Abstract

The relationship between language and thinking is interdependent and interactive. Chinese and English have different thinking patterns, which are reflected not only in language itself, but also in language using. Therefore, Chinese and English shares different morphology and syntactic structures and even the cultural meaning behind a word. Inevitably influenced by the mother tongue, Chinese students tend to make mistakes in terms of lexical level, syntax and discourse, which leads to Chinglish. This paper analyses the different expressions from a perspective of lexical lever, syntax level and discourse and thus gives some advice to improve English writing skills of Chinese students. 

Key words: thought pattern, language, culture, English writing

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

I. Introduction-1

II. Literature Review-1

2.1 Sapir-Whorf’s hypothesis-1

2.2 Contrastive Rhetoric-2

2.2.1 Kaplan’s Hypothesis-2

2.2.2 Research on Chinese-English Contrastive Rhetoric-2

III. Major differences between Chinese and Western Thought Patterns-3

3.1  Circular Thought and Linear Thought-3

3.2 Subjective Thought and Objective Thought-4

3.3 Image Thought and Abstract Thought-4

IV. Influence of the Differences between Chinese and Western Modes of Thinking on English Writing-5

4.1 Selection of Words-5

4.1.1 The Frequency of Using Verbs, Nouns and Prepositions-5

4.1.2 The use of Abstract Words and General Word-6

4.1.3 Collocation of Words-7

4.1.4 Misunderstanding of Cultural meanings behind words-7

4.2 Construction of Sentences-8

4.2.1 Time and Order-8

4.2.2 Conjunctions-8

4.2.3 Subject-Prominence and Topic-Prominence-9

4.2.4 Subjective Thinking and Objective Thinking-10

4.3 Structure of Writing Passages-11

4.3.1 Typical types of Chinese discourse patterns-11

4.3.2 Typical types of English discourse patterns.-11

V.  Implications of the Study-12

5.1 Strengthening the connection between reading and writing.-12

5.2 Uniting writing and translation.-13

VI. Conclusion-13

Reference:-15