请以亲身经历谈谈你对跨文化交际的感受
浅谈对跨文化
交际的认识以及感受
一、对跨文化交际的认识
“跨文化交际”的英语名称是“cross-cultural communication（或inter-cultural communication）”。它指本族语者与非本族语者之间的交际, 也指任何在语言和文化背景方面
有差异的人们之间的交际。通俗来说就是如果你和外国人打交道（由于存在语言和文化背景的差异），应该注意什么问题，应该如何得体地去交流。
特点：
1.交际双方必须来自不同的文化背景（中西方）
2.交际双方必须使用同一种语言交际（中文或者英语）
3.交际双方进行的是实时的口语交际（进行实时的互动翻译）
4.交际双方进行的是直接的言语交际（表达方式方便让对方理解的重要性）
二、亲身经历以及启示
1.去年在英国旅游，晚上住在当地的人家中。导游提前告诉团员，如果主人给你什么小礼品或者纪念品时千万不要推脱或者给钱，要直接接住，说谢谢。因为在当地这其实是一种对你友好的礼节，如果你推脱，反而让主人以为你是不喜欢，而不是谦虚的表现。吃饭的时候你喜欢吃什么直接拿，主人要是问及你是否吃某个食品时，如果你真愿意尝试下的话，应该接过来说谢谢。而不是说这怎么好意思。
2.某老外苦学汉语十年，到中国参加汉语考试，试题如下：
3. 题目：请解释下文中每个“意思”的意思。
4. 阿呆给领导送红包时，两人的对话颇有意思。
5. 领导：“你这是什么意思？”
6. 阿呆：“没什么意思，意思意思。”
7. 领导：“你这就不够意思了。”
8. 阿呆：“小意思，小意思。”
9. 领导：“你这人真有意思。”
10. 阿呆：“其实也没有别的意思。”
11. 领导：“那我就不好意思了。”
12. 阿呆：“是我不好意思。”
13. 结果：老外泪流满面，交白卷回国了...
上面的示例一个在生活习惯，一个在语言上体现了中西方文化的差异，中方受儒家思想影响，讲究谦和，虚心，不张扬，委婉。儒家作为中国古代最有影响的学派。作为华夏固有价值系统的一种表现形式，并非通常意义上的学术或学派，它对中国以及东方文明发生过重大影响并持续至今的意识形态，儒家思想是东亚地区的基本文化信仰。儒家思想之所以成为正统思想，主要在于其理论本身宣扬天人感应，道德规范，提出大一统，迎合了封建专制主义中央集权的需要。文化儒家思想对中国文化的影响很深，几千年来的社会，所传授的不外《四书》《五经》。传统的责任感思想，节制思想，和忠孝思想，都是它和专制统治结合的结果，因此，儒家思想是连同当代在内的主流思想。
而西方文化起源于希腊和古罗马，西方文化源头的希腊理性和艺术、希伯来宗教、罗马法律，以及汇成西方文化之流的中世纪文化、文艺复兴、宗教改革、科学革命、启蒙运动都是西方文化的发展动力。文艺复兴发生于14—17世纪的欧洲，人文主义是文艺复兴
跨文化交际案例题(1,2) Case Studies Case One Phil is my foreign teacher. He is very nice and friendly to me and he often asks us to have free talk in his apartment. One day, I decided to give Phil a gift to express my appreciation of his help in my oral English. I called him but the line was busy. So I went to Phil’s apartment directly. He opened the door looking surprised, but didn’t let me in. I stood in the corridor and said a few words of thanks, and gave my gift to him and left quietly with great disappointment and puzzlement.. How could he be so cold to me? All my gratitude and fondness of Phil seemed to have gone. .. Case Two I could never forget my experience of an oral exam with our American teacher Mary. After reading the passage I
