编号（No.）SFLC2013 200905210230
宁夏师范学院外国语学院
学士学位论文
An Analysis of Different Food Cultures
between China and Western Countries
作者姓名曹俊峰
论文方向英美文化
指导教师马生仓
答辩时间2013年5月25日
Abstract Food is the basic need for human survival and development, but also is one of the basic forms of social life. Different countries have different food cultures. This thesis analyzes the differences in food culture between China and western countries from several different aspects, including food perceptions, tastes and nutritions, food targets, tablewares, and manners as well as pursuit. Certainly, these differences are obvious. As long as people have a good understanding about food culture, they will be polite in communications between Chinese and westerners.
Key Words food culture；differences；communications；China；western countries
CONTENTS
I.Introduction (1)
II.Literature Review (1)
III. Differences in Food Cultures between China and Western Countries (2)
3.1 Food Perceptions, Tastes and Nutritions (2)
3.2 Different Food Targets (4)
3.3The Styles of Having Dinner and Using Tablewares (5)
3.4 Differences in Pursuit (8)
IV.Conclusion (9)
Bibliography (10)
Acknowledgments (11)
I. Introduction
Food is the basic need for human survival and development; also it is one of the basic forms of social life. In different historical backgrounds, however, there are different food perceptions, different food needs and the way of using food. In the 21st century, cross-cultural communication has been integrated into all aspects of life. Chinese and western cultures had been the two major types of world cultures. And the food culture is very important both in Chinese and western cultures.
Chinese food culture has a long history. It has experienced several years of historical development and become an important component of China’s traditional culture. In the long process of development, Chinese people gradually form their own unique food culture. Meanwhile, Chinese food becomes a bright pearl of food and cultural treasures in the world. On the contrary, western food culture keeps always a kind of rational perception. Western people pay more attention to lightly flavored and dietary equilibrium. People no longer excessively pursue taste because they choose food’s nutrition. People try to research the difference of the nutrition.
This thesis focuses on the different food cultures in China and western countries. Knowing about the differences between Chinese and western food cultures and their development, foreign language learners can not only increase the understanding of languages and cultures, but also enhance the efficiency of cross-cultural communication. At the same time, the contact between different countries becomes much tighter through the incorporation of a global economy.
II. Literature Review
Many scholars are interested in different food cultures between China and western countries. In Yin Li and Han Xiaoling’s book, writers mainly describe the relationship of idioms and folklore (Yin Li, Han Xiaoling. 2007:39).And the writers also tell about food culture. Their opinion is that food manner is not just to satisfy people’s physical needs, what is more, food is a social behavior, and it has rich cultural connotations. Different regions, countries and peoples gradually form a distinctive food culture, because it is affected by natural environment, product, geography, climate, economy, politics, religion, philosophy, history and so on. Food custom is a visualized reflection of food culture. Food custom belongs to the scope of a big culture. It is also an independent branch of folklore.
