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Abstract:Foreign languages teaching aims at cultivating students with both communication abilities and knowledge about different cultures.Thus the introduction of differences between cultures plays a fairly significant role in English teaching.The paper has a review on the texts from New Horizon College English that introduce cultural differences between western countries and Japan and further analyzes the causes.
Keywords:cultural differences,western countries and Japan,New Horizon,college English teaching
Cultural differences are significant variations in standards,behaviors,attitudes and belief due to different traditions,rituals,customs,and religions.If cultural difference between western countries and Japan is mentioned,the images of their different diet,fashion,manners will probably come up to mind.It is well-known that the typical western food are hamburger,coffee,steak that contain much fat and energy,while Japanese take more light food like noodles,sushi,mattya (powder green tea); the western girls tend to show they are sexy,cool,mature and they like to be tanned,yet Japanese girls are more willing to show they are cute,sweet,mild and they try to take as many measures as possible to keep their skin pale; westerners shake hands a lot to express their feelings of greetings,appreciation and farewell,whereas bowing is the most common manner in Japan.The texts from New Horizon College English also introduce the cultural differences between western countries and Japan,which well worth emphasizing during English teaching.
Ⅰ.on decision-making
Cultural Differences in Western and Japanese Decision-Making in New Horizon College English (Reading and Writing,Book3,Unit3,Section B) focuses on the differences in decision making.On discussion,westerners usually adopt an “I to you” approach and a frank,direct communication norm,in which both sides present their arguments openly from their own point of view.The confrontation comes about easily because each side is eager to state what they want.On the contrary,Japanese prefer a “you to you” approach and an implicit,indirect communication norm based on each side,thus Japanese conference usually aims to reduce confrontation and achieve a harmonious atmosphere.
On job,in contrast to the great job mobility in western countries,there is job stability in Japan called job loyalty as well.Most westerners hold the view that the concept of “mobility” is tightly linked to opportunity as well as new jobs may bring a more promising future; while people share an image of Japanese working environment based on lifetime-employment model in large enterprises where employees are expected to work hard and commit their loyalty to firm.Although wages begin low at first,the seniority and ability will be rewarded by improving housing subsidies,good insurance,bonuses,pensions and the like.
Besides,westerners value individual decisions and accomplishments more,so the western-style decision making proceeds mostly from top management without consulting staffs in other positions.In Japan,people cherish group decision and team accomplishment and ideas can be created even at the lowest level.
Ⅱ.on time-consciousness
Time-Conscious Americans in New Horizon College English (Reading and Writing,Book Two,Unit1,Section A) focuses on distinctive time consciousness in US.According to the text,there is little opening exchange,leisurely business chats,or ritual interaction going with a welcoming cup of tea or coffee.Japanese affected by Confucianism value harmony much.They will first build a friendship and sense of trust but not come straight to the main theme.The opening words are crucial in communication.Thus Japanese usually entertain their business guests warmly for they try to get to know their business partner in an informal occasion.
Cultural Differences in Western and Japanese Decision-Making also states that since Japanese tend to have a strong sense of responsibility,they try to complete a job as well as possible despite it may require much time and deadline is inferior to a thorough job.However,Time-conscious Americans tells us the Americans will take it as a sign of skillfulness or being competent if a problem or a job would be solved or fulfilled with speed.
Ⅲ.The causes of differences
While learning the text many students wonder what causes such differences.The reasons can be concluded as follows.Westerners have their individualistic culture and flexible ties to the group.If there is a conflict,individual goals would be superior to group goals.Westerners believe they are individuals rather than representatives of families or groups and their behavior is governed by their self-interest because an ideal person should be autonomous and self-reliant.On the contrary,Japanese have their collectivist culture and strong ties to group,family and even country,and therefore they are willing to sacrifice their own personal target to fulfill group interests.They usually define themselves in terms of others and behavior is conducted by group norms.
Ⅳ.Cultural differences introduction
Cultural difference is an extremely complex subject that is not merely about “them” but also about “us”.For this reason,one of the most prominent purposes of cultural difference teaching is to educate students to accept various cultures and respect people from different cultural backgrounds so as to eliminate racism or prejudice.Introducing this topic on class,teachers can adopt a positive,constructive and optimistic teaching approach such as discussing the benefits of cultural difference,the skills and attitudes we need to succeed in a future of local and global cultural diversity,which can be considered as a further research subject.
