Unit 5

Training and Learning

Pre-reading How do you understand the title (Cultural

Stereotypes and Misunderstandings)?

There may be stereotypes and misunderstandings about people from different cultures . The author, who is a student in Australia, takes the old image of Japanese and the way Vietnamese concepts and values translated in English as some examples to show that stereotypes and understandings do exist in our life.

Understandings

stereotype:n. v. n. a fixed idea or image that many people have of a p

articular type of person or thing, but which is often not true in reality 模式化观念（或形象）；老一套；刻板印象

e.g. He doesn’t conform to the usual stereotype of the businessman with a dark suit and briefcase. 他不同于人们一般印象中穿黑色西装、提公文包的商人形象。

stereotypical adj. V. often passive. ~ sb (as sth) to form a fixed idea ab

out a person or a thing which may not really be true 对…形成模式化的看法。

e.g. Children from certain backgrounds tend to be stereotyped by their teachers. 教师往往模式化地根据学生的某些背景把他们归为一类学生。

misunderstand: to fail to understand sb correctly misunderstanding: n.(C. U.) ~(of /about sth) ~ between A and B a situation in which a comment , an instruction, etc, is not understood correctly 误会，误解 e.g. There must be some misunderstanding---I thought I ordered the smaller model. 一定是搞错了 ----我以为我订的是更小型号的。All contracts are translated to avoid any misunderstanding between the companies. 所有的合同都经过翻译，以避免公司间发生任何误解。

Study the passage paragraph by paragraph

Para 1: (main idea) introduction of stereotypes and misunderstandings

To be more specific: Stereotypes and misunderstandings about people from other cultures seems to be unavoidable. And they often lead to unusual and sometimes amusing situations

Question:     Where was the author assigned to live when he

studied in Australia? . A room in a student residence on campus, where he

met people of many different nationalities. .

Para 2--6: (main idea) an example of stereotype of computer technology in Japan

From his vivid description, we get to know that he learned some differences between the old image of Japanese computer technology and the reality. Not many Japanese people used computer at that time and the fact was unbelievable to people from other cultures.

Questions for Ss; 1.  Why was Kofi surprised when the author answered that

he didn’t know how to use a computer? Because people thought that Japan was highly technologic

al society and a leading exporter of computers. . 2.  Where did the author learn computer? He learned it in Australia.

Para 7--10: (main idea) The English used by Vietnamese is quite different from that in the USA or Great Britain.

To be more specific: The way Vietnamese concepts and values were translated into English is different. Their solidarity and familiarity were expressed in Vietnamese English, which contrast to the culture of English speaking countries.

Questions for Ss: 1. How did the author feel when he heard such sentences as “Ho

w old are you?” , “Where are you going?” ? He felt irritated. 2. How were feelings of solidarity and closeness also expressed in

Vietnamese English? By the use of the first person plural pronoun, as in “in our class,

our manager”

3. How did the author think about the transfer of other cultural values into English?

It can cause misunderstanding and create unintended obstacles to successful communication, it can also be elucidating, providing valuable insights into a different value system.

Explanation of Difficult Sentences 1.  (Para. 1)Stereotypes and misunderstandings about

people from other cultures sometimes seem to be unavoidable.

Seem to be means “appear to be”

Example: To me, it seems to be the best solution.

Explanation of Difficult Sentences2. (Para. 2)He explained to me that this is a

common way to name Children in Ghana.

That introduces an object clause

Example: She explained to the children that this is the only way to do it.

3. (Para. 3)Confused by (As I was confused by)the sudden request, I replied, “Why are you asking me, Kofi?…

Example: Moved by his sincerity, the woman finally decided to marry the American businessman.

Explanation of Difficult Sentences

4.  (Para. 4) He didn’t believe that I had never used a computer until I explained that not many people used computers in Japan at the time, and many things were still handwritten.

Not …until Example:He didn’t stop working until night.

 

 

Explanation of Difficult Sentences

Explanation of Difficult Sentences

5.(Para. 8) What interested me most was the way Vietnamese concepts and values were translated into English.

Example: What impresses me most is his sincerity and diligence.

Explanation of Difficult Sentences6. (Para. 9)Another expression which startled m

e at first was the standard response made by students upon being thanked for performing some small tasks like cleaning the chalkboard. “It’s my duty”, they would say.

Example: The few points which the president stressed in his report are very imortant indeed.

7.(Para.9) Colleagues explained that they meant that they wanted to perform this small service for me, and that I didn’t have to thank them, or even notice what they had done.

Example:I don’t think that they will be able to overcome the difficulties, and that they will regret what they are going to do.

Explanation of Difficult Sentences

8. (Para. 10) While ( concession)the transfer of those cultural values into English can cause misunderstanding and create unintended obstacles to successful communication, it can also be elucidating, providing valuable insights into a different value system.

Example:Please fill in this form, giving your name, address, etc.

Present participle means giving a further explanation.

Explanation of Difficult Sentences

Guess words or phrases1.unavoidable a. that can not be avoided, 不可避免的，无法逃避的，不得已的

This is an unavoidable accident because of the bad weather.

Mr. Smith, the manager of the company, should undertake the unavoidable responsibilities for the consequences.

Guess words or phrases

2． versus prep. (Latin) against(sb/sth)(拉丁 )相对，对抗，相对于

The match tonight is China versus Japan. We argued about the pipes versus cigarettes.

