有关美国文化的英语文章
有关美国文化的英语文章
21世纪的美国文化是兼容性和进取性很强的文化,同时又是开放性和宽容性很强的文化。它兼容并收,各种文化现象都可以产生并存在。下面是学习啦小编带来的有关美国文化的英语文章，欢迎阅读!
有关美国文化的英语文章篇一
Marriage of American Style美式婚姻
"I do." To Americans those two words carry great meaning. They can even change your life. Especially if you say them at your own wedding. Making wedding vows is like signing a contract. Now Americans don't really think marriage is a business deal. But marriage is serious business.
「我愿意」这句话对美国人而言具有重大意义，它甚至可以改变你的生命，特別是当你在自己的婚礼上说出这句话时，在婚礼中所发的誓言就如同签订契约一样，美国人并不是真把婚姻当作商业交易，但是，结婚确实是件严肃的事情。
It all begins with engagement. Traditionally, a young man asks the father of his sweetheart for permission to marry her. If the father agrees, the man later proposes to her. Often he tries to surprise her by "popping the question" in a romantic way.
结婚是从订婚开始，在传统上，年轻人会请求他的女朋友的父亲允许他娶她，如果女方的父亲答应，之后方可向女方求婚。通常男方会试着以罗曼蒂克的方式「提出这个问题」以带给女方惊喜。
Sometimes the couple just decides together that the time is right to get married. The man usually gives his fiancee a diamond ring as a symbol of their engagement. They may be engaged for weeks, months or even years. As the big day approaches, bridal showers and bachelor's parties provide many useful gifts. Today many couples also receive counseling during engagement. This prepares them for the challenges of married life.
有时候双方会觉得现在结婚正是时候，于是男方通常会送女方钻戒做为互订终身的象征。他们可能订婚几个星期、几个月，甚至几年，当大喜的日子接近时，贺礼赠送会和单身汉俱乐部都会赠送许多实用的礼物。今天有许多订婚的男女在订婚期间接受咨询服务，这是为了让他们有准备接受婚姻生活的挑战。
At last it's time for the wedding. Although most weddings follow long-held traditions, there's still room for American individualism. For example, the usual place for a wedding is in a church. But some people get married outdoors in a scenic spot. A few even have the ceremony while skydiving or riding on horseback! The couple may invite hundreds of people or just a few close friends. They choose their own style of colors, decorations and music during the ceremony. But some things rarely change. The bride usually wears a beautiful, long white wedding dress. She traditionally wears "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue." The groom wears a formal suit or tuxedo. Several close friends participate in the ceremony as attendants, including the best man and the maid of honor.
最后就是婚礼了，虽然大多的婚礼仍沿袭长久以来的传统，但是美国人的个人主义仍有其空间，例如，通常婚礼的地点是在教堂，但是有些人却是到戶外的风景区结婚，有些人甚至是跳伞或骑马结婚!双方可能邀请上百人或者只是一些熟朋友，婚礼的顏色风格，布置和音乐都由他们自己决定，但有些事是不太会变的;新娘通常都穿著美丽的白色结婚礼服，按照传统她必须穿的衣服上包括了：一些旧的，一些新的，一些借来的，及一些蓝色的东西。新郎则穿着正式的西装或燕尾晚礼服，几位熟朋友参加婚礼并协助帮忙，包括了伴郎和伴娘。
As the ceremony begins, the groom and his attendants stand with the minister, facing the audience. Music signals the entrance of the bride's attendants, followed by the beautiful bride. Nervously, the young couple repeats their vows. Traditionally, they promise to love each other "for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health." But sometimes the couple has composed their own vows. They give each other a gold ring to symbolize their marriage commitment. Finally the minister announces the big moment: "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride!"
当典礼开始时，新郎和伴郎和牧师站在一起，面对观众，音乐一起，表示伴娘入场，后面就跟着美丽的新娘。年轻的男女双方紧张地跟着说出他们的誓言，传统上而言，他们会承诺要彼此相爱，「不论好、坏、贫、富、生病时或健康时」，但是有时候，他们也可能自己编一套自己的誓言，他们互赠金戒指以此表示结婚的承诺，最后牧师宣布这重大的时刻：「我现在宣布你们成为夫妻，你可以亲吻你的新娘!」
At the wedding reception, the bride and groom greet their guests. Then they cut the wedding cake and feed each other a bite. Guests mingle while enjoying cake, punch and other treats. Later the bride throws her bouquet of flowers to a group of single girls. Tradition says that the one who catches the bouquet will be the next to marry. During the reception, playful friends "decorate" the couple's car with tissue paper, tin cans and a "Just Married" sign. When the reception is over, the newlyweds run to their "decorated" car and speed off. Many couples take a honeymoon, a one- to two-week vacation trip, to celebrate their new marriage.
