A Glimpse of A Glimpse of Traditional Chinese Traditional Chinese CultureCulture

Su Yonggang, Wei Guiying etc.Su Yonggang, Wei Guiying etc.

syg@sdu.edu.cn syggsdu@gmail.com 13864122689 13864122689

Introduction

• Defining Traditional Chinese Culture

• Course Objectives

• Subjects Concerned

• Teaching Style & Processes

• Schedule of the Course

• Course Assessment

• Requirements

Defining Traditional Chinese CultureDefining Traditional Chinese Culture

• What is Culture? "Culture has been defined, most simply, as the learned

and shared behavior of a community of interacting human

beings" (Useem, J., & Useem, R. (1963). ) "Culture is the collective programming of the mind which

distinguishes the members of one category of people

from another." (Hofstede, G. (1984) ) "Culture...consists in those patterns relative to behavior

and the products of human action which may be inherited, that is, passed on from generation to generation independently of the biological genes” (Parson, T. (1949). )

What is Culture Definition ?• Some conceive of culture as separating humans from non-

humans. • Some define it as communicable knowledge. • Some as the sum of historical achievements produced by

man’s social life. • In a word: culture is learned, shared, and transmitted from

the generation to the next.

Defining Traditional Chinese CultureDefining Traditional Chinese Culture

• What Are the Subjects of Culture?

• language and dialect

• belief

• value

• tradition

• custom

• institution

• …that are considered to be characteristic of a community, a people, a region, or a nation.

Defining Traditional Chinese CultureDefining Traditional Chinese Culture

• What is Tradition? A tradition is a belief or behavior passed down

within a group or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past. Common examples include holidays or impractical but socially meaningful clothes (like lawyer wigs or military officer spurs), but the idea has also been applied to social norms such as greetings. Traditions can persist and evolve for thousands of years — the word "tradition" itself derives from the Latin tradere or traderer literally meaning to transmit, to hand over, to give for safekeeping. (From wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) http://www.wikipedia.org/

Defining Traditional Chinese CultureDefining Traditional Chinese Culture

• lawyer wigs military officer spurs

Defining Traditional Chinese CultureDefining Traditional Chinese Culture

• How will you define Traditional Chinese Culture? Traditional Chinese culture is one of the world's

oldest cultures. The area in which the culture is dominant covers a large geographical region in eastern Asia with customs and traditions varying greatly between provinces, cities, and even towns.

• What are the components of Traditional Chinese

Culture? Important components of Chinese culture include 

literature, music, visual arts, martial arts, cuisine, etc.

Course ObjectivesCourse Objectives

• When talking with foreigners, a person’s cultural background is his or her most recognizable identity. It will be most desirable for a Chinese student to discuss traditional Chinese cultural topics in fluent English. However they often find it difficult to express themselves properly. This course aims to solve this problem.

• This course intends to help students to (1) know more traditional Chinese culture, and (2) get to know how to express them in English.

Subjects concerned ：• Historical figures and stories • Traditional Chinese Folk ArtsChinese Folk Arts • Chinese Traditional Festivals• 4 Great/major inventions • Traditional Chinese Medicine • Culinary Culture: Chinese Cuisines• Chinese Tea Culture• Chinese Wine Culture• Glazed Tiles and Imperial Architecture• The Calendar and 24 Solar terms• Color, number and Fengshui … …

References:

• 1. 中国文化典籍英译，王宏印编著，外研社• 2. 中国文化通览，主编 杨敏等，高等教育出版社• 3. 中国文化导读，主编 杨恩华等，清华大学出版社• 4. 每天读点中国文化 ( 中英文 ) ，大连理工大学出版

社• 5. 中外文化经典翻译教程，王宏印编著，高教社• 6. 英释中国传统文化，何其亮等，浙江大学出版社• 7. 中国传统文化，张岂之主编，外文出版社• 8. 山东大学大外部网络平台• 9. http://www.cultural-china.com/ • ……

Teaching Style & ProcessesTeaching Style & Processes

• Professor’s LectureProfessor’s Lecture

• Students’ Presentation

• Other In-class Activities

Schedule of the Course

• Total: 32 hours

• Teaching hours ： 2X15=30 hours

• Exam hours ： 2 hours

Course Assessment

• Students’ attendance of class (10%)

• Class presentation (20%)

• Term Test (70%)

Note ：

1. Regular attendance is required. Absence without asking for leave for one time will make you lose 1 point.

2. Writing assignment, whether for in-class or after-class practice, must be finished in time. Late or undone wok will make you get less points.

