At the mention of British and America, we Chinese are fairly likely to question: Are there any concrete differences between the two cultures? It sounds reasonable because they resemble each other in numerous dimensions indeed——The people there are all equipped with Roman nose and deeply-set eyes, and the language they speak even sounds exactly alike! Actually, it is not the case. What follows will grant you new insights into this topic.
一提到英国和美国，我们中国人很可能会问：他们的文化有什么实质性的区别吗？这听起来合情合理，因为在很多维度上，它们的确与彼此相像——那里的人都长着高鼻梁和深眼窝，就连他们的语言听起来都完全一样！但事实并非如此。下面的内容会带给你有关这个话题的全新认知。
Language
语言
One thing you must know is that a clear distinction has been developed between ArE and BrE since the first British colonists landed on the American Continent, just like what the renowned writer, George Bernard Shaw described——"two countries divided by a common language”.
In general, Britons’ pronunciation is clear and the words are seldom stuck together, while Americans prefer another style with more linkings. Additionally, compared with all kinds of complicated euphemism used in BrE, ArE has more elliptical sentences and colloquial expressions, and thus, it is far more simple .For instance, the same invitation can be put into two different versions in both ArE and BrE:
一件你必须知道的事，就是从第一批英国殖民者登上美洲大陆开始，英式英语与美式英语就发展出明显的不同，就像著名作家乔治·伯纳德·萧所描述的那样——“两个被共同语言相隔开的国家”。
总体上，英国人的发音较为清晰，单词也很少被连读，而美国人则更喜欢连读的说话风格。除此之外，与英式英语中各式各样繁杂的委婉语相比，美式英语有更多的省略句和口头语，因此，美式英语要更加简洁。举个例子，一则相同的邀请可以用美式英语与英式英语两种不同的版本表达：
Dear Tom, I'd like to know if you will be convenient tonight for I'd like to invite you to my house to join up my family gathering. It will be very kind of you if you can come and I'm really expecting to it.(BrE)
亲爱的汤姆，我想知道今晚您是否有空，因为我希望邀请您光临寒舍参加我的家庭聚会。如果您能到场那真是太好了，我非常期待您的到来。
Hey Tom, let's go to the party tonight. 7 o'clock, at my house, don't be late.(ArE)
哈罗汤姆，我们今晚一起去派对吧。七点，在我家，别迟到咯。
Besides, there are different expressions when it comes to describing the same thing. Sometimes it may cause confusion and misunderstandings. For example, Briton’s “jelly” actually means “jam” in ArE, while American expresses the same meaning as “jello”.
此外，在描述同一件事物时，也会有不同的表达。有时这会引起疑惑和误解。举例来说，英国人用来描述“果冻“的“jelly”事实上在美语里是“果酱”的意思，而美国人则用“jello“来描述”果冻”。
Characters
性格
Language differences are partly due to the opposite characters Americans and Britons own. If we use several words to conclude, Americans must be the representative of innovation, enthusiasm, and frank humor, while connotation, preciseness, and gentleman humor are tailored for Britons.
语言的不同有一部分是由英美人迥异的性格引起的。如果我们用几个词去总结，美国人必然是创新、热情和直白幽默的代表，而内敛、严谨和绅士幽默则是为英国人量身定制的。
Clothes
穿着
What character you have probably influences remarkably what you wear——the same to Americans and Britons. Britons’ wearing is usually divided by different classes and occasions, yet they are quite particular about their appearance, and they generally have a taste for formal uniforms ,polished leather shoes, delicate hats and black umbrellas, which meet their standards for a “gentleman” and a “lady”. In contrast, Americans seem to be more willful——They just wear what they want, and what wears comfortable, such as short pants, slippers, and waistcoats, scarcely concentrating on others’comments.
你的性格很可能会显著地影响你的穿着——对与英美人来说也是一样。英国人的穿着经常依据阶级和场合进行划分，但他们对自己的外表很严苛，大体上他们都对正装西服、锃亮的皮鞋、精致的高礼帽和黑雨伞情有独钟，因为这些是符合他们对“绅士“和“淑女”的标准的。与此相反，美国人看起来更为随性——他们就穿他们想穿和穿起来舒服的，比如说短裤、拖鞋和背心，而很少去关注别人的评价。
Food
食物
The KFC and McDonald's at your downstairs directly reflect American’s obsess for fast food——They both come from America! Fried chickens, cold cola, potato fries…These may be a feast for Americans, but junk for some Britons. Affected by their noble temperament, Britons have a high standard for table manners, and thus, a glisten fork with a nice napkin and a fork cutting a steak decocted just right are an ideal imagination for their meal——What if a glass of brandy is here!
你家楼下的肯德基和麦当劳直接反映出了美国人对快餐的狂热——它们都来自美国！炸鸡、冰可乐、薯条…这些对于美国人来说是一顿大餐，但对有些英国人来说则是垃圾。受自身贵族气质的影响，英国人对餐桌礼仪有很高的标准，因此，一把闪亮的叉子、一块精致的方巾和一把用来切煎得刚好的牛排的餐刀，是英国人理想的用餐图景——如果这儿再有一杯白兰地就好了！
Integrating all the things above, just like their geographic traits, the US and the UK, located in divided continents, are truly two different countries! That’s why some American students will come across “reverse culture shock” when they come to the Britain. In fact, what differentiates the two countries’cultures are well more than those listed above——and they are waiting for your explorations!
总结所有以上所说的，就像它们各自的地理特征一样，位于相隔大洲的英国和美国，的确是两个不同的国家！这就是为什么有些美国学生在到英国的时候会经历“逆文化差“。事实上，两个国家文化中的不同点远远超过上文所述——它们正在等待你的发掘！
Translator: Zhang Boya
Time: 2019-10-06
