英语畅谈中国文化50主题.docx

1、英语畅谈中国文化50主题1. The Art of Calligraphy 奇妙的书法A: Some critics suggest that different genres of Chinese calligraphy have different political implications. Take Wang Xizhi for example. His calligraphy was repudiated as unorthodox during his lifetime but, only a few decades after his death, was establishe

2、d as an orthodox genre. B: Thats for sure! Historically, Chinese calligraphy and politics were closely intertwined. Over 2,000 years ago, Emperor Qin Shihuang, the first Emperor in Chinese history, established the official Chinese writing characters. The new, simplified characters made writing calli

3、graphy less complicated. It allowed people to use characters with more straight strokes, thus making it easier to write with brushes. This created the Li genre. Over time, other variations were also developed, which eventuallly lead to the formation of the five genres in Chinese calligraphy. These w

4、ere the Zhuan, Li, Kai, Xing and Cao genres. A: Ive heard that most emperors were good at calligraphy. The Tang Dynasty Emperor Li Shimin was an avid collector of Wang Xizhis writings. B: Thats right. Qing Dynasty Emperor Qian Long played a key role in compiling an authoritative collection of callig

5、raphy. To some extent, preferences of the Emperors had an influence on the rise and fall of certain calligraphy genres. A: Ordinary Chinese people also seemed to like calligraphy a lot. B: Part of the reason was the sponsorship by the Emperors. Another reason was the Imperial Civil Service examinati

6、ons that started in the 7th century. Those examinations were focused on writing and provided a way for ordinary people to achieve a better life. As a result, calligraphy became widely accepted. Calligraphy also had its practical values because it was a good way to make friends and was more presentab

7、le as a gift rather than jewelry or money. A: Does calligraphy still have these practical functions now? B: Yes. Many people practice calligraphy as a way to raise their cultural accomplishment. Older people use calligraphic writing as a method to keep fit. They believe that when a person concentrat

8、es on writing calligraphy, his inner wellbeing is stimulated. A: I had thought computers would lead to the disappearance of Chinese calligraphy. Now I understand thats not likely to happen. How can you give your boss computer-printed calligraphy as a gift? B: You dont, unless you want him to fire yo

9、u. 2. The Significance of Chinese Paintings 中国画的含意A: Its interesting that Chinese paintings can be created on the spot, even though most of them have similar subjects. Peony, plum blossoms, mountains, creeks or cottages are very popular. There are often painters at significant celebratory and commem

10、orative events.B: Their educational function is, in fact, a unique feature of Chinese painting. Human profiles were used as a method to either glorify heroes or condemn traitors 2,000 years ago. Tang Dynasty officials even tried to bring painting into Confuction ideology. The Court of the Song Dynas

11、ty published an official guide to paintings. This raised criteria not only for human profiles but also for landscape and object paintings.A: Oh, what was that?B: It classified paintings into ten categories covering religious beliefs, Confucianism and state power. This classification gave an official

12、 definition of the value and significance of the paintings. The purpose of landscape paintings was to portray the five mountains, while fruit and birds were used to exemplify or eulogize the Gods. In this case, the subjects were used as references to people in order to deliver moral messages. For ex

13、ample, peony and peacocks represented wealth and fortune; pine trees, bamboo, plum blossoms and orchids represented elegance and accomplishment; and pine trees and cypresses symbolized loyalty.A: As far as I know, painters who did not have to make a living by painting used different skills to those

14、specified in the guide, even though they painted the same subjects.B: Artists are usually against pragmatism. They like to give meaning to the subjects they paint. Bamboo symbolizes integrity and pine trees symbolize never giving up. Artists also like landscapes. It doesnt take a lot of training to

15、paint landscapes. It all depends on the painters personality and ability, as well as his unique touch. Most of todays non-professional painters follow the landscape style. The objective of these painters is purely entertainment and self-satisfaction. The more successful artists have the opportunity

16、to exhibit at public functions. That is probably the climax of their painting careers.A: What are professional painters doing?B: Some of them make a great effort to improve their painting skills. They want to develop new and innovative painting methods by borrowing from other genres. Others are busy

17、 making money. They have found ways to produce commercially attractive paintings. Some people say they are no longer artists. Instead they have become manufacturers of paintings. 3. Rediscover Confucius 重新发现孔子A: Did you see the statue of Confucius launched by the China Confucius Fund?B: Yes, I did.

