跨文化交际论文Inter-cultural Communication

Intercultural Communication

Foreword: Culture Shock, a phrase which is discussed frequently these years, brings about people’s thinking about inter-cultural communication. Considering my interests on it, this semester I majored in an English course named Intercultural Communication. This is a subject talking about some differences between countries around the world. It consists of various aspects, such as food, dress, laws, etc. Investigating its reasons, in brief, they all result from different cultures. At the same time, we discussed what we should do to face it and how to behave to interculturally communicate smoothly and politely. Then, we’ll talk about it from some aspects.

Thesis statement:This paper is intended to make a comparison between Chinese and West food systems, table manners, receiving gifts and kinship terms to see their differences and similarities.

Outline:

1.Food culture differences

2.Table manners

2.1Tableware

2.2Seating order

2.3Time

2.4Toast and others

3.Receiving gifts

4.Kinship terms

Works cited

1.Food Culture Differences

Food is necessity for everyone. But what people eat and how they eat are different.

China is a large agricultural country, with grain-based diet, plant-dominated, mostly vegetables and grains. Chinese like eating hot food, they think that if the dish becomes cool, the taste becomes bad. Any diet can not do without food. According to a survey, Chinese food has more than 600 kinds of vegetables, six times more than in the west. In Chinese cuisine, the

vegetarian food is normal, civilians generally eat mainly vegetables . In ancient times, fish and meat can be eaten only in the worship. China is of long history with a vast territory. Due to the diversity of the climate, products and customs, there are widely different food styles and taste in local regions. Through creation by past dynasties, the long standing cooking art has formed rich and c olorful local dishes. Among them, “the eight major dishes” enjoy the upper reputation, which consists of Shandong, Chekiang, Sichuan, Jiangshu, Guangdong, Hunan, Fujian and Anhui.

A common saying in Chinese cuisine has been around in Chinese culture for some time. Its exact origin is unknown, though it attempts to summarize the entire cuisine in one sentence. The order of the directions can vary within local culture. It should be noted Chinese cuisine have gone through numerous transformations through the different dynasties all the way up to modern times. Many different versions of the quote exist on the internet today. One of the most common version under Google’s search suggests an overwhelmingly different versions in mainland Simplified Chinese. In Chine se, it’s “南甜，北咸，东淡，西北酸，西南辣”，while in English, it’s “South is sweet, North is salty, East is mild, West North is sour, West South is spicy.”

As to western cuisine, it has a history of 3000 years. Because of the animal husbandry and fishery, western cuisine is based on animal products, such as meat, eggs, milk, etc. Beef is high proportion of meat ware. And westerners are fond of black bread, marine fish, chocolate, cheese, coffee, cold drink. French cuisine is the center of western cuisine. It is a style of cooking originating from France, having developed from centuries of social and political change. Ingredients and dishes vary by region. There are many significant regional dishes that have become both national and regional. Chinese and wine are a major part of the cuisine, playing different roles regionally with many variations and appellation laws. There are many dishes that are considered part of the nations national cuisine today. Many come from classic cuisine in the fine-dining realm, but others are regional dishes that have become a norm across the country. And Foie gras, Fish sauce, etc. are most famous dishes.

2.Table manners

2.1 Tableware

In China, we use chopsticks. Chopsticks should always be held correctly,