在结婚宴会上，新娘新郎向宾客问候.然后切结婚蛋糕并互相喂对方一口。宾客们在享受蛋糕、饮料及其他的食物时就混在一起交谈。之后新娘将捧花投向一群单身女孩，传统说接到捧花的女孩会成为下一位新娘。在婚宴上，爱闹的朋友用面纸、铝罐和「新婚」标志「装饰」礼车，宴会结束后，新婚的小俩口就跑向他们「装饰完成」的礼车，迅速地离开，许多夫妻会去渡蜜月，就是一至二星期的假期以庆祝他们的新婚。
Almost every culture has rituals to signal a change in one's life. Marriage is one of the most basic life changes for people of all cultures. So it's no surprise to find many traditions about getting married . . . even in America. Yet each couple follows the traditions in a way that is uniquely their own.
几乎每一种文化都有仪式来表示一个人生命中的改变。结婚对于所有文化的人而言是一生中最重要的大事之一，所以会有这么多婚礼的习俗就不足为奇了，美国也不例外。然而每对新人都以自己认为独特的方式来跟随传统。
有关美国文化的英语文章篇二
Pets 美国宠物
mericans love pets. And it's not just puppy love, either. Many pet owners treat their furryfriends as part of the family. Sometimes they spice up their pets' lives with entertaining videosand amusing toys. If they have an eye for fashion, pet owners can dress their pets in stylishclothes. For special occasions, they can use canine perfume to make their dogs smell, well, lessbeastly. You might say Americans treat their pets like they treat their children-sometimes evenbetter.
美国人很爱宠物，而且这不只是一种不成熟、短暂的爱。很多宠物的主人把这些毛茸茸的朋友当作家庭的一部分，有时候还为宠物准备娱乐用的录像带和玩具来增添牠们生活的乐趣，如果宠物的主人具有流行的眼光，还会让他们的宠物穿上时髦的衣服，在特殊的场合里，甚至为宠物喷上狗儿专用的香水，让牠们味道好闻一点，减少一些动物身上的味道。你也可以说，美国人待他们的宠物如同待他们的孩子一样——有时甚至更好。
In America, there are more households with pets than those with children. At least 43percent of U.S. homes have pets of some sort. Exotic creatures, such as monkeys, snakes andeven wolves, find a home with some Americans. More common pets include tropical fish, miceand birds. But the all-time favorites are cats and dogs, even at the White House. The Clintons'cat, Socks, has replaced the Bushes' dog, Millie, as reigning First Pet. Americans sometimeshave strong feelings about whether dogs or cats make better pets. "Dog people" and "catpeople" often enjoy friendly rivalries.
在美国，有宠物的家庭比有孩子的家庭还多。至少百分之四十三的美国家庭有宠物，有些美国家庭养一些外国品种的动物，例如猴子、蛇、甚至狼;比较常见的宠物有热带鱼、老鼠、和鸟。不过，一直广受欢迎的是猫和狗，连白宫也不例外。柯林顿总统的猫——袜子，已经取代了布什的狗——米利，成为神气的「第一宠物」。美国人有时候很在乎到底最好的宠物是猫还是狗，「爱狗的人」和「爱猫的人」喜欢开玩笑地彼此争辩。
Leading a dog's life in America isn't such a bad thing. Many grocery stores sell gourmet petfoods to owners eager to please their pets. In Houston, Texas, dogs can have their dinnerdelivered to their homes, just like pizza. Well-to-do canines can attend doggy daycare centerswhile their owners work. Pets can even accompany their owners on vacation. Fancy hotels arebeginning to accommodate both man and beast. Furry guests at Four Seasons Hotels canenjoy gourmet meals served on fine china and sleep in soft beds.