第6章非语言交际 1．如果比较语言交际和非语言交际，你认为哪个更重要？为什么？ 答：非语言交际更重要，原因在于： （1）非语言交际通常与语言交际结合进行，在不同的情况下起着不同的作用，大致上起补充、否定、重复、调节、替代或强调的作用。我们在机场欢迎客人，一边说：Welcome to Beijing，一边热烈握手。这握手的动作是对所说的话的一种补充。当你接到你不喜欢的礼物时，尽管嘴里说如何如何喜欢，但脸上的表情却流露出你的真实的不愉快的表情，也就是说，你的表情否定了你所说的话。 （2）一般说来，在语言交际和非语言交际传达的信息冲突时，人们倾向于相信后者。我们有时一边说话一边用手势表达同样的意思。例如，一边说要两杯饮料，一边伸出两个手指，重复已经发出的信息。在两个人谈话时，常用眼神和语调表示下面该是谁讲话，调节相互的关系。在有的情况下，无法用语言交流信息，必须用手势或其他办法。例如，交通警察指挥机动车辆，股票交易所的交易员在嘈杂的大厅里传递买卖的信息和行情都使用非语言手段手势或指挥捧替代语言交际。在人们讲话时，常常用手势加强语气，或强调某一个论点。 2．在非语言交际的各种手段中，你认为哪一种最容易引起误解？ 答：（1）在非语言交际的各种手段中，我认为手势最容易引起误解。 （2）各民族都用手势表达意义，但同一手势在不同文化中可以表示并不相同的意义例如，将手掌平放在脖子下面；在我国文化中是杀头的意思，但是在英语国家的文化中
却可以表示吃饱了的意思。即使在同一民族中，由于地区习俗的不同，同一手势也可能会具有不同意义，例如，在广东，主人给客人斟酒时，客人为了表现感谢，用食指和中指轻扣桌面，而在北方同一动作却表示不耐烦的情绪。 （3）有些手势是某一文化所特有的 例如，英美人所用的一些手势我们并不使用。美国人站在公路旁边向上伸出拇指，这是向过往的汽车司机表示，希望能搭他们的车。英语thumb a ride表达的即是这个意思。英美人把中指放在食指上面，表示希望事情能办成功。把两只手摊开、耸耸肩膀，表示“我不知道”，或“没有办法”。把手兜起来，放在耳后，表示听不见或听不清楚。把手伸出来，微微展开手指，表示等一等，别着急等等。招呼人走过来时，我们伸出手臂，手掌向下，手指上下移动；而美国人则是伸出手臂，手掌向上，手指前后移动。我们招呼人过来的手势类似美国人叫人走开的手势。 3．非语言交际是否一成不变？你能否举出例子说明它的变化？ 答：非语言交际不是一成不变的。 例如，在我国，历代朝廷都对于官服的颜色、花纹、式样有极严格的规定。黄色是帝王服装的颜色，文武官员不论职位多高都不得使用。而随着封建制度的解体，服饰的文化功能就发生了变化，黄色不再是帝皇家的专属颜色。而服装的颜色和花纹不再受到严格的规定。如今，服装的要求与场合的关系更密切些。场合正式，对于服装要求比较正式。在非正式场合，衣着可以比较随便。 4．在非语言交际方面我国各地区的差别是否很大？请举例说明。
第一讲跨文化交际 1. 在你的日常活动中哪些是比较典型的跨文化交际？ 答：（1）具有不同文化背景的人从事交际的过程就是跨文化交际。 （2）日常活动中比较典型的跨文化交际有： ①中外领导人谈判、进出口公司的工作人员与外国商人谈生意； ②和外国旅游者、外国留学生、外国教师交往； ③阅读外国小说、观看外国电影、电视节目。 2. 你认为强调个人之间的文化差异有什么利弊？ 答：强调个人之间的文化差异有如下利弊： （1）利：每个人都隶属于若干群体，而且没有哪两个人隶属的群体是完全相同的。即使在同一群体中，每个人的态度、价值和信念也不会完全一样。因此，每个人都应该被认为是独特的。强调个人的差异，就是在从地区、职业、年龄、性别等方面来研究不同文化对个体的影响，这有助于跨文化交际深入开展。 （2）弊：过于强调个人之间的文化差异也有一定的弊端。个体只是一种或多种文化的具体情况。根据传统的观念，文化通常不是指个人行为，而是指一个群体的生活方式和习惯，个人之间的差异研究只有在把他们当作群体代表时才有意义。过于强调个人文化之间的差异会使跨文化交际变得非常繁琐，实际上取消了跨文化研究的意义。 3. 我国的地区文化差异是否可以作为跨文化交际研究的重要方面？ 答：我国的地区文化差异可以作为跨文化交际研究的重要方面。 （1）跨文化交际研究的重要性排序如下：主流文化—亚文化—地区文化—小群体文化。 （2）地区文化的差异是跨文化交际研究的重要课题之一。我国幅员辽阔、地域广袤，地势高低起伏，地形复杂多变，由于空间分布差异，各地区形成了具有各自地方特斯的区域文化。 （3）同时，我国是一个多民族国家，每个民族都有自己的民族文化传统，这些也构成了地区文化的一部分。这些地区文化从总体上看，特点显著，区别性强，差异性大，值得进行跨文化研究。
跨文化交际案例分析 LEKIBM standardization office【IBM5AB- LEKIBMK08- LEKIBM2C】
Case Study 1 Age and Status 两位同事的矛盾使一家数据处理公司的总经理遇到了麻烦。一方是一位踌躇满志的法裔加拿大小伙子，另一方是一位有特许签证的年长的中国女性，而此前两人确实很好的合作伙伴….. Case description: A manager in a data-processing company was having difficulty dealing with a conflict between a young, ambitious French Canadian male and his co-worker, an older Chinese woman who was on a special visa from China. She had recently become uncooperative and had made it clear