Abstract

    Cultural diversity is ubiquitous in the modern world, and as the two opposing values, individualism and collectivism embody the main cultural differences between east and west. Under the guidance of Hofstede’s individualism and collectivism cultural dimension, the thesis makes a cultural comparison of the lines in the American film The Devil Wears Prada and the Chinese movie Go LA LA Go!, and further explores the reasons hidden behind individualism and collectivism tendency in the two films. 

    The lines of The Devil Wears Prada are individualism-oriented, which can be reflected from the aspects of self-orientation, equality, competition and privacy. The lines of Go LA LA Go! are collectivism-oriented, which can be reflected from the aspects of group orientation, hierarchy, cooperation, harmony and devotion to group. The two kinds of orientation have their own religious, philosophical, historical, and geographic reasons. 

    The cultural comparison made in this thesis can help people better understand Chinese and American cultural differences and enhance mutual understanding for promoting the smooth progress of cross-cultural communication.

    Key words: cultural comparison; Hofstede’s individualism-collectivism dimension; The Devil Wears Prada; Go LA LA Go!; film lines

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1 Introduction-1

2 Literature Review-2

2.1 Hofstede’ s individualism-collectivism dimension-2

2.2 The Devil Wears Prada and Go LA LA Go!-4

2.3 The relevant studies-5

3 Hofstede’ s Individualism-Collectivism Dimension and The Devil Wears Prada -6

3.1 Case analysis-7

3.2 Cultural analysis of individualism in The Devil Wears Prada-10

4 Hofstede’ s Individualism-Collectivism Dimension and Go LA LA  Go!-12

4.1 Case analysis-13

4.2 Cultural analysis of collectivism in Go LA LA Go!-16

5 Conclusion-17

References-19