Cultural misunderstanding 文化误解

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，mis- communications 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 cus- toms. 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 Ameri- can 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 接受赞美

take in 理解;领会

culture shock 文化冲击

integrate with与……结合;融入……

II.Text-centered sentences

一、非谓语

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兴奋的，但各地文化的不同也会令人困惑。

【点石成金】Exploring different parts of the world意为“探索世界不同的地方”，是V-ing作主语的结构。

【运用迁移】对我们来说，要学习一门外语，朗读是非常重要的。

二、非限制性定语从句

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.我喜欢经历这些小小的交流误解，这种经历提醒我，我正在探索世界不同的地方，同时我也感激我所领会的一切。

【点石成金】which reminds me that I am exploring different parts of the world是非限制性定语从句，解释作者喜欢经历小小的交流误解的原因。

【运用迁移】一个五岁的男孩可以说两門语言，这让在场的人都非常惊讶。

Activity B Reading for writing

去年你参加了美国交流生项目，请你以“Cultural misunderstanding”为题向学校英语报社写一篇短文，内容包括：

1.求学期间遇到的一次文化误解;

2.对你的影响。

注意：

1.词数80左右;

2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯;

3.至少使用一个非谓语结构或非限制性定语从句;

4.注意段落内的逻辑关系。

Cultural misunderstanding

写作导引

本次的写作任务是写一篇介绍学习经历的记叙文，要求学生介绍其在美国留学时感受到的文化差异，并谈谈自己的感想，并且至少使用一个非谓语结构或非限制性定语从句。这些写作要求和所给语篇的主题语境是紧密相关的。我们可以通过分析并整合同主题阅读材料的内容和语言，梳理写作思路和积累素材。

一、语篇解码

（一）内容分析

What is the text mainly about？

（二）宏观结构

Fill in the blanks according to the text.

Exploring different parts of the world can be exciting， but it canalso be 1.because of different cultures.

Example 1： When I was in Micronesia，a lady2.her 3.，whichmeans “yes”，but I didn't understand.

Example 2：When I was praised by an American，I thought I should be 4..While in the West，people will feel 5.and confident when they are praised.

I open my arms to 6. all the different cultures，and learn a lot about 7.8. so I can communicate with foreigners more easily.

It is essential to understand and 9.the cultures of different countries， which is really important for us to exchange and 10.with each other.

二、素材积累

本次的写作任务是基于同一主题的文章阅读下的写作，我们可以通过模仿并运用文章中的语言表达，如词块和句型，积累写作的语言素材。

（一）社会与人际关系的核心表达

1.embrace different cultures 拥抱不同的文化

2.respect the local customs 尊重当地的风俗

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

4.know the history of 了解……的历史

5. adapt to one's new life 适应某人的新生活

6.fit in 融入;适应

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

8.exchange ideas 交换观点

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

10. take part in more activities 参加更多的活动

11. clubs and associations 俱乐部和社团

12.rich and colorful 丰富多彩

（二）社会与人际关系的核心句型

1.Just as the saying goes，“When in Rome， do as the Romans do.”正如俗话所说：“入乡随俗。”

2.When getting along with your British friends， you should mind your own manners and remain modest and honest.与你的英国朋友相处时，你要注意礼貌，要谦虚、诚实。

3. I'm delighted to hear that you will come to our school as an exchange student next term.听说你下学期将作为交换生来我们学校学习，我非常高兴。

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，这主要有两个原因：一是我能够体验不同的文化;二是我能够增长知识，拓寬视野。

5. To tell you the truth， I am faced with some challenges. I don't have a good com- mand of English， especially spoken English，so I'm afraid I'll have difficulty fitting in very soon.说实话，我面临着一些挑战。我英语掌握得不够好，尤其是英语口语，因此我担心我难以很快适应。

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.理解和尊重不同国家的文化是非常必要的，这对我们彼此的交流和融合非常重要。

三、写作支架

本次的写作任务是介绍在美国留学期间经历的一次文化误解。根据任务要求，语篇结构可定为“总体感受+一次文化误解的经历+影响和意义”。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、语篇过手

根据以上提供的主题、主题表达和语篇结构，写出一篇介绍在美国留学时经历文化误解的记叙文。第一段写总体感受，第二段写经历的文化误解，第三段写影响和意义。总词数控制在80左右。

同时，学习运用前文中出现的非谓语结构或非限制性定语从句。注意表达的内在逻辑关系和使用恰当的连词。