Language and CultureLanguage and Culture

What’s the position of language in What’s the position of language in the intercultural communication?the intercultural communication?

The Definition of LanguageThe Definition of Language

Language is a system of arbitrary vocal Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communicatiosymbols used for human communication ( Wardhaugh, 1972:3)n ( Wardhaugh, 1972:3)

Language is a tool of communicationLanguage is a tool of communication ，，but not only the tool for communication.but not only the tool for communication.

Some people (represented by ChomskSome people (represented by Chomsky) look language as a cognitive system.y) look language as a cognitive system.

Language is one element of Language is one element of culture.culture.

It is on the first layer of the It is on the first layer of the culture onion.culture onion.

Language is the tool for communicationLanguage is the tool for communicationLanguage is the carrier of cultureLanguage is the carrier of cultureLanguage is the cognitive system of huLanguage is the cognitive system of human being.man being.

语言是交际的工具 语言是交际的工具 语言是文化的载体语言是文化的载体语言是认知的系统语言是认知的系统

Oral Communication ComparisonOral Communication Comparison

AddressingAddressing

GreetingGreeting

IntroducingIntroducing

Departing Departing

ThankingThanking

RequestingRequesting

ApologizingApologizing

ComplimentingComplimenting

PromisingPromising

CommentingCommenting

RefusingRefusing

InvitingInviting

…………

Speech Act

Addressing Addressing Kinship termsKinship terms

A clear distinction beA clear distinction between father’s relattween father’s relatives and mother’s rives and mother’s relativeselatives

examples: examples: 伯伯叔叔伯伯叔叔舅舅舅舅 ,, 爷爷奶奶外爷爷奶奶外公外婆，公公岳父，公外婆，公公岳父，姑姑姨妈，表姐堂姑姑姨妈，表姐堂姐，表哥堂哥姐，表哥堂哥

no distinctionno distinction uncle, aunt, uncle, aunt,

grandfather, grandfather, grandmother, grandmother, father/mother-in-lawfather/mother-in-law

cousincousin There is a tendency to There is a tendency to

address by first name address by first name instead of kinship instead of kinship termsterms

Individualism vs collectivism

Addressing Addressing （（ Kinship termsKinship terms ））

A clear distinction oA clear distinction of age f age

哥弟，姐妹，伯伯叔叔哥弟，姐妹，伯伯叔叔大爷二爷、大舅二舅大爷二爷、大舅二舅

EnglishEnglish

brother, sister, uncle,brother, sister, uncle,

Age and power, high power distanceAge and power, more past-oriented

Addressing Addressing Kinship termsKinship terms

The use of kinship terms to address The use of kinship terms to address people with non-kinship relationpeople with non-kinship relation

Chinese culture is rooted in a kinship-Chinese culture is rooted in a kinship-based sedentary agricultural society. A based sedentary agricultural society. A strict distinction between insider and strict distinction between insider and outsider outsider

Individualism and collectivismIndividualism and collectivism

Intercultural AddressingIntercultural Addressing

我爱北京，但不喜欢被人叫做奶奶！！！我爱北京，但不喜欢被人叫做奶奶！！！这个老外不叫我局长，对我不尊重。这个老外不叫我局长，对我不尊重。这家伙，居然叫我关副局长，什么意思？这家伙，居然叫我关副局长，什么意思？

Position and addressPosition and addressIn China, position is a very important In China, position is a very important element of address.element of address.Position show who you are; how important Position show who you are; how important you are in the society, how important you you are in the society, how important you are in relation to my social circle.are in relation to my social circle.In English, there are addresses with In English, there are addresses with position, such as Prince Charles, Bishop position, such as Prince Charles, Bishop Gray, President Bush etc., but the number is Gray, President Bush etc., but the number is quite small.quite small.

Power distance

How to address a stranger?How to address a stranger?

ChineseChinese 喂 （不礼貌）喂 （不礼貌）师傅师傅 小姐小姐 先生先生 姑娘姑娘 小伙子小伙子 老人家老人家 这位同学这位同学 这位老师这位老师 同志同志 服务员、乘务员服务员、乘务员阿姨叔叔爷爷奶奶阿姨叔叔爷爷奶奶

EnglishEnglish

Hi, Hey Hi, Hey （（ Zero addZero address)ress)

Sir, MadamSir, Madam

Particularism /universalismCollectivism/individualism

How to address the American and How to address the American and the British the British

Meet at the first time/ formal situation Meet at the first time/ formal situation

Mr./Ms.+ surname

Position title+ Surname

Professional title+ Surname

How to address the American and How to address the American and the British the British

Meet at the second time/ informal situation Meet at the second time/ informal situation

Given/First name

It depends. The British maybe more conservative

How to address the American and How to address the American and the British the British

In school In school

Primary School: Sir, Miss / Title +Surname

Secondary/high School: Title + surname/ Sir, Miss

College: Title+ surname, given name

How to address the American and How to address the American and the British the British

Special addressSpecial address

Mr. ChairmanMr. PresidentMr. AmericaMiss AmericaMiss England

How to address the American and How to address the American and the British the British

TipsTips

Sir and Madam should be used independentlSir and Madam should be used independently y

Mrs + husband’s surnameMrs + husband’s surname

Sir+ given name only for Knight or baronetSir+ given name only for Knight or baronet

Addressing by surname, or given name +surAddressing by surname, or given name +surname is impolitename is impolite

GreetingGreeting

ChineseChinese

上哪啊？上哪啊？吃了饭吗？吃了饭吗？接孩子啊？接孩子啊？出去啊？出去啊？孩子上几年级了？孩子上几年级了？今天有课？今天有课？

EnglishEnglish

Hi Hi

Good morning!Good morning!

A good day, isn’t it?A good day, isn’t it?

High and low territoriality