English-Speaking Countries: Culture and Traditions

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I. ОБЩАЯ ЧАСТЬ

АНГЛОЯЗЫЧНЫЕ СТРАНЫ: КУЛЬТУРА И ТРАДИЦИИ

I. Прочитайте и переведите текст. Выпишите и выучите не­знакомые слова.

English-Speaking Countries: Culture and Traditions

The word " culture" has different meanings. It often refers to music, literature, art, and higher education. It also means the customs of a society and the way in which people interact with each other.

Every culture has certain basic ideas which everyone accepts for granted. These are fundamental things that everyone " knows" from his or her childhood, and which are automatic to the people who live in that culture. They include everything from the common courtesies and details of daily life to the deeper issues of a person's place in society, of family, of life and death.

When a person enters a new culture, the basic customs and ideas that he or she automatically accepted may no longer be true. The person faces a new set of customs and attitudes to try to understand. Let us learn some elements of English-speaking countries' culture and traditions.

Introducing yourself there is very simple: you state your name, where you live and your occupation. In a formal situation use your first and last names. At a party or in a social setting, use your first name only. Men are introduced to women, young people to older ones, old friends to newcomers, and young girls to married. Usually women are not presented to a man.

When introducing one says something like: " Mrs. Smith, may I introduce Mr. Brown" and then turning to Mrs. Smith simply says " Mrs. Smith". The usual response to the introduction is " How do you do? " which is a kind of greetings and not a question — very formal. One can say something less formal: " Nice to meet you, " " I am glad to meet you, " or " Happy to have

met you." If you do not know a person's name, say " Sir" to a man or " Madam" to a woman. If a lady's marital status is unknown, she should be addressed as Ms [miz]. However, it would be much more civilized to learn a person's name and say: " Nice to meet you, Ms. Brown." People usually shake hands firmly especially when formally introduced, but they do not always shake hands with people they see often.

Certain types of behavior are expected in English-speaking countries. American identity is much bound up with home origins. Conversations between two Americans meeting abroad will commonly include an early focus on the home states or colleges, whereas this is unlikely with two Britons (assuming they talked to each other at all). Nicknames are much more often used in the USA than in Britain.

People in both countries consider time as an expensive object or material. They talk about it in many different ways. They save it, waste it, spend it, kill it. They have free time, leisure time, spare time. They invest in it and carefully budget it. Then never be late. It is not the custom to drop in on acquaintances without calling. Be polite and friendly in public places. Phrases like " Excuse me" and " I am sorry" are used far more frequently than in Russia. People there are also very concerned with grooming. Daily showers and a fresh set of clothes are the norm. Never ask persons their age. Smile and people will smile with you.

II. Ответьте на вопросы.

1. What are the two meanings of the word " culture"?

2. How do you address strangers?

3. Introduce yourself formally.

4. Introduce yourself informally.

5. What can a person do with his/ her time?

6. Is it necessary to make appointments in Russia? When is it necessary? When isn't it necessary?

Комментарий

III. Запомните эти слова и составьте с ними предложения.

IV. Запомните толкование этих слов на английском языке.

Практика

V. Сопоставьте каждое слово из левой колонки с его сино­нимом из правой колонки.

VI. Бегло прочитав текст, выберите правильный вариант ответа.

The southeastern-most county or shire of England, running from London to the Channel, is Kent. Historically, this is the core of English history, with Dover — the principal access to the continent, Canterbury — the home of the English Church, and the Thames ports on its north border — the center of sea power and trading prosperity. It is one of the Home Counties and is often called the Garden of England both for its agricultural riches and for the lovely rolling hills in the North Downs that for many are the visual image of England itself, figuring in numberless works of literature.

Kent is ……

(A) the home of the English Church

(B) the center of trading prosperity

(C) the core of English history

(D) the main access to the continent.

VII. Напишите Ваш ответ на следующие вопросы и реплики.

1. Could you spare me a few minutes?

2. Can you do me a favor?

3. Have a good weekend.

4. I don't think it's worth waiting for him, do you?

5. You'd better hurry up or you'll be late.

6. I am sorry, I must have got the wrong number.

7. I would like to raise a question about our plans for tomorrow.

8. I am unable to answer your question.

9. Mr. Jones gave the answer at only one point.

10.1 agree entirely with what Mr. Jones has stated. And you? 11.Do you agree with the statement: " An Englishman is very reserved and quiet"?

12.1 expect you're rather tired after your long journey. 13.1 suppose we should leave now. 14. Can 1 ask you a question?

VIII. Исправьте неправильные реплики.

1. Sorry, I interrupted you. — You are welcome.

2. How about a drink? — Don't mention it.

3. Thanks for the lovely evening. — That's all right.

4. Best of luck in your new job. — Thank you very much.

5. I didn't get the job. — That's true.

6. Could you hand me that file? — Of course. Here you are.

7. Do you mind if I smoke? — No, of course not.

8. I think it is going to rain. — Not at all.

9. Thank you for a delicious meal. — Glad you enjoyed it.

10. How about something to eat? — Yes, of course.

1 l. You must come round for dinner. — Really?

12. Do you mind if I open the window? — I'd rather you didn't.

13. My car broke last night. — Certainly.

14. Our team's lost the match. — Never mind. Better luck next time.

15. Would you like to come to dinner? — Don't worry.

IX. Выучите на память следующие диалоги.