Verbal Intercultural Communication 商务 跨文化交际 Verbal Intercultural Communication

Goals : 1. Understand how language and culture are closely linked 2. Perceive the vital role of verbal codes in intercultural communication as well as the important relationships among language, thought, culture, and behavior

Listen to the lead-in case Meanings of Words . 1. What’s the connotation of the word “dragon" in Chinese/English? 2. What are the other words that are interpreted differently between English and Chinese

A dragon lady 以统治者身份行使权力的女人 The Dragon/The Great Dragon/The Old Dragon 指与上帝作对的魔鬼撒旦 亚洲四小龙：the four tigers in Asia To distinguish it from traditional Western “dragon”, some people now use the term “Chinese dragon”.

蝙蝠 and Bat 汉文化：“蝠”与“福”同音，象征吉祥、健康、幸福。 西方：丑陋邪恶的动物，与罪恶或黑暗势力相联系，特别是vampire bat（吸血蝙蝠）。 As blind as a bat 有眼无珠 Crazy as bat 精神失常；发痴 Have bats in the belfry 异想天开

孔雀 and Peacock 汉文化：孔雀开屏 → 美 “孔雀舞” 西方：虚荣、自傲 As proud as a peacock 骄傲自满 汉文化：孔雀开屏 → 美 “孔雀舞” 西方：虚荣、自傲 As proud as a peacock 骄傲自满 A peacock in his pride 炫耀一时的人 Play the peacock 妄自尊大 He attempted to peacock his way through the world. 他想名扬世界。

猫头鹰 and Owl 汉文化：不祥之物 “夜猫子进宅，凶事自来” 西方：智慧、博学的象征 as wise as an owl 汉文化：不祥之物 “夜猫子进宅，凶事自来” 西方：智慧、博学的象征 as wise as an owl “A wise old owl lived in an oak. The more he saw, the less he spoke. The less he spoke, the more he heard. Why can’t we all be like that wise old bird?” —英国民间童谣

英语动物词汇的象征意义 与汉语动物象征意义相同/接近的例子 Bee Bull Camel Hen Pig Ox(犁地） Rabbit Swan 母爱 优雅 勤劳 耐心、力量和自尊 多产，生殖力强 力量和直来直去 顽固、肮脏和好吃 驯服

与汉语动物象征意义相异的例子 Crow Duck Fly Seagull Serpent Magpie Spider Tortoise 奸诈 （陆地） 奸诈 长寿 智慧 喋喋不休 脆弱与微不足道 坚韧和节操 轻信 欺骗

Anwser the questions in textbook p.61 What are the other verbal features indicating cultural differences in communication? Anwser the questions in textbook p.61

1.Can you find some cases in which “是” in Chinese does not mean "yes" in English? 2.How would you put the following into Chinese? 1) Do you like the new plan? Yes, I do. 2) Please don't say that. Yes I will. 3) I know what he wants by mentioning offers from other companies. Yes? Asking for a raise of his salary! 4) Waiter! Yes, sir. 5) Yes? I'd like two tickets,please. 6) Everything will be all right soon,yes?

Language and culture Verbal intercultural communication Relationship between language and culture

Culture and Word Meaning Words with different associated meanings Words without counterparts in another language Confusing translation Proverbs

a. Words with different associated meanings Culturally-loaded words and expressions are good examples showing the cultural influence on the meanings of words. Chinese word English word Associated meaning in Chinese Associated meaning in English 凤凰 phoenix symbol of fortune and queen symbol of renascence 猫头鹰 owl symbol of bad luck symbol of wisdom 孔雀 Peacock symbol of beauty symbol of arrogance

b. Words without counterparts in another language cultural diversity leads to the lack of vocabulary equivalence or the counterparts in another language American Motel American Hippies in the 1960s

Other examples? English to Chinese Chinese to English

Loan words 沙发 夹克衫 咖啡 柏拉图 乌托邦 toufu wonton Chow mein 沙发 夹克衫 咖啡 柏拉图 乌托邦 toufu wonton Chow mein Feng shui Brainwashing

c. Confusing translation Cultural distinctions lead to different connotations, so some expressions are really confusing when translated. For example: “unit”—“单位” “equalitarian” — “平均主义/平等主义”, “materialism” — “物质主义/唯物主义”.

Chinese Words Confusing translation English words’ Connotation 单位 unit A thing, person or group that is regarded as one single whole part of something larger. 物质主义/唯物主义 materialism The belief that money and possessions rather than things of the mind such as art or religion. The belief that only physical things really exist. 平均主义/平等主义 equalitarian The belief that everyone is equal and has the same chance to do something.

