中西跨文化交際課程情景案例

1、Unit 1 Language and Culture in CommunicationTheory Communication is something we do every day. It takes place so naturally that we simply fail to notice it until it hiccups or breaks down. Though it is commonplace, it is no exaggeration to say that communication is life and life is communication.1.W

2、hen you join a social gathering, you must be aware of rules and procedures that govern the way things are going to proceed. There is a technical term for such rules and proceduresschema. 2. Face and politeness are two other areas which are extremely valuesensitive. One of the distinctive features of

3、 Chinese politeness is selfdenigration and otherelevation.Case 1: Litz is a professor of crosscultural communication in a university in Finland. She invited her Chinese students home for an evening party.The schema from Litzs point of view includes the following:1.      

4、; Giving invitation: by phone / by mail2.       Prepare everything before the arrival of guests3.       Receiving guests: open the door / express welcome / take their overcoats / introduce guests / offer them drinks / make them comfortable4

5、.       Serving food: set the table / soup first / main course / desert 5.       Post dinner activities: chat / play music / offer more drinks6.       Seeing guests off: thank them for coming / good nightLitzs

6、evening party was not very successful, because she was upset by one of her guests. Here was the initial conversation between Litz and Lin:Litz: (opens the door) Oh, Lin, how nice you could come!Lin: Its not difficult to find your house.Litz: Come on in.Lin: (comes in)Litz: Can I take your coat?Lin:

7、No, thanks.Litz: Ok, this way please.Lin: (take off her coat and hangs it)Analysis: Litz was hurt because Lin did not let her hang her coat. Litzs offering to hang Lins coat is one of Litzs ways (its on Litzs schema). On Lins side, she thought that Litz was her supervisor and that it was inappropria

8、te to let her supervisor hang her coat. Here we have an instance of one action attached with different cultural values.Case 2:Finding an Interested BuyerGeorage Hall was in Beijing attending a trade fair and looking for an opportunity to do business in China. He had been very successful in his busin

9、ess dealings in the US and prided himself on his ability “to get things moving.” His first day was going well .He looked around at the displays of sporting equipment to get some idea of whom he might approach. He was sure that his products, tennis rackets with an unusual new design, would arouse som

10、e interests. On the second day he approached the company which he felt would be most responsive to his products. He introduced himself to the general, a Mr. Li. Since he had read that Chinese find getting down to business immediately too abrupt and rude, he began a casual conversation, eventually le

11、ading up to the topic of his products and suggesting how Mr. Lis company might benefit from using them. George then suggested that he could arrange to get together with Mr. Li and provide more specifics and documentation on his products.Mr. Li responded in fairly good English,” That would be interes

12、ting.”Knowing that he had only a few days left in Beijing, George wanted to nail down a time,” When can we meet?” asked George. “Ah. This week is very busy,” replied Mr. Li. “It sure is,” said George,” How about 10 oclock? Meet you here.” “Tomorrow at 10 oclock?” asked Mr. Li thoughtfully. “Right,”

13、said George, “Ill see you then?” “Hmm, yes; why dont you come by tomorrow,” was the reply. “OK,” responded George,” It was nice meeting you.”The next day at 10 oclock he approached Mr. Lis companys exhibit only to find that Mr. Li had some important business and was not able to meet with George. He

14、called back later in the day and was told that Mr. Li was not available.Analysis: 英美人士做事情講究守時(shí)。而中國(guó)人不太重視這方面。本案列中，李先生不僅沒(méi)有準(zhǔn)時(shí)接見(jiàn)預(yù)約的客戶，甚至放了他“鴿子”。Case3: Professor Liang has written a book on Chinese culture in Chinese. His book is put on display in Beijing International Book Fair 96. Professor Liang would l

15、ike to have his book translated into English and submitted to Thompson Publishers. Professor Liang has asked Li Yan, whom he meets regularly in the English Corner, to help him to talk to Peter Allright, a Thompson representative.Prof. Liang:奧萊特先生，這是鄙人的拙作。Li Tan: Mr. Allright, this a clumsy book writ