在美国，狗所过的生活并不坏，很多杂货店都卖有宠物美食，让主人可以讨好他们的宠物。在德州的休斯敦市，狗儿还能享用专程送到家的晚餐，就跟披萨一样。家境富裕的狗儿在主人上班的时候可以去狗儿托育中心。宠物甚至可以和牠们的主人一同去度假，高级饭店已经开始可以同时留宿人和宠物，这些毛茸茸的客人在四季饭店可以享用以精致瓷器盛装的美食，并在柔软的床上睡觉。
Beneath the fluffy luxuries, there lies a basic American belief: Pets have a right to be treatedwell. At least 75 animal welfare organizations exist in America. These provide care and adoptionservices for homeless and abused animals. Veterinarians can give animals an incredible level ofmedical careNfor an incredible price. To pay for the high-tech health care, people can buyhealth insurance for their pets. And when it's time to say good-bye, owners can bury theirpets in a respectable pet cemetery.
在舒适奢华的享受之下，其实存在着美国人的一种基本信念：宠物有受到妥善对待的权利。美国至少有七十五个动物福利组织，他们为流浪动物及被虐待动物提供照顾与领养的服务。兽医能提供给动物极好的医疗照顾——价格也极昂贵，若为了负担更先进的健康医疗照顾，人们可以为他们的宠物买健康保险。如果和宠物道别的时机到了，主人们可以为宠物买一块体面的墓地。
The average American enjoys having pets around, and for good reason. Researchers havediscovered that interacting with animals lowers a person's blood pressure. Dogs can offerprotection from burglars and unwelcome visitors. Cats can help rid the home of unwantedpests. Little creatures of all shapes and sizes can provide companionship and love. In manycases, having a pet prepares a young couple for the responsibilities of parenthood. Pets evenencourage social relationships: They give their owners an appearance of friendliness, andthey provide a good topic of conversation.
美国人一般都喜欢有宠物为伴，这是有原因的。研究人员发现，与动物为伍能够降低人的血压。狗能防止小偷及不受欢迎的访客。猫能帮忙清除家里讨人厌的害虫和有害的小动物。任何种类及大小的小宠物都能带给人们相伴与爱的感觉。很多时候，拥有一只宠物能帮助年轻夫妻做为人父母责任的准备。宠物甚至有助于人际关系：它们使主人们看起来更友善，并且也带给人们一个交谈的好话题。
Pets are as basic to American culture as hot dogs or apple pie. To Americans, pets are notjust property, but a part of the family. After all, pets are people, too.
宠物是美国文化中很基本的一部分，就如热狗和苹果派一样。对美国人而言，宠物不仅仅是他们所拥有的一样东西而已，它是家庭的一部分。毕竟，宠物也是「人」啊!
有关美国文化的英语文章篇三
Friendship 美式友谊
Steve and Yaser first met in their chemistry class at an American university. Yaser was aninter-national student from Jordan. He was excited to get to know an American. He wanted tolearn more about American culture. Yaser hoped that he and Steve would become good friends.
At first, Steve seemed very friendly. He always greeted Yaser warmly before class.Sometimes he offered to study with Yaser. He even invited Yaser to eat lunch with him. Butafter the semester was over, Steve seemed more distant. The two former classmates didn't seeeach other very much at school. One day Yaser decided to call Steve. Steve didn't seem veryinterested in talking to him. Yaser was hurt by Steve's change of attitude. "Steve said we werefriends," Yaser complained. "And I thought friends were friends forever."
Yaser is a little confused. He is an outsider to American culture. He doesn't understandthe way Americans view friendship. Americans use the word friend in a very general way. Theymay call both casual acquaintances and close companions "friends". Americans have schoolfriends, work friends, sports friends and neighborhood friends. These friendships are based oncommon interests. When the shared activity ends, the friendship may fade. Now Steve andYaser are no longer classmates. Their friendship has changed.
In some cultures friendship means a strong life-long bond between two people. In thesecultures friendships develop slowly, since they are built to last. American society is one of rapidchange. Studies show that one out of five American families moves every year. Americanfriendships develop quickly, and they may change just as quickly.
People from the United States may at first seem friendly. Americans often chat easily withstrangers. They exchange information about their families, hobbies and work. They may smilewarmly and say, "Have a nice day" or "See you later." Schoolmates may say, "Let's get togethersometime." But American friendliness is not always an offer of true friendship.
After an experience like Yaser's, outsiders may consider Americans to be fickle. Learninghow Americans view friendship can help non-Americans avoid misunderstandings. It can alsohelp them make friends the American way.
