Unit 1 Differences Between Cultures Thinking AheadStudents are asked to discuss the following questions in groups. The reference answers for the questions are offered below:1. How do you think about the word “culture”?Culture is a word for people’s“way of life”, meaning the way they do things. A group of people has a separate culture when that group sets itself apart from others through its actions. Cultures are what make countries unique. Each country has different cultural activities and cultural rituals. Culture is more than just material goods, that is things the culture uses and produces. Culture is also the beliefs and values of the people in that culture. Culture also includes the way people think about and understand the world and their own lives.2. Why should we study cross-cultural communication?Cross-cultural communication refers to the study of successful communications across different cultures. It concerns the understanding of tradition and modernization, consistency and change. As we understand some of the ongoing national characteristics of a people, we can examine how this culture is seen from the outside, how it interacts with other cultures and how it is changing.The increase in international business and in foreign investment has created a need for executives with knowledge of foreign languages and skills in cross-cultural communication.The challenge is that even with all the good will in the world, miscommunication is likely to happen, especially when there are significant cultural differences between communicators. Miscommunication may lead to conflict, or aggravate conflict that already exists. So it is very important that we should study cross-cultural communication.(From /english/news/culture/200805/13-86570.html) Part I Video TimeIn this part, students will have 2 tasks to accomplish.Task 1In task 1, students will watch a video clip from Gua Sha and then do the exercises as required. Before watching, students are supposed to read the words, expressions and cultural notes related to the video.TranscriptMrs.Xu: How come it doesn’t look like the courtroom on TV?Judge: Because it isn’t a courtroom, Mrs. Xu. Does either of the counselor have problem with my holding hearings in chambers?To tell you the truth, because I can’t stand that awful echo in the courtroom, you know, winds in the gallery. (People were chuckling.)Lawyer Quinlin: No problem, your honor. John Quinlin, attorney for the defense. Judge Horowizs: Why that I’ve never seen you around before, Mr. Quinlin?Lawyer Quinlin:I’ve never had the honor, your honor. Er, I deal mostly with the intellectual property rights cases.Judge:Apples and oranges（风马牛不相及）, Mr Quinlin; The two areas of law have virtually nothing to do with each other.Lawyer Quinlin:Well, yes, of course. So I told my client. But he insisted on my representing him. Also I’d like to have the record show that my client only had two days’ notice of this hearing; also for me only 24 hours’ preparation time. Judge: I think we are putting the cart before the horse（本末倒置）, your counselor.This hearing is for the purpose of determining whether there is sufficient evidence to advance court proceedings, so take off your lawyer caps. And before we get caught to these formalities, let’s just talk about the matter. Will the Child Welfare Agency care to start?Lawyer Davis: Yes, your honor. We are prepared to proceed in any way you save it.Three days ago, we received a telephone call from the social worker on duty at St. Matthew hospital informing us of a possible case of child abuse discovered as a result of medical examination by Doctor Michael Longman. Upon administrating treatment in the ER to Denis Xu, Doctor Longman had reason to suspect that Denis had been the subject of physical abuse.Judge: I’ve read the report, Ms. Avery. Very thorough as usual.Lawyer Davis: As you can see, the medical report indisputably proves that Denis Xu has been a subject of deliberate, long-term neglect and abuse.Lawyer Quinlin: Objection! No foundation, just conjecture and speculation!Judge: This is a hearing, not a trial, Mr. Quinlin, but you make a fine point. Lawyer Davis: In order to supplement the medical report, you will know that we provided additional evidence.(Lawyer Davis opened a suitcase.)Lawyer Quinlin: Your honor, we haven’t received any copies of evidence or report related to this case.Margaret Avery (murmuring): I thought you provided them with copies.Lawyer Davis: En. Sorry, your honor, no recite.Margaret Avery: I do n’t know how this could have happened.Lawyer Davis: Your honor, the CWA was currently carrying a full investigation of this case and has located a considerable number of witnesses, all of whom are prepared to testify regarding Mr. Datong Xu’s violent nature, and the neglect and abuse he has inflicted on his young son Denis.Lawyer Quinlin: And I can produce a hundred witnesses to testify that he is a good husband and father who rather die than see his family harmed. I count myself chief among those witnesses.Margaret Avery: As my colleague has just stated, we are in the midst of a full investigation, but we will not be calling any witnesses: we feel there is no need. Datong Xu: She really doesn’t have any witnesses.Lawyer Quinlin: Or she thinks she doesn’t need any.Margaret Avery:Your honor, I have incontrovertible evidence that I feel we will quickly settle this matter in the court’s mind.