Week 7 & 8Unit 5 Verbal CommunicationI. Additional materials about Verbal Communication(i) Verbal communicationVerbal intercultural communication happens when people from different cultural backgrounds communicate with each other by using language.In intercultural communication, we use words to> communicate with the outside world ・> share the past ・> exercise some control over the present.> form images of the future ・(ii) Verbal Communication Styles1. Direct and Indirect Verbal Interaction Styles> In the direct verbal style, statements clearly reveal the speaker's intentio Eg・ U・S・ Americans tend to use a straightforward form of request・> In the indirect verbal style, on the other hand, verbal statements tend to hide the speaker's actual intentions.Eg. Chinese tend to ask for a favor in a more roundabout and implicit way.2. Self-Enhancement and Self-Effacement Verbal Styles> The self-enhancement verbal style emphasizes the importance of boasting about one's accomplishments and abilities.Eg. In the classified ads, American ad might begin with, “A handsome, athletic male with a good sense of humor seeks a fun-loving partner...”> The self-effacement verbal style, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of humbling oneself via verbal restraints, hesitations and modest talk.Eg. In the classified ads, Japanese ad might read, “Although I am not verygood-looking, I'm willing to try my best.”Compare the following ways to serve tea:Japanese: This is not very delicious, but …American: This is the best I can offer.3. Elaborate, Exacting and Succinct Styles> An elaborate style emphasizes flashy and embellished language. This style of communication can be seen in many Arab, Middle Eastern, and Afro-American cultures.> An exacting style, where persons say no more or less than is needed, is used by Americans.> A succinct style is characterized by the use of concise statements, understatements, and even silence. A succinct style can be found in Japan, China, and some Native AmericanculturesCompare the followings:Arab: @#%&$%)(_$$'、八％#@ American: Just the facts!Chinese: Silence is Golden.4. Personal and Contextual Style> The personal communication style emphasizes the individual identity of the speaker.Eg. English has only one form for the second person, that is, you.> The contextual style highlights one's role identity and status.Eg. Chinese, German and French, for example, have informal and formal forms of the pronoun you (你/您; du/Sie; tu/vous).5. Instrumental and Affective Style> An instrumental verbal style is sender-based and goal-outcome based. The instrumental speaker usescommunication to achieve some goal or outcome. The burden of understanding often rests with the speaker.An affective communication style is receiver and process oriented. The affective speaker is concerned not so much with the outcome of the communication, but with the process. The responsibility of understanding rests with both the speaker and the listener.II. What was wrong? Please read over the story on p 159-160, then point out the factor to the failure and talk about what you have learned from the story.III. Understanding the Culture of Conversation (p160-162)1. What can you learn from the conversation between the Mexican and the American businessman?For the American, the conversation had a topic and he wanted to take a straight line through it from beginning to end. For the Mexican, it is more important to have an interesting conversation.2. Conversation is a rich point. Definition: A rich point is something in one culture that makes it difficult to be connected with another culture. Examples:-- the conversation between the Mexican and American businessmen-- a Swedish championship skier interviewed on TV-- a young American executive presenting to a group of GermansIV. The Cultural Relativity of Communication (p172-177)Meaning: When to talk, what to say and how to say differ from culture to culture.(i) When to talkAthabaskan Indians consider it inappropriate to talk to strangers. They have negative stereotypes of non-Athabaskans as ridiculously garrulous (talkative in an unfavorable sense) and also hypocritical.Americans would consider it awkward to have a long period of silence when having a conversation. They conclude that Indians are uncooperative, even stupid.(ii) What to saye.g. A conversation between Susan and Mrs Zhang, her mother-in-law, at the airport when leaving China. The husband is interpreting for them.Susan: Mrs. Zhang, come to New York if you want.Mother: 不去了，给你们添麻烦。
Susan: Yes, oh thanks for your delicious food, I like them very much.Mother: 自家人谢什么，苏珊，你 以后可不要再减肥了，身体健康才最重要哪！Susan: Thank you! The same to you.Mother: 谢谢，谢谢iii) Pacing and pausingMeaning: How fast do you speak? How long do you wait following another speaker's utterance, before concluding the other has no more to say?(iv) Listenersh。