新编剑桥商务英语高级第三版 第12.1

12.1 Crossing cultures

VOCABULARY

Globalisation

1Why do you think kofi Annan said this?

‘…arguing against globalization is like arguing against the laws of gravity.’

Kofi Annan, United Nations

3What does the term globalization mean to you?

4Mark the following aspects of globalization positive (+), negative (-) or don’t know (?).Compare and discuss with your partner.

1 free trade (abolition of trade barriers)

2 opening of markets

3 social integration and merging of cultures (the global village)

4 increased competition in the world market

5 free movement of labour (migration of workers)

6 free movement of capital

7 development of advanced communications

8 reduction in the cost of goods

9 growing influence of multinational corporations

5Which of these effects can you see particularly in your country?

READING

Cross-culture communication

6Why is culture important to business people? Discuss with a partner.

7 Read this opening passage from a book by Neil Bromford on cross-cultural communication. Choose the best‘blurb’to go on the back of the book.

8 Think of a title for Neil Bromford’s book.

9Look at these words (1-8) from the text above and find a synonym (A-I) for each.

0 feature A unusual

1 uncommon B aspect

2 awareness C strange

3 to lose face D knowledge

4 to chat E to feel humiliated

5 pressed for time F to weaken

6 influence G to make conversation

7 unfamiliar H in a hurry

READING

1Make a list of three dos and three don’ts for people who have to do business in a different culture.

2Dr A J Schuler gives advice on improving cross-cultural communication in organization. Read the text and choose the best word (A, B, C or D) to fill each gap.

UNDERSTANDING CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

Direct experience

The best way to learn about another culture is to be thrown in at the deep end. In other words, get (0) _______ experience. Try to listen to the radio or watch TV programmes from that country or go to special clubs for that specific nationality or group-discussion groups, religious groups, dance groups, etc. In any kind of contact (1) ________ the time to listen and to learn.

Don’t be afraid of difference

Even if others’behaviour seems strange of foreign, remember that differences are less (2) ________ than the things we all have in common. We are all made of the same DNA, and as human beings, we share many of the same (3)_______ and basic interests. Enjoy the things we share and at the same time, try to ‘enjoy’the differences.

Understand your own culture

By thinking about your own cultural behaviour and habits, you will open your mind(4)________the behaviour of others. Also this will help you-when you are interpreting the behaviour of an unfamiliar culture-to avoid applying your own cultural (5)________ .

Avoid stereotypes

We find stereotypes useful because they help us to order our world and to categorise the different people and experiences in it. They also help to (6)_______ us when we feel uncertain. On the whole though, stereotypes are very superficial and don’t take account of individual differences. Also, because they can be defensive and made to protect us from uncertainty, they often (7)_______ negative wiews of a different culture.

We live in a changing world

Cultres change through time, and these days, in the ‘global village’ that we live in, this process is happening more rapidly. Don’t(8)________ the effect that your interaction with another culture will have on that culture. As you try to understand them and move(9)________ them, so they will do the same and the cultre that you thought you were dealing with will have changed.

Think also about how your own cultural values are being received or accommodated by your foreign (10)_____as you both try to bridge the gap.

0 A unique B fist-hand C original D personnel

1 A take B have C spend D pass

2 A many B numerous C ample D amount

3 A motors B motivators C motivations D motifs