Unit 1 Intercultural Communication
What is 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.
Generally speaking, culture is the way of life.
Culture is everything and everywhere.
Thanks to culture, without it we can’t survive in society
A metaphor比喻 of culture
We compare culture to iceberg.
It suggests that only small part of it is visible while most of it lies concealed.
Habits, dress and manners are visible.
Worldview, value systems, ways of thinking, national character and any other deep concepts are foundation of visible part. 双层水晶
玻璃杯 “Where are you going?”
in China ,we give a general answer to it.
Chinese culture emphasizes on social relationship and the heavy interdependence between Chinese people.
In western countries, it may be interpreted as an intrusion into one’s privacy.
铝铁合金The underlying individual-oriented relationship is the invisible part of the iceberg.
化妆品
柜台exercise
1. If you are a tourist guide, what are you expected to say when you are showing the foreign visitors to another site?
A. This way, please. B. Come here, please.
C. Follow me, please. D. Move on. 旋转
阀门 2. A visitor stops you in the corridor of your head-office probably to ask for the way. What is your most likely reply to the visitor’s “Excuse me”?
A. What’s the matter? B. Yes?
C. That’s all right. D. Don’t worry.
实物
展台3. At a fair, a visitor, accidentally having knocked down your poster, says, “I’m terribly sorry.” What should you reply?
A. It doesn’t matter. B. Never mind.
C. Don’t worry. D. That’s all right.
What is Intercultural communication?
“Intercultural communication is contact between persons who identify themselves as distinct from one another in cultural terms.” (Collier & Thomas, 1998)
intercultural communication refers to any communication between two members of any cultural communities. (Samovar & Porter)
To further understand “intercultural communication”, please read the section of “Intercultural Communication Reading” on P.2 and answer the questions:
1 In the story, why does Pete could not communicate well with Chinese students?
Language problem
锯齿线面部提升术
Culture problem
The way Pete handled the intercultural communication situation
2 What are the major barriers in intercultural communication?
Language difference.
(If we understand others’ language or dialect, but not their communication rules, we can made fluent fools of ourselves.)
Nonverbal communication: gestures, postures, facial expression etc.
Stereotypes: like culture, religion, idea, value, etc.
Watch a video and get a deeper understanding.
Classifications of Communication
verbal /nonverbal
Direct /indirect
Interpersonal / interorganizational / mass media-based
Intracultural /intercultural
Intrapersonal / interpersonal/…
Case study
Read the passage of “ an Intercultural Classroom”. This is the beginning of this passage:
It was a hot day. Since it was still too early to use the air-conditioner, according to the regulations of the university, every class kept its door open to make the classroom cooler. While I was lecturing on Chinese grammar in Class 4, waves of laughter came from the neighboring Class 5. A German student named Stephen raised his hand and stood up. “The laughter from Class 5 is bothering us. I think we should go to their class to protest,” he said….
1 How many different solutions did Class 4 propose?
2 what is the mode of communication favored by Asians? What cultural values underlie it?
Asian people are very courteous and indirect in their communications. They put great emphasis on group harmony, they are very tolerant, even when they are offended. These collectivistic values, shaped by Confusion teachings, were spread from China to many Asian countries.
3 what is the mode of communication favored by Westerners? What cultural values underlie it?
Westerners are generally very direct and frank in their mode of communication. And they have a strong sense of protecting their own rights. Individualistic values are the underlying principles governing their behavior.
Classroom activity 1
1. Read the story on P1 and answer: Why do you think the driver is asking for $50 instead of $32.5?