Guess words and phrases 3. lead to : to have sth as result导致，造成后果

e.g. Eating too much sugar can lead to health problems.

Guess words or phrases 4. assign v. ~sth to sb; ~sb sth: to give sth that t

hey can use, or some work or responsibility. 分配 (某物 )，分派，布置（工作、任务等）

e.g. The two large classrooms have been assigned to us.= We have been assigned the two large classrooms.

The teacher assigned each of the children a different task.

Guess words or phrases5. leading a. most important, chief 最重要的，主要的

Cancer is the leading killer among elders in this city.

He was the leading pop song star of his his day.

Guess words or phrases6. serve as: work as ,perform duties

He served as a captain in the army.

7. solidarity n. unity and agreement resulting from shared interests, feelings, actions(因共同利益或感情所产生的 )团结，一致

We must show solidarity with our teachers.

The national emergency with SARS evokes solidarity among the nation’s citizens

Guess words or phrases8. contrast ( U,C)~ (between A and B) ~(to/ with

sb/sth) a difference between two or more people or things that you can see clearly when they are compared or put close together; the fact of comparing two or more things in order to show the differences between them明显的差异；对比；对照

in contrast to e.g. One there is an obvious contrast between t

he cultures of East and and West. (v.) Her actions contrasted sharply with her

promises.

Guess words or phrases9. irritate v. make (sb)angry, annoyed or impatient 激怒，使恼怒，使急燥

The boss was irritated by one of the employees’ impoliteness.

It irritated me to have to shout to be heard. 10. compliment n. expression of praise, admiration, approval 赞扬，恭维 One likes to hear compliments on one’s app

earance. She paid me a very charming compliment o

n my paintings..

Guess words and phrases11.startle v. give a sudden shock or surp

rise to, cause to move or jump suddenly使大吃一惊，使惊跳起来

You startled me—i din’t hear you come in.

The sudden noise in the bushes startled her horse.

Guess words and phrases 12. perform: verb. to do sth , such as a pie

ce of work, task or duty做；履行；执行 to perform an experiment/ a miracle/ a

ceremony 做实验，创奇迹；举行仪式 e.g. She performs an important role in o

ur organization. 她在我们的组织中发挥重要的作用。

Guess words and phrases 13. feel like +sth /doing sth. : to want to h

ave or do sth想要某物，想做某事 e.g. I feel like a drink. We all feel like celebrating.(庆祝一番 )

We’ll go for a walk if you feel like it.

Guess words or phrases14. reveal v. make(facts,etc)known 泄露，透露 The company revealed to the press what actio

n they were taking. The doctor did not reveal the truth to the patie

nt.15. perspective n. ~ (on sth) a particular attitude to

wards sth; a way of thinking about sth.态度；观点，思考方法

e.g. Try to see the issue from a different perspective.试从不同的角度考虑这件事。

Guess words and phrases16. transfer v. move sth./sb. from one place t

o another 迁移，移动 The head office has been transferred fr

om London to Cardiff.

She’s being transferred to our Paris branch.

Guess words or phrases17. unintended: adj. an unintended effect, result

or meaning is one that you did not plan or intend to happen 非计划的，无意的；无心的

e.g. In law you are considered responsible for the unintended consequences of your actions. 在法律上，人们需要对于自己的行动造成的后果负责。

Guess words or phrases

18.insight n. ability to see into the true nature(of sth.); deep understanding 洞察力，眼光，见识

Take the machine apart and get an insight into how it works.

She has a woman’s quick insight into others’character.

Ex.3 (on page 84)1. He can often see things from the right perspective and make judgment. 2. The two large rooms have been assigned as laboratories.3. Her answers revealed her to be an innocent person.4. After a detailed investigation, she gained some insight into his design work.5. Cultural stereotype often bring forth some unintended obstacles in

communication.6. In contrast to their system, ours seems very old-fashioned.7. Her horse was so startled by the sudden noise in the bushes that it ran off wildly.8. The doctors tried their best to perform the operation to save his life.9.We can go for a walk in the countryside if you feel like it.10. He worked in a large corporation, serving as a software engineer.

Ex. 5 (on page 85)1. In cultural exchanges, misunderstanding is

often unavoidable.2. In my few years of study in Britain, I had chances to

meet students of all sorts of nationalities.

3. In Western countries, it is a common way for students to send Christmas cards to teachers to show their respect.

4. My teacher looked at me, with a puzzled expression on the face.

5. We are all aware that competition in the market is very fierce.

6.When some Chinese idioms are translated into English, their meanings may startle some readers of English.

Ex. 6 ( on page 86)

Group 1:

He seems to know the way better than I do.

His voice seemed to have disturbed her.

Group 2: . His carelessness led to this accident. Hard work leads to success.

Group 3:

I was assigned to a small room when I started my work in the college.

Each of us was assigned to a holiday homework by the teacher.

 

.Group 4: Don’t leave until I arrive. I won’t stop shouting until you let me go.Group 5: My eyes were irritated by the smoke. The boss was irritated by the clerk’s rude behavior.Group 6: When it came his turn, he rose from his seat. When it comes to drawing a plan, leave it to me.Group 7: Instead of improving, he is getting worse. They built a reservoir half way up the mountain instead of at

the top.