16、ten by your humble servant.Mr Allright: No, no, no, you're not my humble servant. We do not publish books in Chinese.Li Yan (to Professor Liang): 不，不，不，你不是我的仆人，我們不出中文書(shū)。Professor Liang: 我要請(qǐng)李艷翻譯成英文。Li Yan (to Mr. Allright): Professor Liang will ask me to translate it into English.Mr. Allright: Mm

17、thats interesting.Analysis: Chinese authors almost always belittle their works by describing them as clumsy writings, and they use the same description when they present them to Chinese publishers. But this will be counterproductive in English. Instead, authors should point out the merits of their w

18、orks rather than “clumsiness”.Unit 2 Culture ShockTheory: 1. Culture shock can be described as the feeling of confusion and disorientation that one experiences when faced with a large number of new and unfamiliar people and situations. 2. There is a desire for independence and separateness, found in

19、 foreigners' needs for their own privacy and autonomy 3. Hospitality means the cordial and generous reception of or disposition toward guests. 4. Politeness refers to the consideration for others, tact, and observance of accepted social usage. 5. Privacy could be understood as the right of an in

20、dividual to self-determination as to the degree to which the individual is willing to share with others information about himself.Case 1: Jane, an American teacher in the US, had just started teaching English to a group of Japanese students. She wanted to get to know the students more formally, so s

21、he invited them to her house for party. The students all arrived together at exactly 8:00 p.m. They seemed to enjoy the party: they danced, sang, and ate most of the food. At about 10:00 p.m, one of the students said to the teacher, “I think its time for me to leave. Thank you very much for the part

22、y.” Then all the other students got up to go, and all left at the same time. Jane decided she would never invite them again!Analysis: 在日本以及其他很多的亞洲國(guó)家里，年輕人通常成群結(jié)隊(duì)的一起去參加一些社交聚會(huì)，然后一道離去。在他們看來(lái)這是很正常不過(guò)的事。然后Jane認(rèn)為這是一種侮辱，因?yàn)樗麄冊(cè)谕粫r(shí)間里一下子全部離開(kāi)了。在美國(guó)以及其他一些英語(yǔ)國(guó)家，晚上10點(diǎn)離開(kāi)一個(gè)聚會(huì)相對(duì)來(lái)說(shuō)是比較早的。Case 2: Four Secretaries and Their Jo

23、bs Four classmates from a top Chinese university all took jobs as secretaries after graduation. Five years later the four former classmates had a reunion and discussed their jobs. Chen Qi and Dai Yun both work as bilingual secretaries for a Finnish company in Beijing. Chen Qi is secretary to the Fin

24、n general manger, and Dai Yun is secretary to the Chinese local manger, a position only slightly lower than that of the Finn manger. Zhang Ying is from a politically prominent family and was hired as the secretary to the leader of a small government bureau in the capital city of her home province. L

25、u Yan works for a state run enterprise in the same city where she was hired as the secretary to the new manager for international marketing. The company has never marketed its products abroad before so this office and Lu Yans position are new to the company. Five years later Chen Qi is satisfied wit

26、h her job with the Finnish company but Dai Yun is not. The Finn manager receives orders from the companys home office in Finland, and he gives orders to those below him in China, including his secretary Chen Qi. He tells her how he wants his time scheduled and she then makes appointments for him acc

27、ording to his instructions. She translates memos and other documents and interprets from Chinese to English to Chinese. If the manager does not think Chen Qi has done her work well, he tells her right away. He is very demanding, but Chen Qi feels that she knows what her duties are and knows what her

28、 manager expects. She is confident that she is doing a good job. Dai Yun often does not have as much work to do as Chen Qi does, because her boss schedules his own appointments and does a lot of the office paperwork himself. When he is out of town she has time to study for the graduate entrance exam

29、. However, she is not sure whether or not she is doing a good job. Her manager tells her what she is expected to do, but he does this day by day. When people call or come to the office to see her boss, she greets them in English or Chinese as necessary. She receives their memos and other messages as

