而言具有重大意義,它甚至可以改變你的生命,特別是當(dāng)你在自己的婚禮上說出這句話時(shí),在婚禮中所發(fā)的誓言就如同簽訂契約一樣,美國人并不是真把婚姻當(dāng)作商業(yè)交易,但是,結(jié)婚確實(shí)是件嚴(yán)肅的事情。
It all begins with engagement. Traditionally, a young man asks the father of his sweetheart for permission to marry her. If the father agrees, the man later proposes to her. Often he tries to surprise her by "popping the question" in a romantic way.
結(jié)婚是從訂婚開始,在傳統(tǒng)上,年輕人會(huì)請求他的女朋友的父親允許他娶她,如果女方的父親答應(yīng),之后方可向女方求婚。通常男方會(huì)試著以羅曼蒂克的方式「提出這個(gè)問題」以帶給女方驚喜。
Sometimes the couple just decides together that the time is right to get married. The man usually gives his fiancee a diamond ring as a symbol of their engagement. They may be engaged for weeks, months or even years. As the big day approaches, bridal showers and bachelor's parties provide many useful gifts. Today many couples also receive counseling during engagement. This prepares them for the challenges of married life.
有時(shí)候雙方會(huì)覺得現(xiàn)在結(jié)婚正是時(shí)候,于是男方通常會(huì)送女方鉆戒做為互訂終身的象征。他們可能訂婚幾個(gè)星期、幾個(gè)月,甚至幾年,當(dāng)大喜的日子接近時(shí),賀禮贈(zèng)送會(huì)和單身漢俱樂部都會(huì)贈(zèng)送許多實(shí)用的禮物。今天有許多訂婚的男女在訂婚期間接受咨詢服務(wù),這是為了讓他們有準(zhǔn)備接受婚姻生活的挑戰(zhàn)。
At last it's time for the wedding. Although most weddings follow long-held traditions, there's still room for American individualism. For example, the usual place for a wedding is in a church. But some people get married outdoors in a scenic spot. A few even have the ceremony while skydiving or riding on horseback! The couple may invite hundreds of people or just a few close friends. They choose their own style of colors, decorations and music during the ceremony. But some things rarely change. The bride usually wears a beautiful, long white wedding dress. She traditionally wears "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue." The groom wears a formal suit or tuxedo. Several close friends participate in the ceremony as attendants, including the best man and the maid of honor.
最后就是婚禮了,雖然大多的婚禮仍沿襲長久以來的傳統(tǒng),但是美國人的個(gè)人主義仍有其空間,例如,通常婚禮的地點(diǎn)是在教堂,但是有些人卻是到戶外的風(fēng)景區(qū)結(jié)婚,有些人甚至是跳傘或騎馬結(jié)婚!雙方可能邀請上百人或者只是一些熟朋友,婚禮的顏色風(fēng)格,布置和音樂都由他們自己決定,但有些事是不太會(huì)變的;新娘通常都穿著美麗的白色結(jié)婚禮服,按照傳統(tǒng)她必須穿的衣服上包括了:一些舊的,一些新的,一些借來的,及一些藍(lán)色的東西。新郎則穿著正式的西裝或燕尾晚禮服,幾位熟朋友參加婚禮并協(xié)助幫忙,包括了伴郎和伴娘。
As the ceremony begins, the groom and his attendants stand with the minister, facing the audience. Music signals the entrance of the bride's attendants, followed by the beautiful bride. Nervously, the young couple repeats their vows. Traditionally, they promise to love each other "for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health." But sometimes the couple has composed their own vows. They give each other a gold ring to symbolize their marriage commitment. Finally the minister announces the big moment: "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride!"
當(dāng)?shù)涠Y開始時(shí),新郎和伴郎和牧師站在一起,面對觀眾,音樂一起,表示伴娘入場,后面就跟著美麗的新娘。年輕的男女雙方緊張地跟著說出他們的誓言,傳統(tǒng)上而言,他們會(huì)承諾要彼此相愛,「不論好、壞、貧、富、生病時(shí)或健康時(shí)」,但是有時(shí)候,他們也可能自己編一套自己的誓言,他們互贈(zèng)金戒指以此表示結(jié)婚的承諾,最后牧師宣布這重大的時(shí)刻:「我現(xiàn)在宣布你們成為夫妻,你可以親吻你的新娘!」
At the wedding reception, the bride and groom greet their guests. Then they cut the wedding cake and feed each other a bite. Guests mingle while enjoying cake, punch and other treats. Later the bride throws her bouquet of flowers to a group of single girls. Tradition says that the one who catches the bouquet will be the next to marry. During the reception, playful friends "decorate" the couple's car with tissue paper, tin cans and a "Just Married" sign. When the reception is over, the newlyweds run to their "decorated" car and speed off. Many couples take a honeymoon, a one- to two-week vacation trip, to celebrate their new marriage.
