中西方节日文化差异比较中英文版

OECDsaysUnemploymentWillContinuetoRiseOECD：工业化国家失业率持续攀升Despitereportsthatmanyindustrializedeconomiesarebeginningtoemergefromtheirworsteconomiccrisisindecades,unemploymentisrisingandwilllikelyreachahistoricpeakofnearly10percentnextyear.ThefindingscomefromtheOrganizationforEconomicCooperationandDevelopmentinParis.经济合作与发展组织星期三报告说，工业化国家的失业率仍在增加，而且有可能在明年达到近10%的历史最高水平，尽管不断有报道说，很多工业化国家正在走出几十年来最严重的经济危机。IndicationsthatunemploymentcontinuestoriseisgrimnewsforleadersheadingtotheG-20summitintheUnitedStatesnextweek.TheParis-basedOrganizationforEconomicCooperationandDevelopmentreportsunemploymentreacheditshighestlevelamongindustrializednationsof8.5percentinJuly.对于下个星期到美国出席20国集团峰会的各国领导人来说，失业率继续上升真是个坏消息。总部设在巴黎的经合组织说，工业化国家的失业率已经在今年7月份达到&5%的最高水平。OECDunemploymentdivisionchiefStephanScarpettasaysthenumberofjoblessamongtheOECD's30membercountriesisexpectedtoclimbevenhighernextyear,tonearly10percent.Thattranslatesinto57millionpeopleoutofwork.经合组织就业分析和政策部主任斯蒂芬.斯卡皮塔(StephanScarpetta)指出，经合组织30个成员国中的失业人数预计在明年将进一步攀升，达到接近10%的水平。也就是说，工业化国家总共会有5千7百万人失去工作。"Unfortunately,despitethemostrecentindicatorsthatsuggestthe[economic]recoverymaybeinsightsomewhatearlierthanwewereexpectingonlyafewmonthsago,itwilltakefar[longer]fortherecoverytomaterializeintermsofsignificantimprovementinthelabormarket,"hesaid.“不幸的是，尽管最近绝大多数指标都显示，经济复苏可能已经出现，比我们几个月前的预期有所提前，但是这次复苏可能需要更长的时间才能转化成劳工市场的显著改善。”TheUnitedStates,SpainandIrelandareamongthosecountrieswiththefastestrisingunemployment.Allthreewereaffectedbythecollapseofhighhousingprices.Thedamagespreadtoothersectorsoftheeconomy.美国、西班牙和爱尔兰是OECD成员中失业率上升最快的国家。这三个国家都受到高昂的房地产价格暴跌的影响。而且房地产市场崩溃所造成的破坏扩散到了经济的其他领域。Scarpettasaysyoungpeopleareamongthehardesthit.InSpain,forexample,morethanoneinthreeyoungworkersareunemployed.斯卡皮塔指出，年轻人受到的冲击最大。比如在西班牙，三分之一以上的年轻人找不到工作。SoasworldleadersdiscussthefinancialandeconomiccrisisduringtheirmeetinginPittsburgh,Pennsylvania,Scarpettasaysitisimportanttheyalsoaddressthesocialdimensionsofthecrisis-likeunemployment.他说，当世界领袖们在宾夕法尼亚州的匹兹堡开会讨论金融和经济危机的时候，至关重要的是，他们需要关注这次危机对社会的影响，尤其是失业问题。"Thegoodnewsisthatcountrieshavealreadyactedquitequicklyanddecisively,Iwouldsay,"hesaid."Partofthestimuluspackageshavebeenadditionalresourcesforlabormarketsandsocialpolicies."“好消息是：各国已经迅速和果断地采取了行动。他们经济刺激计划的一部分就是在劳工市场和社会政策方面提供更多的资源。”Buteffortsbygovernmentstoextendandprolongunemploymentbenefits,andtooffermorejobcounselingandtraininghavenotkeptupwiththerisingnumbersofjobless.Scarpettasaysthatmeanscountrieswillneedtotargettheirresourcesmoreselectivelyandtoensurethatthemostvulnerablemembersofthelaborforcebenefit.可问题是，各国政府虽然扩大和延长了失业补贴的发放，并且提供了更多的就业咨询和