to the manager that she would not be willing to travel to the capital with her co-worker to hold discussion with legislators about a new product with great enthusiasm. When the manager asked her what the problem was, he received no clear explanation. When he asked her co-worker, the young man had no insights to offer. The young French Canadian was clearly annoyed, however, that the Chinese woman was refusing to share her data with him. That meant he couldn’t make the presentation to the legislators because she had all the key data on her computer disks. The manager repeated questions to her but her “problem” got nowhere. So he changed his approach. He began explaining his concerns, as manger and as spokesperson for the company, about the upcoming meeting with legislators. His explanation about his position was unemotional. In that climate she then felt she could explain her position. She revealed she felt that that as an older, and to her mind, more senior person, she should not be sent to the capitol with a younger employee who would do the presentation of material she had worked hard to develop. That would diminish her status, she felt. The general manger knew the root of his headache. Questions: 1．What do you think caused the conflict? 2. What would you do to resolve the conflict if you were the general manager? 矛盾冲突 这位年长的中国女士投入极大的热情和精力开发产品．却在最后的关键时刻拒绝与年轻的同事一同去向议员做推介：当经理和同事问其原因．她并未做任何明确的回答：而当经理改变策略，不再直接询问原因，而是迂回地讲起自己的困境时，她才道出自己的顾虑。在这位资深年长的中国女士看来，同一位比她年轻的同事一同去国会，并且由对方来做推介会影响到她的地位和威信，因此她无法同意： 原因分析 造成这一矛盾的文化因素有两方面．对地位、年龄的不同态度以及这种不同的表达方式。人对权力的认识因文化背景的不同而不同。根据霍夫斯特的调查研
汉硕案例分析答题技巧 最近很多人问关于汉语国际教育考试中的案例分析题该怎样答，我根据自己的粗浅经验，现总结如下： 1.答题思路：按照发现问题-- 分析问题-- 解决问题的思路。具体如下：（1）发现问题：也就是提出问题。在所给的案例中，某个出国教汉语的志愿者教师或来中国教外语的外教等，遇到了什么样的困难。遇到的困难可能是课堂教学时的，比如学生上课都不积极回答问题，不愿意参与老师精心设计的课堂活动，或者问老师一些可能涉及到“隐私”的问题；也可以是这位老师在生活上遇到的问题，比如无法与当地人沟通或交流（语言障碍，文化障碍），无法适应当地人的生活，或不理解当地人做某事时为什么会采取那样的方式，等等。注意：遇到的问题可能是多方面的，要从多角度分析，一般情况下，也不只是一个问题，所以，要按条来答。 （2）分析问题：要求你具体分析一下这位老师或某人遇到这种困难是什么原因引起的，主要是文化方面的原因，可能还涉及到一些他所采用的文化策略等。比如，他由于对对方国家文化不了解，对方国家可能很注重“隐私”，而在我们国家这不被看做是“隐私”。同时要求你分析出我们的母语文化具有什么样的特点，最主要的是和对方国家有什么不一样，哪里不一样，因此造成了他在文化方面的不适应，以至于教学和生活中都出现了问题或遇到了困难。关于他所使用的文化策略，主要就是他自身有没有做到尊重当地的文化，有没有试着去融入这种文化，接受这种文化，还是一味的采取排斥策略，认为自己的一切都好，别人的一切都不好。