20091102 Expressing Opinions (1)

Expressing Opinions

How direct can you be?

When Americans discuss ideas or express their opinions, they are often direct. They talk about good points and bad points. They talk about good points and bad points. They disagree and may even argue about issues. These kinds of conversations contrast with discussions held in Chinese culture where mianzi(面子) is very important. Mianzi, of "face" in English, translates basically as respect or honor. In Chinese society, peopoe can lose face, save face and give face. Losing face means bringing shame on oneself and others. This is done when a person shows anger or says negative things about others in public.

Why the difference? In general, Western cultures tend to be "individualistic." People place a lot of importance on public debate and freedom of expression. A personal sense of guilt guides one's behavior. When an adult makes a mistake, his or her action involves only personal embarrassment. There is no shame placed on one's family, company or country. Even though Westerners don't have conflict all the time, differences of opinion are accepted as a natural part of life.



shame n. 羞恥/恥辱
shame on someone
=> feel dishonor/embarrasment
eg: Shame on you for cheating on the test!
eg: The student who cheated showed no shame for what he had done.
eg: His behavior brought shame on the whole company.

express v. 表達/表示/表現
expression n. 表達
eg: Our teacher Ms. Newport encourages open expression of our opinions and ideas.
eg: Henry sent his girlfriend a bouquet of flowers as an expression of his love.
eg: The card is simply an expression of our gratitude.

expression n. 表情
eg: She showed now expression whe her boss fired her.

guilt n. 內疚/有罪
eg: Marityn is feeling a lot of 1uilt for running into your car.

embrass v. 使不好意思
embarrassment n. 難堪
eg: It was a real embarrassment for everyone when Jack lost his temper at the party.
eg: He tried to hide his embarrassment by making jokes.
eg: The outcome of the basketball game was an embarrassment for the team. They lost by 30 points.

disagree v. 意見不合
=> two people have different opinions on something

individualistic adj. 個人主義(者)的
=> one person or yourself

//== Chat Room ==//

direct adj. 直接的/直言不諱/直率的

frank adj. 坦白的/直率的


beat around the bush 拐彎抹角地說
=> approach indirectly
=> 來源:從前的人打獵喜歡從旁邊敲擊樹叢把躲在樹叢中的獵物嚇出來
eg: Stop beating around the bush. Get to the point.

mince v. 切碎/剁碎
=> cut something
mince words 【俚】說話委婉/閃爍其詞/兜圈子
eg: Don't mince words.


//== Grammar on the Go ==//
These kinds of conversations contrast with discussions held in Chinese culture where mianzi is very important.
=> These kinds of conversations contrast with discussions held in Chinese culture in which mianzi is very important.

where (used in informal situation)
=> in which (used in formal situation)

eg: We have a situation in which no one is the winner.
= We have a situation where no one is the winner.

eg: The president created a program in which private companies could work with public agencies in helping the poor.
=> The president created a program where private companies could work with public agencies in helping the poor.