Intercultural Communication

主讲人：毛忠霞

Unit 1

An Introduction

To know another’s language and not his culture is a very way to make a fluent fool of one’s self. Winston Brembeck

Case 1 Showing concern

In China:

Xiao Li (an interpreter): You must be very tired. You’re old…

Catherine (an elderly American lady): Oh, I’m NOT old, and I’m NOT tired.

Comment: Courteous in China. it means, “If you are tired, we can take a

little rest, since you are getting on in years.” Unfortunately, his translation is too literal and misleading. Shows that translation is an intercultural communication, which requires the translator to possess both English cultural knowledge and language competence.

In the west, there is a value placed in being young that many people consciously, or unconsciously, are not willing to accept that they are growing old. In addition, the western way of showing concern is generally different from the Chinese way. The former is mainly displayed with question while the latter is usually expressed by statement. For these reasons the foreign lady felt offended.

In the West:

A: How are you doing now? Would you like to rest?

B: No, not a bit.

On the first dayE: Would you like to have a beer? Would you like to join us with the beer?C: No, Thank you. (refuse)

On another dayE: Would you like to have a beer? Would you like to join us with the beer?C: Yes, Thank you. (accept)

Case 2 First offer

In your daily life, do you often accept first offer? If yes, in what situation?

Questions for discussion

In Chinese culture it was not polite to accept on the first offer. Chinese customs show that C was being modest, polite and well-behaved and had every intention of accepting the beer at the second or third offer. impressing his charges with his modesty.

But in North American rules, which firmly say that you do not push alcoholic beverages on anyone. A person may not drink for religious reasons. He may be a reformed alcoholic, or he may be allergic. Whatever the reason behind the rule, you do not insist on offering alcohol.

Different Language, Different Behavior;

Same Language ,Different Behavior.

Culture

What is Chinese about a Chinese?What is American about an American?Australian about an Australian?German about a German?French about a French?

服装 音乐 语言 招呼语 饮食 闲暇活动 手势 礼仪 文学

时间观念 对空间的利用 成就感 交际模式 对环境的影响 上下级关系的模式 对“个人”的看法 对竞争和合作的偏爱 对规章制度的需要 谦虚的观念 家庭观念 对宇宙的看法 法律的观念 工作的积极性 对领导的看法 社会交往的频率 友谊的性质 控制感情的模式 依据年龄、性别、阶级、职业、亲属关系确定地位以及以此相关联的角色 对地位变化的看法等等

What?

Communication

Communication is central to our existence. It Is through communication that we learn who we are, and what the world around us is like. To a large extent, our identity as both individual and Cultural being is shaped through communication. Through this, we explore the world around us, and establish bonds, networks, and relationshipswith other people.

Three basic aspects to communication

Our individual personality the culture we operate in the physical environment that surrounds us

intercultural communication

Generally speaking, intercultural communication refers to communication between people whose cultural backgrounds are distinct enough to alter their communication.

Euphemism understanding Give the Chinese equivalents of the following e

uphemisms. Landscape engineer Tonsorial artist Sanitation engineer Shoe rebuilder

园林工人 理发师 清洁工 补鞋匠

Cultural puzzles

Read the following situations and choose the appropriate answers. There may be more than one possible answer for each cultural puzzle.

What would you do if someone told you to use his or her first name, but you felt uncomfortable doing this?

A) You could continue to use the person’s last name without explaining why.

B) You could try to use the person’s first name even though you feel uncomfortable doing this.

C) You could ask the person, “Is it OK if I use your last name?”

a) No. Ignoring others’ suggestion is impolite and offensive.

b) Yes. When you try something new, it may be difficult at first. After a while, you will get accustomed to it.

c) Yes. You could learn about other’s customs by asking for cultural explanations. You could ask, for example, a teacher: “would you mind if I use your last name? In my country, it is polite for studens to use their teacher’s last name.

Situation: An American woman received a letter fro

m a recently married Japanese friend. The Japanese woman wrote in he letter: “My husband is not very handsome. Your husband is much more handsome than mine.” The American woman was very surprised at what her friend wrote.

Why do you think the American was surprised?

a) The American woman saw a picture of her friend’s husband and thought that he was very handsome.

b) The American woman didn’t think her own husband was handsome.

c) In the U.S., it is disrespectful to say that one’s husband is not handsome.

a) No. even if this was true, she wouldn’t expect a wife to say this about her own husband. To her, the Japanese woman insulted her own husband.

b) No. Even if this was true, she wouldn’t expect the Japanese woman to compare their husbands’ appearance.

c) Yes, a statement like this about one’s spouse in the U.S. would be considered very disrespectful. If an American woman said this about he husband, people might think that they didn’t have a good relationship.

Why do you think the Japanese woman wrote, “My husband is not very handsome”?

a) The Japanese woman was trying to tell her American friend that she did not like her husband very much..

b) It is uncommon in Japan to compliment one’s husband.

c) The Japanese woman didn’t think her husband was handsome, but she liked his personality.

A) No. This would not be a Japanese way for a wife to say that she didn’t like her husband.

B) Yes. In Japan, a person would be considered boastful and not modest enough if he or she complimented his or her family members in front of others. Instead, some Japanese (particularly those who are more traditional) might say something slightly negative just to show that they are being modest and not overly proud.

C) No. see b)

Please discuss what you think of the word “culture”?

Please work together to develop a list of characteristics that make each of the cultural groups different from the others.

第一次 Unit 1 An Introduction

第二次 Unit 2 Daily Verbal Communication (I)

第三次 Unit 3 Daily Verbal Communication (11)

第四次 Unit 4 Verbal Communication

第五次 Unit 5 Nonverbal Communication

第六次 Unit 6 Cultural Variations in Negotiation Styles

第七次 Film watching

第八次 Exam

The End.

Questions are welcome!