在結(jié)婚宴會(huì)上,新娘新郎向賓客問候.然后切結(jié)婚蛋糕并互相喂對方一口。賓客們在享受蛋糕、飲料及其他的食物時(shí)就混在一起交談。之后新娘將捧花投向一群單身女孩,傳統(tǒng)說接到捧花的女孩會(huì)成為下一位新娘。在婚宴上,愛鬧的朋友用面紙、鋁罐和「新婚」標(biāo)志「裝飾」禮車,宴會(huì)結(jié)束后,新婚的小倆口就跑向他們「裝飾完成」的禮車,迅速地離開,許多夫妻會(huì)去渡蜜月,就是一至二星期的假期以慶祝他們的新婚。
Almost every culture has rituals to signal a change in one's life. Marriage is one of the most basic life changes for people of all cultures. So it's no surprise to find many traditions about getting married . . . even in America. Yet each couple follows the traditions in a way that is uniquely their own.
幾乎每一種文化都有儀式來表示一個(gè)人生命中的改變。結(jié)婚對于所有文化的人而言是一生中最重要的大事之一,所以會(huì)有這么多婚禮的習(xí)俗就不足為奇了,美國也不例外。然而每對新人都以自己認(rèn)為獨(dú)特的方式來跟隨傳統(tǒng)。
有關(guān)美國文化的英語文章篇二
Pets 美國寵物
mericans love pets. And it's not just puppy love, either. Many pet owners treat their furryfriends as part of the family. Sometimes they spice up their pets' lives with entertaining videosand amusing toys. If they have an eye for fashion, pet owners can dress their pets in stylishclothes. For special occasions, they can use canine perfume to make their dogs smell, well, lessbeastly. You might say Americans treat their pets like they treat their children-sometimes evenbetter.
美國人很愛寵物,而且這不只是一種不成熟、短暫的愛。很多寵物的主人把這些毛茸茸的朋友當(dāng)作家庭的一部分,有時(shí)候還為寵物準(zhǔn)備娛樂用的錄像帶和玩具來增添牠們生活的樂趣,如果寵物的主人具有流行的眼光,還會(huì)讓他們的寵物穿上時(shí)髦的衣服,在特殊的場合里,甚至為寵物噴上狗兒專用的香水,讓牠們味道好聞一點(diǎn),減少一些動(dòng)物身上的味道。你也可以說,美國人待他們的寵物如同待他們的孩子一樣——有時(shí)甚至更好。
In America, there are more households with pets than those with children. At least 43percent of U.S. homes have pets of some sort. Exotic creatures, such as monkeys, snakes andeven wolves, find a home with some Americans. More common pets include tropical fish, miceand birds. But the all-time favorites are cats and dogs, even at the White House. The Clintons'cat, Socks, has replaced the Bushes' dog, Millie, as reigning First Pet. Americans sometimeshave strong feelings about whether dogs or cats make better pets. "Dog people" and "catpeople" often enjoy friendly rivalries.
在美國,有寵物的家庭比有孩子的家庭還多。至少百分之四十三的美國家庭有寵物,有些美國家庭養(yǎng)一些外國品種的動(dòng)物,例如猴子、蛇、甚至狼;比較常見的寵物有熱帶魚、老鼠、和鳥。不過,一直廣受歡迎的是貓和狗,連白宮也不例外??铝诸D總統(tǒng)的貓——襪子,已經(jīng)取代了布什的狗——米利,成為神氣的「第一寵物」。美國人有時(shí)候很在乎到底最好的寵物是貓還是狗,「愛狗的人」和「愛貓的人」喜歡開玩笑地彼此爭辯。
Leading a dog's life in America isn't such a bad thing. Many grocery stores sell gourmet petfoods to owners eager to please their pets. In Houston, Texas, dogs can have their dinnerdelivered to their homes, just like pizza. Well-to-do canines can attend doggy daycare centerswhile their owners work. Pets can even accompany their owners on vacation. Fancy hotels arebeginning to accommodate both man and beast. Furry guests at Four Seasons Hotels canenjoy gourmet meals served on fine china and sleep in soft beds.
在美國,狗所過的生活并不壞,很多雜貨店都賣有寵物美食,讓主人可以討好他們的寵物。在德州的休斯敦市,狗兒還能享用專程送到家的晚餐,就跟披薩一樣。家境富裕的狗兒在主人上班的時(shí)候可以去狗兒托育中心。寵物甚至可以和牠們的主人一同去度假,高級飯店已經(jīng)開始可以同時(shí)留宿人和寵物,這些毛茸茸的客人在四季飯店可以享用以精致瓷器盛裝的美食,并在柔軟的床上睡覺。
Beneath the fluffy luxuries, there lies a basic American belief: Pets have a right to be treatedwell. At least 75 animal welfare organizations exist in America. These provide care and adoptionservices for homeless and abused animals. Veterinarians can give animals an incredible level ofmedical careNfor an incredible price. To pay for the high-tech health care, people can buyhealth insurance for their pets. And when it's time to say good-bye, owners can bury theirpets in a respectable pet cemetery.