18、It doesnt quite match the Confucius image in my mind though. I heard there are many different opinions about this so-called official statue. But, to be fait, its an impossible job to create an official statue of someone who lived more than 2,500 years ago. No one knows what he looked like, just like

19、 no one in the West knows what Plato looked like. Nevertheless, Confucius was a great philosopher, an educator, a politician, as well as the founder of Confucianism, which still has a tremendous influence over people today.A: Confucianism seems to be back in fashion again. As far as I know, about fi

20、ve to six million Chinese students are currently studying The analects of Confucius. Some companies are using Confucianism as a management tool. The government is also promoting the Confucian values of ethics, fairness, and honesty. They see it as a way to address the social problems that have emerg

21、ed as a result of the accelerated economic growth.B: Confucianism is the backbone of Chinese culture. Confucius developed his philosophy around the concept of benevolence. The Analects of Confucius is a record of his political views. Confucianism represents a set of moral principles because it stres

22、ses fairness and harmony in guman relationships, as well as the individuals social responsibility for their country. For Confucius, political honesty is based on individual ethical integrity.A: Some American scholars did a comparative study of Confucius with Greek and Roman philosophers. Their concl

23、usion was that there is more practical value in Confucianism. Why it that?B: Well it has extensive application in Chinese society. Confucius was also an accomplished educator. He treated his students as his equal by teaching them democratic and open-minded ideas. In the words of the American scholar

24、s, Confucius wanted to train his students to become more unrestrained and adaprable to external influences.A: There is also an increasing awareness of Confucianism in other parts of the world. This may be a result of various political, cultural, and environmental challenges due to Chinas growing eco

25、nomic importance. As a result, the rise of individualism in the community has become a serious threat to social harmony and progress. A different set of values are needed as a counterbalance. Confucianism emphasizes courtesy and respect whendealing with people or nature so it should be very benefici

26、al for building harmony in any society.B: You are right. A scholar once said that answers concerning our survival can be found in the wisdom of Confucius, even though he lived more than 25 centuries ago.4. Differences between Chinese and Western Medicines 中西医的差异A: For many years, there have been rep

27、eated discussions to give up Chinese medicine. Its recently become a hot topic once again. And because believe the Chinese medicine is not scientifically based in comparison to Western medicine. B: Although it is debatable why Chinese medicine is scientifically sound .You cannot deny it has a rich p

28、hilosophic significance. This is very different from Western medicine. Usually, a Chinese medicine practitioner approaches on the home and abroad perspective, emphasis its entirety and dialectical implications. This is why some people view it as a holistic medicine. In contrast, a Western doctor dea

29、ls to recipe with symptoms. For instance, if someone has a sore throat, a Western doctor will treated it as a throat problem while a Chinese doctor may link it to the disorder of the patients stomach.A: Whats the difference between Chinese and Western medicines? B: A Chinese doctor examines its pati

30、ents by using methods like observing, smelling , asking and feeling. His Western counterparts relies on symptoms or evidence, like body temperature and lab tests . A Chinese doctor determines the problem of patients interior organs by influence through observing very exterior signs such as complexio

31、n or the tongue .A Western doctor, on the other hand, makes his judgement based on the results of lab tests on the internal organs. He then reinforces its judgement by examining exterior symptoms. A Western doctor uses chemical based medicines and surgery, but a Chinese doctor relies on some herb me

32、dicines and acupuncture. A: For patient, which is preferable? B: It depends. Usually a Chinese doctor will recommend Western medicine for intensive treatment and Chinese medicine for the recovery. In fact, Chinese medicine is probably more effective in treating some functional diseases, while the cause is difficult to discover. A: What will happen if Chinese medicine is indeed abandoned?B: No idea, but for people with terminal diseases, Chinese medicine may be the last result. Chinese medicine can not only alleviate pain but also offers the option of different treatm