论文总字数：41098字

摘 要

当今世界，变化日新月异，经济的交流和科技的发展使世界越来越成为一个紧密联系的群体。随之而来，文化也在世界的范围内渐渐地融合发展着。文化影响着一个民族的衣食住行。文化包含很多的方面，其中的婚宴文化是一个重要的部分。婚礼仪式对于每个人的一生来说都是美好和重要的。本文对中美两国在准备婚礼，婚礼仪式等婚礼细节方面的异同进行对比分析,讨论总结出中美两国在婚礼文化上的异同，从异同比较中可以看出中国文化的美国化倾向，从而敦促人们以更加理性的态度来对待我们的传统文化和外来文化。

关键词：文化差异；婚礼仪式；文化美国化

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Literature Review 1

2.1 Culture and Wedding Culture 1

2.2 Cultural Differences 3

2.3 Cultural Hegemony and Cultural Americanization 5

3. Differences in Wedding Ceremony between China and America 6

3.1 Preparations before the Wedding 6

3.2 Ceremony on the Wedding Day 9

4. Discussion 12

4.1 Reasons for Differences in Wedding Ceremony between China and America 12

4.2 Phenomena of Cultural Hegemony and Cultural Americanization 13

5. Conclusion 14

Works Cited 16

1. Introduction

The 21st century is dominated by science and technology, which makes the whole world develop quite rapidly. With the constantly increasing economic globalization and international exchange, the cultures of different regions are gradually spread and fused, such as the wedding customs of China and America.

Holding a wedding is regarded as a very solemn ceremony both in China and in America. However, there are also a lot of differences between Chinese and American wedding cultures.

Chinese wedding has many steps and the procedure is much more complex than American wedding, especially in the wedding ceremony. In the Chinese traditional wedding customs, people stress more and they have many taboos, for Chinese people are more conservative and traditional, but the open-minded American people’s wedding is much simpler.

Chinese wedding has many steps and the procedure is much more complex than American wedding, especially in the wedding ceremony. In the Chinese traditional wedding customs, people stress more and they have many taboos, for Chinese people are more conservative and traditional, but the open-minded American people’s wedding is much simpler.

In chapter one, a general introduction of the Chinese and American wedding culture is offered. In chapter two, the theory of culture and wedding culture is offered, and then the cultural differences between China and America are discussed. In chapter three, the Chinese wedding ceremony and the American wedding ceremony are offered by comparing and contrasting. In chapter four, the reasons for differences in wedding ceremony between China and America are discussed, so are phenomena of Cultural Hegemony and Cultural Americanization. Finally, chapter five gives a conclusion of the whole paper.

2. Literature Review

2.1 Culture and Wedding Culture

There is no easy way to define the term “culture”, since people just try to give it definition based on their own knowledge, academic position and social environment. In the 20th century, some famous scientists of culture have list more than 160 species in the definition of culture. They use some “basic theme” to classify and draw nine basic fundamental concepts of culture, that is, philosophy, arts, education, psychology, history, anthropology, sociology, and ecology. Culture is a highly complex and somewhat ambiguous concept of the phenomenon, and also because of the daily life, it shows a wide range of subjects in different aspects of culture or even of different factors. Thus in the actual study, there have been different things in different definitions. (Storey, 2007: 2) Therefore, the definition of culture and the principles of the definition is the key to the problem.

Larry, Richard and Lisa make their definition in their book Communication between Cultures:“ We definite culture as the deposit of knowledge, experience, beliefs, values, actions, attitudes, meanings, hierarchies, religion, notions of time, roles, spatial relations, concepts of the universe, and artifacts acquired by a group of people in the course of generations through individual and group striving”.(Samovar, Porter amp; Stefani, 2000: 57)

The so-called culture, in the West original refers to the land reclamation and the cultivation of plants, and later refers to the cultivation of person’s body and mentation, especially in the ability and talent of arts and the moral. In the 18th century of Germany, didacticism thinker Herman told us in his famous book The summary of the history and philosophy of mankind. First of all, culture is a kind of social life, it is a unified concept, a concept of homogeneity, whether as a whole or as various aspects of social life, every word and action of people is the essential part of the culture; Second, culture is always a culture of a nation, it represents the essence of a nation; Third, there are clear boundaries in the culture, as a regional culture, it is always significantly different from the other regional cultures. This is a authoritative conclusion of the culture by Herman.(Ye Zhiliang, 2001: 9)