在舒適奢華的享受之下,其實(shí)存在著美國人的一種基本信念:寵物有受到妥善對待的權(quán)利。美國至少有七十五個(gè)動(dòng)物福利組織,他們?yōu)榱骼藙?dòng)物及被虐待動(dòng)物提供照顧與領(lǐng)養(yǎng)的服務(wù)。獸醫(yī)能提供給動(dòng)物極好的醫(yī)療照顧——價(jià)格也極昂貴,若為了負(fù)擔(dān)更先進(jìn)的健康醫(yī)療照顧,人們可以為他們的寵物買健康保險(xiǎn)。如果和寵物道別的時(shí)機(jī)到了,主人們可以為寵物買一塊體面的墓地。
The average American enjoys having pets around, and for good reason. Researchers havediscovered that interacting with animals lowers a person's blood pressure. Dogs can offerprotection from burglars and unwelcome visitors. Cats can help rid the home of unwantedpests. Little creatures of all shapes and sizes can provide companionship and love. In manycases, having a pet prepares a young couple for the responsibilities of parenthood. Pets evenencourage social relationships: They give their owners an appearance of friendliness, andthey provide a good topic of conversation.
美國人一般都喜歡有寵物為伴,這是有原因的。研究人員發(fā)現(xiàn),與動(dòng)物為伍能夠降低人的血壓。狗能防止小偷及不受歡迎的訪客。貓能幫忙清除家里討人厭的害蟲和有害的小動(dòng)物。任何種類及大小的小寵物都能帶給人們相伴與愛的感覺。很多時(shí)候,擁有一只寵物能幫助年輕夫妻做為人父母責(zé)任的準(zhǔn)備。寵物甚至有助于人際關(guān)系:它們使主人們看起來更友善,并且也帶給人們一個(gè)交談的好話題。
Pets are as basic to American culture as hot dogs or apple pie. To Americans, pets are notjust property, but a part of the family. After all, pets are people, too.
寵物是美國文化中很基本的一部分,就如熱狗和蘋果派一樣。對美國人而言,寵物不僅僅是他們所擁有的一樣?xùn)|西而已,它是家庭的一部分。畢竟,寵物也是「人」啊!
有關(guān)美國文化的英語文章篇三
Friendship 美式友誼
Steve and Yaser first met in their chemistry class at an American university. Yaser was aninter-national student from Jordan. He was excited to get to know an American. He wanted tolearn more about American culture. Yaser hoped that he and Steve would become good friends.
At first, Steve seemed very friendly. He always greeted Yaser warmly before class.Sometimes he offered to study with Yaser. He even invited Yaser to eat lunch with him. Butafter the semester was over, Steve seemed more distant. The two former classmates didn't seeeach other very much at school. One day Yaser decided to call Steve. Steve didn't seem veryinterested in talking to him. Yaser was hurt by Steve's change of attitude. "Steve said we werefriends," Yaser complained. "And I thought friends were friends forever."
Yaser is a little confused. He is an outsider to American culture. He doesn't understandthe way Americans view friendship. Americans use the word friend in a very general way. Theymay call both casual acquaintances and close companions "friends". Americans have schoolfriends, work friends, sports friends and neighborhood friends. These friendships are based oncommon interests. When the shared activity ends, the friendship may fade. Now Steve andYaser are no longer classmates. Their friendship has changed.
In some cultures friendship means a strong life-long bond between two people. In thesecultures friendships develop slowly, since they are built to last. American society is one of rapidchange. Studies show that one out of five American families moves every year. Americanfriendships develop quickly, and they may change just as quickly.
People from the United States may at first seem friendly. Americans often chat easily withstrangers. They exchange information about their families, hobbies and work. They may smilewarmly and say, "Have a nice day" or "See you later." Schoolmates may say, "Let's get togethersometime." But American friendliness is not always an offer of true friendship.
After an experience like Yaser's, outsiders may consider Americans to be fickle. Learninghow Americans view friendship can help non-Americans avoid misunderstandings. It can alsohelp them make friends the American way.
Here are a few tips on making friends with Americans:
1. Visit places Americans enjoy: parties, churches, Western restaurants, parks, sportsclubs.
2. Be willing to take the first step. Don't wait for them to approach you. Americans inChina may not know you speak English. They may be embarrassed if they can't speak yourlanguage.
