畢業(yè)論文——從精神文化角度分析中美飲食文化差異

1、<p>　　從精神文化角度分析中美飲食文化差異</p><p><b>　　2011年6月</b></p><p>　教 學 部 外語部</p><p>　專 業(yè)英語專業(yè)</p><p>　班 級</p><p>　學 號</p><p&

2、gt;　姓 名</p><p>　指導教師</p><p>　負責教師</p><p>　　An Analysis of Differences on Food Culture</p><p>　　Between China and the United States</p><p>　　From the Sta

3、nd of Spiritual Culture</p><p><b>　　作者簽字：</b></p><p><b>　　導師簽字：</b></p><p><b>　　內容摘要</b></p><p>　　飲食文化在現(xiàn)代文化研究中是一項非常重要的課題，并在人類物質文化的歷史

4、發(fā)展進程中占有至關重要的地位。由于自然環(huán)境，歷史背景以及民族文化的不同，中美兩國形成各具特色的飲食文化。因此，中美飲食文化差異分析對于中美文化的研究來說必不可少。這篇論文將通過對比分析的方式研究中美飲食文化差異以及探究導致這些差異的精神文化因素。最后，作者闡述研究中美飲食文化的差異對于跨文化交際和舉辦設美事務宴請的意義。</p><p>　　本篇論文將從精神文化角度對中美飲食文化差異進行對比分析，其主體部分包括導

5、論，正文和結論三個部分。主要內容如下：</p><p>　　第一部分是導論部分，飲食是人類賴以生存的必要條件。因此，飲食文化是物質文化的重要組成部分。但由于中美不同的精神文化影響，使得飲食文化具有民族性和多樣性。隨著中美各方面交流日益頻繁，飲食文化的交流也愈加受到人們關注。從精神文化角度分析飲食文化差異產(chǎn)生的根源，對于研究中美兩國文化有十分重要的理論意義和現(xiàn)實意義。</p><p>　　第

6、二部分是正文部分，該部分包括以下三章：第一章介紹精神文化和物質文化的概念，并從精神文化角度分析中美飲食文化宏觀差異——飲食理念的差異。第二章首先從中美兩個民族信仰角度對比分析中美飲食禮節(jié)文化，包括宴請時的座位安排和就餐順序的差異。其次分析民族信仰對于中美人民餐具文化發(fā)展和繼承的影響。第三章分析研究中美飲食文化差異對于跨文化交際的理論意義及對于舉辦涉美事務宴請的指導意義。</p><p>　　第三部分是結論部分，對

7、全文進行了概括和總結。本文通過從精神文化角度分析中美飲食文化差異，探究飲食文化在其繼承和發(fā)展進程中差異產(chǎn)生的根源。</p><p>　　關鍵詞：飲食文化；精神文化；交流</p><p><b>　　Abstract</b></p><p>　　Food culture is a very important subject of study i

8、n modern culture. It plays a crucial position in the process of history development of material culture. Because of different natural environment, historical background and national cultures, China and the United States

9、formed unique food cultures. So, the analysis of the differences on food culture between China and the United States is necessary for the study of Chinese and American cultures. This thesis focuses on the contrastive stu

10、dy of dif</p><p>　　The thesis analyzes the differences on food culture between China and America from the stand of spiritual culture. The article includes three parts: an introduction, a body and a conclusio

11、n. </p><p>　　In the introduction, eating is an essential prerequisite for existence. Therefore, food culture is an important aspect of material culture. However, by the influence of Chinese and American diff

12、erent spiritual cultures, food cultures have strong national character and diversity. With China and America increasingly frequent communication in all aspects, exchange in food culture is paid more attention. Analyzing

13、the reasons for discrepancies on food culture from the stand of spiritual culture has </p><p>　　The second part includes three aspects. In the first chapter, the author introduces the concepts of spiritual c

14、ulture and material culture, and analyzes the macro differences on food culture between China and America from the stand of spiritual culture, which are the discrepancies on eating concepts. In the second chapter, firstl

15、y, it analyzes differences on Chinese and American etiquette culture which includes seats’ arranging and dinning orders in banquets from the stand of their national fait</p><p>　　In the conclusion the whole

16、thesis is generalized, through analyzing the differences on food culture between China and America from the stand of spiritual culture, the thesis studies the deep reasons for the discrepancies occurrence in the process

17、of the development and inheritance of food culture. </p><p>　　Key words: food culture; spiritual culture; communication</p><p><b>　　Contents</b></p><p><b>　　內容摘要I

18、</b></p><p>　　AbstractII</p><p>　　Introduction1</p><p>　　Chapter1 Differences on Concepts in Chinese and American Food Culture from the Stand of Spiritual Culture2</p>

19、;<p>　　1.1. Spiritual Culture in National Culture2</p><p>　　1.2. Differences on Concepts in Chinese and American Food Cultures3</p><p>　　Chapter2 Eating Conventions under Different Nati

