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1、新编跨文化交际英语教程案例分析（主编：许力生）Unit 1Communication Across CulturesCase 1 (Page 23)This case took place in 3 cultures. There seemed to be problems in communicating with people of different cultures in spite of the efforts to achieve understnading.1）In Egypt as in many cultures, the human relationship is valu
2、ed so highly that it is not expressed in an objective and impersonal way. While Americans certainly value human relationships, they are more likely to speak of them in less personal, more objective terms. In this case, Richards mistake might be that he choseto praise the food itself rather than the
3、total evening, for which the food was simply the setting or excuse. For his host or hostess it was as if he had attended an art exhibit and complimented the artist by saying, “What beautiful frames your pictures are in!” 2）In Japan the situation may be more complicated. Japanese people value order a
4、nd harmony among a group, and that the group is valued more than any particular member. In contrast, Americans stress individuality and are apt to assert individual differences when they seem justifiably to be in conflict with the goals or values of the group. In this case, Richards mistake was maki
5、ng great efforts to defend himself even if the error is notintentiona. A simple apology and acceptance of the blame would have been appropriate3) When it comes to England, w expect fewer problems between Americans and Englishmen than between Americans and almost any other group. In this case we migh
6、t look beyond the gesture of taking sugar or cream to the valuess expressed in this gesture: for Americans, “Help yourself”; for the English counterpart, “Be my guest.” American and English people equally enjoy entertaining and being entertained, but they differ in the value of the distinction. Typi
7、cally, the ideal guest at an American party is obe who “makeshimself at home”. For the English host, such guest behavior is presumptuous or rude.Case 2 (Page 24)A common cultural misunderstanding in classes involvs conflicts between what is said to be direct communication style and indirect communic
8、ation style. In American culture, people tend to say what is on their minds and mean what they say. Therefore, students in class are expected to ask questions when they need clarification. Mexican culture shares this preference of style with American culture in some situations, and thats why the stu
9、dents from Mexico readily adopted the techniques of asking questions in class.However, Korean people generally prefer indirect communication style, and therefore they tend not to say what is on their minds and to rely more on implications and inference, so as to be polite and repectful and avoid los
10、ing face through any improper verbal behavior. As is mentioned in the case, to many Koreans, numerous questions would show a disrespect for the teacher, and would also reflect that the student has not studied hard enough.Case 3 (Page 24)The conflict here is a difference in cultural values and belief
11、s. In the beginning, Mary didnt realize that her Dominican sister saw her as a member of the family, literally. In the Dominican view, family possessions are shared by everyone of the family. Luz was acting as most Dominican sisters woould do in borrowing without asking every time. Once Mary underst
12、ood that there was a different way of looking at this, she would become more accepting. However, she might still experience frustration when this happened again. She had to find ways to cope with her own emotional cultural reaction as well as her practical problem (the batteries running out).Case 4
13、(Page 25)It might be simply a question of different rhythms. Americans have one rhythm in their personal and family relations, in their friendliness and their charities. People from other cultures have different rhythms. The American rhythm is fast. It is characterized by a rapid acceptance of other
14、s. However, it is seldom that Americans engage themselves entirely in a friendship. Their friendship are warm, but casual and specialized. For example, you have a neighbor who drops by in the morning for coffee. You see her frequently, but you never invite her for dinner-not because you dont think s
15、he could handle a fork and a knife, but because you have seen her that morning. Therefore, you reserve your more formal invitation to dinner for someone who lives in a more distant part of the city and whom you would not see unless you extended an invitation for a special occasion. Now, if the first
16、 friend moves away and the second one moves nearby, you are likely to reserve this-see the second friend in the mornings for informal coffee meetings, and invite the first one more formally to dinner.Americans are, in other words, guided very often by their own convenience. They tend to make friends rapidly, and they dont feel like it necessary to go to a great amount of trouble to see friends often when it becomes inconvenient to d
