OnDifferencesinTableMannersbeweenChineseandEnglishCulures_开题报告

Many have been devoted to the analysis of either the Chinese or the English cultures. However, only a few are focused on the comparative study of the table manners between this two countries. Later, I will discuss their arguments on differences in table manners between Chinese and English cultures. But first I shall provide some background

Etiquette, as Zhang Wenjuan(2009)says, is the witness of the history of human civilization for thousands of years. It is the symbol of a country or nation that is gradually moving away from ignorance and backward and towards civilization and progress. Due to different regional environment and humanistic history, China and England have their own unique customs and customs in terms of etiquette, especially table manners. Chinese table manners had a perfect system in the Zhou Dynasty, as Zhao Yan (2013) concludes, which was later edified by Confucianism, and paid attention to moderation and seniority. Zhang Yahong(2009) figures out that the United Kingdom and other European countries have experienced the darkness of the middle age, the Renaissance, capitalism and the modern civilization, is under the influence of freedom and equality ideas, pay attention to personal values, at the dinner table manners everywhere embodies the elegance and nobility.

Now, take a look at what these scholars have discovered about the specific differences in table manners between the two countries. Yang Jie(2011) has a collection of research papers exploring in the use of tableware in which the Chinese prefer chopsticks and spoons while the English are used to using knives and forks. In the etiquette of the banquet, the Chinese people like the lively atmosphere and the British people who like quiet and comfortable environment formed a sharp contrast, as Du Xuezeng(1999) says. Zhang Wenjuan(2009) points out that due to the differences between Chinese and English in cultural connotation, way of thinking and values, there are great differences in table manners between the two countries in clothing, seating and tableware. In the process of cultural inheritance in China for thousands of years, chopsticks have been preserved as a culture and become a symbol of Chinese civilization. To be specific, in the process of using chopsticks, we use the middle finger joints as the lever principle of the support point, control the operation of the chopsticks through the index finger, and complete whole meal process in coordination. Mandy Barrow (2013) has a professional opinion in eating etiquette in Britain. He also figures out that the use of knife and fork in England reflects the thinking of analytical philosophy. In the process of specific use, cut with a knife, and then use a fork to hold it, and finally the process of delivery to the mouth. But, there are differences in the etiquette of English-speaking countries. According to Christina Johansson Robinowitz and Lisa Werner Car (2001)‘ s book, most Europeans have had enough contact with Americans to know that they have a different way of wielding a knife and fork. Still, some older Swedes may interpret a fork in the right hand as less-than-perfect manners. Also, as Barbara Cartland (1962) says, The English use a spoon quite well. When eating soup, the spoon is held in the right hand and the bowl tipped away from the diner, scooping the soup in outward movements. The soup spoon should never be put into the mouth, and soup should be sipped from the side of the spoon, not the end. Through such a process can be analyzed out, England people’s thinking is the logical starting point of the building up of itself in the structure, on the basis of the analysis of judgment, their own conclusions. Each individual tool is independent responsibility, complete the task is respectively. The thesis starts from table manners, and makes a deep comparison between Chinese and English etiquette, so that we can enjoy the cultural charm of the table while enjoying the delicious food.

In sum, all the above studies have put forward valuable ideas about the cultural difference reflected in the two versions. However, there seems to be a lack of in-depth and detailed analysis and comparison, which will surely shed more light onto the cultural implications. Thus my study may hopefully make some contribution in this direction.

OUTLINE

1.  Introduction 

2.  The Origin of Chinese and English Table Manners

2.1 .The Origin of Chinese Table Manners 

2.2. The Origin of English Table Manners

2.3. The Communication and Integration of Chinese and English Table Manners

3.  The Differences between Chinese and English Banquet Etiquette

3.1 The Differences of Table Arrangement

3.2 The Differences in the use of Tableware

3.3 The Differences in Order of Serving

3.4 The Differences of Etiquette during the Meal

4.  The Reasons for the Differences between Chinese and English Table Manners

4.1 The Differences between Chinese and English Connotation

4.2 The Differences between Chinese and English Thought Patterns

4.3 The Differences between Chinese and English Values

5.  Conclusion

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