翻译中的假朋友 How to say “力大如牛” As strong as a horse How to say “挥金如土” To spend money like _____ water

busboy 公共汽车？小男孩？ 难道是conductor? 餐馆勤杂工 busybody 大忙人？？ 爱管闲事的人 mad doctor 发疯的医生？太危险了。。。 精神病科医生

sweet water 甜水？ 糖水？ 淡水 horse sense 马的感觉？ 常识 white man 皮肤白的人？ 忠实可靠的人

d. Proverbs Proverbs is the reflection of religion, morality, values, and life experience. Going to Rome, do as the Romans do. Where there is life, there is hope 鱼与熊掌，不可得兼 强扭的瓜不甜 You cannot eat your cake and have it You can take a horse to the water but you cannot make him drink

Culture and expressions Forms of address Greetings and farewells Compliments and responses to compliments Taboos and euphemism

Forms of address Kinship terms Social status Traditional Chinese culture is based on the family-based social structure. Kinship terms Social status

Greetings Chinese culture is relation-oriented. Maintaining or promoting relation calls for something interpersonal, so it is quite acceptable in China to greet each other by asking private questions, while English people have a very strong sense of privacy.

Compliments and responses to compliments Compliments and praises are of great social functions. Generally: American response to compliments is positive Chinese people are shy to compliment others and also shy to accept compliments.

Taboos and Euphemism Taboo -- words or actions that are avoided by a particular group of people, or in certain culture for religious or social reasons. Euphemism -- the act of substituting a mild, indirect, or vague term for one considered harsh, blunt, or offensive.

Commonly-Believed Traditional British Superstitions and Taboos What are the differences between Chinese and British Superstitions and taboos in this case? Black cat Breaking a Mirror

Euphemism the final departure(最后离去)， pass away(逝世) be no more(不在了)， depart(去世) be gone(走了) join the majority(会见老祖宗去了) go to west(归西了) go to glory(升天了) go to meet one maker(见上帝) to be at peace(平静了)， the final departure(最后离去)， final sleep(最后一觉)，to go to one's long home(回到永久之家)，to have found rest(得到安息)，in heaven(在天堂)， with God(和上帝在一起)

失业现象  underutilization(未充分利用人才) humans underdevelopment(人力资源未充分开发)

Capital punishment (死刑） Substance abuse problem（吸毒）

战争 massive exchange(大规模的交火) 为了掩盖 invasion(侵略战争)的本质，将一个国家对另一国家所发动的aggression(侵略)说成是 active defense(积极防御)，preventive war(防御战争)。美国空军认为 air raid(空袭)只是 air support(空中增援)，air (侦察飞行)则仅仅是 overflight(越 界飞行)。 1980年美国派直升飞机营救在伊朗的人质失败，卡特总统称之为 incomplete SUCCESS(不圆满的胜利)。在武器的称谓上，a conventional weapon (常规武器)是指非核武器，而 an anti—personnel  weapon(制人武器)实际上是指核武器，但人们很 少  用 nuclear—weapons(核武器)来表达。 在中国历史上，也有将镇压农民起义说成“平反叛乱”，将侵略邻国称为“扩充疆土”的情况。古代名将曾国藩还把“屡战屡败”改为“屡败屡战”。 

Donald Rumsfeld There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don't know we don't know.

Presentation Collect more culturally-loaded words and give them as a test (击鼓传花）for the class before revealing the answer .

2. Culture and Communication Style Direct vs. Indirect Communication Style Elaborate, Exacting, and Succinct Communication Style Personal and Contextual Communication Style Instrumental and Affective Communication Style （textbook p.65)

Culture and Conversation Pattern When to talk What to say Turn-taking conventions

Direct vs. Indirect Communication Style 1. Direct communication style With direct communication style, speaker expresses his intention（need and desire）openly and directly. Direct styles are often used in low-context, individualistic cultures. Verbal precision and self-expression are valued. 2. Indirect communication style In an indirect communication style, which is often seen in high-context and collectivistic cultures, speakers usually hide or hint their intentions during interaction.

Listen to the lead-in case Conflicts between Direct and Indirect Communication style 1. What are the interpretations of Michiko on Jim’s words? 2. Why do they have the conflicts during communication?

Elaborate, Exacting, and Succinct Communication Style The elaborate, exacting, or succinct communication style deals with the quantity and /or volume of talk. 1. Elaborate communication style 2. Exacting communication style 3. Succinct communication style

Personal and Contextual Communication Style Chapter 8 Verbal Intercultural Communication (I) Personal and Contextual Communication Style 1. Personal communication style amplifies the individual identity of the speaker. 2. Contextual communication style stresses one’s role identity and status. The Japanese use a contextual style, and their language includes an elaborate system of honorifics. Honorifics are linguistic forms that communicate respect according to one’s rank and the rank of the people they speak to.

Chapter 8 Verbal Intercultural Communication (I) Listen to the lead-in case Japanese Workers Get Word from on High :Drop Formality 1. What kind of communication style traditional Japanese workers use? 2. What causes the Japanese workers mentioned in the case to drop formality during communication with each other? Japanese honorifics

Instrumental and Affective Communication Style Chapter 8 Verbal Intercultural Communication (I) Instrumental and Affective Communication Style It is certain that communication is a way to realize communicators’ goal or mission. And communication is instrumental. 1. Instrumental communication style An instrumental communication style as sender-based and goal-outcome based. 2. Affective communication style An affective communication style is receiver and process oriented.

Listen to the lead-in case Instrumental and Affective Communication Style 1. Why did Mr. Benton want to get down to business directly? 2. Why did Mr.Yeh-Ching seem not to value time and work? 3. Can you analyze the communication styles of the two persons in this case?

Presentation 1. Elaberate the different communication styles with more examples