(Margaret Avery and Lawyer Quinlin both walked to the judge.)Lawyer Quinlin: Your honor, perhaps I don’t understand family law, but I do understand Datong Xu. These accusations are ludicrous laughable.Margaret Avery: Perhaps you don’t understand your friend as well as you think you do.(Margaret Avery presented pictures to the judge.)Margaret Avery: According to the doctor’s report, the condition and coloration of the bruise were inflicted two days prior to Denis’ head injury. We believe these photographs are sufficient evidence to demonstrate that Denis Xu lives ina dangerous home environment, and should remain under the protection ofthe state.Judge (sternly): Please return to your seat.Lawyer Quinlin:(to Datong Xu) How could you do this to your son? Is this something you forgot to fill me in on? Did you think they will never notice your son’s back like a piece of roast beef?Datong Xu:That is Gua Sha, a traditional Chinese medical treatment. Denis had stomach ache that day, and Gua Sha is simply a cure, a… a home remedy, you call it. I had this done on me in this time when I was a kid.Lawyer Quinlin: If this is what you call some kind of treatment that he does see what you considered as child abuse!Judge: If you two want to chit chat, we can all go home. Does the defense have something more to add?Lawyer Quinlin: No.Datong Xu:Yes I do! I think you don’t understand. You know, Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese medical treatment used for nearly all kinds of illnesses. For thousands of years, Chinese medicine had recognized that there are seven Jing and eight Mai（七经八脉）. Er, for example, it is like small streams that run in to rivers and in turns fall into a sea. A person’s body has an invisible but very complex system of vessel network, just like the computer network. And also the human Qi from Dantian finally goes to Dantian. It is the same principle!! Judge: Your kind, what is he saying?Datong Xu: It’s the kind of…(interrupted by the judge)Judge: We don’t understand what you say. Perhaps I should put it in another way.What does it say on every Missouri license plate?Datong Xu:Show-me state（用证据说话）.Judge:Precisely. Can you get an authoritative medical expert to back your testimony in plain English that an old country judge can understand? Datong Xu: Yes, I can try.Judge: Did you do this Gua Sha to your son yourself?(A pause)Judge: Mr. Xu?Datong Xu: Yes, I did it myself.Mrs. Xu: No! It wasn’t him.(Datong Xu started to speak Chinese.)Judge: I warn you: this hearing must be conducted in a language we all can understand. Did you have something to add at this discussion?Mrs. Xu: No, your honor.Judge: Let me ask you one more time for the sake of clarity. Did you do this Gua Sha to your son?Datong Xu: Yes, I did.Judge: Then until I was shown otherwise, I have no choice but to conclude that Denis Xu lives in an unsafe home environment, and should be kept under the supervision of the Child Welfare Agency tending a full trial on the charges. Key to ExercisesExercise 1 Watching for DetailsStudents are asked to watch the video clip and choose the best answers to the questions.1) D2) C3) BExercise 2 Watching for Specific InformationStudents are asked to watch the video clip again and fill in the blanks with the missing information.Lawyer Davis: Yes, your honor. We are prepared to 1) proceed in any way you save it. Three days ago, we received a telephone call from the social worker on duty at St. Matthew hospital 2) informing us of a possible case of child abuse discovered 3) as a result of medical examination by Doctor Michael Longman.Upon 4) administrating treatment in the ER to Denis Xu, Doctor Longman had reason to suspect that Denis had been the subject of physical 5) abuse. Datong Xu:Yes I do! I think you don’t understand. You know, Gua Sha is a 6) traditional Chinese medical treatment used for nearly all kinds of 7) illnesses.For thousands of years, Chinese medicine had recognized that there are seven Jing and eight Mai. Er, for example, it is like small 8) streams that run into rivers and in turns fall into a sea. A person’s body has an 9) invisible but very complex system of 10) vessel network, just like the computer network. And also the human Qi（气）from Dantian（丹田）finally goes to Dantian. The same principle!Task 2In task 2, students will watch a video clip about the art of paper-cutting and then do the exercises as required. Before watching, students are supposed to read the words, expressions and cultural note related to the video.TranscriptThe Art of Paper-cuttingWhat I have done is only a rough idea of what I’m going to cut out. Then I’m going to cut it out with my scissors.(Folk paper-cutting is a Chinese art form. It’s just like traditional Chinese painting, oil painting or calligraphy. What’s wonderful about paper-cutting is that it isn’t just limited to people in the countryside—everyone from all different communities do it too.)(Just like she mentioned, Liu Ren tries her best to promote the art in China and also the world.)I like doing freehand paper-cutting. Ideally you shouldn’t draw a design on the paper andthen cut it out. The best part about paper-cutting is you, the paper and scissors working together. In 1993, I was invited to exhibit Chinese paper-cutting to other countries. I hope to build more recognition for Chinese folk paper-cutting. In order to pass on this art form, I teach people who really love the art of Chinese paper-cutting, and I don’t charge them any tuition. Last year, I had an American student who was studying Chinese culture at a UK university. He came to China to write his thesis. I gave him some lessons on Chinese paper-cutting. After he went back to continue his studies, he entered a logo design competition in his university. He created a logo by doing a paper-cutting and he won the top prize! The young student was so excited and he told me that his college friends all wanted to learn more about Chinese paper-cutting and even about me. The art form is warmly welcomed in the UK. My dream is to set up one or two paper-cutting museums inother countries.When I was young, I made butterflies in different art forms. I think everyone is born with artistic talent.Key to ExercisesExercise 1 Watching for DetailsStudents are asked to watch the video clip and answer the following questions. 