Long before the emergence of the written words, ballads and myths, passed around by word of mouth, were widely popular. Chinese literature finds its origins in these traditions. However, ballads were what people improvised out of daily life, and due to lack of means to record and preserve them in ancient times, they quickly disappeared without leaving much of a trace. Today, we can only deduce their existence from ancient books, which recorded some time-honored ballads, though most of these are believed to be derivatives of later generations. Ballads in the Book of Songs are the earliest writings that can be dated. From this point of view, ancient mythology obviously has had a great influence on Chinese literature.

　　中國成語是漢語中意義完整的表示一般概念的固定詞組或短語。“成語”中的“成”既是約定俗成。成語是比詞大而語法功能又相當(dāng)于詞的語言單位。絕大多數(shù)的中國成語由四個(gè)漢字組成，例如：自強(qiáng)不息、青出于藍(lán)、厚積薄發(fā)。成語主要從民間諺語、古代文學(xué)作品、詩歌、寓言、典故、名言警句等方面提煉而成，是漢語語言中精煉而又富有生命力的一部分。

　　Chinese Idioms Chinese idioms refer to comprehensive and integrated fixed phrases and expressions. Idioms are established and accepted by constant usage and common practice. An idiom is a language unit that is larger than a word, but has the same grammatical function as a word. Most Chinese idioms consist of four characters. For example, ziqiangbuxi ( make unremitting efforts to improve oneself), qingchuyulan(bluer than indigo), and houjibofa (success comes with time and effort). Idioms are extrated from folk proverbs, ancient works of literature, poems, fables, allusions, and well-known sayings. Idioms are a part of the Chinese language that are concise and have great vitality.

　　美國人強(qiáng)調(diào)效率、競爭和獨(dú)創(chuàng)性，而中國人則將嚴(yán)謹(jǐn)規(guī)劃放在首位，鼓勵(lì)團(tuán)隊(duì)成員之間的密切合作和無私奉獻(xiàn)。//在美國學(xué)校，討論享有至高無上的地位，討論是課堂教學(xué)的主旋律;而中國教師喜歡講課，喜歡考試，編寫千篇一律的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)教案，培養(yǎng)整齊劃一的高材生。//美國人的政治觀，經(jīng)濟(jì)觀以及社會(huì)觀的核心是個(gè)人道德自治觀。中國傳統(tǒng)的思想體系是以儒家學(xué)說為基礎(chǔ)的，這種思想強(qiáng)調(diào)整體和諧。//現(xiàn)在，中美聯(lián)系比以往更加緊密，中國人學(xué)英語，玩保齡球，吃肯德基，美國人學(xué)漢語，練功夫，吃北京烤鴨，《泰坦尼克》駛進(jìn)中國，《牡丹亭》也在百老匯上演。//

　　American people emphasize efficiency,competition and originality while Chinese people give priority to carefulplanning and encourage close cooperation and altruistic dedication among teammembers.//In American schools, discussion is given top priority while Chineseteachers like to lecture in class,and a lot of them are obsessed withexaminations. They write consistent and standardized teaching plans, and arehappy with bringing up identical and standardized talents.//Central to Americanpolitical, economic and social thought is the concept of individual moralautonomy. Traditional Chinese philosophical systems are based on Confucianism,which sings high praises for communal harmony.//Nowadays, the relation of China and America become closer than ever. Chineselearn English, play bowling, enjoy KFC, while Americans learn Chinese, exerciseKung Fu, like Peking Duck. And Titanic sailed into China, while The Peony Pavilion hasbeen performed on Broadway.//