Lesson 1 National Differences

Pre-class exercises: What do you know about Great Britain, USA, Japan and

France in terms of people, size, geography, weather, resources, industry, system of government etc?

What do you know about the differences between British English (BE) & American English (AE)

Introduce your home town (historic sites, famous snacks, etc. ) to your partner.

France

Seine river Elysees Notre Dame (Notre Dame de Paris)

Bastille(former prison in Paris: a prison in Paris that was stormed and destroyed by a mob at the beginning of the French Revolution on July 14, 1789)

triumphal arch(commemorative structure: a monument, usually in the form of an ornamental free-standing arch spanning a street, built to commemorate something, especially an outstanding military victory)

eiffel towercuisine (1. A characteristic manner or style of preparing food: e.g. Spanish cuisine. 2. Food; fare.)

snail perfume fashionChampagneHugo (Victor Mavie)

Japankimono: 1. A long, wide-sleeved Japanese robelike dress worn with an obi and often elaborately decorated. 2. A loose robe worn chiefly by women. (1. traditional Japanese garment: a loose, floor-length, traditional Japanese garment that has wide sleeves, wraps in front, and is fastened with a sash 2. Western garment: a Western garment, especially a robe, similar to the Japanese kimono [Late 19th century. From Japanese , formed from ki “wear” + mono “thing.”] )

obi: A wide sash fastened in the back with a large flat bow, worn by women in Japan as a part of the traditional dress.tatami: Japanese straw mat: a straw mat, used especially in Japanese homes as a floor coveringsumo/sumo wrestling: A Japanese form of wrestling in which a fighter loses if forced from the ring or if any part of his body except the soles of his feet touches the ground.(Japanese wrestling: traditional Japanese wrestling in which each contestant tries to force the other outside a circle or to touch the ground other than with the soles of his feet )Fuji, Mount(or Fu·ji·ya·ma the highest mountain in Japan, on central Honshu Island, southwest of Tokyo. A dormant volcano 休眠火山 in the shape of an almost perfect cone, it is considered to be sacred by many Japanese people.Height: 3,776 m/12,387 ft.)electric appliance automobile cartoonetiquette cherry trees

a very large variety of dishes regional specialities sushi:Japanese rice dish: small cakes of cold boiled rice, shaped by hand or w

rapped in seaweed and topped with pieces of raw or cooked fish, vegetables, or egg 寿司 , 生鱼片冷饭团

sashimi: Japanese fish dish: a Japanese dish consisting of slices of raw fish, usually served with a dipping sauce such as a seasoned soy sauce. Small quantities of other ingredients, for example, finely shredded white radish or selected pickles, may also be added as garnishes and palate-refreshing accompaniments. 生鱼片

seaweed (e.g. kelp)tempura: Japanese dish: a Japanese dish of vegetables or seafood coated in li

ght batter and deep-fried (Jap.) 天麸罗（日本菜肴）yakitori:grilled chicken kebabs: a dish of Japanese origin consisting of small pieces o

f grilled chicken that are basted on skewers with a sauce of soy, stock, sugar, and mirin 烤鸡肉串 , 串肉扦上腌泡过的小鸡块

mirin: rice wine: a rice wine that is used in Japanese cooking ramen: Japanese noodle dish: a Japanese dish of thin white noodles in small dried cake

s, served in a thin well-flavored soup or stock

geisha [pl. geisha; or geishas]One of a class of professional women in Japan trained from girlhood in conversation, dancing, and singing in order to lend an atmosphere of chic and gaiety to professional or social gatherings of men. 艺妓(or geisha girl(s))1. Japanese hostess: a Japanese woman educated to accompany men as a hostess, with skills such as dancing, conversation, and music 2. Japanese prostitute: a Japanese prostitute)ikebana: The Japanese art of formal flower arrangement with special regard shown to balance, harmony, and form. 花道，插花艺术(art of flower arranging: the Japanese art of arranging flowers in a formal balanced composition)In Japan, the simple act of drinking tea has been elevated to an art. the way of tea tea ceremony practice tea tea utensilsa method of tea preparation infused tea powdered teaserving the tea tea practitionerskendo(Japanese martial art: a Japanese martial art in which people fence using bamboo sticks instead of swords) < 日 > 剑道 , 剑术 kendoist< 日 > 剑道 swordsmanship; fencing skills 剑术

paintings, especially in the monochromatic ink stylecalligraphy scrollsCeramicsLacquerwarebamboo work

bushido: chivalric code of the samurai of feudal Japan, emphasizing loyalty, courage and preference of death to dishonour. 武士道(samurai code of honor: the code of honor and behavior of the Japanese warrior class (samurai), emphasizing self-discipline, courage, and loyalty [Late 19th century. From Japanese , literally “military knight’s way, warrior’s doctrine.”])

