《新大学英语·跨文化交际阅读》Time Talks

新大学英语跨文化交际阅读教程TimeTalksTimeTalksTimeTalksUnit71Understanddifferentattitudestowardtimeandtheirinfluenceonbehaviors234KnowthemajorconceptsoftimeorientationsUsetimeorientationtobetterunderstandthehiddenpartsofdifferentculturesAvoidinterculturalconflictsandincreaseculturalenduranceObjectivesCONTENTS1Lead-inScenario234UnderstandingTextABroadeningInterculturalPerspectivesAssignmentPeriod1CONTENTS1InterculturalPuzzle234Comprehending&CheckingConceptsFollow-upProjectUnderstandingCulturalDiversityPeriod2Lead-inScenarioLead-inScenario:DoOneorMoreataTimePreviewthescenarioandfigureoutwhat’swronginthiscase.Q:What’swronginthescenario?References:Inthiscase,theChineseGMdidmorethanonethingatatimeforhisdifferentattitudetowardtimeinhisculture,whichwouldcauseothers’misunderstandingiftheyarefromtheculturesthatencouragepeopletodoonethingatatime.Lead-inScenario:DoOneorMoreataTimeCheckyourunderstandingbychoosingA,B,C,orD.References:A 2.ABCDInterculturaltips:Attitudestowardtimedifferfromculturetoculture.Aseachculturehasitsspokenlanguage,andeachalsohasitsownlanguageoftime.UnderstandingTextAUnderstandingTextAA.GlobalUnderstandingReadthetextandanswerthequestions:1.Whatistheessaymainlyabout?

Itisaboutthedifferentattitudestowardtimeinvariouscultures.(SeedetailsinNote1,2,3onp.180)2.Howdoattitudestowardtimevaryfromculturetoculture?

AccordingtoEdwardHallandthelaterresearch,therearethreetimeorientations:past,present,andfutureorientation.A.GlobalUnderstandingUnderstandingTextA3.Whatvaluesarereflectedbehindthesaying:Timeismoney?

Itreflectsthevalueoftimeintheculture.4.Whatarethecharacteristicsofmonochronicsocieties?

Monochronicsocietiesarethosethatarepunctual,efficient,andattachimportancetobeingontime.5.Whatarethecharacteristicsofpolychronicsocieties?

Polychronicsocietiesarethosethataremorerelaxedabouttime,yetmoreseriousaboutthepersonalrelationships.UnderstandingTextAAttitudestowardtimedifferfromculturetoculture.(Para.1)Interculturaltips:InKluckhohnandStrodtbeck’CultureModel,fiveuniversalquestionswereraised:Whatisthecharacterofhumannature?Whatistherelationofhumankindtonature?Whatistheorientationtowardtime?Whatisthevalueplacedonactivity?Whatistherelationshipofpeopletoeachother?B.UnderstandinginterculturalpointsUnderstandingTextAAttitudestowardtimedifferfromculturetoculture.(Para.1)Interculturaltips:Concerningthedimensionoftimeinthemodel,itisclassifiedintothree:Pastorientation-emphasizingtraditionandhistory;Presentorientation-focusingonthemoment;i.e.,“Carpediem”-seizetheday!Futureorientation-emphasizingplanning,changesandinnovationsareencouraged.Thesearealsocalledpast-oriented,present-oriented,andfuture-orientedculture.B.UnderstandinginterculturalpointsUnderstandingTextAAttitudestowardtimedifferfromculturetoculture.(Para.1)Interculturaltips:Timeisasignificantvariableininterculturalcommunication.Thewayinwhichoneperceivesandvaluestime,structurestime,andreactstotimevariesfromculturetoculture.Chronemics,thestudyoftheroleoftimeincommunication,isoneofseveralsubcategoriesofthestudyofnonverbalcommunicationininterculturalcommunication.Timeperceptionsincludepunctuality,willingnesstowait,andinteractions.Theuseoftimecanaffectlifestyle,dailyagendas,speedofspeech,movements,andhowlongpeoplearewillingtolisten.B.UnderstandinginterculturalpointsUnderstandingTextA2.Theconceptsofpolychronicandmonochronictime