培训，但是这些措施并没有赶上失业人口的增加。斯卡皮塔表示，各国因此而需要更有选择性地分配资源，以确保劳工队伍中最为脆弱的群体能够得到帮助。中西方节日文化差异比较Aholidayofanationrepresentsagloriouscultureandconcentratedcustomsofanation.传统的民族节日形成是一个民族的历史文化的长期积淀。节日的由来原因与人们的生活有密切的联系,它体现了人民丰富的情感世界,寄托了人民对生活的热爱。有这样一句名言:“每个民族的每个节日,正是反映这个民族文化最真实的一面”。可见,要了解一个民族的文化底蕴,必须从他们的传统节日入手,才能了解到他们的文化特色与民族特点。ThereisagreatdifferenceinculturebetweenChinaandWesterncountries,thetruthofwhichisself-evident,forexample,language,education,festival,andsoon.Noonecandenyit.Therefore,Ichoosethistopictostudy.“Aholidayofanationrepresentsagloriouscultureandconcentratedcustomsofanation.”Therearemanyfestivalintheworld,butalotofpeopledon’tknowanyfestivalsofthem,andinthesamecountry,differentfestivalshavedifferentmeaningsandeventhesamefestivalindifferentcountriesiscelebratedintheirownways.ThroughcontrastiveanalysisofChineseandWesternfestivals,itisinterestingtounderstandtheuniquecharmandtheculturalimplicationoftheirholidayculture.一、中西节日的起源与形成差异中国长期以来处于封建自给自足的农业社会和自然经济中,其传统节日具有浓厚的农业色彩,包含了农耕文明的社会特征,主要是从岁时节令转换而来的。我国古代长期以农为本,在生产力和农业技术不发达的情况下,十分重视气候对农作物的影响。在春种、夏长、秋收、冬藏的过程中认识了自然时序的复杂规律,总结出四时、二十四节气,形成了以节日为主的传统节日。勤劳的中国人民为了更好地生存,必须大力发展农业,而农业的发展离不开天气的关照。古人云“春雨贵如油”、“清明忙种麦,谷雨种大田”。在古代,春节、清明节等都是重要的农事节日。西方文化由于长久受基督教的影响,其传统节日起源带有浓厚的宗教色彩,如情人节（纪念名叫瓦丁的基督教殉难者）、复活节（基督教纪念耶稣复活）、万圣节（纪念教会所有圣人）、圣诞节（基督教纪念耶稣诞生），这些节日的起源大多与宗教有关系。当然,西方节日中也有和农业有关的节日,但他们以农业为主的节日的历史不如中国漫长。二、中西节日庆祝方式差异中国的传统节日,基本是封建社会时期形成的,不可避免地留下封建社会的痕迹:等级制、家族式,节日无不以家族内部活动为中心。西方的传统节日就不同了,更多的是表现出人们的互动性、集体性和狂欢性,以自我为中心,崇尚个性张扬。这与中国节日的家族性恰好相反,体现了西方文化的群体性,反映了人们渴望互相交流、群体参与的愿望,体现了人人平等、自由表现自我的特点。这里试举两例说明。Firstofall,let’shaveananalysisofspringfestivalinChinaandChristmasdayinWesterncountries.InChina,peopleregardspringfestivalasaveryimportantholiday,becauseinthespring,therehasbeengloriousweatherwithhundredsofflowersstrugglingcolorfully.Everythingisrenewedanditsbeautyisbeyonddescription.ForseveralMillenniaChinesepeoplelikecelebratingthemostsignificantholiday—SpringFestival.Itsoriginalmeaningisfromagriculture.Inancienttime,peopleinstitutedthepaddygrowthcycleasthe“years”.Inthebookedtitled“shouwenhebu”,thereisasaying:“Theyear,theValleyisripe.”Afterthevictoryof1911RevolutioninChinesemoderntimes,theyearnamehasbeenfixedlygottendown.TheNanjingprovisionalgovernmentstipulatedtouselunarcalendarinthefolk.Andinthefactoryandschool,theJan1stofNewYear’sDayinlunarcalendariscalledSpringFestival.ThereisafableaboutSpringFestival.Inancienttime,therewasamannamedWanNian,whosawtheJielingatthattimewasverymessy,sohedecidedtofixJieling.Buthedidn’tfindthemethodtocomputetime.Oneday,hewastiredofchoppingwoodonthemountain,andthenwasseatedundertheshade.Themovingshadowoftreesinspiredhim,andhedesignedasundialdevice,whichcouldtestthetimeofdaybyshade过公历新年,即元旦。