Unit 1 跨文化交际

d to say what is on their minds and mean what they say, students in class are expected to ask questions when they need clarification. Korean generally prefer indirect communication style---tend not to say what is on their minds and to reply more on implications and inference. To many Koreans, numerous questions would show a disrespect for the teacher, and would also reflect that the student has not studied hard enough. Identifying difference: p. 18 Addressing Chinese addressing system in comparison with American one 1） To address family members and acquaintances Chinese: --- using the term of relationship to address family members, relatives or close neighbors, e.g. 二哥，三姐，四婶，周大伯，李大妈, 张叔叔，李阿姨等; ---using “lao” or “xiao” plus surname to address 40-year-old people or young or youngish people, e.g. 老王，小刘 etc. American: ---using the first name/given name e.g. Tom, Linda, Michael etc. to people of all ages, of different social status, even one’s parents or grandparents. The main exceptions are addressing one’s parents (Dad, Mom, Mum or Mother), one’s grandparents (Grandpa, Grandma) and sometimes an older relative (Aunt Mary or Uncle Tim); mother-in-law (mom, Mrs. XX or her personal name) In English when one’s youth is emphasized, then the third person “young Thomas” is used. To call someone “old Thomas” can imply a whole range of things, from familiarity to contempt to respect for shrewdness and experience, but “old” here is never the equivalent of the Chinese “lao”. It should be mentioned that if American ever do go over to “Auntie Zhao” or “Grandpa Wang” with non-relatives, it usually reflects either their ethnic background or long and deep friendship. In English Brother Joseph or Sister Mary would commonly be understood as referring to persons belonging to a Catholic group or some religious or professional society. In Indonesia, you call a person “Pak” to show respect. While in Singapore, you simply call an elder person whom you do not know “Uncle”. 2）To address people with certain titles or occupations Chinese: Using a person’s surname plus the person’s title, organization, or occupation, such as 黄局长, 林经理, 李校长，陈老师 etc. How to address a teacher has long been a problem. Now it’s becoming common to call the teacher Mr. Chen, Mrs. Yang, Miss Chen which follows the English custom. In the U.S. primary schools children will sometimes address an instructor as “teacher” (more often “Ms. or Ms. plus the surname), in universities, “Professor” or “Professor or Dr. (who has a PhD) plus surname” . But there’s a tendency of younger staffers in some Chinese units that are not schools to call older employees “laoshi” (teacher). In the U.S., young employees are free to call
Unit 1 Communication Across Cultures Why different people have different view? If we observe a picture from different angles, we see different things. Similarly, when we look at a problem or an event, people from different cultures may have different opinions. When people with different cultural backgrounds communicate with each other, problems may arise and misunderstandings may occur. Case study and analysis p. 2 What is white to a blind? ---wet and dampish sort of color; fluffy color; crackling or fragile color… * Why is it difficult to explain to a blind person what colors are? It is very difficult for people to understand one another if they do not share the same experience. Of course we share the experience of being human, but there are many experiences which we do not share and which are different for all of us. It is these different experiences that make up what is called “ culture”, in the social sciences---the habits of everyday life, the cues to which people respond, the automatic reactions they have to whatever they see and hear. Case study and analysis Case 1 p. 23 What is wrong with Richard in three situations: ---Egyptian dinner, ---experience with Japanese, ---having tea with a British family? Egyptian dinner---he chose to praise the food itself rather than the total evening, for which the food was simply the setting or excuse. experience with Japanese---making great efforts to defend himself. having tea with a British family---helping himself to some sugar and cream is presumptuous or rude to the English host.
The values expressed in this gesture: for American, “Help yourself”; for the English counterpart, “Be my guest.” Typically, the ideal guest at an American party is one who “makes himself at home”, even to the point of answering the door or fixing his own drink. For persons in many other societies, including at least this hypothetical England host, such guest behavior is presumptuous or rude. Richard may object to this explanation, saying “ In other words, English people like to stand on ceremony. Case 2 p.24 1. What do you think of the Korean student’s behavior in class? If you were in the same situation, what would you do? 2. Why did the students from Mexico readily adopt the techniques of asking questions in class? ---conflicts between what is said to be direct communication style and indirect communication style. Mexican culture shares the preference of style with American culture in some