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法界佛教總會•育良小學•培德中學

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談文化

◎ Kelley Yao•培德女中八年級
本站編輯部•中譯

 

過去, 美國一向都被稱為民族的「大熔爐」,這個名詞已經被許多人用來形容美國。但是,你是否曾經思考過它真正的用意?沒有哪個國家能這樣炫耀其繁多的種族:亞裔、高加索裔、西班牙裔、非裔和其他少數民族;隨著他們帶來的文化和信仰,創造了全世界都知道,一種叫做「美國」的特殊文化。

我相信亞洲文化從十九世紀開始,已經帶給美國很大的影響。當時大量的中國人湧進加州淘金,他們帶來了他們的文化、宗教、傳統;更重要的是,他們的食物。實在很難想像,美國店的外賣餐單中,能沒有與「義大利比薩」和「墨西哥捲餅」齊名的「中國菜」!但是在中國人來之前,美國有種稻米嗎?沒有。因為,水稻是道地的亞洲農作物。

在洛杉磯,人口已經超過一百萬,並持續成長;在這百萬人口之中,有三分之一是亞洲人,只有一小部分的白種人還留在當地,並且逐漸地搬到東部安享晚年,而使得白種人的比例慢慢地減少。能想像沒有唐人街的舊金山嗎?不能。但是看看像「洛杉磯」、「舊金山」這樣的城市名,都是加州從墨西哥統治時代留下的遺跡。曾幾何時的西班牙城市,如今已經是亞洲人的天下;而且很可能地,其中某個城市即將就會有位亞裔的市長。

中國人一直都持有不同的意見、行為模式、禮儀觀念,以及其他種種。例如筷子,誰曾經聽說過用兩根木枝來吃飯?我們向長者鞠躬,或者當長輩進門時,站起來示敬。但是,美國人不會這麼做的;相反地,他們只是報以微笑或問好。雖然這樣既親切又簡單,但還是不足以表達對長輩適當的尊重。

另一個,就是中國人濃厚的家庭情感。我常會碰到一種場合:與某個似乎是家人故交的朋友會面。由於我非常美國式的成長背景,我會很快地伸出手,要去迎接對方的手。但當我看到母親冷冷的目光時,我才意識到:我忘記這是我母親第二個表弟的妻子的哥哥。於是,我得向前接受擁抱,然後試著趕快結束這個擁抱。

雖然我一直生活在美國,但由於具有華裔背景,所以可以親身體會中國傳統如何融入美國主流文化。我以前就讀的公立學校,每年慶祝中國新年的活動都大爆滿,也表現了對佔全校百分之六十的亞洲學生的尊重。

如今,舉辦中國傳統節日的慶典,在各處似乎已成為一種大眾的訴求。一些大城市,會舉行盛大的中國農曆年慶祝活動,即使省略了其他重要性較小的節慶。另一方面,美國各地也都會慶祝「感恩節」和「聖誕節」。總而言之,我相信人們總會尋找一個理由來慶祝。像生日、出生、喪禮、洗禮、婚禮,乃至任何的的日子,永遠都會有足夠的理由,值得來慶祝或紀念!

至於中國文化融入美國主流的原因,可能是因為中國的經濟增長。工、商業的成長,吸引了世界各地到中國投資的興趣。因此,當與不同於自己國家的人民接洽事務時,他們必須適應該國的方式,才能被接納、認同。語言,就是其中之一。

根據統計,中文(普通話)是目前世界上最常用的語言。中文與英語,根本沒有甚麼關連或相似之處。中文是一個充滿象徵的語言,經由文字而改變。另一個是服裝,燕尾服和旗袍有任何關連嗎?燕尾服有褲子,旗袍沒有──這點差別,是必須要知道的。以前,你只會看到黑頭髮、棕色眼睛的人身穿旗袍和便服;現在這樣的穿著,幾乎無處不在,甚至是穿在金頭髮、藍眼睛的外國人身上。