References
1.冯文杰,刘根奇,郝艳霞.从日美文化差异看商务谈判技巧.郑州铁路职业技术学院学报,第15卷第4期,2003,12
2.Giuseppe Moscarini,Kaj Thomsson,Occupational and Job Mobility in the US.Scand.J.of Economics 109(4),2007
3.Carol Gaumer,Amit Shah,Television Advertising and Child Consumer:Different Strategies for U.S.and Japanese Marketers.The Coastal Business Journal,Vol.3,No.1
Keywords:cultural differences,western countries and Japan,New Horizon,college English teaching
Cultural differences are significant variations in standards,behaviors,attitudes and belief due to different traditions,rituals,customs,and religions.If cultural difference between western countries and Japan is mentioned,the images of their different diet,fashion,manners will probably come up to mind.It is well-known that the typical western food are hamburger,coffee,steak that contain much fat and energy,while Japanese take more light food like noodles,sushi,mattya (powder green tea); the western girls tend to show they are sexy,cool,mature and they like to be tanned,yet Japanese girls are more willing to show they are cute,sweet,mild and they try to take as many measures as possible to keep their skin pale; westerners shake hands a lot to express their feelings of greetings,appreciation and farewell,whereas bowing is the most common manner in Japan.The texts from New Horizon College English also introduce the cultural differences between western countries and Japan,which well worth emphasizing during English teaching.
Ⅰ.on decision-making
Cultural Differences in Western and Japanese Decision-Making in New Horizon College English (Reading and Writing,Book3,Unit3,Section B) focuses on the differences in decision making.On discussion,westerners usually adopt an “I to you” approach and a frank,direct communication norm,in which both sides present their arguments openly from their own point of view.The confrontation comes about easily because each side is eager to state what they want.On the contrary,Japanese prefer a “you to you” approach and an implicit,indirect communication norm based on each side,thus Japanese conference usually aims to reduce confrontation and achieve a harmonious atmosphere.
On job,in contrast to the great job mobility in western countries,there is job stability in Japan called job loyalty as well.Most westerners hold the view that the concept of “mobility” is tightly linked to opportunity as well as new jobs may bring a more promising future; while people share an image of Japanese working environment based on lifetime-employment model in large enterprises where employees are expected to work hard and commit their loyalty to firm.Although wages begin low at first,the seniority and ability will be rewarded by improving housing subsidies,good insurance,bonuses,pensions and the like.
Besides,westerners value individual decisions and accomplishments more,so the western-style decision making proceeds mostly from top management without consulting staffs in other positions.In Japan,people cherish group decision and team accomplishment and ideas can be created even at the lowest level.
Ⅱ.on time-consciousness
Time-Conscious Americans in New Horizon College English (Reading and Writing,Book Two,Unit1,Section A) focuses on distinctive time consciousness in US.According to the text,there is little opening exchange,leisurely business chats,or ritual interaction going with a welcoming cup of tea or coffee.Japanese affected by Confucianism value harmony much.They will first build a friendship and sense of trust but not come straight to the main theme.The opening words are crucial in communication.Thus Japanese usually entertain their business guests warmly for they try to get to know their business partner in an informal occasion.
Cultural Differences in Western and Japanese Decision-Making also states that since Japanese tend to have a strong sense of responsibility,they try to complete a job as well as possible despite it may require much time and deadline is inferior to a thorough job.However,Time-conscious Americans tells us the Americans will take it as a sign of skillfulness or being competent if a problem or a job would be solved or fulfilled with speed.
Ⅲ.The causes of differences
While learning the text many students wonder what causes such differences.The reasons can be concluded as follows.Westerners have their individualistic culture and flexible ties to the group.If there is a conflict,individual goals would be superior to group goals.Westerners believe they are individuals rather than representatives of families or groups and their behavior is governed by their self-interest because an ideal person should be autonomous and self-reliant.On the contrary,Japanese have their collectivist culture and strong ties to group,family and even country,and therefore they are willing to sacrifice their own personal target to fulfill group interests.They usually define themselves in terms of others and behavior is conducted by group norms.
Ⅳ.Cultural differences introduction
Cultural difference is an extremely complex subject that is not merely about “them” but also about “us”.For this reason,one of the most prominent purposes of cultural difference teaching is to educate students to accept various cultures and respect people from different cultural backgrounds so as to eliminate racism or prejudice.Introducing this topic on class,teachers can adopt a positive,constructive and optimistic teaching approach such as discussing the benefits of cultural difference,the skills and attitudes we need to succeed in a future of local and global cultural diversity,which can be considered as a further research subject.
References
1.冯文杰,刘根奇,郝艳霞.从日美文化差异看商务谈判技巧.郑州铁路职业技术学院学报,第15卷第4期,2003,12
2.Giuseppe Moscarini,Kaj Thomsson,Occupational and Job Mobility in the US.Scand.J.of Economics 109(4),2007
3.Carol Gaumer,Amit Shah,Television Advertising and Child Consumer:Different Strategies for U.S.and Japanese Marketers.The Coastal Business Journal,Vol.3,No.1