There is a disagreement on the impact of increased business and culture contact between countries on a country’s identity. What is your opinion?

商业和文化的接触增多会导致一个国家特征的丧失：

• 影响文化：文化不是静态的，而是动态的(not static, but dynamic);—种文化的改变主要是由 于社会环境(social environment)发生了变化。比如说，人们的饮食习惯发生了改变，这是学习 夕卜界文化的结果(People’s eating habits have been changed as the result of learned behaviour.); 快餐文化源自美国，有些人将此作为财富的象征(symbols of wealth),从而喜欢快餐;另外， 本地的饮食文化会改变，以适应外国人的口味(suit the tastes of visitors);

• 影响生活方式：进口商品的增多，对外国产品的喜好(preference for imports);人们更加熟悉 他国的文化，而忘记自身的特点(sense of identity)，社会的团结也有所损害(an erosion of social solidarity);服装、饮食、娱乐等等都被两化了 (westernized),比如说，西装现在是流行 的男性服装(the suit is the most popular outfit for men);

• 欠发达国家在技术革新中起到的作用甚微(play a small role in the technological revolution),所 以需要"出卖"自己国家的主权或者利益来获得国际的帮助(concede sovereignty and interests to other countries for aid);贫富差距加大(widening gap between the richest and poorest parts of the world);

• 接受西方文化的人们成为一个国家新的统治阶级(new ruling class);人们摒弃传统的观念 (renounce traditionally-held beliefs),觉得传统观念是过时的和低人一等的(outdated and inferior);主流文化会取代老式的和各种各样的文化(A dominant culture takes over diverse cultures.),人们不再尊重传统文化(lose respect older cultures),而传统观念最终成为历史 {consigned to history)。

商业和文化的接触增多会加强一个国家的特征：

• 外来文化让人们意识到自己文化的特点，从而更加注意维持这种文化; • 一种特殊文化会引起世界的关注，人们会更加注意保护。

范文

One of the most conspicuous trends in the 21st century is a closer connection between countries, in both economic and cultural aspects. There is a widespread worry that this will lead to the gradual demise of countries’ identities. This issue should be viewed and analyzed from multiple perspectives.

When a country tends to develop a closer relationship with the rest of the world, it does not necessarily give up its culture. Culture is not a disgrace to but an asset of a country. An indigenous culture can distinguish one country from others, attracting foreign visitors and yielding high income. As most tourists travel abroad for learning different cultures and sampling different ways of life, such as Beijing opera in China, Japanese tea culture and Thai temples, many countries have responded with protecting and preserving their cultural identities, in an effort to keep themselves in the list of the most popular destinations. Increased tourism instills fresh life force into these countries, aiding the conservation of their features.

While tourism provides a driving force for cultural conversation, some components of a culture, such as traditions^ customs or taboos might die out over time. It seems that in some countries, the locals have become more accustomed to exotic cultures. It reflects the combined effects of the invasion of foreign cultures, either through media or through direct business interaction. For example, two decades ago, sex was a taboo subject in China and most Chinese people felt embarrassed to talk openly about it. Over time the Western culture has permeated into the Chinese lifestyle, and the Chinese people have broken many of their time-honoured traditions. It occurs in the rest of the world as well.

As outlined above, increased interaction between countries in the domains of business and culture can either strengthen or undermine the identities of countries involved, To date there is no definite answer to this question.

近义词表

1. conspicuous-noticeable=prominent=striking:显箸的，突出的

2. connection=linkage= relation=relationship:关系，联系 3. demise=disappearance=vanishing=fading:消失，死亡

4. multiple=manifold=numerous=various=many:不同的，很多的 5. disgrace=dishonour=shame=humiliation:耻辱

6. life force=soul=essence：生命力 7. conservation=protection=preservation:保存，保护

8. exotic=bizarre=outlandish=from afar=mysteriously unusual: 外来的，奇异的

9. taboo=offensive=embarrassing=unacceptable=disgraceful=dishonourable=humiliating:无礼的，侮辱性的;忌讳的

10. permeate=seep into=pervade=leak into:渗透 11. time-honoured=age-old=long-established ：历史悠久的

12. interaction=interplay=communication=relationship:相互作用