Encyclopedia Britannica has also made a similar definition of culture: in the broad sense, culture contains the ability of the production of human’s material and spirit. In the narrow sense, it refers to the spirit of cultural and spiritual capacity of products, including all social ideology, and sometimes refers to education, science, art, health, sports and other aspects of the knowledge specifically. It differs from the view of the world, moral, political ideology and ideology. (Lin Xiansheng, 2007: 1)

Among the production of human’s material and spirit, wedding is a necessary product, so it becomes an important part of culture. Wedding custom is formed in the long-term historical evolution of a nation and it takes regular activities to restrain marriage behavior and consciousness of the people. Binding oneself to wedding customs does not rely on laws and scientific validation, but depends on the national psychology, custom power and traditional culture.

The marriage is the combination of two people who love each other and the wedding ceremony is a performance to prove their love to the other, and it carries happiness and gives many good memories. The wedding ceremonies in different countries, nationalities and regions, all contain their own culture and folk customs. In the wedding ceremony, wedding dress, wedding photos, wedding banquet, marriage customs reveal the characteristics of national culture.

2.2 Cultural Differences

2.2.1 Importance of Understanding Cultural Differences

Understanding cultural differences is very important. Since there is such a big difference between Chinese and American cultures, understanding cultural differences between China and America will help foster cross-cultural communicative competence and then better serve the spread of English, wide communication and improve teaching services. But this is not a simple matter. Many Chinese who know part of etiquette of the West have a basically overview from teachers have taught in the class, but it is far from enough. What is more, the English teaching in universities places emphasis on imparting knowledge of the language at the expense of cross-cultural communication abilities. Therefore, to explore the basis of cultural differences is good for the elimination of existing barriers in cross-cultural communication and we can have better understanding of culture difference.

2.2.2 Cultural Difference in Values

People’s communicative competence is produced in the process of socialization, linked with the values, and each culture has its own unique value system. This system can help people to distinguish between beauty and ugliness, and this is people’s philosophy of life, ethical standards and codes of conduct, but it can not be divorced from the specific cultural existence, because every criterion of a culture is different, but they are rational existents in their own cultural system, and never set a standard to judge whether the value is advanced or backward. In Chinese and Western cultures, for example, in Chinese culture, people respect modest manner, they pursue adaptability and do not like assertiveness or aggressiveness, and social trends often block prominent individuals. In Chinese culture, the collective orientation is the dominant, and the pursuit of personal development is seen as a serious individualism, which is bound to be condemned. While the Western culture is very much advocating individualism, “adaptability” is seen as a lack of entrepreneurial performance of a person who are lazy, incompetent for society. Americans are also distinctive because of their faith of the ideal, as stated in their Declaration of Independence, that “all men are created equal”. Americans have a deep faith that in some fundamental way all people (at least all American people) are of equal value, and no one is born superior to anyone else. Americans generally consider themselves to be frank, open, and direct in their dealings with other people. They will often speak openly and directly to others about things they dislike. They will try to do so in a manner they call "constructive", that is, a manner which the other person will not find offensive or unacceptable.

2.2.3 Cultural Difference in Belief

In China, people have no fixed beliefs, people will only respect “moral”, and these moral standards are from Confucianism. Confucian thought couples have righteousness; that is, the couple’s relationship is built on the basis of “righteousness”, namely the couple relationship of the male dominance and female obedience. The Western Han dynasty Dong Zhongshu who only worshiped Confucianism put forward “the three cardinal guides” on the basis of Confucianism, emphasized “ ruler guides subject, father guides son”, establishing the eternally immutable soundness of the power of father and husband. Furthermore, it also established the humble and subservient position of women in marriage and family.

In the west, people’s religious belief is very clear. The impact of the religion on the personal life is also very obvious, so their weddings are also held in line with the doctrine of religion. Christianity is a religion which has a deep influence on western people, so there should be the testimony of god, the pastor’s host and oath of marriage in their weddings. The Christian god emphasizes the equality between men and women, they are all the god’s children and there is no compliance. So their procreation conception is greatly different from the “son preference” of Chinese people. Children are the crystallization of love, and they will get the parents’ love no matter whether they are boys or girls.

