A Contrastive Study Of Cultural Values In Chinese And American Sitcoms

With the further development of economic globalization, communication and exchanges between different cultures have become increasingly frequent, which means that more people from different cultures begin to contact with each other, exchange their ideas and seek for cooperation. As a result, the value differences between different cultures gradually become the focus of cross cultural research for they would, to a great extent, lead to cultural conflicts. People’s behavior is restricted by the respective national culture and custom unconsciously, so they may hold different opinions on the same thing, and apply different methods to solve problems. In view of this, only in the full understanding of different cultures can we communicate with people from different cultures more effectively and efficiently, so as to achieve the real purpose of communication.This paper intends to analyze Chinese and American cultural values through two TV series as representatives of each respective culture----My Own Swordsman and Friends. The paper further studies the deep root cultural reasons for the differences of the two countries, in order to give a better explanation of the obstacles in Sino-US communication and help China and America become more inclusive, enhance mutual understanding, share mutual feelings and improve the communication atmosphere, so that the two countries can communicate more naturally and smoothly not only in the aspect of culture, but also in economic and diplomatic situations.On the basis of previous researches, this paper takes Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory, including individualism-collectivism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity-femininity and long-and-short-term orientation, as the theory basis, and makes a contrastive analysis on the selected dialogues from My Own Swordsman and Friends. Through the detailed illustration on marriage, the parent-child relations, money and sex, this paper is to explore the differences between China and America on the cultural value level.The study found, American’s attitude toward marriage is much freer, and it’s a matter between two people, while in China, marriage has different restrictions and obligations. Chinese marriage does not only involve the married couple but also involve their families. In America, the relationship between parents and children is more like that between friends, the concept of the elder and the young is very weak, while China, influenced by the traditional concept of hierarchy, individual’s reputation is very much related to his or her status, and this is the foundation of all human relationships. As for money, Americans are more rational, and Chinese tend to deify money’s effect, and they have a greater dependence on money. Finally, sex is a casual gossip among friends in America, however, it is often avoided in China when people talk.Through the contrastive study of the differences of cultural values between China and America, this paper expects to analyze the deep reasons for the differences, and help the people of the two countries have a better understanding of each other, and effectively resolve the conflicts and frictions in intercultural communication, so as to help people realize their cultural stereotypes and be more tolerant to people from all corners of the world.