Kinship’s Collectivism and Individualism on Chinese and English Culture Context

一、Introduction

In this thesis, the writer would discuss the difference about kinship in Chinese and English. As well, collectivism in Chinese culture is our main thinking method while we are educated as the children, individualism in English culture stands the important position. With such different culture context, kinship would have reasonable difference.

二、The differences of kinship in Chinese and English

Let us see the example first here: in Chinese term: father’s elder brother - Bo fu; father’s younger brother - Shu fu; Father’s sister’s husband - Gu fu; all these titles are named Uncle in English term. In Chinese term: Father’s elder brother’s wife - Bo mu; Mothers brother’s wife - Jiu mu; these two titles in English term, it is both named aunt. Based on the example, Chinese relationship is complex with different titles. One distinct difference is that the English language pays little attention to the differences between paternal and maternal relations in its kinship terms; but the Chinese language considers these seriously, as well the English system of kinship terms is an extremely simply one compared to Chinese language.

三、Cultural difference in kinship terms between Chinese and English

Kinship terms are connected closely with cultural background and different cultures hold different rules in the use of Kinship terms. According to cross-cultural theorists, collectivism and individualism are basic clusters of values. Therefore, collectivism and individualism can help people understand why Chinese and English have so many different kinds of kinship terms.

1. Collectivism in Chinese culture.

The basic feature of Chinese culture is collectivism. Cultures with collectivist have been labeled with “we” culture, because the basic unit in collectivism is in group or collective. In interrelationships, harmony is valued; each member in a group must pay attention to the feeling if other group members. The survival of group is more important than that of any individual member. Going one’s own way is not thoughts and feelings, and the open discussion of disagreement is valued forms talk. Long before Confucius, Chinese philosophy had provided a basis for regulating relationship between man and man. Therefore, complex family relationship has been crucial to Chinese people since pre-Confucius time. China’s great teacher and philosopher Confucian educated his students not to study or work far away from home while their parents were still alive.Even in today’s society, many people those work far away from home feel certain kinds of guilt simply because they are not able to live with or near their aged parents or grandparents.

2.Individualism in English culture .

Unlike Chinese culture, collectivism finds no place in the western philosophy and religion. What is high valued in English countries is individualism. Individualist cultures have been described as “I”cultures. That is to say, Individualists tend to believe in equality; they value separateness and independence very much. Individualism, as one of the basic westerners’ value, has tremendously influenced western people's attitude towards family and family life. Freedom is so much a part of western life that it is often taken for granted. But this is not to say that it is not valued. Because of emphasizing individual and independence, parents always want their children to depend on themselves, and they taught their children to express themselves freely. As for kinship terms, it is no wonder that the increasingly popular American children calling their parents and even grandparents by their first names sounds quite surprising to most Chinese.

3.Analysis of collectivism and individualism.

Kinship terms, Chinese collectivism and English individualism have their own rationale. According to cross-cultural theorists, collectivism and individualism are basic clusters of values. Cultures with collectivist have been labeled with “we” culture, and collectivism is tied to Confucianism, which takes pride of place social order and harmony. Duty and loyalty to the group are the Confucian counterparts of equal rules and regulations. In Confucianism, the basic economic, political, and moral institution of Chinese society was family. In order to maintain social discipline and to keep people in their proper place, a family must be of a hierarchical structure and all the members in a family must conductthemselves properly according to their status. Individualist cultures have been described as “I” cultures. As is known to all, Americans mean the desire and the ability of all individuals to control their own destiny without outside interference from the government, a ruling noble class, and the church or any other organized authority including family.

四、Conclusion

In this thesis, the writer have discussed about the difference of kinship with Chinese and English context, because Chinese people has collectivism culture however western culture applies the individualism value, this causes kinship has complex and simple ways in different cultural background. As the language learners, we may try to understand the culture context first, then build up effective communication about kinship titles in right way.

Reference：

[1]Blum, S. D.Language in SocietyNaming practices and the power of words in China, 1997.

[2]Wang, G. H.The Chinese mind.New York: Greenwood Press，1968.

[3]Ralph fasold.The sociolinguistics of language. Shanghai: foreign language teaching and research press, 2010.

[4]Zhu Linglin.On Translation of kinship terms.Anhui: Anhui university ,2002.

[5]邓炎昌、刘润清.语言与文化—英汉语言文化对比. 北京：外语教学与研究出版社，2012.

王丽峰/河南工业大学外语学院

全球一体化的发展，汉语学习者不仅要了解社交亲属称呼语，而且还要明白亲属称呼语中的价值观和规则，理解东西文化背景不同，亲属称呼也有区别。以便提高人与人之间的交流水平

亲属称呼语； Collectivism and Individualism