On the differences between Chinese and Western communication terms
Chinese abstract
With the development of China's social economy, international exchanges and cooperation are increasingly close. The process that people from different cultural backgrounds engage in communication is cross-cultural communication. Language is the most basic and important medium for cross-cultural communication. Therefore, as a foreign language learner, while learning a language, we must also fully understand the culture carried by this language. It is an indisputable fact that language and culture are closely related. Language is the carrier of culture, and the process of learning a foreign language is also the process of understanding the cultural background knowledge of the target country. The degree of mastering the cultural background knowledge of the target country directly affects a person's ability to use language knowledge, which is the premise of using language appropriately. Starting with the relationship between language and culture, this paper briefly analyzes the differences between Chinese and western daily communication terms, and reveals the differences between Chinese and western cultures. This paper expounds that language learning is cultural learning, emphasizes the importance of paying attention to the cultural differences between China and the West, and introduces several ways to understand the background and cultural knowledge of English-speaking countries.
Keywords: cross-cultural communication, language and culture, cultural differences between China and the West, Overcome communication barriers
on differences of communicative expressions between Chinese and western
abstract
with the development of our country's economy, international exchange and cooperation becomes closer and closer. The process of communication in which people in different cultural backgrounds are e ngaged is Intercultural Communication. And language is the most basic and important media to intercultural communication. Therefore, as a foreign language learner we should fully understand the culture of the language. It is unquestionable that the relationship between language and culture is very close. Language is the carrier of culture. The process of learning a foreign language is also the process of understanding this country ’s culture. The degree of mastering this country’s cultural background knowledge influences directly one’s capability of using the language. It is the premise of using the language properly. This paper talks about the relationship between language and culture. Then it reveals differences between the C hinese and Western culture by analyzing the differences of everyday expressions between the Chinese and Westerners. It clarifies that language learning means culture learning and emphasizes the importance of paying attention to this cultural difference. It also recommends several ways to know the cult ure background of English countries.
Key words: intercultural communication, language and culture, Cultural differences between the Chinese and Westerners, Overcoming the obstacles in communication
1. Introduction
In recent years, with the deepening of China's reform and opening up, especially after its accession to the WTO, contacts with other countries have become increasingly frequent, and people have begun to attach importance to economic and cultural exchanges with different countries and nationalities. The process of people from different cultural backgrounds engaging in communication is cross-cultural communication. (Hu Wenzhong, 1999) National cultures have their own soil, history of development and status quo of group identity. Different geographical environments and different historical backgrounds determine different cultural status quo. Different cultural status quo means different customs and habits and different codes of conduct. In China, there is an intangible cultural barrier between people and westerners, which prevents cross-cultural communicators from decoding correctly in communication and causes obstacles in communication.
As an important medium of cross-cultural communication, language has a very close relationship with culture. Rosalie Maggio, an American linguist, said in his article Bias-free language: some guidelines: "Culture shapes language and the language shapes culture." ("Language not only shapes culture, but also is shaped by culture." ) [1](P91) Language is an important part of culture, a carrier of culture and plays an important role in culture. The formation, development and change of language are influenced by culture. On the one hand, language is the cornerstone of culture-without language, there is no culture. On the other hand, language is influenced by culture and reflects it. "Through the language level of a nation, what is displayed in front of us is the colorful cultural form of this nation, as well as its thoughts, ways of thinking and ways of life. Because culture has distinct nationality, the cultures of different nationalities will naturally be very different. This cultural difference will inevitably be presented in language. " [2](P82-83) At the same time, culture restricts the form of language, constantly injecting its own essence into the language, enriching and updating the cultural connotation of the language, and making the language more accurate and meticulous. In a word, language and culture are interdependent and inseparable. Due to the emergence and development of language, human culture can be produced and passed down. There is no culture divorced from language in the world, and there is no language divorced from specific cultural background and connotation. Learning a language requires learning a culture, and vice versa.
Second, the differences in daily communication between China and the West
China and the West (especially China and Britain and the United States) use two different languages-Chinese and English, each of which reflects its own unique cultural background and dignified historical tradition, so there are many differences in language expression. This paper focuses on the differences between the most common life terms in Chinese and western language communication.