30、 well as their questions and requests and passes them on to her manager. Dai Yun thinks of her job as doing what her manager wants her to do. She pays close attention to his moods and behavior, and sometimes she is able to anticipate what he would like without him telling her.Analysis：許多中國(guó)人在外企工作，不同國(guó)

31、家的外企領(lǐng)導(dǎo)有不同的工作作風(fēng)和標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。本案列中，戴云給不同的外國(guó)上司做秘書(shū)，在工作中出現(xiàn)由于不同的文化沖突而引起的各種工作以及溝通中的問(wèn)題就很常見(jiàn)了。Case 3: One cold winter day in a Chinese city, Wang Lin on his way to the library met an American professor who knew very little about China. After greeting him, Wang said: “Its rather cold. Youd better put on more clothes.” B

32、ut the professor didnt appear happy on hearing this.Analysis: 美國(guó)人以及大部分西方國(guó)家的人們不喜歡被告知要怎么做怎么做，他們比較喜歡獨(dú)立，然而中國(guó)人則習(xí)慣關(guān)心別人，這個(gè)案例中王林的建議表達(dá)的就是一種對(duì)他人的關(guān)心，可是美國(guó)教授卻不習(xí)慣這樣的表達(dá)。Case 4: In a good restaurant, fourteen people are gathered to say goodbye to their professor, who is moving to another university.Steven: May I hav

33、e your attention please? Id like to call upon Ben to say a few words.Ben: Thank you, Steven. Professor Shore, colleagues: Tonight is one of those paradoxes - its a sad time and yet its a happy time. Sad, because.We are losing one of our best professors; happy because we are pleased to see Professor

34、Shoregain the recognition that he richly deserves.Im not sure who will be able to control us and keep usin line. I think the new professor will have a difficult time. And surely no one will be able to telljokes in the same way as you, Professor. Seriously, we all know that you will be difficult tore

35、place. Your scholarly approach and your dedication will always be remembered. I wouldtherefore like to propose a toast. Colleagues, pelase charge your glasses. Professor Shore, mayyour future be filled will great success, and may you always remember us. We know we will neverforget you. To Professor

36、Shore!All: (Standing up) To Professor Shore! (Everyone drinks. Professor Shore remains seated andsmiles at them all.)Analysis：就餐時(shí)總是要在各種緣由下向人敬酒：可以是非正式的，向朋友或同事敬酒；也可以是正式的，向全體聚會(huì)的人敬酒。與中國(guó)式的敬酒大不相同的是，在西方正式的敬酒時(shí)，受敬的人是不能喝酒的，而是正襟危坐，兩眼睜睜看別人喝酒。另一個(gè)不同是：無(wú)論正式還是非正式，敬酒的人不必走過(guò)去敬酒，而是在自己的座位處站起來(lái)敬酒。敬酒時(shí)開(kāi)始的語(yǔ)言永遠(yuǎn)是：“向”，而其他隨敬酒的人重復(fù)

37、敬酒人的第一句話（即“向”）， 然后喝一口酒。敬酒時(shí)如果舉了杯，說(shuō)了敬詞，而實(shí)際上沒(méi)有喝酒，就會(huì)被看做十分不恭的行為，在很久以前甚至于被認(rèn)為是一種侮辱，是不想加入敬酒的儀式。Case 5: An American went to Chinese home. He was offered some tea. Just when the first cup was about to finish, more tea was added. The visitor drank the second cup. Then the cup was filled the third time. Then he

38、 drank it, then until the visitor was quite full. Why?Analysis: 在中國(guó)的傳統(tǒng)文化習(xí)俗里，主人通常會(huì)不斷給客人倒水倒茶，或者不斷地給客人的盤(pán)子里加食物以表示他的熱情好客。面對(duì)的這樣的情況，中國(guó)客人知道如何處理，在他們覺(jué)得吃飽喝足之后，就會(huì)隨它放在桌上。而美國(guó)客人就不懂了，在美國(guó)，在自己的盤(pán)子里剩下食物是不禮貌的，于是他出于遵循美國(guó)文化理念可能會(huì)在這樣的招待中吃的過(guò)多。Case 6:Dinner with FriendJanice is a young American engineer working for a manufactu

