1、The Influence Of Individualism On American EnglishAbstract: As we all know, individualism is one of the most important national traits in America. My original purpose to compile this paper is to analyse the intimate connection between American English and American culture . In order to reach this pu
2、rpose , this paper will focus on the influence of individualism on American English.Key words : individualism ； American culture； American English1论个体主义价值对美国英语的影响内容摘要：众所周知,个体主义在美国是一个最重要的民族特征 ,我写这篇文章的原旨是分析美国英语与美国文化之间的密切联系和相互作用,为了达到这个目的, 这篇文章将着重讨论个体主义价值在美国文化中的具体表现以及它在美国英语中的反映关键词：个体主义；美国文化 ；美国英语2“Indiv
3、idualism” is a special term created by Aloxis de Tocgueville (1805-1859), a French historian and pclitician. It painstakingly highlights a pclitical and social philosophy that emphasize individualistic freedom and none-restraint, including self-advantage, Individualism and collectivism are the tnocu
4、ltural systems and there from a sharp contrast between them.To discuss American culture, it is inevitable to talk about individualistic Value because Individualism is prevailing in American scciety. Individualism is a particular culture phouomenon which has come into being for a long time in America
5、n history . There are many forms of individualism in American culture .First of all , among these forms the self-benefit has got the most important position.In addition , Individualism includes: self-interest ,self-heroic and liberalism. In some extreme cases, Individualism can even been embodied by
6、 non-governmentalism . Taking these forms of Individualism into corsideration , it is obviously that Individualism is inferior to collectivism. But compocred with feudualistic system which tend to restrain personal idea and personal development, it is an advancement. In some extent Individualism has
7、 fueled the development of productivity during the American historial course of productivity improvement.As we all know, language and culture influences each other. Now we are going to talk about the close relationship between American culture and American English. In order to reach this ultimate ai
8、m, we are going to focus on the concentrated expression of idividualism in American culture and the influence of idividualism on American English.Americans have a strong consciousness of self-struggling and competition. Social environment makes many American people accept such belief : Every man for
9、 himself , and God for us all (人人为自己,上帝为大家), Every man is the architect of his own forture(每个人都是自身命运的建筑师) .Nevertheless, the lucky fellows who can be in an invincible position in the intense competition are in the minority . The minorityis entitled to enjoy reputation and previloge,euvied by others
10、. The so-called“upward mobility”(上向流动倾向) in American English means the individuals moving from a lower rank, economic status ,political standing or social position to a higer rark, econcmic status, political standing or social position. There lies many chances of succoss in this “upward mobility”. M
11、ost of Americans are longing for that chance of success day and night . If there exists a choice , no one is willing to accept “jobs with no upward mobility”(无向上流动倾向的工作 ) Even though someone gets the job with upward mobility , it does not means that he or she gets the guarantee of “gaining advanceme
12、nt in carrer”(发迹). Without the ability of independent struggling and confidence of attending competition ,no one will have a success.Like modesty which is the virtue advocated in orieutal nations , confidence is the virtue which is thought highly of by the American people in American culture . when
13、you apply for a job in USA, you can not win the interviewers heart by showing your modesty but lack of confidence. There is a relevant fact that can be set as an example for you : The interviewers put the inlerviewees confidence from their behavior. If the interviewee comes in and takes the seat whi
14、ch is set in the middle calmly , with moving the other two chairs aside, he would be considered to be confident. From this point ,at least he satisfies the basic reqwirements of being accepted. Although this is just a popular legend,but in a sense it tells the truth that confidence is the essential
15、quality for American people to take part in the competition.3In American culture , the conceptions which are related to “self” or “ego”(自我) are deep-rooted and can be seen here and there. So it is natural that many words or phrases which are used for expressing “the conscionsuess of self”(自我意识) can
16、be seen everywhere in American English .many of them are compound words consist of ego and self.Here are some typical examples:Self-absorption 自我专注 Self-cultivation 自我修养Self-admiration 自我赞赏 Self-dependenceSelf-disciplined 有自我约束力的Self-advancement 自我发展Self-expression 自我表现，个性表现Self-advantage 自我利益 Self-
17、fulfilling 自我实现的Self-analysis 自我分析 selfhood 自我，自我中心Self-approval 自我赞许 Self-image, Self-interest 自身利益，私利Self-awareness 自知，自我意识Self-contered 自我中心的Self-limitation 自我限制 Self-lonquest 自我战胜Self-protection 自我防护 Self-control, Self-critical 自我批判的Self-reflection 内省，反省 Self-reliance 依靠自己，信赖自己的能力Self-responsibi
18、lity 对自己的责任Self-salesmanship 自我宣传能力Egocentric 自我中心的，个人主义的Egodefence 自我防御Ego idcal 自我理想化Egoism 自我中心，只考虑自己利益Ego psychology 自我心理学 Ego trip 追名逐利，自我表现There are many other similar examples that have not been listed here. But the above examples are enough to show this -many lexical items in American Englis
19、h are created to express self-value, self-advantage, self-freedom, self-coutrol and self-restraint, etc. these are the core content of individualistic value system.Apart from what mentioued above , individualish also particularly hightlights the protection and respect for private life,which is never
20、 allowed to be peeped and intervened . the so-called“privacy” . which includes several fundamental connotation such as solitude,freedom, secret,privately , privateness, private life or privacy. These conceptions take a top position in American peoples minds . Actually,the disturbance into others pri
21、vacy is considered “intrusion”,which represent no difference with that of invasion into others territory .4Honener , no matter with cultural background, there always exists people who are interested in others privacy .In American English ,some words or expressions are used for desaribing these kinds
22、 of persons ,such as poke ones nose into other peoples business(探听或干预别人的事),meddle in other peoples affairs( 干涉别人的事),nosy(爱打听的，好管闲事的),inquisitive(过分好奇的，爱打听别人隐私的),gossip(爱传流言蜚语的人，爱说长道短的人).Also some protest and warning come into being keep your big nose out of our business（我们的事不要你管）.Mind your own busin
23、ess( 别管闲事，缩略形式为 MYOB). It is none of your business( 这不关你的事). Put out your hand between the bark and the tree(别管别人的家务事).What are discussed above are embodiments of individualism that connect directly with American culture format. One thing that should be particularly pointed out is that individualism
24、 not only be the reproduction of specific cultural patterns ,but also dosely associated with social political system and structure and the ownership of productivity material. USA is a capitalistic superpower with highly developed economy. But simultaneously with the sharp distinction between poor an
25、d rich , the unreasonability, and the injustice. The aspiration for fortune and profit makes many people lose their basic morality , by adding others suffering to gain wealth. From this perspective, there is no wonder that individualisn is the soil which nurtures viciousness.From above, we can see i
26、ndividualism have a great effect on American English . I think we can have a further study on this topic.5Bibliography ：1.Zhu Yongtao,A Handbook to Essentials of British and American Cultures, Beijing :Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 19942.Lai Luning,Cultural Background for English Stu
27、dy: A Survey of Europe, Beijing :Peking University Press, 20043.Deng Yanchang,Liu Runqing,Language and Culture，Beijing : Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 19894.Wang Bo, Selected Readings in American History & Culture，Beijing :Peking University Press, 20045 方炎.语境语篇 语类A语言的功能-系统、语用和认知C重庆：重庆大学出版社,1998