希望這篇文章,能多少解釋出中國文化如何從最初中國移民進入美國,開始與當地居民文化融合的情形。在他們來到以前,這些傳統從來沒被其他國家所瞭解。如今,中國人的貢獻已經影響了美國;而且我相信,這影響會持續不對地進行。

Culture Essay

◎ Kelly Yao
Developing Virtue Secondary Girl School, Grade 8

 
 

In the past, America has been known as a great ‘melting pot’ of many peoples. Why is this? This phrase has been used by so many people to describe America. But have you ever stopped to think about the implications? No other nation boasts such a diversity of races; Asians, Caucasians, Europeans, Mexicans/Hispanics, Africans, and many more minorities. This, along with the many religions and traditions these people bring with them, make up the very distinct culture that is known as ‘American’ to others all over the world.

I believe that Asian culture has made a huge difference since the 1800’s, when the influx of Asians first started increasing because of the Gold Rush in California. They brought with them their culture, their religion, their traditions, and most of all, their food. It is impossible to think of American takeout without Chinese food incorporated in there as well, ranked up there with pizza from Italy and Mexican burritos. But was there any indication of rice before the Chinese came? No. Rice is entirely an Asian crop.

In the district of Los Angeles, the population numbers well over a million already, and growing. A good one-third of this million is Asian. Only a tiny percentage of Caucasians remain in the district, and is slowly growing less as they move east to retire. Is it possible to think of San Francisco without Chinatown? It isn’t, is it? But look at the names. Los Angeles, San Francisco? These are remnants from when California was still under Mexican rule. Does this make sense to you? Old Spanish cities are now under the thumb of Asians. It’s obvious that there will be an Asian elected as mayor in either city soon.

The Chinese have always had different ideas, mannerisms, ideas of etiquette, and much more. Chopsticks; who’s ever heard of eating with two sticks? We bow to our elders, or stand up whenever someone with seniority comes in the room. Americans do not do this. Instead, Americans just wave with a smile, or say hi. While this is very nice and easy, it does not show proper respect for the elderly.

Another is the close family feeling between all Chinese. I have often found myself in the position of meeting someone whom my family seems to have an old connection with. With my very American upbringing, my hand is immediately outstretched to receive the other’s hand. Then, as I receive my mother’s cold glare, I realize I had forgotten this was my mother’s second cousin’s wife’s brother. Instead, I step forward to receive the hug and try to get away as soon as possible.

Being of a Chinese background myself, though living in America all my life, I have seen firsthand the blending of Chinese traditions into American mainstream culture. My old public school celebrates Chinese New Year every year with a big sell-out, in deference to the 60% Asian students out of the whole student body. It seems to now be a requirement to celebrate the old Chinese traditions everywhere. Big cities host immense festivals for Chinese New Year when they don’t for other, smaller minority events. On the other hand, Thanksgiving and Christmas are celebrated everywhere also. In my heart, I believe that people are just searching for a reason to celebrate. There probably can never be enough to throw a party for; birthdays, births, deaths, christenings, weddings, anything!

As for Chinese culture blending into the mainstream American, perhaps it is because of Chinese economy growing. The factory and business growth has interested people all over the world to invest in China. As with this, when one interferes with another country’s affairs, they must adapt to the other country’s methods to think of being accepted. Language is one. According to statistics, Chinese (Mandarin) is now the most widely spoken language in the world. Chinese is not related to English in any way. There are no similarities. Chinese is a symbol-filled language, changed to receive the form of words. Another is clothing. Are tuxedos related to a chipao in any way? Tuxedos have pants. Chipaos do not. That is all you need to know in the comparison. When once you only saw chipaos and bianfus on black haired, brown-eye featured people; now one seems to see them everywhere, even on golden haired, blue-eye foreigners.

I hope that this page has served to explain about how Chinese culture and American have blended in the years since the Chinese first started immigrating in. These traditions were never known to the other country before. Chinese contributions have served to affect America, and it is my belief that they will keep on doing so.

 

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