这就是分析问题了。 （3）解决问题：这是最关键的部分了。怎么解决他遇到的问题或困难？你自己提出个对策就行了，当然，要根据一些你所知道的文化常识和应对策略。比如首先尊重当地文化，多和当地人交流，努力让自己适应当地人的文化和生活方式，做到求同存异，等等。这里需要注意的就是，有些文化的知识是很灵活的，比如中国人的谦虚、中庸的思想等等，都是我们日常生活就知道的，就是稍微总结一下，理顺一下，就能答题了。关于这个，如果时间还来得及，就看一下程裕祯的《中国文化要略》，看一下中国文化的特点等，很多东西是很细致的，自己要稍加总结。如果时间不是很充分了，就把刘珣的《对外汉语教育学引论》上的关于“跨文化交际”的那个章节仔细看一下，我觉得应对这道题应该够用了。 2.答题方法：其实思路清晰了就很好弄了，老师会看你的逻辑分析能力。强烈建议大家一定要分条论述，千万别想到哪说到哪，写出一大片，阅卷老师还得自己去给你找点，这样，老师会很疲劳的，老师最不喜欢的就是这种思维混乱的。所以说，大家答题时我觉得可以按两种方法来写： 第一种：按发现问题---分析问题---解决问题来写，一共三条，然后在每条的下边分几个小点，因为发现的问题肯定不止一个，相应的分析问题和解决问题也会不止一条。 第二种：按一共出现了几个问题分条，第一条，问题1：发现问题--分析问题--解决问题；问题2：发现问题--分析问题--解决问题；问题3--以此类推。 总结一下，以上两种方法都各有利弊，因为有时不同的问题是由同一个原因产生的，或者需要同一种解决策略。所以，大家可以根据自己的喜好来选择其中一种。按以上的问题全部分析完以后，最好再来个综述，大致总结一下，字数不用太多，就是有个小结尾。 最后，要跟大家说的是，字数和字迹的问题。这个案例分析要求是1000字以上
对外经济贸易大学远程教育学院 2009-2010学年第二学期 跨文化交际导论(英) 复习大纲 课程名称: ENG338a【跨文化交际导论(英)】 考核方式: 开卷笔试[占总分的70%] 复习范围：以指定教材（第1-9章）为主，课件内容为辅。 试题形式：客观试题50 题，每题2分，题型共三种形式： I. Definition Matching.Match the terms with their definitions. （给 术语配对定义，10题，1题2分，共20分） II． True-False. Circle A if the statement is true; circle B if it is false. （判断各句是否正确，20题，1题2分，共40分） III. Multiple Choice. Circle the letter corresponding to the correct response. （在所给的4个选项中选择一个最恰当的答案，20题，1题2分，共40分） 复习方法： ●认真学习指定教材，结合课件的教学内容，全面复习，从总体上掌握这 门跨学科课程的特点； ●理解各讲中的主要教学内容，即每讲开始前的Learning Objectives， 不要死记硬背，重理解、勤思考、细观察，从跨文化交际的角度对文化 差异进行分析、记忆、总结；
●要力图将跨文化交际理论与交往实践相结合，将西方文化交际的理论与 实践与中国的本土文化相结合，通过大量真实生动的交际的成败案例的 学习，提高分析问题和解决问题的能力； ●参考指定教材各章后的练习以及书后附的两套模拟自测题，术语定义配 对题、是非题和多项选择题可帮助复习检验对所学内容熟悉的掌握程度，熟悉客观题型，问答题和案例有助于进一步理解。 跨文化交际导论课程期末考试模拟题 （答案供参考） Ⅰ. Match the following terms with their definition. （20%） 1.the study of the way that people use physical space to convey messages. B 2.the way in which time is used in a culture. A 3.the actual practice of concepts or beliefs. E 4.the total activity of learning one's culture. C 5.social principles, goals, or standards accepted by persons in a culture. D A.Temporal language/chronemics B.Behavior communication C.Spatial language/proxemics D.Enculturation E.Values 6. between nations and governments rather than individuals A 7. perceptions about certain groups of people or nationalities C 8. a learned organization of rules for making choices and for solving conflicts B 9. volume, pitch, and rate that affects message meaning E 10. the idea that every act of communication must happen in some sort of surroundings D A.international B.context C.value