1) What’s wonderful about paper-cutting？Paper-cutting isn’t just limited to people in the countryside and everyone from all different communities does it too.2) What does Liu Ren try her best to do?She tries hard to promote the paper-cutting art in China and also the world.3) What does Liu Ren do to pass on the art of paper-cutting?In order to pass on this art form, she teaches people who really love the art of Chinese paper-cutting, and she does n’t charge them any tuition.4) Where does Liu Ren’s student come from?America.5) What is Liu Ren’s dream?Her dream is to set up one or two paper-cutting museums in other countries. Exercise 2 Watching for Specific InformationStudents are asked to watch the video clip again and fill in the blanks with the missing information.cutting. Ideally you shouldn’t draw a design on the paper and then cut it out. The best part about paper-cutting is you, the paperand 2) working together. In 1993, I was invited to 3) Chinesefolk paper-cutting. In order to pass on this art form, I teach people who really lovethe art of Chinese paper-cutting, and I don’tHe came to China to write his I gave him some lessons on Chinese paper-cutting. After he went back to continue his studies, he entered a logo designwon the top prize! The young student was so excited and he told me that his college friends all wanted to learn more about Chinese paper-cutting and even about me. The art form is warmly welcomed in the UK. My dream is to set up one or two paper-cutting museums in other countries. When I was young, I made 9)Part II Listening ActivitiesIn this part, you will have 3 listening tasks to accomplish.Task 1In task 1, students will listen to a passage about national symbols and then do the exercises as required. Before listening, they are supposed to read the words, expressions and cultural notes related to the passage.TranscriptNational SymbolsWhen many people in the west think of China, the animal that they think of is the dragon. For them, the dragon is an aggressive monster that breathes fire. Many popular legends tell of how dragons killed brave knights and ate beautiful maidens.For Chinese people however, the dragon is not an evil monster. It’s a cultural and spiritual symbol for prosperity and good luck. The dragon’s main task is to create harmony and bring rain. Dragons are celebrated in art and architecture, and of course the dragon dance is a very popular ritual. Millions of Chinese have the word “long”, meaning dragon, as part of their name s.China isn’t the only country to have the dragon as its symbol. Wales, one of the four countries in the UK, has a red dragon proudly displayed on its flag. The only other country in the world with a dragon on its flag is Bhutan, the tiny country between China and India.Almost all countries in the world have an animal symbol to represent their country, and it is particularly obvious during sports. The English see lions as brave, proud animals and the England football team have three lions on the front of theirfootball shirts.Australia is famous for kangaroos, of course. The national rugby team is more commonly known as the Wallabies, a kind of small kangaroo. Similarly, the South African team are known as the Springboks, a type of African antelope, and the New Zealander s, whether playing sports or not, are commonly known as Kiwis. A kiwi is a native New Zealand bird that can’t fly.All countries are proud of their symbols, which they feel reflect national characteristics or the beauty and variety of their natural environments. Recently, a Shanghai professor claimed that using the dragon as a national symbol could make western countries have a negative view of China. But in an internet survey 90% of Chinese people wanted to keep the dragon, and as we are all familiar with that Chinese symbol, people in the west would no doubt want China to keep the dragon too.Key to ExercisesExercise 1 Making a Sound JudgmentStudents are asked to listen to the passage and decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F).F 1) People in the west have the same ideas about dragons as people in China.F 2) In China, dragons bring bad luck.T 3) Only two countries in the world have a dragon on their flag.T 4) The England football team have three lions on the front of their football shirts.T 5) Many Chinese people want to keep the dragon as a symbol of China. Exercise 2 Listening for Specific InformationStudents are asked to listen to the passage again and fill in the blanks with the missing information.When many people in the west 1) think of China, the animal that they think of is the 2) dragon . For them, the dragon is an 3) aggressive monster that 4) breathes fire. Many popular 5) legends tell of how dragons killed brave knights and ate beautiful maidens.For Chinese people, however, the dragon is not an evil