相比之下他们过年的方式就浪漫多了,在12月31日晚,各地区的人民涌上街道,进行盛大的狂欢,到了深夜接近零时时,数十万人会聚集于一起,诚心地祈祷，为新的一年的到来倒计时。当大钟敲响12下,顿时,优美的乐曲奏响,揭开了华丽舞会的序幕,人们通宵达旦地庆祝。可见,春节与新年各有千秋:春节,充满浓厚的传统气息和独有的魅力;新年,体现时代的气息和潮流的感觉,更贴近现代生活。secondly,let’shaveananalysisofZhongYuanfestivalinChinaandHalloweendayinWesterncountries.Julyinthelunaryearisthemonthforghosts.Inthismonth,thesoulswillbereleasedfromtheHades,butpeoplewillbeorganizedtoholdactivitiestoentertainthemwiththeirhospitalityforthisrare"holidays."ParticularlyonJul.15th,ZhongYuanfestival,everyfamilywillprepareforrichofferingstosacrificethesegoodbrotherswhocomefromthenetherworld.ZhongYuanfestivalisalsotheYulanpotfestivalinBuddhism,whichoriginatesfromthefamiliarstory“MuLiansavinghermother”.MuLianisoneoftheBuddha’sdisciples.Becausehismotherwasgreedyinnature,afterthedeathshewasthrewintothesamarahungryghostroad,andwasunabletocomebackforever.Inordertorescuehismother,hemade“theYulanpotfestival”ontheLunarJul.15th,worshipingBuddhaandmonkswithfivefruits,inthehopeofreleasingtheancestorfromsufferingintheHades.Inthewest,thisfestivaliscalledHalloweenday.ItbeginsfromOct.31thtoNov.7th,andisthethirdimportantfestivalsnexttoChristmasdayandThanksgivingDay.SuchistheoriginofHalloweenday.TheDeRuytwholivedinGreatBritainandIrelandbelievedthatthereweremanygodsdominatingtheirlives.AndontheDeRuyt’sNewYear'sEve,theDeRuytpeopleletyouthsgatherinateam,wearingstrangemasks,holdingcarvedturnipcarrotlights,wanderingacrossthevillages.Itwasthoughttobeaharvestcelebrationinthefall.Accordingtothelegend,thedeadpeoplewillvisitontheeveofHalloween.Itissaidthatpeopleshouldlettheghostseetheirsatisfactoryharvestandpresentabundantsacrificetothem.Boththebonfiresandlightsarenotonlytoscareawaytheghosts,butalsotoilluminatethembacktotheplacewheretheycomefrom.Onthisday,peoplecandisguisethemselvesfreelyandmaketroubletotheirheart’scontent.Onmanypublicoccasionsandhomecompound,peoplelayoutdifferentkindsofdecorationinthewindowsanddoors,suchaspumpkinlights,ascarecrowandeventheskeleton.Everyfamilywillholdadressingball,andputonfruitandothercropsonthetable.Comparingwiththesetwoholidays,Ifindthatthetwofestivalsarealltosacrificeghosts.However,thereisadifferencebetweenthem.Thatis,ZhongYuanfestivallastsashortertime,whenfamiliesgatheringtocommemoratetheancestors;whileHalloweenlastslonger,peoplecantakepartinprocessionoutdoors,andenjoybeautifulandparticularday,inharmonywiththenatureinamaximumway.