新编跨文化交际英语教程单元知识点梳理Unit1-3

Unit 1 Communication Across Cultures

1.The need for intercultural communication:

New technology; Innovative communication system; Globalization of the economy; Changes in immigration patterns

2.Three major socio-cultural elements influence communication are: cultural values; worldview(religion); social organization(family and state).

3.Nonverbal behavior: gestures, postures, facial expressions, eye contact and gaze, touch

(Chinese people are reluctant to express their disproval openly for fear of making others lose face.)

4. Six stumbling blocks in Intercultural communication

(1)Assumption of similarities

(2)Language differences

(3)Nonverbal misinterpretations

(4)Preconception and stereotypes先入之见 刻板印象

(5)Tendency to evaluate

(6)High anxiety

Unit 2 Culture and Communication

1. Characteristics of Culture: Culture is learned; Culture is a set

of shared interpretations; Culture involves Beliefs, Values, and Norms(规范，准则); Culture Affects Behaviors; Culture involves Large Groups of people

2. Cultural identity文化身份 refers to one’s sense of belonging to a particular culture or ethnic group. People consciously identify themselves with a group that has a shared system of symbols and meanings as well as norms for conduct.

3. Characteristics of Cultural Identity：Cultural identity is central to a person’s sense of self. Cultural identity is dynamic（动态的）. Cultural identity is also multifaceted（多方面的）components of one’s self-concept.

4. Intercultural communication defined: Intercultural

communication refers to communication between people whose cultural perceptions and symbol systems are distinct enough to alter the communication event.

5. Elements of communication: Context; Participants; Message; Channels; Noise; Feedback

Unit 3 Cultural Diversity

1. Define worldview and religion

Worldview: deals with a culture’s most fundamental beliefs about the place in the cosmos（宇宙）, beliefs about God, and

beliefs about the nature of humanity and nature.

Religion: refers to belief in and reverence for a

supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and a governor of the universe.

Three major religions :

a. Christian Religions Groups （基督教的）

b. Islam （伊斯兰教）

c. Buddhism （佛教）

2.Human nature: (1) is evil but perfectible

(2) is a mixture of good and evil

(3) good but corruptible(易腐化的)

3.Relationship of Man to Nature: (1) subjugation to nature

(2) harmony with nature

(3) mastery with nature

4.Social Relationship：Hierarchy; Group; Individual

5.Cultual Dimensions: Hofstede identity 5 dimensions

individualism vs collectivism; uncertainty avoidance; power distance; masculinity vs femininity; long-term vs short-term orientation

6. High-Context and Low-context Cultures

A high-context(HC)—high-context cultures(Native Americans, Latin Americans, Japanese, Korean and Chinese): information is

often provided through gesture, the use of the space, and even silence. Meaning is also conveyed through status(age, sex, education, family background, title, and affiliations) and through an individual’s informal friends and associates.

A low-context(LC)—low-context cultures(German, Swiss as well as American) For example, the Asian mode of communication is often indirect and implicit, whereas Western communication tends to be direct and explicit—that is, everything needs to be stated.

For example, members of low-context cultures expect messages to be detailed, clear-cut, and definite.

The high-context people are apt to become impatient and irritated when low-context people insist on giving them information they don’t need.