The Face Issues in Intercultural Communication Between Chinese and American.docx

1、The Face Issues in Intercultural Communication Between Chinese and AmericanTheFaceIssuesinInterculturalCommunicationBetweenChineseandAmerican目录Abstract: 1Key words 2Introduction 21.1Background information 31.2Research Purposes and Significance 51.3Face in Chinese and American Cultures 51.4Importance

2、 of Face in Cross-cultural Communication 71.5 Advice on Face Problems in Cross-cultural Communication 81.5.1Principles 91.5.2 Strategies in learning a second language 101.5.3Cultural sensitivity 121.5.4Others 131.6 Organization of the Thesis 132.1 Concept of Cultures 142.1.1Erving Goffmans opinion o

3、n face perspective 142.1.2Brown & Levinsons opinion on face perspective 152.2Chinese Cultures 172.3American Cultures 212.4Culture Difference and Their Collision in Communication 24The Chinese face perspective 25The American Negative Face & reasons 26The Chinese Positive Face & reasons 27The American

4、 equality & reasons 29The Chinese hierarchy & reasons 31References 32Abstract:Face, one essential part of culture, has great influence on culture collision. Politeness is a symbol of human civilization and the feature of all the civilized society. It is not only universal but also culturally specifi

5、c. Two countries like America and China have different cultures which lead to different realization on politeness. As one theory of politeness principle, the face perspective is also different. The paper introduces the different face perspectives between America and China and analyzes cultural diffe

6、rences behind them and their corresponding reasons. At first, this paper tries to introduce different concepts of face between America and China by quoting and analyzing some scholars opinions on face, such as Goffman, Brown & Levinson and Hu Hsienchins. Next step, this paper tries to discuss the cu

7、ltural conflicts behind different concepts of face, for instance, American individualism and Chinese collectivism, American negative face and Chinese positive face and American equality and Chinese hierarchy, and analyzes the reasons from different aspects including history, culture, thinking patter

8、ns, national characters and traditional ideology, etc. Finally, in order to reduce barriers caused by different concepts of face in cross-cultural communication, this paper further suggests that it is necessary to understand mutual different concepts of face by trying to be direct when among the Ame

9、ricans and trying to be euphemistic when among the Chinese. And the paper also believes that based on better understanding of mutual face perspectives and more effective communication between America and China, the friendship between the two countries will be promoted.Key wordsCross-cultural communi

10、cation; cultural difference; face perspective; IntroductionPoliteness is a symbol of human civilization and the feature of all the civilized society. Politeness which is thought to be one of the moral aspects is referred to the practical application of good manners or etiquette. It is a culturally-d

11、efined phenomenon, and therefore what is considered polite in one culture can sometimes be quite rude or simply eccentric in another cultural context. Similarly, face perspective, as one of the basic factors of politeness, is unexceptionally different under the different cultural contexts in China a

12、nd America. If people know nothing about these differences, they wont be able to have effective communication in intercultural context.In this thesis, cultural differences between American and Chinese face perspectives are discussed in three aspects: the introduction of different concepts of face un

13、der different cultural backgrounds between America and China, the analysis of cultural differences reflected by different concepts of face and their causes, and some suggestions to reduce barriers caused by different concepts of face in cross-cultural communication so as to promote mutual understand

14、ing between the two nations. 1.1Background informationAfter the Second World War, people find that the earth becomes smaller and smaller: politicians from each country are busy in communication on the intercultural stage; international companies are found everywhere; scientists and scholars exist in

15、 international academic forum; more and more people visit foreign countries, Chinese teachers stand on the platform of foreign countries, ect. All in all, International communication becomes so frequent.At the same time, we can see the conflicts and problems in intercultural communication again and

16、again: one countrys president think that the gesture means friendly, but it enrages another countrys people; some businessmen from foreign countries come to China to do business but failed and left with complaint; the teachers coming from England and America say Chinese students dont cooperate with

17、them; some Chinese people go to America to study, but, after a short time, they give up the plan, and come back to ChinaWith the further development of the reform and opening to the outside world, the people and the matter in western societies have come in to our visual field more and more. Under th

18、e situation, the economic and the social communication in different countries, different nationalities and different cultures become a part of peoples life. This gives us a chance to get in touch with western people and this is a good thing for deepening our understanding of western society. But, th

19、is is not an easy thing. Because the things we face are coming from strange cultures and countries, and the people we communicate with are different from us in thinking, life custom, and behavior. It is unavoidable for the phenomenon of culture conflicts to appear in the course of communicating with

20、 others. Chinese people cherish face as dignity or even as life. Its not difficult for the intercultural interactants to learn and remember the importance of face because it is universal. For instance, Americans pay attention to face problems too. 1.2Research Purposes and SignificanceFace has been m

21、entioned in books of cross-cultural Communication, but it only take a rather small part as the subordinate material. This thesis intends to collect as many data as possible in order to attract peoples attention on face problems in communication and less cultural shock on face will happen in the inte

22、rcultural communication.1.3Face in Chinese and American CulturesAccording to Hu Hsienchin, a Chinese anthropologist, face represents important social reputation which people gain through their continuous hard working and wisdom in their life experience. It is an important and typical social psycholo

23、gical phenomenon. Chinese have always been valuing face. From their point of view, face is so important, sometimes even as important as life. (1944)Chinese face is divided into two characters, one standing for honour and reputation and the other self-esteem and dignity. The two are something that Ch

24、inese people will pay at any price and at any time to protect.Face can be thought as invisible face. Just like what Mr. Lin Yutang said “Chinese peoples face can be washed, shaved, lost, given, fought and saved.”(1941: 139) No matter how rich or poor one person is, no matter in what social hierarchy

25、 one person is, they all need to protect their face.When interacting with people, Chinese always try to protect both their own face and other peoples face. They always disparage themselves and elevate others. Even if when they have to criticize people, they will compliment them first and then point

26、out their shortcomings. The Chinese face value has been well observed for thousands of years just because of “li”, an ideology advocated by Confucianism and deeply influencing Chinese people. In accordance with this doctrine, people should be self-restrained and considerate and loving one another. L

27、i refers to right conduct in maintaining ones place in the hierarchical order. Li is now used by the average Chinese to mean decorum. One important way to be decorous is to accept and respect each other to preserve face. In this way, they can maintain harmonious relationships with other people.Face

28、is universal. Americans pay attention to face problems too. American scholar Goffman(1967-5) defined “facea” asthe positive social value a person effectively claims for himself by the line others assume he has taken during a particular contact.” Given the constant shifting of group memberships, atte

29、ntion increasingly focused on individuals instead of on groups integrity, and harmony rarely attained the significance for Americans. So long as one didnt obstruct others, he could do whatever he wanted. And then, individual particular lifestyle was valued and individual feeling, desire and privacy

30、were respected. Respecting individual freedom, rights and independence was actually polite. Otherwise, its not.1.4Importance of Face in Cross-cultural CommunicationCross-cultural communication refers to communication between people with different cultural backgrounds, namely what was going on betwee

31、n people of different cultural backgrounds interact. With the development of social economy, people who have different cultural backgrounds between the cooperation more and more frequent. Modern society with its advanced technology has brought businessmen considerably closer and more opportunities f

32、or doing business with each other. People in Eastern countries watch the movies produced by the west; while the Western consumers wear clothes made in the eastern countries. As a consequence, cross-cultural communication is become more and more important in our life. Communication is an important mean of expressing yourself because it exists different ways of expression and so different kind of communication depending on the culture you belonging to. The way of communicating will not be the same as other countries and it is important to know some values