英语学习与西方文化.pptVIP

西方文化与英语学习 Western culture English Learning Language Culture Language is a part of culture One design feature of human language is cultural transmission (文化传递性) (by C. Hockett） So English is capable of transmitting the Western culture. Geographic layout of the Western culture 1.Europe 2. North America( the USA Canada) 3. Oceania (i.e. Australia New Zealand) 2 layers of culture Physical culture (eg. architectural styles ) Non-physical culture (eg. religion; morality) Why there are so many languages ? The story of building Babel [巴别塔] ?Bible/Genesis [创世纪]11:1-9]: God confusing people’s language Genesis 11: 1: Now the whole earth had one language and the same words.(那时，天下人的口音言语都是一样。) Genesis 11: 1 : Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD (God) confused the language of all the earth. Babel [巴别塔] Two Major Foundations in Western Culture 1.the Greco-Roman foundation (古希腊罗马文化基石) ?The spirit of rationality 理性主义精神 2.the Judeo-Christian foundation （犹太-基督教文化基石） ? pursuit of God : the supernatural being Ancient Greek Culture Three masters of thinking : Socrates（苏格拉底） Plato （柏拉图） Aristotle（亚里斯多德） ? focusing on pursuit of freedom, democracy and truth in nature and in human being Roman Laws The Justinian law code (under the Emperor Justinian) ? the most systematic and complete summary of laws. Christianity 1.Birth Development of Christianity Jesus Christ：the incarnation of God (God in huam flesh body 道成肉身的上帝) “Son of God” ( the second person in the Trinity 三位一体), he came to provide salvation (救赎)for the sinners Christianity-2 Other Christian beliefs ? Jesus virgin birth, ? His Crucifixion (put on the cross) for washing his believers’sin “crucifying”---adj. 折磨的 ? ascension into Heaven ?His future Second Coming. Christianity---3 major festivals concerned with Jesus Christ 1.Good Friday :耶稣受难日 ?Jesus Christ died on Friday, a day before the Passover Day) 2. Easter Day: 复活节(Resurrection) ?Jesus Christ rose from death on Sunday 3. Chris