3. Use small talk to open the conversation. Ask them where they're from, why they cameto China, etc. Remember: Be careful to avoid personal questions about age, salary, maritalstatus and appearance.
4. Show an interest in their culture, their country or their job. (Americans like to talk aboutthemselves!)
5. Invite them to join you for dinner or just for coffee or tea. Try to set a specific time.Americans sometimes make general invitations like "Let's get together sometime." Often this isjust a way to be friendly. It is not always a real invitation.
6. Don't expect too much at first. Maybe they're just being friendly. But maybe they dowant to be your good friends. It will take time to tell.
People like Yaser shouldn't give up trying to make American friends. Americans do valuestrong, life-long friendships, even with non-Americans. When making friends, it helps to have agood dose of cultural understanding.
史帝夫和亞瑟最初是在一所美國大學(xué)的化學(xué)課上認(rèn)識(shí)的。亞瑟是從約旦來的國際學(xué)生。他很興奮能夠認(rèn)識(shí)美國人,他要更多學(xué)習(xí)美國文化;亞瑟希望他和史帝夫會(huì)成為好朋友。
剛開始史帝夫似乎非常友善,上課前他總是熱情地和亞瑟打招呼,有時(shí)他和亞瑟一起讀書;他甚至邀請亞瑟一起共進(jìn)午餐。但是學(xué)期結(jié)束后,史帝夫似乎較冷淡了,這兩個(gè)以前的同學(xué)在學(xué)校不常碰面了。有一天,亞瑟決定打電話給史帝夫,史帝夫似乎沒有興趣和他講話,對于史帝夫態(tài)度的改變,亞瑟感到受傷害?!甘返鄯蛟f我們是朋友,」亞瑟抱怨,「而且我認(rèn)為一朝是朋友就永遠(yuǎn)是朋友。」
亞瑟有點(diǎn)困惑了,對于美國文化,他是個(gè)局外人(外行)。他不了解美國人對友誼的看法。美國人把「朋友」這個(gè)字用得非常廣泛,一般的泛泛之交和親密伙伴都算是朋友。美國人的朋友包含有學(xué)校的朋友、工作的朋友、運(yùn)動(dòng)的朋友或是街坊鄰居。這些友誼都是建立在共同的興趣上,當(dāng)共同從事的活動(dòng)結(jié)束時(shí),友誼也可能跟著消失了?,F(xiàn)在,史帝夫和亞瑟不再是同學(xué),他們的「友誼」也就改變了。
在一些文化里,友誼意即兩人之間一種強(qiáng)烈的,一世之久的情感。在這些文化里,友誼發(fā)展得慢,因?yàn)橐志?。但美國是個(gè)急速變化的社會(huì),有些研究發(fā)現(xiàn)每年每五個(gè)美國家庭之中,就有一個(gè)家庭搬家。美國人的友誼建立得快,但也可能改變得快。
從美國來的人可能剛開始看起來很親切。美國人常能很容易地和陌生人聊天,他們交換關(guān)于自己的家庭、興趣和工作的個(gè)人資料,他們可能熱情地微笑說「祝你有愉快的一天」或是「待會(huì)兒見」,而同學(xué)也許會(huì)說「我們找一天聚聚」,但是美國人的友善并不意謂真正的友誼。
經(jīng)過像亞瑟的經(jīng)歷之后,局外人也許會(huì)視美國人為善變的。了解美國人如何看待友誼,能夠幫助非美國人士避免誤會(huì),也能幫助他們以美國人的方式交朋友。
以下是一些和美國人交朋友的秘訣:
1.到一些美國人喜歡去的地方:宴會(huì)、教會(huì)、西餐廳、公園和健身房。
2.樂意跨出第一步,不要等他們來接近你。在中國的美國人不知道你會(huì)不會(huì)講英語。如果他們不會(huì)講你的語言,他們可能覺得不好意思。
3.以閑聊來展開話題,問他們來自哪里,為什么到中國等等。切記:注意避免非常私人的問題,例如年齡、薪水、婚姻狀況和長相。
4.對他們的文化、國家或者工作表示興趣。(美國人喜歡談?wù)撟约?
5.邀請他們和你一起吃飯或喝茶。要講定時(shí)間,否則,美國人有時(shí)會(huì)用一些一般性的邀請,像「找個(gè)時(shí)間聚聚吧!」,但這只是表示友善的方法而非真正的邀請。
6.不要一開始就對你們的友誼期待太多,也許他們只是表示友善,但也可能他們真的要做你的好朋友,這需要時(shí)間證明。
像亞瑟一樣的人不應(yīng)放棄交朋友,美國人還是看重強(qiáng)烈,一生之久的友誼,即使是和非美國人士。交朋友時(shí),對于文化有某種程度的了解將會(huì)有所幫助。
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