20、onal Spiritual Culture Background9</p><p>　　2.1. The Etiquette of Chinese and American Food Culture9</p><p>　　2.2. Dinnerware: Chinese Chopsticks vs. American Knife and Folk12</p><

21、p>　　Chapter3 Significance of Studying Differences on Chinese and American Food Culture15</p><p>　　3.1. Theoretical Significance to Cross-cultural Communication15</p><p>　　3.2. Guiding Signi

22、ficance to Holding Banquets Concerning American Affairs16</p><p>　　Conclusion19</p><p>　　Bibliography20</p><p>　　Acknowledgements22</p><p><b>　　使用授權說明23</

23、b></p><p>　　Introduction</p><p>　　Food, as an essential prerequisite for existence, is any substance that provides the necessary nutrient to maintain life and growth when ingested. It plays a

24、n irreplaceable role in the development of society and in the progress of human beings. As human developed, people’s needs to food is not only limited to nutrition; the content of eating abounded gradually and eating foo

25、d became a kind of culture. However, people living in different countries are influenced by respective natural environment,</p><p>　　With the pace of economic globalization constantly marching, China and the

26、 United States come into contact increasingly frequently. The exchange of culture between China who is a booming developing country and United States who is a powerful country in the world is undoubtedly essential for bo

27、th sides. </p><p>　　Therefore, this study endeavors to analyze the cultural differences and their root causes in Chinese and American food cultures from the stand of spiritual culture. It helps people unders

28、tand Chinese and American food cultures better. In the meanwhile, people can deeply learn each other’s faith, philosophical ideology and mode of thinking. It has quite important theoretical significance to the two nation

29、s’ cross-cultural communication and also has practical guiding significance to banquets conce</p><p>　　Chapter1 Differences on Concepts in Chinese and American Food Culture from the Stand of Spiritual Cultur

30、e</p><p>　　Diet concept represents people’s subjective view to their eating styles. The discrepancies on macro elements of food culture between China and the United States are dominated by the two nations’ s

31、piritual cultures. So studying diet concepts from the stand of spiritual culture is fundamentally analyzing cultural discrepancies </p><p>　　1.1. Spiritual Culture in National Culture</p><p>　　N

32、ational culture is the culture with the national characteristics, which was created by nations and progressed in process of historical development. It includes spiritual culture and material culture.</p><p>

33、　　Spiritual culture (science, art, philosophy, religion, morality, customs and convention etc.) is a human specific ideology produced on the basis of production of human material culture. It is a collection of various hu

34、man ideologies. Spiritual cultural superiority is the inheritance of genes of human culture, as well as it can continue to be perfect and abundant in practice. This is also the inherent motive power, which makes the spir

35、it of human culture push the material culture forward. </p><p>　　Material culture includes food, clothing, housing, production tools etc. In the culture system, material culture demonstrates spiritual cultur

36、e and it is also restrained by spiritual culture. In brief, material culture is a reflection of a certain spiritual culture.</p><p>　　Zeng Liya, a famous social science researcher, states in her dissertation

37、 On Constructing Contemporary Chinese Spiritual Culture, “Spiritual culture is a culture belonging to spirit, concept and ideology. It is a sum of spiritual achievement including mode of thinking, value orientation, ethi

38、c, mental state and aesthetic standard, all of which reflect the level of a national theoretical thinking and represent a certain national characteristics”. (Zeng, 2006) Therefore, food culture as an aspect </p>&

39、lt;p>　　1.2. Differences on Concepts in Chinese and American Food Cultures</p><p>　　Concepts on food culture are formed in the process of cooking and eating. China and the United States have many differenc

40、es in faith, philosophical ideology, mode of thinking and any other spiritual cultures. These differences affect Chinese and American eating habits more or less. With the advancement of history, people belonging to the t

41、wo nations have formed quite different concepts on food cultures. It makes people have different understanding and eating styles in either family daily diets o</p><p>　　1.2.1. Ostentation vs. Simplicity</

42、p><p>　　An ostentatious feast is a common phenomenon in Chinese banquets. What should be considered first when Chinese hold a family banquet, celebration banquet or business banquet is ostentation. At a Chinese

43、 feast, the categories of food should be ample and various. Generally speaking, there should be seven or eight dishes, excluding cold-dishes, light refreshment before the dinner, dessert and staple food. The more various

44、 and luxurious the dish are, the more hospitable affection of the host can be </p><p>　　Chinese thoughts are influenced by a traditional conception that is being thrift at home, but being generous outside. I

45、n the final analysis, the traditional conception originated from Chinese “mianzi” culture. If we are trying to find an English word that is similar to Chinese “mianzi”, it is like face a little bit. But it is quite diffi

