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1、Culture Difference Case StudyUnit 1Language and Culture in CommunicationTheoryCommunication 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 an
2、d 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 proceduresschema.2. Face and politeness are two other areas which are extremely value sensitive. One of
3、the distinctive features of Chinese politeness is selfdenigration and otherelevation.Case 1Litz 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
4、invitation: by phone / by mail2. Prepare everything before the arrival of guests3. Receiving guests: open the door / express welcome / take their overcoats / introduce guests / offer them drinks / make them comfortable4. Serving food: set the table / soup first / main course / desert5. Post dinner a
5、ctivities: chat / play music / offer more drinks6. Seeing guests off: thank them for coming / good nightLitz evenings party was not very successful, becauseshe 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 co
6、me!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 scoat is one of Li
7、tz s ways (it s on Litz s schema). On Lin s side, she thought that Lisupervisor 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 2Finding an Interested BuyerGeorage Hall was in Beijing attending a t
8、rade fair and looking for an opportunity to do精品文库business in China. He had been very successful in his business dealings in the US and pridedhimself on his ability“ to get things moving.” His first day was going well .He looked aroundat the displays of sporting equipment to get some idea of whom he
9、 might approach. He wassure 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 hisproducts. He introduced himself to the general, a Mr. Li. Since he had read that Chinese find
10、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 scompanymight benefit from using them. George then suggested that he could arrange to get togetherwith Mr. Li and provide more specifi
11、cs 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 tonail down a time,”When can we meet? ” asked George.“ Ah. This week is very busy, eplied ”Mr.r Li.“ It sure is,” said George,”
12、 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 compa
13、ny s exhibit only to find that Mr.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 ”。Case 3Professor Liang has written a book on Chinese cultu
14、re in Chinese. His book is put on displayin 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, whomhe meets regularly in the English Corner, to help him to talk to Peter Allri
15、ght, 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, youre 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 b