monster. It’s a cultural and 6) spiritual symbol for 7) prosperity and good luck. The dragon’s main task is to create 8) harmony and bring rain. Dragons are celebrated in art and 9) architecture, and of course the dragon dance is a very popular 10) ritual. Millions of Chinese have the word ‘long’, meaning dragon, as part of their na me. Exercise 3 Essay WritingChina, as one of the oldest countries in the world, does not only have the dragon as her symbol, but also a lot of others, which keep distinctive ancient Chinese features. Now students are asked to write an essay entitled Chinese Symbols with no less than 160 words to introduce other distinctive symbols of China.SampleChinese SymbolsIt is known to all that national symbols are heavily culture-oriented. With the world’s longest continuous civilization, for more than 40 centuries, its people created a culture with strong philosophies, traditions and values. Thus, the national symbols for china are numerous and distinctive.The first to mention is, the Great Wall, which is one of the symbols of China and one of the seven wonders in the world. In the imperial periods, this magnificent construction was used in the defense of enemies. Sublime as it is, the Great wall is the only construction on earth that can be seen from the outer space.When many people in the west think of China, the animal that they may think of is the Giant Panda, which is the national animal of China. Giant Panda is one of the most precious animals in the world. It is easily known by its large, distinctive black patches around the ears, and on its rotund body.Terracotta-clay warriors, which unearthed in Xi’an, is another symbol to represent Chinese long history. It is a famous ancient city, which was sculptured in Qin Dynasty, the first dynasty of China.As one of the cradles of human civilization, China possesses so many treasures with distinctive characteristics. The above mentioned are just a drop of water into the sea and a grave stone in comparison of the sand.Task 2In task 2, students will listen to a dialogue about culture shock and then do the exercises as required. Before listening, they are supposed to read the words, expressions and cultural note related to the dialogue.TranscriptCulture Shock(Terry Joyce talks about her experience of living and working in England, where she has been for the past eleven years.)Interviewer: So, Terry. You have been in England for quite a long time now. Terry: Mmm.Interviewer: What differences do you notice between England and the United States?Terry:Obviously the biggest difference is the people. The average Englishman is…mmm…cold and not very open.Interviewer: Oh.Terry: In the United States it’s very different. We start conversations with people in the street, in the subway; we’re a lot more outgoing than people here. You know, when I first came, I couldn’t understand why I was getting so little reaction from people, but now I see that they thought I was overpowering and too friendly too soon.Interviewer: But, tell me: Does the Englishman improves as you get to know him? Terry: Oh, yes.Interviewer: Oh, good.Terry: Once you have made a friend, it’s a friend for life, but it takes a very long time. I’ll tell you something that I think is very important. An Englishman in America is respected. Everyone wants to talk to him. We’re inquisitive. We love his accent and his country.But Americans in England are thought to be a little inferior because of their loud behavior and their language. One thing I’ve learned is that English people like a certain distance. When I was talking to someone, he would move away, you know, move backwards, and I thought.“Do I smell? Am I boring him?”The reason is, you see, Americans stand closer when they’re talking while English people like a certain distance. Key to ExercisesExercise 1 Making a Sound JudgmentStudents are asked to listen to the dialogue and decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F).F 1) The biggest difference the interviewee notices between England and America is the accent.T 2) When the interviewee first went to England, she got little reaction from the people there.T 3) Friendship with an Englishman lasts longer than that with an American.F 4) When the interviewee talked with the English people, they usually movedbackwards because of her bad smell.T 5) According to the dialogue, Americans in England are thought to be a little inferior because of their loud behavior and their language.Exercise 2 Listening for Specific InformationStudents are asked to listen to the dialogue again and fill in the blanks with the missing information.1) English people, in general, are cold and not very open. Compared with the English people, Americans are more outgoing.2) When the interviewee first went to England, she was considered overpowering and too friendly too soon.3) It takes a long time to make friends with the English people. But once a friend is made, it is a friend for life.4) The Americans like to talk with an Englishman because they love his accent and his country, while Americans in England are considered inferior because of their loud behavior and their language.5) When talking with each other, Americans stand closer while English people like a certain distance.Exercise 3 Topic ResearchAfter listening to the dialogue, we know that culture differences may cause the anxiety or feelings of surprise, disorientation, uncertainty, confusion, etc., especially when in a foreign country. This kind of anxiety or feeling is called