Here are a few tips on making friends with Americans:
1. Visit places Americans enjoy: parties, churches, Western restaurants, parks, sportsclubs.
2. Be willing to take the first step. Don't wait for them to approach you. Americans inChina may not know you speak English. They may be embarrassed if they can't speak yourlanguage.
3. Use small talk to open the conversation. Ask them where they're from, why they cameto China, etc. Remember: Be careful to avoid personal questions about age, salary, maritalstatus and appearance.
4. Show an interest in their culture, their country or their job. (Americans like to talk aboutthemselves!)
5. Invite them to join you for dinner or just for coffee or tea. Try to set a specific time.Americans sometimes make general invitations like "Let's get together sometime." Often this isjust a way to be friendly. It is not always a real invitation.
6. Don't expect too much at first. Maybe they're just being friendly. But maybe they dowant to be your good friends. It will take time to tell.
People like Yaser shouldn't give up trying to make American friends. Americans do valuestrong, life-long friendships, even with non-Americans. When making friends, it helps to have agood dose of cultural understanding.
史帝夫和亚瑟最初是在一所美国大学的化学课上认识的。亚瑟是从约旦来的国际学生。他很兴奋能够认识美国人，他要更多学习美国文化;亚瑟希望他和史帝夫会成为好朋友。
刚开始史帝夫似乎非常友善，上课前他总是热情地和亚瑟打招呼，有时他和亚瑟一起读书;他甚至邀请亚瑟一起共进午餐。但是学期结束后，史帝夫似乎较冷淡了，这两个以前的同学在学校不常碰面了。有一天，亚瑟决定打电话给史帝夫，史帝夫似乎沒有兴趣和他讲话，对于史帝夫态度的改变，亚瑟感到受伤害。「史帝夫曾说我们是朋友，」亚瑟抱怨，「而且我认为一朝是朋友就永远是朋友。」
亚瑟有点困惑了，对于美国文化，他是个局外人(外行)。他不了解美国人对友谊的看法。美国人把「朋友」这个字用得非常广泛，一般的泛泛之交和亲密伙伴都算是朋友。美国人的朋友包含有学校的朋友、工作的朋友、运动的朋友或是街坊邻居。这些友谊都是建立在共同的兴趣上，当共同从事的活动结束时，友谊也可能跟着消失了。现在，史帝夫和亚瑟不再是同学，他们的「友谊」也就改变了。
在一些文化里，友谊意即两人之间一种强烈的，一世之久的情感。在这些文化里，友谊发展得慢，因为要持久。但美国是个急速变化的社会，有些研究发现每年每五个美国家庭之中，就有一个家庭搬家。美国人的友谊建立得快，但也可能改变得快。
从美国来的人可能刚开始看起来很亲切。美国人常能很容易地和陌生人聊天，他们交换关于自己的家庭、兴趣和工作的个人资料，他们可能热情地微笑说「祝你有愉快的一天」或是「待会儿见」，而同学也许会说「我们找一天聚聚」，但是美国人的友善并不意谓真正的友谊。
经过像亚瑟的经历之后，局外人也许会视美国人为善变的。了解美国人如何看待友谊，能够帮助非美国人士避免误会，也能帮助他们以美国人的方式交朋友。
以下是一些和美国人交朋友的秘诀：
1.到一些美国人喜欢去的地方：宴会、教会、西餐厅、公园和健身房。
2.乐意跨出第一步，不要等他们来接近你。在中国的美国人不知道你会不会讲英语。如果他们不会讲你的语言，他们可能觉得不好意思。
3.以闲聊来展开话题，问他们来自哪里，为什么到中国等等。切记：注意避免非常私人的问题，例如年龄、薪水、婚姻状況和长相。
4.对他们的文化、国家或者工作表示兴趣。(美国人喜欢谈论自己)
5.邀请他们和你一起吃饭或喝茶。要讲定时间，否则，美国人有时会用一些一般性的邀请，像「找个时间聚聚吧!」，但这只是表示友善的方法而非真正的邀请。
6.不要一开始就对你们的友谊期待太多，也许他们只是表示友善，但也可能他们真的要做你的好朋友，这需要时间证明。
像亚瑟一样的人不应放弃交朋友，美国人还是看重强烈，一生之久的友谊，即使是和非美国人士。交朋友时，对于文化有某种程度的了解将会有所帮助。
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