中英思维模式差异及分析(英文).docVIP

A comparative study on the Chinese thought pattern and English thought pattern Abstract This context is basing on the study of Robert B. Kalpan, J. Needham and Nelson, analyzing the differences between Chinese and English thought pattern. It also studies the factors contributing to those differences. The author hopes it can help people to have a better understanding of Chinese and English culture and to avoid the misunderstanding rising by those differences. Key words: Chinese and English thought pattern; comparative study; differences; cause This context studies three thinking mode counterparts: circular thinking vs. linear thinking, concrete thinking vs. abstract thinking and integrative thinking vs. analysis thinking. Circular Thinking vs. Linear Thinking Kalpan says Chinese thought pattern is characterized by circular type while English one is linear type according to the study of their different paragraph format. According to the study of Kaplan, the development of Chinese paragraph is screw-type which means the theme of the paragraph isn’t pointed out directly but using a roundabout way to explain. Though former narration has informed the theme, it paves the way of theme with repeated spiral hint rather telling clearly. So, the Chinese thought pattern is circuitous one. On the contrary, an English expository paragraph usually begins with a topic statement, and then, by a series of subdivisions of that topic statement, each supported by example and illustrations, proceeds to develop that central idea and relate that idea to all the other ideas in the whole essay, and to employ that idea in its proper relationship with the other ideas, to prove something, or perhaps to argue something. That is to say, English thought pattern is linear pattern. Concrete Thinking vs. Abstract Thinking Basing on the study of two languages’s characteristic, J. Needham gives a new vision of two cultural thought patterns. He says Chinese thought pattern is concrete thinki