culture shock. Do you know how to cope with culture shock in order to enjoy a happy time in a foreign country? Try to research into this topic and present your ideas to the class. Reference for the PresentationCulture shock happens to those who leave home and live in an alien country. It is possible to shorten the duration of culture shock or minimize its impact. Here are three suggestions they offer to anyone planning a stay in a foreign land.Firstly, we should be aware that such a thing as culture shock exists. It will affect those who come to a foreign land for the first time, however, it doesn’t last forever.Next, we should know that we are responsible for our salvation, not the surrounding or the foreign culture.Thirdly, try to accept the idea that culture shock is a very valuable experience, which may be a little bit painful. It will stretch your mind, broaden your perspectives, deepen your insight into yourself and widen your tolerance for other people. Additional ListeningIn this section, students will listen to a passage about Journey to the West and then do the exercises as required. Before listening, they are supposed to read thewords, expressions and cultural notes related to the passage.TranscriptJourney to the WestWhat do you get when you combine a 16th century work of Chinese literature, a renowned Chinese theatre director and a British rock star?The result is Monkey: Journey to the West, a show which blends acrobatics, music, animation and martial arts to tell the story of Sun Wukong and his travelling companions on their journey of redemption.Performed in Mandarin to sell-out crowds in London’s Theatre Royal last week, the show is a stage adaptation of the famous Chinese novel Journey to the West.“An unclassifiable extravaganza” was how The Guardian described the show, while another reviewer said it was a performance that “left no genre untouched and whose scale of ambition could only be marveled at.”Indeed, for director Chen Shi-zheng, bringing the wildly imaginative Chinese tale to a 21st century western audience was a creative challenge that allowed him and his team to mix together a wide range of influences.The score was composed by British musician Damon Albarn, lead singer of Blur and co-creator of the virtual cartoon band Gorillaz. It is played by an orchestra that uses both western instruments and the traditional Chinese pipa（琵琶）, guzheng （古筝）and zhongruan（中软）.Another aspect which makes this show stand out is the use of animation, which is projected onto a la rge screen behind the stage. Director Chen said “the integration of animation and sound was really a work of genius.”The Monkey King, as Sun Wukong is known in English, as well as Pigsy, Sandy and a host of other characters and monsters are brought to life by 40 acrobats from the Dalian circus troupe.Even though The Monkey King is less well-known outside North-East Asia, many British people fondly remember a cult 1970s TV series called Monkey.And this isn’t the last British people will be seeing of The M onkey King this summer.Key to ExercisesExercise 1 Listening for DetailsStudents are asked to listen to the passage and choose the best answers to the questions.1) D2) C3) CExercise 2 Making a Sound JudgmentStudents are asked to listen to the passage again and decide whether the followingstatements are true (T) or false (F).T 1) Journey to the West was written in the 1500s.F 2) There were lots of tickets left unsold for the performances in London.F 3) The show was in English.F 4) The show used only traditional Chinese instruments.T 5) Many people in the UK were already familiar with the character of Sun Wukong.Part III Oral PracticeIn this part, students will have 3 tasks to accomplish.Task 1 Group DiscussionStudents are asked to list all the body gestures that they can think of, and then discuss what each gesture means in a Chinese or foreign context. After the discussion, they can share with the whole class.SampleIn China, when people meet each other, they will shake hands with each other. However, men in Russia, France and Arab countries will kiss each other on the side face when they meet each other.The difference also exists in how to wave their hands. For American people, they will wave each other good bye. But South American will not leave if you wavegoodbye to them, because in their culture, waving to other people means to call them to come closer.As for Chinese people, they have a special way to express the meaning of numbers, while there is nothing paralleled in western culture.Task 2 Picture DescriptionStudents are asked to describe the given pictures. The following sample is just for teachers’ reference.SampleIn China, the dragon (long) is believed to be a sacred and beneficent animal. It ascends to the sky in the spring, bringing beneficial rains onto the dry earth. It is considered an auspicious creature because it brings forth blessings, festivity, and happiness, benefiting everything on earth. The importance of the dragon to the Chinese people is indisputable.The Chinese dragon also symbolizes power and excellence, valiancy and boldness, heroism and perseverance, nobility and divinity. A dragon overcomes obstacles until success is his. He is energetic, decisive, optimistic, intelligent and ambitious.However, the dragons in the western culture are viewed as evil and aggressive monsters, which are usually large and ferocious fire-breathing creature in myths, legends, and fairy tales that green scaly skin, a long tail, and wings. It symbolizes。
