从中西方价值观差异论影响跨文化交际之主因(1).doc

本科学生毕业论文题 目 Chief Factors Affecting Cross-cultural Communication Difference between Chinese and Western Values从中西方价值观差异论影响跨文化交际之主因系 外 语 专 业 英 语 学生姓名 龙华君 指导教师 方强 职称 讲师 论文字数 完成日期 年 月 日Chief Factors Affecting Cross-Cultural CommunicationDifference between Chinese and Western ValuesWritten by: Long HuajunSupervised by: Fang QiangForeign Languages DepartmentOf Wanjiang CollegeAnhui Normal UniversityApril 2012AcknowledgementsI would like to express my gratitude to all those who helped me during the writing of this thesis. Among the teachers of Wanjiang College whose guide and help have made it possible for me to complete the thesis, I will first of all give my thanks to my supervisor, professor Fangqiang, for his suggestion and guidance. I would also like thank the continuing support and encouragement from my family and friends. And a special acknowledgement should be shown to Jingwen Library, the school library of Anhui Normal University, where I collect lots of information for my Paper. Without all the help and their love, I could never have gone this far.Chief Factors Affecting Cross-Cultural CommunicationDifference between Chinese and Western ValuesAbstractValues are the core part of culture, guiding peoples belief and life attitude and becoming the guidance of peoples action. Different cultures have different values. Other than previous researches on this subject, this thesis does a detailed study on how values affect cross-cultural communication. It introduces the meanings and functions of values as well as the importance of values in cross-cultural communication. The thesis gives a vivid description about the difference between Chinese and Western values from the perspective on the relation among man, nature, society and family .Combining with historic documents, it also illustrates the deep reason that causes these differences. Last, the thesis gives effective suggestions for those people who have troubles in cross-cultural communication. It explores the significance of mutual understanding in cross-cultural communication.Key Words: values; cross-cultural communication: affect 从中西方价值观差异论影响跨文化交际之主因摘 要价值观是一个民族文化中最深层次的部分，它支配着人们的信念，态度，看法和行动，成为人们行动指南。自2001年12月11日中国加入世贸组织以及近些年来的经济快速发展，中国与西方国家经济文化交流日益频繁。不同文化形成不同的价值体系。跨文化交际这门学科也随之兴起并迅速发展。近些年来，国内外对此的研究也颇多。不同以往对此学科切入点杂，涉及面广等研究问题，本文拟用专题分析法，将跨文化交际作为理论依据，仅从中西方价值观不同这一角度出发，阐述中西方在人与自然，人与社会，人与家庭，人与人四个方面价值观不同的表现。结合历史，从源头上深入分析产生这些不同的原因。最后，结合前人所做的研究以及自身实例，尝试着提出实用有效的解决措施，为人们在跨文化交际中指明道路，让跨文化交际不再困难重重。关键词: 价值体系；跨文化交际；影响ContentsAcknowledgements . Abstract . . 摘 要 . Chapter 1 Introduction .1 1.1 Literature Review.11.2 The Significance of the Research.21.3 Organization of this paper.2Chapter 2 Cross-culture Communication and Value.42.1 Cross-culture Communication42.1.1 The Origins of Cross-cultural Communication.42.1.2 The Process of Cross-cultural Communication.52.1.3 The Significance of the Study on Cross-cultural Communication.5 2.2 Values.5 2.2.1 The Definition of Values.6 2.2.2 The Necessity of Study on the Difference between China and West Values .7Chapter 3 Difference between Chinese and Western Values7 3.1 The Contrast of the Relation between Man and Nature between China and the West.7 3.1.1 The Relation of Man and Nature in China7 3.1.2 The Relation of Man and Nature in the West7 3.1.3 The Reason for the Difference.8 3.2 Different Concept on Society between China and the West.8 3.2.1 “Harmony society” in China.8 3.2.2 “Contract Spirit Theory” in the West9 3.3 The Contrast of the Relation between Man and Family between China and the West.10 3.3.1 The Comparison on Concept of Love between China and the West.10 3.3.2 The Comparison on Concept of Marriage between China and the West.10 3.3.3 The Reason for the Difference12 3.4 Different Concept of the Relation between Man and Nature in China and the West.12 3.4.1 “Group Consciousness” in China12 3.4.2 Individualism in the West13Chapter 4 Skills in the Cross-cultural Communication Process14 4.1 Cross-cultural Communication Awareness.14 4.2 Achieving Understanding.14 4.3 Steps in Cultural Understanding.14Chapter 5 Conclusion .16Works cited.1717Chief Factors Affecting Cross-Cultural CommunicationDifference between Chinese and Western ValuesChapter 1 IntroductionOn December 11th, China became a member of World Trade Organization. And Chinas economy has developed rapidly since then. All those result in frequent economical and cultural exchanges between China and Western countries. The subject of cross-cultural communication has caught peoples eyes. In last 30 years, the study of cross-cultural communication has become a new area for scholars in China. However, from the present research in China, there is much general discussion but little specific study. (Zhu )1.1 Literature ReviewIn China, the period of studying on cross-cultural communication is rather short, but the achievements are great. In particular, the study of Cross-Cultural Communication based on Chinese culture has drawn the worlds attention and appreciation. In a summary, the characteristics of Chinas scholars study on this subject are as follows:1. Among the scholars who attend the study on cross-cultural communication are mostly English teachers, Chinese teachers in foreign countries, linguists and psychologists. Different scholars have different academic background and they mostly do research on the subject from their own field. They lack communication and cooperation from