万圣节与中元节。万圣节作为西方的重要节日之一,颇受人民的重视。那一天,每户门前都要挂上一盏南瓜灯,人人都穿上奇装异服,据说有辟邪之用。其实,作为先进的发达国家,人们对于鬼怪已不再迷信,他们多半是为了寻开心而已。同时,人们还举行盛大的化装舞会。他们可以任意去左邻右舍讨吃的,绝不会受到惩罚。在中国,传说中元节是鬼门关打开的日子,这一天,地府里的小鬼会出来游荡,迷信色彩浓厚的中国人,对鬼神是极为敬惧的。那一天,他们会当街烧香祭祖,祈求鬼神不要降祸于他们。于是,中元节这个与时代格格不入的产物逐渐被淘汰了。三、中西方节日文化比较之饮食差异比较中西传统节日中的饮食特点也有显著的差异。中国传统节日中的饮食是趋于感性的,讲究色、香、味俱全。尤其是节日性美食,每个节日都有不同的食品以区别其他的节日。春节是个祥和的节日,也是亲人团聚的日子,离家在外的人,在过春节时都要回家欢聚。除夕晚上,全家老小都一起熬夜、守岁,欢聚酣饮,共享天伦之乐。北方地区在除夕有吃饺子的习俗,饺子的作法是先和面,“和”字就是“合”;饺子的饺和交谐音,“合”和“交”有相聚之意,所以用饺子象征团聚合欢。此外,饺子因为形似元宝,过年时吃饺子,也带有“招财进宝”的吉祥含义。南方有过年吃年糕的习惯,甜甜的粘粘的年糕,象征新一年生活甜蜜蜜,步步高升。元宵节有吃元宵的习俗,端午节有吃粽子的习俗,中秋节有吃月饼的习俗。而西方的饮食则是趋于理性的,他比中国更重视营养的合理搭配。因此,有发达的食品工业,如罐头、快餐等，KFC,McDonald虽口味千篇一律,但节省时间，且营养良好。四、DifferentconnotationsreflectedinChineseandWesternfestivalsThegenerallytraditionalholidayconnotationThetraditionalholidayiscreatedbythewholenationalandit’saspecialsymbolofanationalculturederivingfromanationalcohesiveforce;itsenergeticinfluenceishuge.Allthefestivalsareestablishedbyusage,throughwhichpeople’slivesarebecomingmoreinterestingandcolorful.Eachholidayhasamovingstory;eachholidayhasitscommemorationceremonyandactivity;eachholidayhasitsdeephistoryandtheculturalimplication.Differentcountrieshavedifferentwaysofcelebratingthefestivals.Traditionalethnicfestivalisacomplexsocialandculturalphenomenon,bearingwithaformationofthehistoryandtheaccumulationofcharacteristicslikethepsychology,belief,thinking,aestheticandmanyotherprofoundculturalconnotationofthestructureofthevaluedirections.Itisthemostprominentexhibitionofnationalsurvivalcharacteristics.Itcloselyrelateswithpeople'sproductiveactivitiesanddifferenthistoricaltimes,anditalsoactsuponthedevelopmentofpeople'smaterialandculturallifethroughdifferentlevels.ThereligiousbeliefThereligiousbeliefisdifferent.Westernreligionsareextremelyobvious.GodintheChristianityisallthingsoftheworld.Hedoesn’tallowthepeopletoworshipotherGodsandidols.WhatpeoplehaveisGod’sgrantingratherthanacquisitionthroughhardworking.So,ontheChristmasDaypeopleimploreGodtobestowthehappinesstopeople.TheChinesetraditionalisitsnon-religion.“Intheearlytime,thesocialstructureinChinawasestablishedonthebasisofnatureworshipandhumanspiritwhichwasinfavorofthemutualcoordinationandbalancebetweenGodandhuman.”④TheethicscultureTheethicalcultureisdifferent.SincesocialdevelopmentbetweentheWestandEastisdifferenttheethicalculturesarenaturallyquitedifferent.