39、ring joint venture near Nanjing. She and her husband George, who is teaching English at a university, are learning Chinese and enjoying their new life .They have been eager to get to know Chinese people better so they were pleased when Liu Lingling , Janices young co-worker invited them to her home

40、for dinner.When Janice and George arrived，Lingling introduced them to her husband Yang Feng , asked them to sit down at a table containing 8 plates of various cold dishes, served them tea and then disappeared with her husband into the kitchen. After a few minutes Lingling came back and added water t

41、o their tea. Janice offered to help in the kitchen but Lingling said she didnt need help. She invited the couple to look at their new CD player and their colorful TV and then disappeared again.A half-hour later she came back and sat down and the three began to eat. Yang Feng came in from time to tim

42、e to put dish after hot dish on the table. Most of the food was wonderful but neither George nor Janice could eat the fatty pork in pepper sauce or the ea cucumbers, and there was much more than they could eat. They kept wishing Yang Feng would sit down so they could talk to him .Finally he did sit

43、down to eat a bit ,but quickly turned on the TV to show them all its high teching features. Soon it was time to go home.George and Janice felt slightly depressed by this experience, but returned the invitation two weeks later. They decided to make a nice American meal and felt lucky to find olives,

44、tomato juice, crackers and as appetizers. For the main course they prepared spaghetti and a salad with dressing made from oil, vinegar, and some spices they found in the market.When Liu Lingling and Yang Feng arrived they were impressed by the apartment and asked the price of the TV, video player, v

45、acuum cleaner and other things. Janice politely refused to answer their questions. They took small tastes of the appetizers and seemed surprised when both George and Janice sat down with them. They ate only a little spaghetti and did not finish the salad on their plates. George urged them to eat mor

46、e but they refused and looked around expectantly. Junice and George talked about their families and jobs and asked the table and served coffee and pastries. Yang Feng and Lingling each put four spoons of sugars into their coffee but did not drink much of it and ate only a bite or two of pastry.After

47、 they left, George said that at least they had a chance to talk, but Janice was upset. “We left their place so full that we couldnt walk and theyre going to have to eat again when they get home. What went wrong?Analysis：中西方飲食習(xí)慣大大的不同。中國(guó)人邀請(qǐng)客人會(huì)準(zhǔn)備一大桌子的菜，并在就餐過(guò)程中使勁勸說(shuō)客人多吃點(diǎn)，吃完之后， 還有剩菜，就表明主人的盛情款待。而西方人一不勸吃，二就

48、餐完畢后，盤(pán)子最好是空的。本案列中的兩對(duì)中外夫婦不明這個(gè)文化差異，發(fā)生誤解就是自然而然的事了。Case 7: After the meal and after the table has been cleared. Liu is not sure what to do, but wants to help in some way. At least he wants to offer.Helen: Thanks for your help, Huang.Liu: Pleasure. What can I do now?Helen: Nothing. Its fine. Ill rinse th

49、ese dishes then stack them. Itll only take a minute.Liu: Does the family usually help?Helen: Well, at special times. Jack sometimes rinses the dishes but you can see hes really tired tonight.Liu: Let me do it for you.Helen: No truly, its okay.Liu: Maybe I can wipe the table then.Helen: That would be

50、 helpful. Thanks. Youre really kind, Huang.Analysis：在西方人家中的就餐的時(shí)間里，大家都設(shè)法插手幫一下忙，即便是男士也不例外，不要一點(diǎn)不動(dòng)著開(kāi)飯。所有家住者要能幫者擺擺餐具，或餐后收拾洗碗，把餐具放進(jìn)洗碗機(jī)，倒垃圾，站在一邊幫著擦干洗好的餐具。雖然都是小忙，卻表明你對(duì)別人的操勞非常在意，是個(gè)用心的人。Case 8: Two strangers have been chatting.A: So youre been here for a year?B: Yes. One more year to go, then Ill go back to c

