Intercultural Communication: Intercultural Communication: Theory and PracticeTheory and Practice

Presented by Zhang Hongling Presented by Zhang Hongling

Human beings draw close to one another by their common nature, but habits and customs keep them apart.

Confucian saying

Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet.John F. Kennedy

Culture is more often a source of conflict than of synergy. Cultural differences are a nuisance at best and often a disaster.     

Geert Hofstede

How would you describe today’s world?

With one word? With one sentence?

globalization internationalization multiculturalism information technology

IC is a response to the “global village”

IC affirms the need to recognize:

Cultural and individual identities;

Distinct, yet integrated communities.

What is intercultural communication?

Metaphor 1 In our natural

cultural context, we are like a fish in water.

In the intercultural condition – we become “like a fish out of water”.

Implication 1: Develop intercultural sensitivity and awareness.

Out of water = Out of Context

I’m like a schooled fish, nervous, anxious and helpless.

“Water” is my culture. “I need my context to

feel comfortable!”

Case 1: Maria’s Story

In the early 1980s, Maria left her native country Italy and came to Beijing to learn the Chinese language. One day in Beijing, she met Wang Wei, a Chinese young man, and the two young people fell in love and began dating. They saw each other almost everyday, and were happily immersed in their sweet love until two months later when an incident happened and led to their breakup.

It was Maria’s friend’s birthday. Many European friends were invited to the birthday party; so were Maria and Wang Wei. Wang Wei bought a gift, dressed up himself neatly, and went with Maria to a Western-styled restaurant, which was chosen by the person whose birthday was to be celebrated. According to the European custom, people ordered their own food. Maria only asked for a salad, for she was on a diet. When it was time to settle the bill, they each paid for their own choice of food. Wang Wei thus had to pay much more than Maria.

In the following days, Wang Wei looked very unhappy, and he even did not speak to Maria. This made Maria very puzzled and upset as well. She did not know what was wrong, and Wang Wei refused to explain. Several weeks passed, and the tension was still there. Maria became so depressed and desperate that she decided to leave and go back to Italy, though reluctantly.

What do you think was the problem?

Metaphor 2

There are many kinds of footwear in the world.

Each suited to its specific cultural context.

Implication 2: Develop intercultural attitude.

Do not be judgmental: Not Wrong, Just Different.

Develop intercultural empathy; “Please first walk a mile in my moccasins (shoes).”

Seek to understand the cultural logic of each context.

Case 2 About Being Late

It is very common for teachers and students to be late for class at the Oriental University of Naples, Italy. Few people take it seriously. But when we draw up the rules and regulations for our newly-established Confucious Institute, we require that teachers should come to class on time. However, this rule was not well received among the Italian administrators and teachers. They see it as running against the local customs.

If you were the Chinese teacher of our Confucious Institute, how would you look at their habit of being late?

What would you do about students who are often late for class?

Metaphor 3

Culture as the soft-ware of our mind.

It governs our speech and action.

Culture Iceberg

Culture is like an iceberg.

It hides much more than it reveals, and strangely enough what it hides, it hides most effectively from its own participants.

(Hall,1959:15)

Implication 3: Understand culture knowledge.

Keep our mind open. Both culture specific knowledge and

culture general knowledge are to be acquired.

Highlight the role of the invisible cultural elements.

Case 3: Knowledge about Dress

Italy is an extremely fashion-conscious culture. You are how you dress, and clothes are a badge of success. Women wear quiet, well-cut, expensive and elegant clothes, and men’s ties and suits should also be fashionable and well-tailored. Even casual clothes are smart and chic.

If you do not know their dressing code, you are likely to become a laughing stock.

How much do you know about the dressing code of China?

In many aspects, the easterners are more conservative than the westerners.

To respect others and esteem ourselves, we should wear decent dress.

Although Chinese people value various etiquettes, we are not very fussy about their guests' clothes.

As long as you don't wear too weird or body-revealed clothes, it will be fine.

We had better prepare one formal dress.

Metaphor 4

See the world with different pairs of glasses.

Implication 4: Develop adaptability and flexibility.

Cultivate tolerant and appreciative attitude toward other cultures.

Develop an adaptable and flexible ability.

Venture out to explore different cultures.

Do not be afraid of uncertainties.

Case 4: Lisa’s Story

Lisa is a student secretary we hire to take care of the administrative work of our Confucious Institute. She loves learning Chinese and has been taking various Chinese courses offered by our institute, so she speaks Chinese fairly well.

She is a competent secretary except that she often makes remarks like “We Italians…; you Chinese….”, which make us feel uncomfortable

For example, once when reading a prospectus of our study-abroad program for European students, we heard her saying “why are we Chinese learners often asked to learn to make Jiaozi in China, but Chinese people in Italy do not learn to make bread?

If you were her teacher, how would you respond?

Summary

Intercultural learning is an active response to the changed domestic and international environment.

Intercultural learning is to develop intercultural sensitivity and awareness

Intercultural learning is to develop open, tolerant, appreciative and empathetic attitudes towards people from other different cultural backgrounds.

Intercultural learning is to increase cultural knowledge, both general and specific culture knowledge

Intercultural learning is to develop flexible, adaptable and adventurous skills and spirits.

In one word, intercultural learning will enrich your understanding of the global

world; facilitate your future career development; contribute to the development of harmonious

communities and organizations; make you feel happier.

Developing self-awareness and cultural sensitivity

Culture and identity Perception Chinese cultural roots Value dimensions

Understanding cultural differences Verbal Communication Non-verbal Communication Cross-cultural differences in social relations,

education and organizations

Enhancing intercultural competence: Intercultural conflict management Culture shock and intercultural adaptation Intercultural competence

Affective

awareness

Behavioral

cognitive

About This Course

Attendance and performance (15%):

one absence:-2;

being late for class every time: -1 Online discussion participation (10%) 2 reflection papers

My cultural story and identity (15%)

My benefits from the course (5%) 2 online quizzes (30%) Final group project (25%)

Course Requirements