Unit 2: The Influence of Language and Culture on Identity

Chinese Religion

Complex and diverse set of beliefs and practices encompassing Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, folk religions, and ancestor worship.

Confucianism

Emphasizes social order, morality, and education.

Taoism

Focuses on living in harmony with nature and the universe.

Buddhism

Originated in India, introduced to China in the first century CE, and became an integral part of Chinese religious life.

Folk Religions and Ancestor Worship

Involves veneration of local deities and ancestors, along with divination and other spiritual practices.

Education in China

Highly valued for social and economic success, divided into primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, emphasizes rote learning and memorization, and includes the Gaokao for university admission.

Chinese Personality

Values collectivism over individualism, respects authority and elders, emphasizes face-saving and harmony, values hard work and education, tends to be reserved and formal in interactions, believes in fate and predetermined destiny, known for hospitality and love of food.

Chinese Language

Official language of China, Taiwan, and Singapore, written using characters (pictorial representations), with over 50,000 characters, but about 20,000 commonly used, and Mandarin as the most widely spoken dialect.

Chinese Characters

Based on pictograms, developed through various stages (oracle bone, big seal, small seal, etc.), and composed of strokes written in a specific order.

Chinese Calligraphy

The art of writing Chinese characters using tools like a brush, ink, rice paper, and inkstone, with elements of calligraphy art including the structure of the word, overall layout, method of writing, degree in coloring, rhythm, and styles.

Chinese Beauty and Aesthetics

Influenced by Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, emphasizing inner beauty, nature, simplicity, and the mind, historically focusing on physical beauty features, and witnessing a growing emphasis on individuality and self-expression in modern China.

Four Beauties of China

Xi Shi, Wang Zhaojun, Diao Chan, and Yang Guifei, embodying beauty, grace, and cultural significance in Chinese history.

Chinese Architecture

A unique and ancient style characterized by the use of wood, stone, intricate designs, and attention to detail, featuring iconic structures like the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven.

Chinese Literature

A rich tradition spanning thousands of years, including classic works like "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu and "Journey to the West" by Wu Cheng'en.

Internet in China

China's online landscape, with over 989 million internet users, extensive government surveillance, and the Great Firewall restricting access to certain websites.

Government Surveillance in China

Extensive monitoring of citizens through CCTV cameras, facial recognition technology, the social credit system, and censorship of online content.

Social Media in China

Thriving social media platforms such as WeChat, Sina Weibo, and Douyin (TikTok), subject to heavy government regulation and censorship.

Chinese Cuisine

A diverse culinary tradition known for its emphasis on color, aroma, and flavor, regional variations, and the importance of using fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Chinese Dining Etiquette and Taboos

Cultural norms and customs for meals, including avoiding sticking chopsticks upright in rice, not blowing your nose at the table, and never taking the last piece of food from a communal plate.

Types of Chinese Cuisine

An overview of eight regional Chinese cuisines, including Anhui, Cantonese, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Sichuan, and Zhejiang cuisines.

Chinese Calligraphy

The art of writing Chinese characters using tools like a brush, ink, rice paper, and inkstone, with elements and characteristics of calligraphy art.

Internet Censorship in China

The Great Firewall, keyword filters, content monitoring, and censorship on social media and online platforms.

Chinese Government Censorship Methods

The use of the Great Firewall, keyword filters, content monitoring, and efforts to restrict VPN usage.

Social Media Platforms in China

An introduction to popular platforms such as WeChat, Sina Weibo, and Douyin (TikTok), and their role in Chinese society.

个体 (gètǐ)

Individual - A single person or thing, considered separately from the whole.

家庭 (jiātíng)

Family - A group of people living together and sharing common relationships and responsibilities.

信仰 (xìnyǎng)

Faith - Strong belief or trust in someone or something, often of a religious nature.

礼仪 (lǐyí)

Ritual - A series of actions or customs performed in a specific order, often for religious or social purposes.

教育 (jiàoyù)

Education - The process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values, and habits.

传统 (chuántǒng)

Tradition - Beliefs, customs, and practices that are passed down through generations.

祖先 (zǔxiān)

Ancestor - A person from whom one is descended, typically several generations back.

语言 (yǔyán)

Language - The method of human communication, either spoken or written, consisting of words in a structured system.

价值观 (jiàzhíguān)

Values - A person's principles or standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is important in life.

艺术 (yìshù)

Art - The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination through various media.

信任 (xìnrèn)

Trust - A firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something.

社会 (shèhuì)

Society - The community of people living in a particular region and having shared customs, laws, and organizations.

责任 (zérèn)

Responsibility - The state or fact of being accountable for something or someone.

文化 (wénhuà)

Culture - The arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively.

亲戚 (qīnqi)

Relatives - A person connected by blood or marriage; a family member.

民族 (mínzú)

Ethnicity - The fact or state of belonging to a social group with a common national or cultural tradition.

习惯 (xíguàn)

Habit - A settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.

职业 (zhíyè)

Profession - A paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification.

继承 (jìchéng)

Inheritance - The practice of passing on property, titles, debts, rights, and obligations upon the death of an individual.

传播 (chuánbō)

Disseminate - To spread or convey information, knowledge, or ideas to a wide audience.

艺术家 (yìshùjiā)

Artist - A person who creates works of art, whether visual, performing, or literary.

自由 (zìyóu)

Freedom - The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.

共享 (gòngxiǎng)

Share - To have or use something with others.

民主 (mínzhǔ)

Democracy - A system of government where the citizens exercise power by voting.

遗产 (yíchǎn)

Legacy - Something handed down from the past, as a gift or inheritance.

婚姻 (hūnyīn)

Marriage - The legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal relationship.

外交 (wàijiāo)

Diplomacy - The profession, activity, or skill of managing international relations.

艺术品 (yìshùpǐn)

Artwork - Objects or creations produced by artists, often considered valuable for their aesthetic and cultural significance.

信念 (xìnniàn)

Belief - A firmly held opinion or conviction.

教师 (jiàoshī)

Teacher - A person who instructs or imparts knowledge and skills to others.