(1) Differences in addressing terms
The first condition of normal communication is to address each other correctly and appropriately. Proper address can narrow the psychological distance between the two sides and make communication go smoothly. In Chinese and western cultures, there are great differences in addressing terms because of their different language expressions.
first of all, it should be noted that the order of Chinese and western names is different. "In China," surname "ranks first, while in Britain and America," first name "ranks first." [3](P3) Therefore, people in China often unconsciously address westerners with their "surnames" instead of their "first names". If you see the name Jim Green, you may call it "Green" or "Mr. Jim". Westerners will feel uncomfortable after hearing such a name, but it should be "Jim" or "Mr. Green".
In daily communication, people in China pay more attention to etiquette, and generally address before speaking. Different kinship terms and social terms are used according to the identity of the other party, their relationship with themselves and different occasions. Its title pays attention to respect. However, in the west, people pursue equal and close interpersonal relationships. Whether in formal or informal situations, they like to address others by their first names (such as Tom, Joy, Peter, etc.). This practice is particularly common among Americans, even when they meet for the first time, they can be called by their first names, not only between people of similar ages, but also between people of different ages. There is no disrespect at all. Even children can call their grandparents and parents by their first names, and people of different social status can also call them by their first names. For example, students don't think they are disrespectful or too casual to their teachers and employees, but they think they are friendly and easy to treat others. From this, we can see that "China people are used to the type of non-equality, while westerners advocate the way of addressing equality." [4](P53)
"China people can use kinship terms when addressing family members, relatives or neighbors." [5](P3) For non-relatives, children address their elders as "uncle", "aunt" and "uncle"; It is common to call peers "big brother" and "big sister". However, "the words used to express kinship in English are generally not used to express non-kinship." [6](P3) If an elder whose mother tongue is English is called "Uncle Green" or "Auntie/Aunt Brown", the other person may feel uncomfortable. Because in English culture, such kinship terms are used only when the relationship is very close, without "surname" and only with "first name", such as "Uncle Tom". You can also use "Mr.", "Mrs." and "Miss/MS" with your last name or directly use "Sir" and "Lady". Moreover, Chinese kinship is more specific. The most typical example is that in Chinese, there is a distinction between Uncle, uncle, uncle and uncle, but in English, the word "uncle" is used to express it; In Chinese, there are names such as Aunt, aunt, aunt, aunt, etc., and English is only represented by the word "aunt"; Another example is Cousins in Chinese, and the word "cousin" in English also includes all appellations. Who do these three words mean? We can't know until we know the situation at that time.
In addition, in China, people's hierarchical concept is deeply rooted. In order to show respect, people's titles and social positions are often added to their surnames, such as "President Guo", "Yang Jingli", "Director Zhou" and "Teacher Liu". However, titles such as "Principal Guo", "Manager Yang", "Bureau Director Zhou" and "Teacher Liu" are not in line with the habits of British and American people. In the west, only a few occupations and positions can be used for addressing. For example, a professor can be called a professor; Doctors or people with doctorates are called doctors; Governor and mayor can be called governor and Major, and so on. In English, this form of address of occupation/job title+surname is used in a narrow range and its use is very limited. Westerners don't like this kind of address and think it's hypocritical.
(II) Differences in greetings
It is a common courtesy to say hello to friends or acquaintances whether in China or abroad. Due to the differences in cultural traditions and customs between China and the West, their greeting words and habits are quite different.
China has a strong food culture. Since ancient times, there has been a proverb that "food is the most important thing for the people". Therefore, people in China like to use "Have you eaten?" To say hello to each other, but this greeting has actually lost its literal meaning, not to ask for information, but just a way to say hello. Therefore, it doesn't matter whether the answer is "eaten" or "not eaten". However, if literally translated into English "Have you had your dinner?" To greet westerners, according to their cultural customs, means inviting each other to dinner; If men ask women, they express their desire to make friends or date with each other. However, when China people say this sentence, they usually don't mean "invitation" or "date". Another common greeting in Chinese is "Where are you going?" "Where have you been?" These two sentences are a way of greeting in Chinese, rather than really wanting to know where people are going. Therefore, the other party can give an answer at will without feeling embarrassed. However, if you greet westerners in the same way, "Where are you going?" 、“Where have you been?” Westerners often interpret it as a question asking for information, which will make them feel embarrassed or even angry, and they will feel that the speaker is interfering in their private affairs. Although they don't talk about it, they may think in their hearts, "Why do you ask these questions? It's none of your business. "
There is another kind of Chinese greeting, which is to say what you see someone doing." [7](P97) For example, when Chinese people meet someone they know who is washing a car, they may say, "Are you washing a car?" It is natural and normal for China people to hear such greetings. But say to westerners, "You are!"