欧内斯特·米勒尔·海明威(Ernest Miller Hemingway)的短篇小说《美国太太的金丝雀》(A Canary for One)主要记述了在开往法国的火车上,一对去巴黎办理分居手续的美国年轻夫妇与一位中年美国太太之间的对话。作者对美国太太的一系列描写,有意诱导读者将美国太太作为叙事的焦点,引导叙事者与读者一起以全知视角审判她的麻木不仁与自以为是,直到一句式结局造成的反转,将话题中心引至叙事者“我”与“我”的妻子,使读者的心理预期与小说的真实发展形成落差,产生强烈的情感冲击。
Language is a vehicle for culture. It is also a key component of culture. It not only reflects culture but also influences culture. As a variety of British English,American English,especially American words and expressions can reflect American culture from many aspects. This paper studies some typical traits of American culture reflected in words and expressions of American Eng lish.