《跨文化交际学概论》第七章社会交往五、宴请招待p132 Case One: Setting Rules for a Guest – American Hospitality 案例： When Zhang Tao traveled in America, he lived in the home of his American friend, Bill. Once after he had traveled back, he found Bill was in a bad mood. When he asked what the problem was, Bill told Zhang Tao that his son Adam got furious about the noise Zhang made when walking upstairs and also because he was using too much water in the solar powered shower and Adam had to have his shower in cold water. Bill told Zhang Tao that he should walk more softly in future, and have a fast shower to save water. Zhang Tao felt uneasy. How could the host set such rules for his guest! Question: Why did Zhang Tao feel uneasy? 分析： 1) In China, when people host someone, they put the guest in the place of honor to show hospitality. They try to take care of the guest，and try to make the guest feel comfortable and at ease. 2) In America, people tend to give the guest great freedom and treat a guest more casually, naturally and truthfully. 3) Zhang Tao knew he was a guest, and thought in terms of Chinese expectations of hospitality. He thought Bill should treat him courteously instead of setting rules for him. 4) Since Zhang Tao lived in American surroundings, he should have known about the customs there sooner. Case Two: 案例： Lin had traveled 20 hours from Beijing to New York. He needed a good meal. His American friend, Mike, met him. But Mike only offered him a plate of roasted chicken and a glass of orange juice. Lin was used to having a main course, and asked Mike if he had any rice. Mike said he only had fried noodles, and Lin had to make do with it. Though Lin knew Americans didn’t care very much about what food they ate, he still felt surprised because he had taken Mike to the most famous duck restaurant in Beijing -- Quanjude -- when he arrived in Beijing. Question: Why did Lin feel surprised? Offer some advice to him about adjusting to his new environment in America.