46、cult to define the Chinese face culture. Chinese face culture plays a significant role in Chinese traditional spiritual culture. The origination of Chinese face </p><p>　　Compared with Chinese food culture t

47、hat is ostentatious and full of implication, American food culture is simpler and more casual. An American-style banquet has three steps. The first step is drinking soup, which help diners to stimulate appetite. The seco

48、nd step, also the most important and delicious step, is enjoying the main courses, including steak, pork chops, toasted beef, vegetables, ham and even grilled lobster. The third step is eating some dessert. An American b

49、anquet will serve variou</p><p>　　American party is typical representative of American food culture. In a party, the host just provides guests with beverage and some simple food. The main course will not be

50、served. Actually, in American concept, the party is a meeting for communication rather than a get-together for eating. Americans take the party as an opportunity to communicate with each other, cement relationship and ma

51、ke new friends with people of different classes and circumstance. Under this atmosphere, eating is inevitab</p><p>　　United States is a typical immigration country. The U.S. developed from original 13 Britis

52、h colonies. Apart from the minority of landed aristocracies and privileged businessmen, the majority of people were born of lower classes. The reasons for the Europeans’ coming are multifarious. Among them, some escaped

53、from persecution or natural disaster, some pursued religious freedom and better lives, there were also many people holing a gold rush dream of making fortune. In pursuit of ideal life in eve</p><p>　　1.2.2.

54、Emotionalism vs. Rationalism</p><p>　　China is a country attaching great importance to food culture. It makes Chinese understanding to eating has gone beyond the basic concept that eating food is in order to

55、 provide necessary energy for the survival of living things. For Chinese who own cultural heritage for 5 thousand years have sufficient time to give eating more abundant connotation. Chinese put the taste of food in an i

56、mportant position very early. They eat mainly for tastes but not nutrition. Chinese think that a course with hi</p><p>　　Chinese advocate philosophical theory that man is an integral part of nature. In layma

57、n’s terms, human can communicates with nature and feel emotions of nature. Under instruction of this philosophy, Chinese pay more attention to tastes and the spiritual enjoyment of eating. Therefore, in Chinese eating co

58、ncept, the emotional pursuit of food obviously overwhelms the rational pursuit. </p><p>　　In addition, Chinese traditional mode of thinking manifests early subject consciousness and strong emotional factors.

59、 It is good at intuitive thinking and inner experience but poor at logical thinking in abstract form. As a result, Chinese understanding of objective things is oriented by emotion. Chinese take eating as a medium of emot

60、ional communication. In China, weddings, giving birth, celebrating festivals, commemorating, holding welcoming and farewell party and funeral can not do without ea</p><p>　　As opposed to Chinese food concept

61、, American food culture is rational. In the diet, Americans lay stress on food nutritive value and as far as possible to keep the original flavor and inartificial nutrition. They do not care too much about the color, sme

62、ll, taste and beauty of appearance. Even if the tastes are stereotyped, they can also eat with keen pleasure. Americans always adhere to practicality of meals. They eat for nutrition, seldom linking eating with spiritual

63、 enjoyment. No matter what</p><p>　　Most early American immigrants came from Europe. So, it was deeply influenced by western culture. Western culture originated from the Aegean Sea located in northeast of th

64、e Mediterranean. Because the natural means of livelihood provided by the birth land were deficient, people must strive to explore the mysteries of nature, and to get the wealth from the natural world as much as possible.

65、 From then on, exploiting and utilizing natural resources for the sake of human benefits had become the mains</p><p>　　In contrast to Chinese, Americans eat mainly for nutritive value but not for mental requ

66、irement. Rational mode of thinking makes Americans consider things more practical and realistic. They prefer to be a nutrition-seeker rather than over pursue spiritual enjoyment like Chinese.</p><p>　　1.2.3.

67、 Sharism vs. Individualism</p><p>　　Sharism is the main point of Chinese emotional exchange around the table. In China, a banquet, no matter what the purpose is, there is only one form that all the people si

68、t around a round table and share a feast with pairs of chopsticks and spoons. Using a round table creates an atmosphere of unity, courtesy, sharing bliss in form. Delicious dishes are put in the center of a table. It is

69、not only foodstuff appreciated and tasted by eater, but also a vehicle on which people depend to communicate </p><p>　　China is a unique relationship-society. Every member of society is connected by an invis

70、ible network of relationship between family, relatives and clan. All individuals covered by the network of relationship become a collective. Sharism comes to be a guiding ideology to reinforce the cohesion of a collectiv

71、e. This ideology can be traced back thousands of years ago, which originates from Confucianism in China. Confucianism advocates regulating family first, and then administering a country. So, h</p><p>　　Ameri

72、can-style banquets advocate individual dining system. First, one orders dishes whatever he wants just for himself. It shows American respects to personality. After dishes are served, people start to eat what he ordered.