2.2.4 Cultural Difference in Color Psychology

In the Chinese culture red is the most meaningful color. First of all, red has been loved by most Chinese people from the bottom of their hearts since antiquity. It is the symbol of joy, smoothness, success, warmness, prosperousness, or being valued, welcome, and so on. In the traditional Chinese wedding, people always use red. For example, the formal dress, the double happiness tag, the red eggs, and so on. (Xia Qiaohua, 2005: 50) Second, red also represents gain of fame and fortune; for example, “hong ren”, which means the person starts to be popular or be highly thought of by his superior leader; in the economic area, it refers to the profit distributed to the shareholders in the corporate enterprise, for example, “hong li”, which means bonus.

However, in the English culture, red represents things related to blood, martyrdom and something unfortunate. It has many meanings like bloodiness, violence, terror, dilemma, carnality and so on. Red will make people think of something horrible like “a red battle”, “see the red light”, “red rag”, and “see red”. Languages can reflect national characteristics, containing a national value. For example, red in the English culture also refers to “liabilities” or “loss” which is the result of people’s habit of using red pen to register minus so that it generates some expressions, like “red ink”, “in the red”, “red balance”, and so on.

In the long history of Chinese culture, Chinese people are inclined to use red while avoiding white. White is often used as a sinister term. It connects with death and funeral. In Chinese funeral, people are asked to wear white clothes and white flowers. Also, mourning hall is requested to decorate in white. Chinese people mourn the dead in a white way.

White is a color cherished by American people. In their mind, white is a color that represents dignity, justice, luck, and kindness. For instance, a white light represents a righteous judge, and a white lie means kind lie, and a white day means a lucky day. Among western weddings, bride usually wears white wedding dress because it indicates purity and happy marriage. (Xia Qiaohua, 2005: 50)

2.3 Cultural Hegemony and Cultural Americanization

In Marxist philosophy, the term Cultural Hegemony describes the domination of a culturally diverse society by the ruling class, who manipulate the culture of the society — the beliefs, explanations, perceptions, values, and mores — so that the ruling-class’ worldview is imposed on the others and accepted as the cultural norm, as the universally valid dominant ideology that justifies the social, political, and economic status quo as natural, inevitable, perpetual and beneficial for everyone, rather than as artificial social constructs that benefit only the ruling class. Different historical development creates the differences between the practices of each culture. In theory, we may be more inclined to think that all cultures have an equal right to exist and develop. However, the equal in theory can not eliminate the equal in the real world, and the existence of hegemony is a reality in the real world that can not be avoided. (Sun Jing, 2004: 189)We need to learn from Western scholars in the full research results on the basis of the contemporary world culture and then form our own leadership or understanding of the theory of cultural hegemony (Sun Jing, 2004: 260).

In philosophy and sociology, the term cultural hegemony carries denotations and connotations derived from the Ancient Greek word hegemony (leadership and rule). Hegemony is the geopolitical method of indirect imperial dominance, with which the hegemon (leader state) rules subordinate states by the implied means of power (the threat of intervention) rather than by direct military force — that is, invasion, occupation, or annexation. Cultural Americanization is a reflection of cultural hegemony. Since the USA is one of the most powerful and strongest countries in the world, American culture has a great influence on the whole world. Firstly, almost in every country, students need to learn American English in order to have a better communication with the world because American English is the most widely used language in the world. Secondly, more and more youngsters like to watch American TV drama and Hollywood movies that affect people’s thinking patterns much. Last but not least, American fast food such as KFC and Mcdonald’s and their festivals such as Christmas and Halloween also have great impact on children from all over the world.

3. Differences in Wedding Ceremony between China and America

3.1 Preparations before the Wedding

Preparations before the wedding are very important for both Chinese and Americans. The preparations can avoid unexpected bad things and ensure that the wedding ceremony goes correctly and smoothly. But for Chinese especially, the preparations before the wedding are more than the insurance of the wedding ceremony. They are the contract of the two families. Anyone should not break the convention casually once the two youngsters are engaged.

3.1.1 Preparations for the American Wedding

3.1.1.1 Engagement

In American engagement ceremony, men and women exchange the engagement rings; they will put the prepared diamond ring on the other’s third finger of his or her left hand. This custom originated from a legend of ancient Rome when people had been in the habit of wearing the engagement ring on the third finger of their left hands. It has the shortest vertical distance from the third finger to the heart, so it is believed the ring can connect with people’s heart. (Xi Xiao, 2008: 237) What’s more, diamonds were believed to be produced from the “flames of love” and represent the everlasting love. If the girl accepts the engagement ring, which means the boy is succeeds in proposing and they are engaged. (Post, 1997: 69)Today, the exchange of engagement rings can represent mutual obligations and strong feelings.