each other.2. Some scholars combine cross-culture with semantic teaching, semantics, pragmatics, semiotics and anthropology. They enrich and develop the subject of cross-cultural communication.3. Chinas study on the subject contains macroscopic research to explore the theory and the microscopic description and comparison to develop the theory. (Qu 185)1.2 The Significance of the ResearchWith the massive speed of economy development, some barriers have happened inevitably. Due to these barriers, a new subject comes into being. The study of cross-cultural communication has caught a lot of people eyes. In the study of cross-cultural communication, values play important roles.From the beginning of 1980s, academic researches about this accounts to hundred and the books about twenty to thirty. All these provide a vivid investigation about cross-cultural communication and give some useful advices for those who have troubles in cross-cultural communication. On the other hand, these researches make the world people understand more, it is useful for the new world coming- a world village.Under the research, people understand, appreciate and respect different culture and tradition which make them communicate with each other more effective.1.3 Organization of this Paper This paper consists of five parts generally. The first chapter is a general introduction, including literature review which makes a conclusion of the characteristics of the study on cross-cultural communication in China.Chapter Two gives a specific introduction of cross-cultural communication and value, including the origins and the signification of cross-cultural communication, and the definition and importance of value.Chapter Three focus on the difference between Chinese and Western Values and some reasons for these differences.The Forth Chapter concerns with some skills in the process of cross-cultural communication, providing some suggestions. And Chapter Five is a conclusion.Chapter 2 Cross-culture Communication and ValuesValues are the core part of ethnic culture in any nation, guiding peoples belief, the attitude to life. In any time and in any place, the relationship between values and culture is important and worthy to study.2.1 Cross-cultural Communication In the past most human beings were born, lived, and died within a limited geographical area, never encountering people of other cultural backgrounds. Such an existence, however, no longer prevails in the world. The international and domestic changes in the past few decades have brought us into direct and indirect contact with people who, because of their cultural diversity, often behave in ways that we do not understand. It is no longer difficult to find social and professional situations in which members of once isolated groups of people communicate with members of cultural groups.2.1.1 The Origins of Cross-cultural CommunicationOn April 8, 1960, the world entered a new era. On this date, the first attempt was made to communicate with extraterrestrial life as part of project Ozma, organized by Frank Drake of the Nation Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia. Pioneer 10 launched on March 3, 1973include a six-by-nine-inch gold-plated aluminum plaque with a message for any extraterrestrial being coming across it. What does the plaque on Pioneer 10 have to do with intercultural communication? Does the plaque have anything in common with your attempts to communicate with people from other cultures?The plaque illustrates what often happens when two people who do not share a common language try to communicate: they try to get their ideas across nonverbally.2.1.2 The Process of Cross-cultural Communication StudyWith the process of globalization, especially the increasing of global trade, it is unavoidable that different cultures will meet, conflict, and blend together. The study of cross-cultural communication was originally found within business and the government both seeking to expand globally. People from different cultures find it is hard to communicate not only due to language barrier but also affected by culture styles.2.1.3 The Significance of the Study on Cross-cultural CommunicationThe communication among people from different culture is often difficult，and misunderstanding happens frequently.In order to minimize misunderstandings when we communicate with people from other cultures, we need to understand people of other culture and their pattern of communication. In this case, we need pay a great attention on the study of cross-cultural communication. This is important not only to decrease misunderstandings but also to make the world a safer place for all of us to live.2.2 ValuesValue plays an important role in peoples life. It dominates peoples life attitude and social behaviors. This chapter gives the definition of values and the necessity of the study on the difference between Chinese and Western values.2.2.1 The Definition of ValuesValues are abstract ideas to indentify the standard of individual in a society. They exist in peoples mind in the form of unwritten law and they are the core part of national culture. (Zhu 1) People usually evaluate others behavior and their own targets by the standard of values. Values are the core part of peoples life view towards the world. People express their values through behaviors, the attitude and the evaluation about events. 