Revision Outline-2014-12

Revision-Outline

for Language and Culture

I. Chapter One

1. the Definition of Language

——Language is the terms system with the vocal, arbitrary, symbolic, human-specific and communicative features and functions. . ——Language is the principle means whereby we conduct our social lives.

2. the Function of Language

——Communication is the fundamental function of language; ——Language is a carrier and container of cultural information to pass human experience and knowledge.

3. the Definition of Culture

——The word culture contains multiple senses. It represents a certain language mode/pattern and language action/conduct.

——In broad senses: attributes of man ; Large C Culture

——In narrow sense: life way of a population； small c culture

4. the Large C Culture

⑴ Social institutions and organizations;

⑵ Language and other communications;

⑶ Customs, habits and behavioral patterns;

⑷ Value systems, world views, national trains，aesthetic standards, thinking patterns;……

⑸ Materials;

⑹Knowledge about nature and man himself and artistic development

5. the Properties / Characteristics of Culture

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6. the relationship between language and culture; cite the example

—— each influencing and shaping the other; Language is a part of culture, represent all components of culture ; reflecting many features of culture; Language exists its influence on culture.

＊ language and culture interact and interplay.

7. the Definition of Thought

——The real world builds up our thought habits.

——Thought is the function and product of human brain.

—— II. Chapter Two

1. the definition of Word, Meaning,

——in a sense, a recognizable unit;

——in speech, a sequence of sounds ;

——in writing, a sequence of letters ;

2. the features of the system of meaning

——conceptual; connotative; social; affective; reflected; collective; thematic…

3. word’s conceptual meaning and associative meaning:

---The Mississippi, kangaroo; The May Flower, constitutional monarchy; Bible, Mass; Christmas card……

——words and geography, history, religion, mythology, holiday, politics

4. compare the cultural differences

——privacy, book，revolution and“革命”, individualism and“个人主义” , greenhouse and “温室”, Wall clock and “挂钟”, Stop watch and “跑表”, Business card and“名片”…

——cultural differences: individualism (person/collectivism (environment) III. Chapter Three

1. the explicit grammar and implicit grammar

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——Chinese and English are both analytic languages, but there are more synthetic language features in English than in Chinese. A number of grammar morphemes are used to demonstrate its grammatical relation between sentence elements or scope of number, case, tense, voice, mood….

2. the features of English / Chinese grammar

——Morphemes：…… （grammatical meaning）

——Subject / Topic Prominence: …… （grammar / information unit） ——Hypotactic / Paratactic Relations: …… （grammatical relation） ——Word Order: sentence pattern: branching / linear sentence pattern (Thinking Mode/ Pattern)

3. grammatical morphemes:

——the smallest linguistic unit with its grammatical meaning;

——number, case, tense, voice, mood…

4. sentence-patterns: branching / linear sentence-pattern

——pre-modifier / post modifier

5. hypotactic and paratactic：

——link the sentence elements in meaning by conjunction；

——link the sentence elements in meaning by juxtaposition, punctuation, intonation…

IV. Chapter Four

1. cultural meaning in names

2. differences in vocatives, in appellatives, in greetings, in compliments and in apologies…

V. Chapter Five

1. the definition of Idiom

——An Idiom: a word, phrase construction, expression…with a meaning different from the literal one; a group of words or a

sentence with meaning underlying its typical culture…

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2. the classifications of English idioms （grammatical function）

——Nominal idioms; Verbal idioms; Adjective idioms; Adverbial Idioms

3. explain and translate some of the idioms:

——the cats got your tongue; to have two left feet; by the skin of your teeth; make a cat laugh; to mind one’s p’s and q’s; not for all the tea in China; Miss/Miss Right; to miss the boat; to know one’s onions; to make bricks without straw; milk and water; No man is an island. …

4. the definition of Proverbs:

——Proverbs are the typical parts of idioms.

——A probverb is “a short well-known statement contains advice about life in general, a brief folk wisdom and experiences,” is usually composed in the form of sentential aphorisms.

——In short, proverbs reflect a people’s living and living environment. So, proverbs are culture-specific.

5. Functions of Proverbs

——to provide experience; to offer advice; to supply caution; to assist education

6. Translate and Explain the following Proverbs:

Religion--- Christianity

---Man proposes, God disposes.

---God helps those who help themselves.

Literature---literal works

---Pride goes before a fall. (Bible)

---Life is but a walking shadow. (Shakespeare)

Mythology

---I fear the Greeks even when they bring gifts.

---From his foot, you may know Hercules.

Geographical features

---Carry coals to Newcastle.

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---England is the ringing island.

the Insular Culture (fishery/navigation)

---A small leak will sink a great ship.

---Let another’s ship wreck be your seamark.

Individualistic culture

--- Do not wear out your welcome.

--- An Englishman’s house is his cattle.

History (historical events)

---King’s chaff is worth other men’s corn.

---All Stuarts are not sib to the king.

7. the definition and function of allusions

——Allusions are implied or indirect cultural references to enrich the speech and writing: from literature, legends, history, religion, sports, …

8. sources of the allusions:

--- a pound of flesh; an Uncle Tom; a Cinderella;

---Europe; Friday; Saturday; January; March; Venus; A Pandora’s box… --- the old Adam; the Garden of Eden; the forbidden fruit…

---a Trojan horse; Marathon; Waterloo; Chauvinism; John Hancock…

9. Features of Idioms

——“Environment--Experience—Association” decide peoples’ Cultural Identity and Cultural Vacancy in both English and Chinese Idioms.

1. Nationality:（Environment，History, Religion, Thinking Pattern）

2. Folk Custom: Idioms come from folk life, spreading and inheriting ...

3. Figurative Style: Simile, Metaphor, Metonymy, Synecdoche

4. Integrity: The meaning of idioms is integrity, it can not be understood / explained in its literal meaning.

5. Harmony: Euphony, Repetition,

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