RequirementsRequirements

• Regular attendance;

• Independent accomplishment of assignments;

• Active participation in classroom activities;

• Efforts in improving your English proficiency.

Chinese Culture Overview• ChinaChina:: 9,600,000 square kilometers, , is proud of five

thousand years’ history.

• 56 ethnic groups:56 ethnic groups: living in China have developed their own customs.

Too many culture elements!

Brief Contents

• 1. Chinese Religion and Philosophy:1. Chinese Religion and Philosophy: Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism • 2. Chinese cuisine.2. Chinese cuisine.• 3. Chinese arts and crafts: 3. Chinese arts and crafts: Painting, operas, embroidery, china and martial arts

(gongfu)

1. Religion and Philosophy1. Religion and Philosophy

• China has an approximately 4100-year recorded history. ( From the endless primeval period, around 2,100 B.C.)

• Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism are the three great thoughts. Most social values are derived from Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism.

Item Central Figure

Neonatal Date Duration

Confucianism Confucius 479 BC 2500 years

Taoism Laozi 6th century BC 2500 years

Buddhism Sakyamuni 6th century BC

(6th Century AD into China)

1500 years in China

The Leading Figures

Confucius Lao Zi Shakyamuni

Confucianism Taoism Buddhism

1.1 Confucianism1.1 Confucianism

Confucius• Confucianism ( 儒家 ; pinyin: Rújiā) is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of Confucius (Kǒng Fūzǐ, lit. "Master Kong", 551–478 BC).

• It is a complex system of moral, social, political, philosophical, and quasi-religious thought that has had tremendous influence on the culture and history of East Asia.

Teachings of ConfucianismTeachings of Confucianism

• The basic clou of Confucianism stresses the importance of the individual moral development, so that the state can be governed by moral virtue rather than by the laws.

• Golden mean (philosophy 中庸之道 ): the felicitous middle between the extremes of excess and deficiency “ Rid the two ends, take the middle one.”

• Relationships are central to Confucianism. Particular duties arise from one's special situation in relation to others.

Ren 仁 (benevolence, love) & Li 礼 (rites)---respect for the system of social hierarchy.

1.2 Taoism1.2 Taoism Lao Zi• Laozi ( 老子 ; pinyin: Lǎozǐ;) was a

philosopher of China around 6th century B.C. and is a central figure in Taoism. • Laozi literally means "Old Master" and is generally considered an honorific. •Taoism is the Chinese religion which believes in ghosts and spirits. It emphasized cooperation with the natural forces.

Teachings of TaoismTeachings of Taoism

Wu wei ( 无为 ; pinyin: wúwéi) is a central concept in Taoism. The literal meaning of wu wei is "without action". It is often expressed by the paradox wei wu wei, meaning "action without action" or "effortless doing".

1.3 Buddhism1.3 Buddhism

Shakyamuni• Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Shakyamuni (Gautama), commonly known as the Buddha.

• Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BC.

Buddhism in ChinaBuddhism in China

• Buddhism is the most important religion in China. It is generally believed that it was spread to Central China in 67 AD during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220).

• During its development in China, it has a profound influence on traditional Chinese culture and thoughts, and has become one of the most important religions in China.

Journey to The West

Teachings of the Buddha

Life is filled with suffering.

Suffering is caused by people’s wants.

• Buddhism promotes code of conduct in life. That is what they call Five Precepts of avoiding killing, stealing, indulging, lying and alcohol drinking. It leads to self-understanding.

King of Monkey

Chinese cuisine

业务流程

• Chinese culinary arts are famous all over the world. Chinese dishes appeal to the senses through sight, smell, taste, texture.

• Chinese cuisine includes a variety of different flavors due to China's vast geography and diverse nationalities. Local dishes with their own distinctiveness can be roughly divided into eight regional cuisines.

Chinese Eight Regional Cuisines

Fujian

Tremella and quail eggs soup

peculiar about soup

Hunan

Yi xiang fish

Known for sour and spicy dishes

Shandong excellent seafood

Sea pumpkin

Sichuan Spicy-hot

Chicken with chili sauce

Guangdong

Fotiaoqiang

Delicacies

Anhui Jiangsu

large meatball

High cutting techniques Nutritious food

Tai bai fish

Zhejiang

Dong po Pork

light, crisp, elegant

Beijing Roast Duck

Beijing Roast duck is thought to be one of the most Beijing Roast duck is thought to be one of the most delicious dishes all over the world; most visitors coming delicious dishes all over the world; most visitors coming to Beijing will never forget to have a try.to Beijing will never forget to have a try.

Dining Etiquette1. If you are the guest, wait to be seated as hierarchy is involved .

