母语对英语写作的负面影响(英文)

Abstract: As the process of globalization is being accelerated, an increasing number of Chinese people want to learn English which is becoming more necessary as a tool to recognize the world. Based on the initial inquiry, this paper at first finds that the mother language is one of the greatest barriers to English learning for Chinese students, and then it points out examples embodying the negative influence of Chinese on the Chinese students’ English writing. At last it explores the main causes for the negative influence and puts forward three countermeasures against this negative influence.

Key words: Mother language; Negative influence; English writing

摘 要:随着全球化进程的快速推进，英语作为认识世界的工具变得尤为必要，所以越来越多的中国人学习英语。在前期调查的基础上，我们发现母语是影响中国学生英语写作的最大障碍之一，并举出中国学生英语作文中受到文化负迁移影响的实例。由此挖掘出母语造成负面影响的主要原因并提出三个规避方法。

关键词：母语；负面影响；英语写作

Introduction
The relationship between culture and language is inseparably connected. “Language and culture is a whole, not two parts with any relations.”[1]¬ In other words, if one wants to understand the culture of a nation, he’d better understand the language of the nation; if one has mastered the language of a nation, he can be more close to the culture of the nation. But as foreign language learners, mother language affects their foreign learning in every aspect, especially in the process of learning. They always feel confused owing to the negative influence of their mother tongue.
This paper attempts to analyze the negative influence of Chinese on Chinese students’ English compositions, because writing is a very crucial sector to judge the comprehensive linguistic competence of foreign language learners. Actually, from 50 questionnaires collected from students, we have discovered that the effect of Chinese and Chinese thinking pattern is so deep that a large number of English compositions written by Chinese students just could only be understood by Chinese people. Many students can not judge their compositions correctly, nor can they find the inappropriate places in their works.
The paper also explores why Chinese tongue could cause negative influence on English writing. There are three main causes, including different morality and ethics, world outlook and values of different nations. In addition to the causes, students should learn how to avoid negative effect of Chinese on English writing.

1  The relationship between culture and language
Culture is the unique phenomenon in human society. The reason that animals have not culture is lack of languages. The word “culture” appeared in China more than 2000 years ago. “Kong Yinda explained the word “culture” in Tang dynasty.”[2] The concept of “culture” just pointed to spiritual things in ancient China, which was a little limited. On the other hand, “culture” in western world is from “cultura” in Latin, meaning farming, living, practicing, caring about and some other meanings. “Culture” in French has meanings of bringing up and planting, which can cultivate the character and ethics of human being. Obviously, the definition of “culture” is more integrated in western society.
Language is also human-specific, as well as human history. It is very different from the communication systems other living creatures possess, such as bird songs and frog. Although it looks like a simple word, it is difficult to give a satisfactory definition. We just say language is a kind of culture and a part of the culture.