Unit 1 Language and Culture in Communication
Theory 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.When 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
procedures—schema.
2. Face and politeness are two other areas which are extremely value—sensitive. One of the distinctive features of Chinese politeness is self—denigration and other—elevation.
Case 1: Litz is a professor of cross—cultural communication in a university in Finland. She invited her Chinese students home for an evening party.
The schema from Litz?s point of view includes the following: 1. Giving invitation: by phone / by mail
2. Prepare everything before the arrival of guests
3. Receiving guests: open the door / express welcome / take their overcoats / introduce guests / offer them drinks / make
them comfortable
4. Serving food: set the table / soup first / main course / desert
5. Post dinner activities: chat / play music / offer more drinks
6. Seeing guests off: thank them for coming / good night Litz?s 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: It?s not difficult to find your house. Litz: Come on in. Lin: (comes in)
Litz: Can I take your coat? Lin: 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. Litz?s offering to hang Lin?s coat is one of Litz?s ways (it?s on Litz?s schema). On Lin?s side, she thought that Litz was her supervisor and that it was inappropriate 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 Buyer
Georage 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 business 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 some 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 leading up to the topic of his products and suggesting how Mr. Li?s 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 interesting.”
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 o?clock? Meet you here.”
“Tomorrow at 10 o?clock?” asked Mr. Li thoughtfully.
“Right,” said George, “I?ll see you then?”
“Hmm, yes; why don?t you come by tomorrow,” was the reply.
“OK,” responded George,” It was nice meeting you.” The next day at 10 o?clock he approached Mr. Li?s company?s exhibit only to find that Mr. Li had some important business and was not able to meet with George. He called back later in the day and was told that Mr. Li was not available.
Analysis: 英美人士做事情讲究守时。而中国人不太重视这方面。本案列中，李先生不仅没有准时接见预约的客户，甚至放了他“鸽子”。
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 like 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:奥莱特先生，这是鄙人的拙作。
Li Tan: Mr. Allright, this a clumsy book written 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，我们不出中文书。
Professor Liang: 我要请李艳翻译成英文。
Li Yan (to Mr. Allright): Professor Liang will ask me to translate it into English.
Mr. Allright: Mm that?s 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 counter—productive in English. Instead, authors should point out the merits of their works rather than “clumsiness”.
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