“Chinahasalonghistoryoflandcivilization,whilethewesternhasmarinecivilization”.Chinaisacountrywithalonghistoryoffivemillenniaandamulti-nationality'scountry.TraditionalcultureoriginisprimarilyrootedintheConfucianismculturewhichisacombinationofthevariousschoolsofthoughtculture.Chinesetraditionalfestivalscontainabundantspirithumaneandethicalculture.Fromancienttothemodern,therearedifferentkindsoffestivalsandcolorfulcontents,whichcomedowninonecontinuouslinewithChineselonghistory.Itnotonlyconstitutesprofoundculturaldetails,butalsobearstheoriginofthecultureoftheChinesenation.Itisavaluablespiritualheritage.Comparedwiththis,somewesternfestivals,suchasChristmasDay,Valentine’sDayandHalloweenDay,etc,theethicalcolorisabitweak,whilethecolorofentertainmentismuchmore,offeringmorechanceformodernpeopletoshowtheirpersonalitiesandenjoythejoy.Thusitcanattractmoreandmoreinvestment.InthewesttheChristianityculturehasagreatinfluenceonfestivals.emotionalexpression_rFestivalsbetweenChinaandWesterncountriesaredifferentintheformofemotionalexpression_r.Thus,ChineseveiltheirrealthoughtswhileWesternersalwaysrevealtheirmindsfreelyanddirectly.Thewayofacceptinggiftsandtheattitudesaredifferent.Duringfestivals,theChineseandtheWesterncountryhaveshownverydifferentattitudesaboutagiftforsomeone.TheChinesepeopleoftendeferaboutthepresent,asiftheyhavetoacceptit,buttheywillnotopenitinfrontofthrpresentee.Inwesterncountry,peopleaskforagift,andtheywillusuallyopenitinfrontofpeople’sfaceandexpresstheirthanks.五、中西节日礼仪差异在宴席上所反映的性格差异中西方的饮食方式有很大不同,这种差异对民族性格也有影响。在中国,任何一个节日宴席,不管是什么目的,都只会有一种形式,就是大家团团围坐,共享一席。宴席要用圆桌,这就从形式上造成了一种团结、共享的气氛。美味佳肴放在中心,它既一桌人欣赏、品尝的对象,又是一桌人感情交流的媒介物。人们相互敬酒、劝菜,在美好的事物面前,体现了人们之间相互尊重、礼让的美德。它符合我们民族“大团圆”的普遍心态,反映了中国古典哲学中“和”这个观念对后代思想的影响,利于集体情感的交流。西式宴席,食品和酒固然也重要,实际上仅是作为一种陪衬。宴会的核心在于交谊,通过与邻座客人之间的交谈,达到交谊的目的。倘若将宴会与舞蹈相类比,可以说,中式宴席好比是集体舞,而西式宴会好比是男女的交谊舞。可见,中式宴会和西式宴会交谊的目的都很明显:中式宴会更多地体现全席的交谊,而西式宴会更多体现于个体宾客之间的交谊。六、中西传统节日文化差异之服装的色调差异颜色的象征意义在中西文化之间也存在很大的差异,在传统节日中表现得尤为突出。红色,是我国文化中的崇尚色。红色源于太阳,古人认为“日至而万物生”,阳光下万物繁茂,生机勃勃,令人振奋。我们的祖先在祭、祈过程中,对阳光有一种本能的依恋和崇拜,红色的喜庆和吉祥之意自然而然地产生了。喜庆日子要挂大红灯笼、贴红对联、红福字;男娶女嫁时贴大红“喜”字。它还象征美丽、漂亮,如指女子盛妆为“红妆”。西方文化中的红色,原是一个贬义的词,是“火”与“血”的联想,它象征残暴,流血。白色,在中国传统文化中,是个禁忌词,常用于丧葬礼中。而西方,白色的象征意义着眼于其本身色彩,如新下的雪、新鲜牛奶等。西方人认为白色高雅、纯洁,所以它是西方文化中的崇尚色。它象征纯真、无邪。不同文化之间的颜色象征意义都是在社会的发展、历史的沉淀中约定俗成的,是一种永久性的文化现象。随着世界各国交流的日益频繁及科学技术的发展,在国际交往中,我们所面对的是来自陌生的文化和思维方式、生活习惯及行为方式与我们迥然不同的人,在与之交往的过程中不可避免的会出现文化冲突的现象。本文通过以上对中西传统节日映射出的文化差异的比较,可以帮助语言