跨文化视野下中美时间观念的研究分析英文版Word格式文档下载.docx

1、 cross-cultural communication摘 要由于地域、日常习惯和历史的差异，孕育出了多样化的中西方文化，尤其是中美文化。中美时间观念的差异就是由两地的人们在日常生活、学习或工作中许许多多不同的价值观念所产生的。有的人天生就是急性子，而有的人却从小就是慢脾气。有的人守时，可有的人常迟到。这些都反映出中美人们不同的时间观念。在下文中，笔者将结合一些科学的研究资料探讨跨文化交际中的中美时间观以避免文化冲突。关键词：中美文化；时间观念；跨文化交际Contents1. Introduction 12. Literature review 12.1 The definition of

2、time concept 12.2 The importance of time concept in cross-cultural communication 13. The differences in Chinese and American time concept 23.1 The line-type time outlook and the round-type time outlook 23.1.1 Americans line-type time outlook 23.1.2 Chineses round-type time outlook 33.2 Mono-chronic

3、time and poly-chronic time 43.2.1 Americans mono-chronic time concept 53.2.2 Chineses poly-chronic time concept 73.3 Chineses past-time orientation and Americans future-time orientation 83.3.1 Chineses past-time orientation 83.3.2 Americans future-time orientation 104. The crasis of Chinese and Amer

4、ican time concept 124.1 Peoples consciousness of time thrift is strengthening 124.2 Past-time orientation is turning into future-time orientation 135. Conclusion 14References 151. IntroductionThis paper aims to explore differences in Chinese and American time concepts and culture. The author hopes t

5、his paper can, to a certain degree, give the readers a clear understanding about the peoples concept of time in the two regions. The study on the concept of time is to help us to understand cultural differences and help us carry out effective international communication, improve cross-cultural aware

6、ness, reduce barriers to cross-cultural communication and the misunderstanding resulting from the different concept of time as much as possible, and avoid “cultural conflict” or “time conflict” in cross-cultural communication.2. Literature review2.1 The definition of time conceptTime concept is evol

7、ved from the process of people understanding and transforming the world. Time concept will remain relatively stable for a fairly long period. According to Liu Xifang（2009）, time concept refers to the different awareness and understanding towards time. It is not only a basic factor in the environment

8、 of human activity, but also a deep-seated cultural part of the social srtucture. It is shaped naturally through the long-period practice of human being and the long-period historical progress. It reflects the attitude of people towards time. At the same time, it also reflects the way that people de

9、al with time and utilize time. Everyone has his or her own concept of time. Therefore, different people, especially the people in China and America have different concepts of time.2.2 The importance of time concept in cross-cultural communication As global economic integration moves on, Chinese-Amer

10、ican cultural communication and integration become more frequent. Understanding different cultural concepts of time improves cross-cultural awareness and reduces barriers to cross-cultural communication. Avoiding “cultural conflict” or “time conflict” become more and more important.If people only re

11、cognize and adhere to their own concept of time and neglect understanding and respect to the time concept of other cultures, there would arise many misunderstandings. We should acknowlegde that people from Chinese and American cultures hold different attitudes towards time and the method of using ti

12、me. Then we should overcome the ethical cultural centrism and reduce the misunderstanding of different concepts of time as much as possible. The time orientation under different cultures should get respect and recognition. When there is a conflict in the time concept, we can not simply jugde it as g

13、ood or bad. Cultural communication is a process of understanding from one culture to another. Therefore, in order to deepen mutual understanding, it is necessary to adopt a liberal attitude. 3. The differences in Chinese and American time concept3.1 The line-type time outlook and the round-type time

14、 outlookthe time in Chinese wedding invitations, people can come to dinner late separated by an hour long with the early ones, so a feast can last even two or three hours. Appointment time to see our friends is hardly determined. For example, if there is a friend who has not been seen for a long tim

15、e, and want to see you during weekend, maybe you should stay home all day,and wait for him to come.3.2 Mono-chronic time and poly-chronic time According to observation, Edward.T. Hall（1983：42）has divided the using of time in different cultures into two classifications, one is monochronic time system

16、; the other is polychronic time system （Hall, 1982: 16）. The society within heavy industry, in general, adopts the monochronic time system. They just arrange the line of time strictly, arrange things in a certain piece of time without changing so easily under the arrangement. They like to do things

17、efficiencily. The polychronic time is the heritage of traditional agricultural society, people like to do several things together in a same time.3.2.1 Americans mono-chronic time conceptThe Americans are used to doing only one thing in a certain time, so they like to plan time carefully and thoughtf

18、ully. Therefore, calendars, schedules, diaries, annuals and accounting ledgers play an important role in the American society. To some extent, it extremely controls the social activities of people, it decides what they do or dont do at any moment, what must be done first, what should be done finally

19、. Americans are controled by the clock tightly, they even regard themselves as the slave to nothing but the clock. Just like Hall said “In the Western world, nobody can get out of the control of mono-time system. In fact, society and bussiness life, even the sexual behavior are in the control of tim

20、e. Time makes the peoples total life net.” （Hall, 1982: 20）. This can be found out from the bussiness activities in the cross-cultural communication. Americans demand to deal with things according to time table. As the Americans cherish time so much, they belive:“Time is money.”“Punctuality is the p

21、oliteness of princes.”“Punctuality is the soul of business.”“Time works wonders.”“Time works great changes.”3.2.1.1 Making plans Making plans before doing things is a common habbit in America. Words like “schedule” and “agenda”, are used widely in American life. Because Americans like to make plans

22、in advance, they do everything by complying with the arrangement. As soon as they find they are not following the schedule, they will get very uneasy and try best to quicken the speed.Whats more, Americans usually calculate time in minutes or seconds, they are controled deeply by clock.Americans alw

23、ays plan what should be done next in their minds in advance. Appointment and schedules are very important to members of monochromic cultures. People are concerned about it not being disturbed. They do everything by their agenda. Once the time they plan is over, they will stop whatever they are doing

24、 at once. Then do what they plan to do next. When people plan an event, they often set the time days or weeks beforehand. Once the time is fixed, it takes almost an emergency to change it. If people want to come to your home for a friendly visit, they will usually make a call to make sure whether it

25、 is convenient. If you dont do like this, Americans would think that you are not polite, because sudden visit would upset their plans. According to an investigation, some foreign teachers in China often complain that they are not informed in advance. Classes exchanging, class-cancelingedree give, an

26、d sports meeting, often are informed in the last minute. Sometimes, without consulting with them, they ask them to lecture or record. For these matters, they feel unhappy because they do not like the last minute notice （Hu Xiaoqiong，2000: 1）. So Chinese people are easier to “go with the flow” than A

27、mericans who like plans to be fixed and unchangeable. Influenced by time thrift, Americans treat time seriously. If they cannot plan their time properly, they will be looked down upon by others.In businesses, “Time is money”, everyone follows set agendas. Minutes are spent at meetings that are preci

28、sely scheduled. North Americans take pride in finding time to spend with family and friends when juggling busy work schedules.Generally speaking, if Americans have arranged his time for study at home, he will not change his plan. Americans often make every days plan, every weeks plan, and even every

29、 years plan. Once the plan is arranged, they will not change it.In English, we often hear these expressions, “My agenda for today starts with” “Place on the agenda,” “Map out a schedule,” “Accomplish some thing according to schedule.” Once Americans find themselves are behind the schedule, they become pressured. Then they do their best to speed up. As E.T.Hall （1959:20） said, “They slave to nothing, but the clock.” In America, the clock not only masters peoples social life, but also other aspects of life. The time clock records the hour we mus