2.2.2 The Necessity of Study on the Difference between China and West ValuesValues dominate and guide all social behaviors, involving all aspect of social life. The natural environment and social environment, including peoples social role and material living conditions affect peoples values. People in the same environment both in nature and social mostly have the same values. However, no matter the nature and society, China and west countries have lots difference, Chinese and west values vary inevitably. With the development of social, China has more and more exchange with west countries. In order to make these exchanges smoother and understand each other easier, it has become urgent and necessary to discuss the difference between China and west values.Chapter 3 difference between Chinese and western values3.1 The Contrast of the Relation between Man and Nature between China and the WestNo matter in the past or modern, the relationship between man and nature is an eternal topic. However, different people hold different view. Here are the difference between Chinese and western at this aspect.3.1.1 The Relation of Man and Nature in ChinaFrom ancient time, we insist on one principle: nature and people are one. This principle means that people should obey the natural rules and worship to nature. People consistent the alternating day and night, seasonal changes with peoples lives and activities. All these are in a constantly repeating, and unified in harmony with nature. Chinese culture regards the relation between man and nature or the outside world harmonious, seamless. People think there is mysterious force in nature to control all things in the world. Due to the confusion and fear to nature, people never think of changing and conquering the nature, instead they make great effort to change themselves to comply with the nature. In their mind, their lives would be meaningful when they return to nature, combining them with group and nature. In this way, they can reach the true harmonious relation with nature.3.1.2 The Relation of Man and Nature in the WestHowever, in western the situation is totally different.Since ancient time, western philosophers have thought that everything in the world are opposing. On the relationship between man and nature, western people tend to think that the universe is divided into two different worlds. People and nature are totally opposing. So they believe that people must constantly cope with the challenges of the nature, and conquer the nature, only in this way the value and power of man can be shown. In daily life, if a person can not get what he/she wants, which id not destiny, but due to their own laziness and lack of fighting sprit. (Yu 11-13)3.1.3 The Reason for the Difference China is a country with vast territory and abundant resources. Nature offer vast thing for people. From ancient time, people live in a rich life with rich resource. They never worried about resource. In this way, Chinese people are broad-mind and full of gratitude to the nature. They obey nature and respect nature.On the other hand, western countries are mostly island nations. They lack land and resource. So they have to struggle with nature, ask more from the nature. So the geographical reason is main reason for the difference.3.2 Different Concept on Society between China and the WestSociety is made of men. No matter in China and western countries, harmonious society is the common goal for any government. However, harmony society means different concept in China and the West. In China, it concentrates on harmony society, which emphasizes on “seeking common ground while put aside difference”. While the west focus on the theory, namely the “contrast spirit theory”.3.2.1 “Harmony Society” in ChinaChinese concern harmonious society from the ancient time. The concept of “Seeking common ground while put aside difference” is the summary for good man by Confucian.The concept aims to achieve interpersonal harmony and the harmony of the society, exalts harmony, peace and adheres to the unity of the opposition view. This makes people and each part of society compatible and embodies the basic requirements of harmonious society. Chinese pay attention to integral harmonious unification. In order to make the harmonious development of the overall situation, they pursue a group as the standard, which is called “Zhongyong” thought with the features of stressing overall and intuition. 3.2.2 “Contract Society” in the West The western society is combined with one term- “Contract Spirit theory”. “In the west, the most influential social event is the putting forward and evolution of Contract Spirit theory, which is the basic idea for westerners to solve conflicts and achieve harmony.”(Wang 85-89) The concept of Contract Spirit involves the following aspects:Subject Consciousness: Citizens are the main part of Contract, citizens consciousness is the embodiment of the Contract Spirit. According to social Contract Spirit theory, the goal for a country is to protect individual right. If the country can not stand for the interest of man, citizens have the right to overthrow the country, which emphasis a kind of sound, rational, order and independent consciousness.Equal Consciousness: The two sides of contract are equal. “Contract is equal naturally” (Wan Bin 242-246). The contract on a voluntary basis reaches a kind of free consciousness, which combines rights and obligation together.Free Consciousness