Background of meal.doc

Introduction

As we know,there are many countries in the world.Each has own its culture.
Scottish philosopher David Hume wrote, “culture, then,is the great guide of
human life”it is true that knowing the culture of a country is, in effect, a guide
to understanding the soul of that country and its people.Culture refer to many
factors such as art, music, food,literature,ect.However, on the assignment,I
would like to show my understanding about meal culture.

As a English learner,I am interested in English culture in common, English
meals in particularly.Hence,on this paper, I would like show my
understanding about English Meals.Speccially,I will compare and contrast it
with Vietnamese Meal to show the differences and similarity between meals
of two countries.

I hope that my study will help people who are interested in English culture,
will have more knowledge about English culture and intercultural
communication of it with Vietnamese culture.
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Development
1.Background of meal
1.1.Definitions about “meal”
There are many different definitions about Meal
In larouse Cobuild English learner’s dictionary:
• A meal is an instance of eating, specifically one that takes place at a
specific time and includes specific, prepared foodstuffs.
Definition by Wood,R.C,(1995):
• A communal meal in a dream is the image of communal activity of a
ritual or magical nature. When interpreting the dream, note should be
taken of the dreamer’s religious belief.
In website:htth//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meal.

• Food that is prepared and eaten, usually at a specific time.
In short,although each person has own way to express the definition about
meal,the idieas are in similarity.
1.2.Meals
In common,there are three main meals in a day:Breakfast,lunch and dinner:
Breakfast is a meal, often light, usually taken in the morning.
Lunch is a meal that is taken at noon or in the early afternoon.
Dinner is a meal that is generally served in the evening, starting some time
between 6:00 and 8:30.
2.My finding
2.1.The breakfast meal
The breakfast meal in England and in Vietnam is also considered that is a
light meal.In breakfast meal,people often eat few dishes which is simple.
However, the breakfast of each country is different from each other. Each
country has a typical meal.
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What is a typical English breakfast?
Most people around the world seem to think a typical English breakfast
consists of eggs, bacon, sausages, fried bread, mushrooms and baked beans all

washed down with a cup of coffee. Nowadays, however, a typical English
breakfast is more likely to be a bowl of cereals, a slice of toast, orange juice
and a cup of coffee.Many people, especially children, in England will eat a
bowl of cereal. They are made with different grains such as corn, wheat, oats
etc. In the winter, many people will eat "porridge" or boiled oats.
On the other hand,the Vietnamese breakfast is often lighter such
as:phë(noodle soup), X«i, b¸nh m× (breakfast bread), ch¸o(Grilled Paste),
bón(rice vermicelli), b¸nh cuèn(rice flour steamed rolls), ect.

ch¸o lßng X«i

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Breakfast bread b¸nh cuèn
In the past,wives in Vietnames family often get up early to make breakfast
meal for the whole family.Nowadays,although they don’t cook it,wives buy it
to prepaire breakfast meal.
2.2.The lunch
Both in England and in Vietnam, lunch foods are varies.In the past,very
similar things are eaten at lunch as at dinner - a hot meal, sometimes with
more than one course.Evenly, lunch is actually the main meal of the day,
supper being a smaller cold meal. However, since many people eat lunch
while at work or school, this can be impractical.
Ploughman'slunch
In England,more appropriate are relatively simple foods that can be packed
in a lunch box. This typically consists of a sandwich, a packet of crisps, a
piece of fruit and a drink. The 'packed lunch' is kept in a plastic container.
In contrast to England,Vietnamses children often have lunch at school that
cook make.
2.3.The dinner meal
According to tradition, English dinner or Vietnamese dinner is also main
meals in a day. Dinner is an opportunity for them to share a meal and talk
together after a hard day.
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However,in England,The traditional dinner meal is rarely eaten nowadays
apart from on Sundays. A recent survey found that most people in Britain eat
curry! Rice or pasta dishes are now favoured as the 'British
Dinner'.Vegetables grown in England, like potatoes, carrots, peas, cabbages
and onions, are still very popular.
What is a traditional English Dinner?
A typical British meal for dinner is "meat and two vegetable". We put
hot brown gravy, (traditionally made from the juices of the roast meat, but

more often today from a packet!) on the meat and usually the vegetables. One
of the vegetables is almost usually potatoes.
The Sunday Roast Dinner is a traditional meal eaten by family
For example, roast beef with roast potatoes, parsnips, peas, Brussels
sprouts, green beans, Yorkshire pudding, bread sauce and gravy. Mint sauce
or redcurrant jelly is often eaten with lamb, apple sauce with pork, and
horseradish sauce (a type of mustard) with beef, cranberry sauce with turkey.
Stuffing may be eaten with chicken or turkey.
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