在漢語中，當我們說到傳統和習俗，指的就是某一社會、民族中特定的思想、行為或道德。那麼，當「tradition、custom」和「convention」表示「傳統」時，有哪些不同點呢？我們通過一段介紹英國傳統文化和社會習俗的文字來說明它們之間的區別。
Example
There are many traditional foods in Britain, like the famous fish and chips, the Sunday roast, and scones, a type of small unsweetened or lightly sweetened cake. Eating particular dishes on a specific holiday or at certain times of the day is a national custom. Britain has a long tradition of eating turkeys and Christmas puddings with their families on Christmas Day; it is also known for its tea culture. However, it’s the custom for some people to enjoy a brew in the morning, whereas others prefer to take afternoon tea. Before coming to the UK, we should familiarise ourselves with local customs. When the Brits greet people they know well, they hug and kiss on the cheek. We should also be aware of their social conventions – for instance, most Brits do not like it when people jump the queue.
英國有很多傳統美食，比如最有名的炸魚和薯條、星期日烤肉大餐，還有不甜或微甜的小糕點司康餅等等。在特定的節日、時間吃特定的食物是一個國家的習俗。比如，每到聖誕節，大多數英國人會和家人聚在一起吃火雞、聖誕布丁等；英國的茶文化也非常出名，不過有些人的習慣是喝早茶，有些人則喜歡下午喝茶。來英國之前，我們可以熟悉一下當地的風俗。比如，英國人和熟人見面時擁抱或行貼面禮。我們還應該了解其社會習俗。比如，英國人普遍不喜歡插隊的行為。
首先，單詞 「tradition」 和 「custom」 的含義非常相近，在多數情況下可以互換使用。不過， 「tradition」 強調 「在特定社會或群體中代代相傳的思想、行為方式」，強調 「時間長，影響深」。「Tradition」的形容詞是「traditional 傳統的」。讓我們來回顧兩個例句。
Examples
There are many traditional foods in Britain, like the famous fish and chips, the Sunday roast, and scones, a type of small unsweetened or lightly sweetened cake.
Britain has a long tradition of eating turkeys and Christmas puddings with their families on Christmas Day.
而「custom」則強調「因歷史傳統 traditions 而被人保留下來的習慣、傳統和風俗」；「custom」也可以指個人習慣，而「tradition」則只能形容社會、家庭間沿襲的傳統。來回顧幾個例句。
Examples
Eating particular dishes on a specific holiday or at certain times of the day is a national custom.
However, it’s the custom for some people to enjoy a brew in the morning, whereas others prefer to take afternoon tea.
最後，「convention」特指「已被社會接受的禮儀、做法、常規等等」。
Example
We should also be aware of their social conventions – for instance, most Brits do not like it when people jump the queue.
好了，tradition、custom和convention這三「傳統」意思的詞語大家能分清它們之間的差別了嗎？