hara-kiri: a ceremonial way of killing yourself by cutting open the stomach with a sword 剖腹自尽 lay open the bowel and commit suicide(Japanese ritualistic suicide: a traditional form of suicide, sometimes ritually performed as a point of honor in Japan, involving disembowelment with a sword. Also called seppuku[Mid-19th century. From Japanese , literally “belly-cutting.”])

sep·pu·ku [Late 19th century. From Japanese , literally “to cut the abdomen.”]

shogunate; shogun: warlord who ruled Japan before the Meiji Reform 幕府(sho·gun: Japanese military commander: any one of the hereditary military commanders in feudal Japan who ruled the country under the nominal rule of an emperor between the years 1192 and 1867 [Mid-17th century. Via Japanese shōgun from Chinese jiāng jūn “general.”])

samurai [pl. samurai; or samurais]:1. The Japanese feudal military aristocracy.2. A professional warrior belonging to this class.(1. aristocratic Japanese warrior: an aristocratic Japanese warrior of a class that dominated the military aristocracy from the 11th to the 19th centuries 2. former Japanese warrior class: the powerful class of Japanese warriors that dominated the military aristocracy from the 11th to the 19th centuries)

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e620.htmlOverview of popular Japanese dishes Domburi Gomaae Gyoza Korokke Mushrooms Nikujaga Okonomiyaki Ramen Rice Sashimi Seaweed Soba Soya Bean Sushi Tempura Udon Yakitori Wasabi http://www.bento.com/tokyofood.htmlTokyo food page

Nishinomiya 西宫 [ 日本本州岛西南部城市 ]

Tokyo 东京 ( 日本首都 )(capital city of Japan, located on Tokyo Bay on the eastern coast of Honshu Island. Population: 7,919,771 (2000))Kyoto 京都 (manufacturing center and capital of Kyōto Urban Prefecture, southern Honshu Island, Japan. Population: 1,388,267 (2000))Hokkaido 北海道 (the second largest island of Japan, situated north of the main island of Honshu. Population: 5,643,647 (1990)Area: 78,460 sq km/30,290 sq mi.)Hiroshima 广岛 [ 日本本州岛西南岸港市 ] (city in southwestern Honshu, Japan. It was devastated by the first atomic bomb to be used in war, in August 1945. Population: 1,106,922 (2000))Nagasaki 长崎 [ 日本九州岛西岸港市 ] (city and port in southern Japan, on Kyushu Island, and capital of Nagasaki Prefecture. It was destroyed by an atomic bomb in 1945. Population: 423,021 (2000))Microsoft? Encarta? Reference Library 2003. ? 1993-2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

cheong-sam 旗袍terra cotta warriorsshadow puppetshadow boxing

• people• whether New York is dangerous• different nationalities• American accents• food • eating out• places to stay (hotel prices)• television• weather

Topics the 2 men might talk

• people (friendly,funny, outgoing)

• whether New York is dangerous• different nationalities• American accents• food (cheap)

• eating out• places to stay (hotels)

• television (commercials low quality)

• weather (large variety)

You do have this sense of danger …You feel safe…Most people want to …They tend to (speak to you)In Britain it doesn’t seem to be important.You seem to have much more discipline than …It’s easy to get sort of, to get lost or to hide away here.

Another very surprising thing for the foreigner is the way…One thing I should mention is that…But there is a drawback, and that is…

disadvantage drawback shortcoming weaknessdemerit defect flaw minus pointimperfection deficiency failing blemishdisadvantageous aspectadvantage strength merit virtuestrong point plus point benefit a favo(u)rable [situation]an option with a downside as well as benefits. 既有利又有弊的选择Not being punctual is his greatest shortcoming. 不守时间是他最大的短处。defects in a system of education 教育制度上的缺陷 a character without blemish 完美无缺的品格deficiencies in this plan 这项计划的缺陷I like her in spite of her failings. 虽然她有缺点 , 我还是喜欢她。There seems to be some fault in the computer, and we‘re just looking into it. 这台电脑好象有点毛病 , 我们正在检查原因。Your only fault is carelessness. 你惟一的缺点是粗心大意。They share the character flaw of arrogance. 他们都有傲慢的缺点We all have our little weaknesses. 我们大家都有些小短处。Spending too much money is her weakness. 花钱太多是她的弱点。

A New World Listen to the recording and decide whether the statements below are true (T) or false (F), according to the speaker.

New York is the most dangerous city in the USA. Some American accents are very difficult to understand. Eating in restaurants is cheaper in London than in New York. It’s difficult to find accommodation with families in the USA. Most Americans are helpful and friendly to strangers. There are more commercials on American TV than on British TV. American TV programmes are better than British ones. American people apologise more than British people do. British people don’t show their feelings as much as Americans do. The weather in the USA changes more than British weather does. It’s best not to travel too widely on your first visit to the USA.