大学英语跨文化交际案例分析 Case 2 (P8) White Dress 女王的白色长裙:Case analysis: The Indian women might think the wedding ceremony is a funeral if they see the western bride in white gown. The case reflects the similes and metaphors in the text. 案例分析:印度女人可能觉得婚礼是一个葬礼,如果他们看到西方的新娘的白色礼服。这个案例反映了明喻和隐喻在文本。 Culture is like an iceberg: we can identify the color of the dress worn by women in different cultures, but we do not know the values underneath. Culture is like the water a fish swims in: people wear dress of different colors for different context but they usually take it for granted and never ask why . 文化是 像冰山:我们可以辨认颜色衣服的妇女所穿不同的文化,但我们不知道下面的值。文化是像水鱼游 在: 人们穿不同颜色的衣服为不同的上下文, 但他们通常是理所当然的,从不问为什么。 Case 4 (P18) Coconut-skating 椰子-溜冰:Case analysis: The case reflects the characteristics of culture. We Can tell from the CaSe that CUItUre is PerVaSiVe and it 案例分析Ie 这个e事件反映了文化 的特点。我们可以告诉从案件,文化是普遍的,这是学习。 People may invent different ways for things even as simple as the issue of floor moping. The Philippine woman must have learned this way of mopping from her own culture. 人们可能发明东西 甚至不同的方式为这样简单的问题的地板闷闷不乐。菲律宾女人必须学习这种方式从她自己的文化的拖地。 Case 7 (P30) Clean UP the Bathroom! 清理浴室!:CaSe analySiS: CUltUral differenCeS deCide the two StUdentS are going to CommUniCate in different wayS. 案例分析:文化差异决定这两个学生要沟通的方式不同。 The Chinese student wants the American student to understand the underlying means of his words, but the American student is used to the direct style of communication. This is decided by culture. In Chinese culture, people want to save face of both themselves and others, so they would not express their ideas directly. However, in the United States, unless you express yourself clearly and directly, the OtherS CannOt Understand you.中国学生想要美国学生理解底层的手段，他的话,但是美国学生用来 直接的交流方式。这是由文化决定的。在中国文化中,人们想要挽回面子的两个自己和他人,所以 他们不会直接表达自己的想法。然而,在美国,除非你清楚地表达自己,别人不能直接理解你。 Case 8 (P34) She HaS Three HandS 她有三个指针:ThiS CaSe Can refleCt the different CommUniCation StyleS between ChineSe and CanadianS. In weStern CUltUreS, CommUniCation iS the meanS of tranSmitting ideaS. WeStern PeoPle USUally CommUniCate direCtly with eaCh other. 这种情况下可以反映出不同的沟通方式在中国和加拿大人。在西方文化中,沟通是传播方式的想法。西方的人们通常直接彼此通信。 That is why the Canadian in this Case says what is in his mind direCtly in frOnt Of the Chinese wOman withOut hiding anything. While Chinese Culture stresses harmOny and emphasizes the relatiOnships between the COmmuniCatOrs. Chinese peOple view COmmuniCatiOn as a prOCess where all parties are searChing tO develOp and maintain a sOCial relatiOnship. SO the Chinese wOman in this Case tries nOt tO argue With the Can adia n face to face to keep the “ harm OnioUS relati On Sh这就是为什betwee n them. 么加拿大在这种情况下说什么是在他的脑海里的正前方的中国女人没有隐瞒任何事。虽然中国 文化强调和谐,强调了沟通者之间的关系。中国人民视图通信作为一个过程,各方正在寻求开发和维护一个社会关系。所以中国女人在这种情况下努力不认为与加拿大面对面保持“和谐关系”他们。 Case 12 (P57) Why Don‘ tYou Eat the Pizza? 你为什么不吃比萨饼?: This case can reflect the problems appearing during intercultural communication and how ignoring cultural differences can affect communication. 种情况下可以反映
I. Culture and Intercultural Communication Culture: ●Culture may be defined as what a society does and thinks. (Sapir, 1921) ●Culture refers to the total way of life of particular groups of people. It includes everything that a group of people thinks, says, does, and makes. (R. Kohls, 1979) ●Culture is a learned set of shared interpretations about beliefs, values, and norms, which affect the behavior of a relatively large group of people.文化是习得的一套关于信仰、价值观、规的公认的解释，这些信仰、价值观、规对相当大人类群体的行为产生影响。 The Characteristics of Culture: 1.Culture is not innate; it is learned; 2.Culture is transmissible from person to person, group to group, and generation to generation; 3.Culture is a dynamic system that changes continuously over time; 4. Culture is selective; (every culture represents a limited choice of behavior patterns) 5. Culture is composed of interrelated facets; 6.Culture is ethnocentric (centeredness on one’s own group). The American sociolinguist D. Hymes pointed out that people with communicative competence should know when, where and what to speak to whom and how. Models of communication Theoretically, the model of communication is always described in the following way: Communication is exchanging information in the form of messages, symbols, thoughts, signs and opinions. The Ingredients of Culture