2. Eating usually begins once the host offers the first drink. .

3. Let older people eat first, or if you hear an elder say "let's eat", you can start to eat.

4. When helping yourself to the dishes, you should take food first from the plates in front of you rather than those in front of others.

5. Do not stick chopsticks vertically into your food, especially not into rice, as this will make Chinese think of funerals.

Chinese arts and craftsChinese arts and crafts

1. Traditional Festival: Spring FestivalSpring Festival

2. Chinese Folk Arts: Beijing Opera, Martial Arts

3. Chinese crafts: crafts: Painting, Embroidery, China

4. Chinese Architecture

Spring FestivalSpring Festival

• There are many traditional festivals There are many traditional festivals in China, such asin China, such as Spring Festival, Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn FestivalFestival, Mid-Autumn Festival.

• But Spring Festival, also known as But Spring Festival, also known as Chinese new year, is the most Chinese new year, is the most important in our culture, just as important in our culture, just as important as Christmas Day in important as Christmas Day in western culture.western culture.

Spring FestivalSpring Festival

The origin of Spring Festival—”Nian”, lunar year. The origin of Spring Festival—”Nian”, lunar year. Celebration—reunion and thanksgivingCelebration—reunion and thanksgiving

New Year's Eve DinnerNew Year's Eve Dinner

FireworksFireworks

Dui LianDui Lian

Traditional Festival

Chinese Dumpling-- the most important foods in Chinese New

Year

Fireworks are used to scare Fireworks are used to scare the beast “Nian” and to get the beast “Nian” and to get

rid of ill luckrid of ill luck

Reflect the best wishes to the Reflect the best wishes to the upcoming yearupcoming year

Chinese Folk ArtsChinese Folk Arts

业务流程

Chinese folk arts

Traditional Festival Martial Arts

(Kung Fu)Beijing Opera

Two special arts

Beijing OperaBeijing Opera• Beijing opera is the most influential opera in China and

has a history of around 200 years. It synthesizes the arts of singing, dancing, recitation, martial arts, and instrumental music. Symbolism dominates the motions and stage designs.

• There are four main roles in Beijing Opera: • Sheng: is the male role in Beijing Opera.• Dan: is all female roles.• Jing: is known as hualian, a role with a painted face,

who is a man of special character, features and personality.

• Chou: is also called xiaohualian. A chou may be a kind-hearted, humorous and funny fellow ( some time likes buffoon).

Beijing OperaBeijing Opera

• ShengSheng• DanDan• Jing Jing • ChouChou• The facial painting is worth appreciating for its artistic value

Martial Arts (Kung Fu )Martial Arts (Kung Fu )

• Anyone who has Anyone who has seen classical seen classical Chinese Kung Fu Chinese Kung Fu movies will be movies will be deeply impressed deeply impressed by the Chinese by the Chinese Wushu, which is Wushu, which is called Kung Fu or called Kung Fu or Chinese martial arts Chinese martial arts in the west.in the west.

Do you know Do you know Bruce Lee, Bruce Lee,

Jet Li or Jackie Chan?Jet Li or Jackie Chan?

Martial Arts (Kung Fu )Martial Arts (Kung Fu )

• Kung Fu is an important and unique component of Chinese cultural heritage with centuries of cultural history attached.

• Kung Fu not only includes physical exercise but also Chinese philosophy, meditation and aesthetics.

• Kung Fu’s purpose from self-defense to health maintenance and finally as method of self-cultivation.

Chinese ArchitectureChinese Architecture

业务流程

A Chinese structure is based on the principle of balance and symmetry. Office buildings, residences, temples, and palaces all follow the principle that the main structure is the axis. The secondary structures are positioned as two wings on either side to form the main room and yard.

The Forbidden CityThe Forbidden City

The Great WallThe Great Wall• The Great Wall of China, one of the greatest wonders of the The Great Wall of China, one of the greatest wonders of the

world, the Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, world, the Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, from east to west of grasslands, mountains and plateaus, from east to west of

China. With a history of more than 2000 years.China. With a history of more than 2000 years.

Painting, Embroidery, ChinaPainting, Embroidery, China

paintingpaintingembroideryembroidery chinachina

北京交通大学经济管理学院 1 队

Thank you!

Most of the materials are from internet: If you want to know more please refer to the following websites :

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_China#Chinese_culture

2. http://chinese-school.netfirms.com/guanxi.html

3. http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/china-country-profile.html

4. http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/cuisine.htm

5. http://course.sdu.edu.cn/G2S/Template/View.aspx?courseId=305&topMenuId=128182&action=view&type=&name=&menuType=1

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