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名词解释：

1. Intercultural Communication

It can be simply defined as communication between people of different cultures. 2.Culture

Culture is the total accumulation of beliefs, customs, values, behaviors, institutions and communication patterns that are shared, learned and passed down through the generations in an identifiable group of people. 3.Communication

Act and process of sending and receiving messages among people. 4.Verbal Communication

Verbal communication refers to the use of sounds and language to relay a message.

5.Nonverbal communication

The messages sent without using words are called nonverbal communication.

Unit 1

Case 1

A man was trying to explain to a blind friend what colors are. He began with the color white.

“Well,” he said, “it is like snow on the hills.”

“Oh,” the blind man said, “then it must be a wet and dampish sort of

color, isn’t it?”

“No, no,” the man said, “it is also the same color as cotton or wool.” “Oh, yes, I understand. It must be fluffy color.” “No, it is also like paper.”

“Then it must be a crackling or fragile color,” said the blind man.” “No, not at all. It is also like china.”

Q:Why is it difficult to explain to a blind person what colors are? A normal man with visual sense.

A blind man without vision, mainly by tactile sensation. They do not share the same experiences. 80s-90s

It is those different experiences that make up what is called “culture”. The differences may cause misunderstandings. Case 2 Offering help

A Chinese young teacher was assigned to go to airport to meet a visiting American professor. When she arrived at the airport, she found that the professor had heavy suitcases and some smaller bags. He was an old man, about 70 years old. And they could not find a luggage trolley, so she wanted to help him with his luggage.

Several times, she offered to take a heavy suitcase, but he refused by saying he can handle them by himself. However, he had difficulties to

move both two heavy suitcases. At one point, when they stopped suddenly, one suitcase is down. When she picked it up, he says “I can handle this myself!” But being polite, she moved this suitcase to the van. When they come to the van, he seems to be annoyed with her. He hardly spoke with her the whole way to the school. 1. Why

do

you

think

the

professor

became

annoyed?

2. Was it wrong for the Chinese young teacher to try to help the old professor with his luggage?

3. What differences does the story reflect between American cultures and Chinese culture?

The young Chinese teacher of English encounters no fewer than three problems:(1)Cultural Problem (2)Personality Problem (3)A Simple Misunderstanding Case 3

Touching a stranger

A Kazakhstan girl, in China studying Chinese, was shocked when a Chinese grandma touched her knee kindly on a bus.

Once in a very cold winter day, she took a bus to school, wearing a mini-skirt. When she got on the bus, she sat in front of a Chinese grandma. The grandma took a look at her for about 5 minutes, and then the grandma put her hands on her knees and asked “Aren’t you cold? It is winter. You have to wear jeans.”

She was a little scared because she barely know a person will touch her and give her an advice about what should her wear. It is quite uncommon in her country.

Purpose of Intercultural Communication

(1).Have a better understanding of foreign cultures and domestic cultures (2).Increase the culture awareness and sensitivity

(3).Develop effective strategies in dealing with potential cultural conflicts (4).Improve your intercultural communicative competence Case 4 P23

1. Why were Richard’s sincere compliments misunderstood by the Egyptian family?

In Egyptian culture, the human relationship is valued so highly that it is not expressed in an objective and impersonal way.

While Americans are more likely to speak of them in less personal, more objective terms.

Richard’s mistake: praise the food itself rather than the total evening. For the host and hostess, it is like he attended an art exhibit and complimented the artist by saying: “What beautiful frames your pictures are in.”

2. What was wrong in the way Richard dealt with the problem in Japan?

Japanese people value order and harmony among a group, and the

organization itself is valued more than any particular members. Americans stress individuality.

Richard’s mistake: make great efforts to defend himself.

Even if the others knew that the errors were not intentional, it is not right to defend yourself. The blame’s intention is to warn others of similar mistakes.

A simple apology and acceptance of the blame would be appropriate. 3. Which behavior was considered improper in England when Richard was taking tea?

Richard’s mistake: help himself to some sugar and cream. The values expressed in the gesture of taking sugar and cream: For Americans: Help yourself. For Englishmen: Be my guest.

The ideal guest at an American party is one who “makes himself at home,” even answering the door or fixing his own drink.

While in many other countries, including the Britain, such guest behavior is rude.

Purpose of Intercultural Communication

(1)Have a better understanding of foreign cultures and domestic cultures (2)Increase the culture awareness and sensitivity

(3)Develop effective strategies in dealing with potential cultural conflicts (4)Improve your intercultural communicative competence