文化誤解

廣東 彭明芳

Exploring different parts of the world can be exciting, but it can also be confusing because of different cultures. When I travelled to different countries of the world, miscommunications always happened, which is very common during foreign travel.

Even over something as simple as “yes” and “no”, it is totally different from culture to culture. On my first day in Micronesia, a country in the Pacific, I thought people weren't paying any attention to me. The day was hot, so I went into a store and asked,“Do you have cold drinks?” The woman there didn't say anything. I felt so confused that I repeated the question. Still, the woman said nothing, which made me so embarrassed and feel at sea. Later, I learned that the woman had answered me. She had raised her eyebrows (眉毛), which in Micronesia means “yes”.

Besides not understanding body languages, there are also misunderstandings in customs. When I travelled in America, one day, an American boy said to me, “You speak very good English.” So I answered, “No, no. My English is very poor.” The foreigner was quite surprised at my answer, thinking he had not made himself understood or I had not heard him clearly. So he said, “Yes, indeed, you speak very well.” But I still kept saying“No”. In the end, the American boy could not understand and didn't know what to say.Actually, the problem is that I didn't accept a compliment in the same way as the American people do. I should answer “Thank you” instead of “No”. I really understood what the American boy had said, but I thought I should be modest. While in the West, people will feel proud and confident when they are praised.

I enjoy experiencing small waves of miscommunications, which reminds me that I am exploring different parts of the world, and I appreciate what I'm taking in. I not only open my arms to embrace all the different cultures, but also learn a lot about culture shock. As a result, I can communicate with foreigners more easily.

In conclusion, it is essential to understand and respect the cultures of different countries, which is really important for us to exchange and integrate with each other.

Activity A Reading for understanding

Ⅰ. Text-centered chunks

pay attention to 關注

at sea 茫然；不知所措

accept a compliment 接受贊美

take in 理解；領會

culture shock 文化沖擊

integrate with 與……結合；融入……

Ⅱ. Text-centered sentences

一、非謂語

Exploring different parts of the world can be exciting, but it can also be confusing because of different cultures. 探索世界不同的地方是令人興奮的，但各地文化的不同也會令人困惑。

【點石成金】Exploring different parts of the world意為“探索世界不同的地方”，是V-ing作主語的結構。

【運用遷移】對我們來說，要學習一門外語，朗讀是非常重要的。

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二、非限制性定語從句

I enjoy experiencing small waves of miscommunications, which reminds me that I am exploring different parts of the world, and I appreciate what I'm taking in. 我喜歡經歷這些小小的交流誤解，這種經歷提醒我，我正在探索世界不同的地方，同時我也感激我所領會的一切。

【點石成金】which reminds me that I am exploring different parts of the world是非限制性定語從句，解釋作者喜歡經歷小小的交流誤解的原因。

【運用遷移】一個五歲的男孩可以說兩門語言，這讓在場的人都非常驚訝。

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Activity B Reading for writing

去年你參加了美國交流生項目，請你以“Cultural misunderstanding”為題向學校英語報社寫一篇短文，內容包括：

1. 求學期間遇到的一次文化誤解；

2. 對你的影響。

注意：

1. 詞數80左右；

2. 可以適當增加細節，以使行文連貫；

3. 至少使用一個非謂語結構或非限制性定語從句；

4. 注意段落內的邏輯關系。

Cultural misunderstanding

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寫作導引

本次的寫作任務是寫一篇介紹學習經歷的記敘文，要求學生介紹其在美國留學時感受到的文化差異，并談談自己的感想，并且至少使用一個非謂語結構或非限制性定語從句。這些寫作要求和所給語篇的主題語境是緊密相關的。我們可以通過分析并整合同主題閱讀材料的內容和語言，梳理寫作思路和積累素材。

一、語篇解碼

（一）內容分析

What is the text mainly about?

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（二）宏觀結構

Fill in the blanks according to the text.

二、素材積累

本次的寫作任務是基于同一主題的文章閱讀下的寫作，我們可以通過模仿并運用文章中的語言表達，如詞塊和句型，積累寫作的語言素材。

（一）社會與人際關系的核心表達

1. embrace different cultures 擁抱不同的文化

2. respect the local customs 尊重當地的風俗

3. have a better understanding of 更好地了解……

4. know the history of 了解……的歷史

5. adapt to one's new life 適應某人的新生活

6. fit in 融入；適應

7. increase one's knowledge about 增加某人對……的了解

8. exchange ideas 交換觀點

9. have trouble/difficulty in doing sth 做某事有困難

10. take part in more activities 參加更多的活動

11. clubs and associations 俱樂部和社團

12. rich and colorful 豐富多彩

（二）社會與人際關系的核心句型

1. Just as the saying goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” 正如俗話所說：“入鄉隨俗。 ”

2. When getting along with your British friends, you should mind your own manners and remain modest and honest. 與你的英國朋友相處時，你要注意禮貌，要謙虛、誠實。

3. I'm delighted to hear that you will come to our school as an exchange student next term. 聽說你下學期將作為交換生來我們學校學習，我非常高興。

4. I've been longing to explore different parts of the world, mainly for two reasons.One is that I can experience different cultures. The other is that I can increase my knowledge and broaden my horizons. 我一直盼望去探索世界各地， 這主要有兩個原因：一是我能夠體驗不同的文化；二是我能夠增長知識，拓寬視野。

5. To tell you the truth, I am faced with some challenges. I don't have a good command of English, especially spoken English, so I'm afraid I'll have difficulty fitting in very soon. 說實話，我面臨著一些挑戰。 我英語掌握得不夠好，尤其是英語口語，因此我擔心我難以很快適應。

6. It is essential to understand and respect the cultures of different countries, which is really important for us to exchange and integrate with each other. 理解和尊重不同國家的文化是非常必要的，這對我們彼此的交流和融合非常重要。

三、寫作支架

本次的寫作任務是介紹在美國留學期間經歷的一次文化誤解。 根據任務要求，語篇結構可定為“總體感受+一次文化誤解的經歷+影響和意義”。 文章的框架如下：

Learning in a different country can be exciting, but it can also be confusing because of different cultures. When I studied in America...

When... which made me feel confused, as/because... Later, I knew that it means...During my stay in America, I experienced and learned a lot...which was significant...

四、語篇過手

根據以上提供的主題、主題表達和語篇結構，寫出一篇介紹在美國留學時經歷文化誤解的記敘文。 第一段寫總體感受，第二段寫經歷的文化誤解，第三段寫影響和意義。 總詞數控制在80左右。

同時，學習運用前文中出現的非謂語結構或非限制性定語從句。注意表達的內在邏輯關系和使用恰當的連詞。