51、hina.A: What will you do back home?B: Its hard to know. Theres a lot change at the moment.A: Yeah. Everything is changing, everywhere. Sometimes its difficult to keep up.B: Thats true. Maybe Ill(As mobile phone rings.)A: Excuse me, Id better answer this. Its probably work.B: Sure. Take your time.Ana

52、lysis：有時(shí)在與人交談中，難免要有什么原因要離開(kāi)一會(huì)兒，或是去接一個(gè)電話，或要去洗手間。禮貌再此被提出來(lái)。出于禮貌起見(jiàn)，要記住做一些恰當(dāng)解釋再離開(kāi)。不管理由是什么，即便是要接一個(gè)手機(jī)電話，在打開(kāi)電話回話前，向?qū)Ψ秸f(shuō)聲對(duì)不起。如果只離開(kāi)幾分鐘，沒(méi)有必要找一個(gè)理由。你說(shuō)了對(duì)不起，就表明你確實(shí)是有事要離開(kāi)一會(huì)兒。Case 9: Liu Huang is calling his friend Steven at his home.Person: Hello. John is speaking.Liu: Hello? Im looking for Steven.Person: Sorry, ther

53、es no one here called Steven.Liu: Is that 6577 8868?Person: No. I think youve got the wrong number. This is 6578 8868.Liu: Oh, Im sorry.Person: No problem. Good luck.Liu: Thanks.Analysis：失手撥錯(cuò)號(hào)碼是常有的事。如果在國(guó)外，即便有語(yǔ)言障礙，害怕說(shuō)英語(yǔ)，也還是要先與對(duì)方核對(duì)是不是撥錯(cuò)了，然后再道歉。如果發(fā)現(xiàn)撥錯(cuò)了號(hào)碼就馬上掛電話，是不禮貌的行為。Case 10: Lin: Thank you so much fo

54、r a wonderful night. Ive had a great time. Erica: Its been a pleasure having you. We hope you can come again, soon.Lin: Id like that. You both know how to make me feel at home. Thanks for everything.Analysis：在動(dòng)身離去的時(shí)候，找到主人，當(dāng)面說(shuō)一聲謝謝，是有禮貌的行為。Case 11:Off to a Bad StartDavid Hu had just started working fo

55、r the foreign owned company. He was sitting at his workstation but had not been given any assignment that he should be doing at this moment. He was relaxing and waiting and then thought he would take the opportunity to have a look around. He poked his head into several offices just to see what there

56、 was to be seen.Suddenly Mr. Parker came up to him and angrily asked him what he was doing. David Hu was embarrassed. He laughed and quickly started to move back toward his workstation. This did not seem to satisfy Mr. Parker who started to talk rapidly and angrily. Hoping to calm him down, Mr.Hu sm

57、iled and apologized, trying to explain that he was trying to learn more about the department. However, Mr. Parker got even angrier. Finally, another worker came by and calmed him down, but Mr. Parker left, he still looked angry. Mr.Hu sighed; he knew he had made a bad start but still didnt understan

58、d why.Analysis：外國(guó)人很講究隱私權(quán)，一般不允許自己的私人空間受到打擾。而中國(guó)人比較喜歡看熱鬧，想知道別人在做什么。所以在本案列中，吳先生未經(jīng)允許就在公司四處走動(dòng)，引起其他員工的強(qiáng)烈不滿。Case 12:Sharing the WealthAnna Bilow had been working for a Chinese-owned and operated company in Nanjing for about six months. The division she was working in had a small collection of Chinese-Englis

59、h dictionaries, English language reference books, and some videos in English including a couple of training films and several feature films that Anna had brought at her new employers request when she came from Europe. Anna knew that some of the other sections had similar collections. She had sometimes used her