Noodles:cut ~ shaved ~ fried ~ hand-stretched ~instant ~ (ramen) cold ~ in sauce fine dried ~wheat flour knead dough rolling pincake pancake pie wrappersliced shredded chopped groundboiled steamed baked deep/stir friedroastedpreserved fermented salted sweetenedseasonings MSG(monosodium glutamate)sauce paste

粉条 bean-starch noodles豆腐脑 jellied bean curd八宝饭 eight-treasure rice pudding (steamed glutinous rice with be

an paste, lotus seeds, preserved fruit, etc.)年糕 New Year cakes (made of glutinous rice flour)粽子 a pyramid-shaped dumpling made of glutinous rice wrapped i

n bamboo or reed leaves (eaten on the Dragon Boat Festival)元宵 sweet dumplings made of glutinous rice flour (eaten on the L

antern Festival)月饼 moon cake (eaten on the Mid-Autumn Festival)桃酥 peach-shaped shortbread 杏仁酥 almond shortbread麻花儿 fried dough twists 麻团 deep-fried sesame seed ball江米条 sweet glutinous-rice sticks 萨其马 egg crisp cake

Here are some British English words and some American English words. Can you match them to show which are synonyms?

GB US GB USholidays apartment fortnight parking lotflat candy lift administrationfurious faucet ground floor elevatorhandbag line up post trashtap pants rubbish two weeksqueue purse government gasshop schedule car park rest roomsweets mad public toilets first floortimetable store petrol mailtrousers vacation

GB US GB USholidays vacation fortnight two weeksflat apartment lift elevatorfurious mad ground floor first floorhandbag purse post mailtap faucet rubbish trash (garbage)

queue line up government administrationshop store car park parking lotsweets candy public toilets rest roomtimetable schedule petrol gas trousers pants

More examplesGB USfull stop periodreturn ticket round trip ticketboot trunk (of a car)underground subwaymotorway freeway, highway, interstate, turnpike, expressway

BE (British English) AE (American English) She has just gone out of the room. She just went out of the room.He has already done that. ________________________Have you seen him yet? ________________________I’m going to stay at home. ________________________I’m going to meet him tonight. ________________________

As far as grammar is concerned, there are only a few small differences between the two varieties. Can you “translate” these British English sentences into American English ? Look at the example first.

He has already done that. He already did that.Have you seen him yet? Did you see him yet?I’m going to stay at home. I’m going to stay home.I’m going to meet him tonight. I’m going to meet with him

tonight.

BE (British English) AE (American English)

An American in LondonVocabularyAggressive: 1. A person or animal that is aggressive has a quality of anger and

determination in their character that makes them ready to attack people. E.g. Women are not supposed to be as ~ as men.2. Someone who is ~ in their work or other activities is eager to succeed and behaves in an insistent and forceful way without really caring about other people.combative hostile militant offensive defensive

Depressed: You are sad and feel that you cannot enjoy anything. discouraged downcast downhearted

Cheerful: Being in good spirits; merry.glad cheerless dismal gloomy melancholy

Thoughtful: You remember what other people want, need, or feel and try not to upset them. considerate

Hypocritical: Someone who is ~ pretends to have qualities, beliefs, or feelings that they do not really have;used showing disapproval.

Relaxed: Someone who is ! Is not worried or anxious.

apprehensive afraid agitated anxious concerned fearful troubled uneasy worried

wary of (on guard, watchful)

commercials (an advertisement on television or radio.)

brassy (If you describe a person’s appearance or their behavior as ~, you mean that they do not have good taste and dress or behave in a way that is too bright, daring, harsh or lively; used showing disapproval.)

showy (colorful or bright in appearance and therefore very noticeable; often used showing disapproval.)

come to terms with (If you ~ sth that is difficult or unpleasant, you learn to accept and deal with it.)

into (inf) (Interested in or involved with 感兴趣对…感兴趣的或卷入… 的 )e.g. They are into vegetarianism. 他们对素食主义感兴趣

Asking for clarification

What do you mean by …? Hold on, do you mean …?Just a second, do you mean …?Doesn’t that mean the same as …?Sorry to interrupt, but what does … mean?

Englishman In New YorkI don't drink coffee I take tea my dear I like my toast done on the side And you can hear it in my accent when I talk I'm an Englishman in New York See me walking down Fifth Avenue A walking cane here at my side I take it everywhere I walk I'm an Englishman in New York I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien I'm an Englishman in New York If "manners maketh man" as someone said Then he's the hero of the day It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile Be yourself no matter what they say

Modesty, propriety can lead to notorietyYou could end up as the only one Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society At night a candle's brighter than the sun Takes more than combat gear to make a man Takes more than license for a gun Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can A gentleman will walk but never run If "manners maketh man" as someone said Then he's the hero of the day It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile Be yourself no matter what they say I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien I'm an Englishman in New York I'm an alien