When the two lovers get engaged, they need to tell their parents the good news, so their parents can prepare for the wedding. Traditionally, the girl’s parents should take charge of the expense mostly, and the boy’s parents take charge of rehearsal and some other things. Rehearsal before wedding is an important thing for a couple, and it will also help the couple feel less nervous about the actual ceremony. People do as many walkthroughs as they need to make sure that everyone knows where and when. Then there will be preparations for a formal wedding, such as printing and sending out invitation cards, decorating the ceremony site, preparing wedding clothes and so on.

3.1.1.2 Wedding Gifts

When people want to give gifts to the newlyweds, they should send out the presents when they receive a wedding invitation or after the wedding date is posted. Gifts should be packed by white paper and wear white silk belt, and people can attach their business cards and write some felicitation. Normally, the gifts are vases, tableware, chinaware, bed blankets and other daily necessities. The bride’s first letter of her name should be written on the silverware or fabric that is prepared for the bride, which is a common practice.

3.1.1.3 Bachelor Party

Bachelor parties are pre-wedding bachelor dinners that were originated in ancient Sparta, where the dinner was called a men’s mess. This party is an integral part of the pre-wedding ceremony when the young single man wishes to bid farewell to his buddies, and it claims that only men are permitted to participate in, and female guests will not be received. At the gathering, they can send a precious gift to the groom together, then recall their good time in their boyhood, say goodbye to it, and celebrate for the groom to start a family. Somehow, the party is held secretly in a restaurant and it is better not to tell their girlfriends. In modern times, women have decided they also want their night for fun, so now it is common for women to have Stagette or Bachelorette parties as well. (Xi Xiao, 2008: 236)

3.1.1.4 Wedding Preparation

Western Wedding is usually carried out in the church, because people are usually Christians. Traditionally, they get marriage registration in the government, and then hold a wedding near their house. Sometimes, they will choose a church far away from their house, but have commemorative value. When they have decided in which church they will hold their wedding, the next thing is to decorate the church. Beautiful church decorations will create a glamorous atmosphere for a wedding ceremony. Among all the decorations, the flowers are the most traditional items. Various colorful flowers add a touch of elegance and grace to the wedding ceremony. They can be used as a beautiful background for the wedding or used to decorate the archways and entrances. Some people also do it with silk flowers instead of real flowers.

White stands for festivity since the Age of Roman. White is the symbol of wealth and status. White is used everywhere in a wedding, such as decorating the church with white, dressing the bride with white and extending the white tent on the outdoor lawn.

A carriage is commonly used in Ancient Western, and there is a story about the carriage. Cinderella danced with the prince by the help of a witch’s Pumpkin carriage. At last, Cinderella had a happy life with the prince. From then on, the carriage is given a romantic sense. So many girls want to carry out their dream on the weeding day.

3.1.2 Preparations for the Traditional Chinese Wedding

3.1.2.1 Matchmaking, Engagement

In western countries, the young generation can decide their marriage by themselves. In China, there is a special kind of people called matchmakers. The matchmakers always are those women who have experienced a lot, and they play an essential role in marriage. Usually, the unmarried boy’s parents will commit the matchmaker to deal with their child’s marital problems, and the matchmaker will try her best to make a good marriage.

When the matchmaker finds a satisfied girl for the boy, she will ask the people around about the girl’s family background and moral merits. If everything is all right, she will propose to the girl at a right time. When the parents accept the marriage, the matchmaker will ask for the girl’s birthday record, which is called “Sheng Chen Ba Zi”. “Sheng Chen Ba Zi” was important to the old people in ancient China. If the exactly date and time of the couple’s birth do not conflict according to “Ba Gua”, they will go on to the next process, but if it does, the marriage will come to the end. (Pan Xiaomei, 2004: 97)

If it shows the young couple is really suitable, the groom’s parents will arrange the matchmaker to send the betrothal gifts and the betrothal letter to the bride’s family. If accepted, the groom’s family will formally send wedding gifts to the bride’s family. Traditionally, the quantity and the value of the gifts reflect the groom’s family property and also depend on the local customs. In a traditional wedding, engagement gifts often include these things: betrothal money, jewelries (the bride should wear them in wedding to show her respect to husband’s family); paraphernalia; wedding flowers; candles; four different colors of sugar; red jujube and some bride cakes.

3.1.2.2 Wedding Preparation

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