Unit 5 Culture and Verbal Communication Case 17 When these two men separate, they may leave each other with very different impressions. Mr Richardson is very pleased to have made the acquaintance of Mr Chu and feels they have gotten off to a very good start. They have established their relationship on a first-name basis and Mr Chu‘s smile seemed to indicate that he will be friendly and easy to do business with. Mr Richardson is particularly pleased that he had treated Mr Chu with respect for his Chinese background by calling him Hon-fai rather than using the western name, David, which seemed to him an unnecessary imposition of western culture. In contrast, Mr Chu feels quite uncomfortable with Mr Richardson. He feels it will be difficult to work with him, and that Mr Richardson might be rather insensitive to cultural differences. He is particularly bothered that, instead of calling him David or Mr Chu, Mr Richardson used his given name, Hon-fai, the name rarely used by anyone, in fact. It was this embarrassment which caused him to smile. He would feel more comfortable if they called each other Mr Chu and Mr Richardson. Nevertheless, when he was away at school in North America he learned that Americans feel uncomfortable calling people Mr for any extended period of time. His solution was to adopt a western name. He chose David for use in such situations. Case 18 Even if the American knew Urdu, the language spoken in Pakistan, he would also have to understand the culture of communication in that country to respond appropriately. In this case, he had to say ―No at least three times. In some countries, for instance, the Ukraine, it may happen that a guest is pressed as many as seven or eight times to take more food, whereas in the UK it would be unusual to do so more than twice. For a Ukrainian, to do it the British way would suggest the person is not actually generous. Indeed, British recipients of such hospitality sometimes feel that their host is behaving impolitely by forcing them into a bind, since they run out of polite refusal strategies long before the Ukrainian host has exhausted his/her repertoire of polite insistence strategies. Case 19 Talking about what‘s wrong is not easy for people in any culture, but people in high-context countries like China put high priority on keeping harmony, preventing anyone from losing face, and nurturing the relationship. It seems that Ron Kelly had to learn a different way of sending message when he was in China. At home in Canada he would have gone directly to the point. But in China, going directly to the problem with someone may suggest that he or she has failed to live up to his or her responsibility and the honor of his or her organization is in question. In high-context cultures like China, such a message is serious and damaging. In low-context cultures, however, the tendency is just to ―spit it out, to get it into words and worry about the result later. Senders of unwelcome messages use objective facts, assuming, as with persuasion, that facts are neutral, instrumental, and impersonal. Indirectness is often the way members of high-context cultures choose to communicate about a problem. Case 20 It seems that the letters of request written in English as well as in Chinese by Chinese people are likely to preface the request with extended face-work. To Chinese people, the normal and polite way to form a request requires providing reasons that are usually placed before the requests. Of course, this is just the inverse of English conventions in which requests are fronted without much face-work. In the view of the English-speaking people, the opening lines of Chinese requests and some other speech acts do not usually provide a thesis or topic statement which will orient the listener to the overall direction of the communication. Worst of all, the lack of precision and the failure to address the point directly may lead to suspicions that the Chinese speakers are beating around the bush. To them, the presence of a clear and concise statement of what is to be talked about will make the speech more precise, more dramatic, and more eloquent. However, the Chinese learning and using English in communication may find it difficult to