73、They are free to add any seasoning. Generally, the second dish is eaten when people finished eating the first. Eating mixed two dishes seldom happens. All the habits highlight American food culture emphasizing individual

74、ism. Important as food and wine are, they are merely se</p><p>　　Compared with China, the most obvious discrepancy of eating style is American popular buffet. Buffet is completely displaying all the dishes.

75、Everyone takes whatever dish he wants. Guests eat with freedom and they can walk around instead of sitting on a fixed seat. This style facilitates the emotional exchange between individuals. People do not need to present

76、 all words to others who have nothing to do with the private topic. </p><p>　　American eating-style shows their respect to individual and personality, and emphasizes the independence and autonomy of the indi

77、vidual. Early immigrants came from their native land to this uncivilized wilderness. Only the immigrants who were strong, resolute and independent could survive in such harsh environment. In addition, early North America

78、n colonists were British. Most of them were Puritans. An important goal for their arriving in this continent was to get rid of feudal oppression, to pu</p><p>　　To sum up, if we compare American and Chinese

79、banquets to dance, it can be said that Chinese banquets is like a collective dance, while American banquet is like a social dance performed by a male and a female. Thus, both Chinese and American banquet aim at making fr

80、iends, but their ways to dancing are different.</p><p>　　Chapter2 Eating Conventions under Different National Spiritual Culture Background</p><p>　　Between China and the United States, in additi

81、on to differences of concept in macro part, there are many detailed differences in eating conventions. It comprises dining etiquette, dinnerware and many other habits. Based on different faith and culture origins, two na

82、tions form distinctive spiritual cultures. The development of material culture depends on guidance of spiritual culture. Therefore, the differences on eating conventions have inextricable connection with the discrepancy

83、of spiritual c</p><p>　　2.1. The Etiquette of Chinese and American Food Culture</p><p>　　China has a well name of “A Nation of Etiquette”. Devoting particular care to etiquette is Chinese tradit

84、ional virtue. (Hu Wenzhong, 1988) So in terms of food culture, Chinese eating etiquette has very strict requirements. For Americans who pays more attention to the parties’ environment, good dining etiquette is a basic co

85、ndition of the environment to ensure the high quality banquet. However, due to historical culture, religious traditions and many other effects, two nations have different mode</p><p>　　In ancient China, ther

86、e is a set of customs. When lots of people ate together, each individual should not merely care of himself. People did not put extra food back into the pot or occupy only one course. Some of the etiquette is essential in

87、 modern manners. In United States banquets, the host put food on the plates of their guests only once. People do not urge each other to drink. It is impolite to make any noise, when eating and drink. But guests should ap

88、preciate food prepared by the host. </p><p>　　In addition to these minutiae of dining etiquette with increasingly frequent cross-cultural communication, the most serious collision of dining etiquette of two

89、nations are the arrangement of seats and dining orders. </p><p>　　2.1.1. Arrangement of Seats</p><p>　　In a formal banquet, the arrangement of seats should be paid much attention. People’s conce

90、pt of position is not inherited but achieve from cultural environment for growth. Therefore, under different spiritual culture backgrounds, people’s need to position, communicating rules about position as well as value e

91、mbodied in position are different. Seats arranging in Chinese banquets, seats facing southern side are considered as the most honorable seats, and seats towards north are relatively humble.</p><p>　　Differin

92、g from south-honored thought in China, people in the United States adhere to the right-respected principle in seat arrangement. In American banquets, honorable guests are always arranged in the host’s right seats. Most A

93、merican early immigrants were Puritans from western countries. They believed in Jesus Christ and were deeply influenced by Christian culture. Bible as the Christian classic masterpiece was significant way to do missionar

94、y work. It is said in Bible that Jesus resurrected o</p><p>　　Because of different faith, Chinese and American are different in banquet seats’ arrangement. Bound by the feudal Confucian ethical code, Chinese

95、 comply with south-honored thought; Americans who believe in Christianity show special preference to right side.</p><p>　　2.1.2. Dining Orders</p><p>　　What is the most impacted by the spiritual

96、 culture is the discrepancy on dining orders. China has a long history of feudal society. By the restriction of feudal ethics, in the male-dominated society, Chinese women burden the oppression of “san cong si de”. (It i

97、s an excessive requirement to morality, behavior and cultivation in the women’s entire life, which originated from Confucianism.) An ideology that man is superior to woman had rooted in Chinese heart. In Chinese banquets

98、, the female are o</p><p>　　In the U.S., the principle of lady first is people’s traditional concept and significant behavioral pattern. The origin of this principle can be traced to western main religion, C

99、hristianity. It spread into the U.S. following the step of British colonizing 13 states of American continent. In Christianity, Vrigin Mary, the mother of Jesus, holds in esteem and high respect. Christian thinks that th