中美幽默文化差异分析_英语论文

An analysis of Chinese-American Cultural Differences on Humor

摘要

在语言综合运用过程中，幽默起着举足轻重的作用。如果缺少了幽默，语言的功能将难以正常发挥。但由于各国语言文化背景的不同，幽默交流存在很大的差异。

中国和美国作为中西方文化的代表，在交流和传播世界文化中扮演着重要角色，因此研究中美幽默差异是非常有必要的。研究发现：中美幽默虽有相似之处，但由于文化历史背景、宗教信仰、价值观念、思维方式、人际关系等方面的不同，中美幽默更多的是明显的差异性。

本文从跨文化交际的角度出发，探讨中美幽默的异同及其引起差异的文化根源，以此帮助扫除幽默理解障碍，进一步加深对中美文化的理解，从而促进跨文化交际的顺利展开。

关键词：中美幽默  相似  差异  跨文化交际

Abstract

Humor plays a significant role in language using. Without humor, it will be difficult to fully perform the functions of languages. However, there exist great distinctions among different countries in humor communication due to the different cultural backgrounds of international languages.

As the representatives of Chinese and western cultures, China and America play important roles in the world cultures communicating and propagating, so it’s essential to study the differences of Chinese and American humor. According to the research, in spite of some similarities, there are more obvious differences which result from different cultural backgrounds, religions, beliefs, values, thinking patterns and interpersonal relationship.

This thesis discusses the similarities and distinctions of Chinese and American humor and the cultural reasons from the perspective of cross-cultural communication. It helps eliminate the barriers of humor understanding and further deepen the understanding of Chinese and American cultures so as to promote the development of cross-cultural communication between the two countries.

Key words:  Chinese and American humor; similarities; differences; cross-cultural communication

Contents

Introduction 1

1. Humor 2

1.1 Definition of Humor 2

1.2 Classification of Humor 4

1.2.1 Chinese Classification of Humor 4

1.2.2 American Classification of Humor 4

1.3 Humor and Cross-cultural Communication 4

1.3.1 Definition of Cross-cultural Communication 4

1.3.2 Relationship between Humor and Cross-cultural Communication 4

2. Comparison of Chinese and American Humor 5

2.1 Similarities 5

2.1.1 Expression of Humor 5

2.1.1.1 Irony 5

2.1.1.2 Pun 6

2.1.1.3 Hyperbole 7

2.1.1.4 Metaphor 7

2.1.1.5 Rhyme 8

2.1.2 Functions of Humor 8

2.1.2.1 Psychosomatic Functions 8

2.1.2.2 Social Functions 9

2.1.2.3 Cultural Functions 9

2.2 Differences 10

2.2.1 Different Topics of Humor 10

2.2.2 Different Joking Targets of Humor 10

2.2.3 Different Modes of Expression of Humor 11

3. Cultural Causes of Differences between Chinese and American Humor 11

3.1 Different Religions and Beliefs 11

3.2 Different Cultural Values 12

3.3 Different Thinking Patterns 12

3.4 Different Interpersonal Relationship 13

4. How to Bridge the Gap 13

4.1 Understanding the Differences between Chinese and American Culturals 13

4.2 Overcoming Ethnocentrism 14

4.3 Improving Empathy 14

Conclusion 15

References 16