Abstract：The present paper aims at finding the differences and reasons that may cause the differences of wedding conventions between China and America. Based on researches of the cultural backgrounds of the two cultures such as preparations before wedding, wedding dresses, wedding locations, wedding ceremonies and superstitious conventions in traditional wedding, the differences between Chinese and American wedding conventions are caused by the different politics, cultures, regions and values as well as different sources of culture that result in the different values of eastern and western world. As wedding conventions are a common heritage shared by people all around the world, they are playing a more and more important role in culture communications of different regions. There should be a more diverse and tolerable concept for English learners towards foreign cultures including wedding conventions in the coming future.

Key words: wedding conventions; culture; difference; cause

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction1

2. Definition of convention1

3. Comparison of Features between Chinese and American Wedding Conventions.2

3.1 Preparation before Wedding

  3.1.1 Features of Chinese Wedding Conventions

  3.1.2 Features of American Wedding Conventions

     3.1.3 Comparison of Features between Chinese and American Wedding   

    Conventions

3.2 The Wedding Location

  3.2.1 Features of Chinese Wedding Conventions

  3.2.2 Features of American Wedding Conventions

  3.2.3 Comparison of Features between Chinese and American Wedding Conventions

3.3 The Wedding Dress

  3.3.1 Features of Chinese Wedding Conventions

  3.3.2 Features of American Wedding Conventions

  3.3.3 Comparison of Features between Chinese and American Wedding Conventions

3.4 The Wedding Ceremony

  3.4.1 Features of Chinese Wedding Conventions

  3.4.2 Features of American Wedding Conventions

  3.4.3 Comparison of Features between Chinese and American Wedding Conventions

3.5 Superstitious Conventions in Traditional wedding

  3.5.1 Features of Chinese Wedding Conventions

  3.5.2 Features of American Wedding Conventions

  3.5.3 Comparison of Features between Chinese and American Wedding Conventions

4. Causes of differences between Chinese and American Wedding Conventions..8 

4.1 Political difference

4.2 Cultural Differences

4.3 Regional Differences

4.4 Value Differences

5. Effect of Differences between Chinese and American Wedding Conventions on Cross-cultural communication.10

5.1 Positive Effects

5.2 Negative Effects

5.3 Trends of Effects

6. Conclusion..11 

Bibliography...12

Acknowledgements..13