comefromEdwardT.Hall.(Para.2)Interculturaltips:EdwardT.Hallisconsideredafoundingfatherofinterculturalcommunication.InoneofthekeychapterTimeTalksofTheSilentLanguage(1959),Hallhighlightedthattimeasasilentcodecancharacterizeeachcultureandaffectcommunication.Hecategorizedculturesbytheirmembers’attitudetotheconceptoftimeandcoinedtheterm“polychronic”todescribetheabilitytoattendtomultipleeventssimultaneously,asopposedto“monochronic”individualsandcultureswhotendtohandleeventssequentially.B.Understandinginterculturalpoints3.Thesearemostlylinearthinkerswhoseetimeas…havingamonetaryequivalent:timeismoney.(Para.2)Interculturaltips:Inmonochronicculture,theideathat“timeismoney”isdeeplyrootedinpeople’smind.“Savetime.”“Spendtime.”“Usetimewisely;don’twastetime.”“Maketime.”and“Takeyourtime.”Thesearesomeofthephrasespeoplecommonlyusethatunderscorethevalueoftimeassomethingtobeboughtandsold,namely,themonetaryequivalent.UnderstandingTextAB.Understandinginterculturalpoints4.Still,nationssuchasIndia,Brazil,Mexico,andVietnamarelearningtolivewithbothoftheseconcepts:onetimeforbusiness(usuallywithforeigners),andanothertimeforthethingsinlifethatreallymatter.(Para.3)Interculturaltips:Traditionally,India,Brazil,Mexico,andVietnambelongtothecultureofpolychronictimebywhichdeadlinesarenotsostrictlymet.Buttoday’sglobalizedworldwitnessesincreasinglyfrequentcross-culturalexchanges,especiallyinthebusinessfield.UnderstandingTextAB.Understandinginterculturalpoints4.Still,nationssuchasIndia,Brazil,Mexico,andVietnamarelearningtolivewithbothoftheseconcepts:onetimeforbusiness(usuallywithforeigners),andanothertimeforthethingsinlifethatreallymatter.(Para.3)Interculturaltips:Nationswithpolychronicorientationsaresupposedtoadapttothefast-pacedinternationalbusinessworld.Andnationswithmonochronicorientationareexpectedtotaketherelationorpeopleintoconsideration.Italsohintsthatwhenembracingbothtimeorientations,differentculturescancoexistinharmony.UnderstandingTextAB.UnderstandinginterculturalpointsUnderstandingTextAC.Comprehensionandlanguagepoints1.…focusingonwhat’sahead,planningforcontingenciesthatmaynevercomeaboutandanticipatingthedivisionsanddemarcationsintimethatlinear,forward-thinkersvalue.(Para.1)Meaning:(thefuture-orientedculture)focusesonplanningfortheunknownchangesinthefutureandbeingreadyforthemwithcarefulsteps,fortimemovesinonlyonedirectionwithoutrepetitionandshouldbeusedefficiently.UnderstandingTextAC.Comprehensionandlanguagepoints2.Hurryinganypropositionisconsideredsuperficialanddeadlinesarenevermissed(theyaresimplyadjusted),butthatispartoftheprocess.(Para.3)Meaning:Inpolychroniccultureswhererelationshipsusuallytakeprecedenceovertime,deadlinecanbenegotiable,andadjustableinaccordancewiththerelationshipbetweenthepeopleinvolved.That’swhydeadline“arenevermissed.”BroadeningInterculturalPerspectivesBroadeningInterculturalPerspectives1.DifferentinterpretationsofpunctualityInterculturalTips:Punctualityvariesacrosscultures.Thesessionisthegeneralizationofpunctualityinterpretationsinsomecountries,whichcouldhelpusobtainabetterunderstandingoftimeforthosecountries.2.TimeOrientation(1)In1961,AmericanscholarsA.KluckhohnandStrodtbeck,afterexamininghundredsofcultures,arguedthatpeopletendtoknowaculturebyansweringfiveuniversalquestions.Differentcultureshavedifferentpreferencesintheanswerstothesecrucialquestions.BroadeningInterculturalPerspectives2.TimeOrientation(1)Onthatbasis,KluckhohnandStrodtbeckproposedtheValueOrientationstoapproachdiverseculturalvalues.Amongthem,theTimeOrientationdescribesasfollows:Pastorientation:

peopleofpast-orientedculturesfocusonthepast(thetimebeforenow),andonpreservingandmaintainingtraditionalteachingsandbeliefs.BroadeningInterculturalPerspectives2.TimeOrientation(1)Presentorientation:

peopleofpresent-orientedculturesfocusonthepresent(whatisnow).andonaccommodatingchangesinbeliefsandtraditions.Futureorientation:peopleoffuture-orientedculturesfocusonthefuture(thetimetocome),planningahead,andseekingnewwaystoreplacetheold.BroadeningInterculturalPerspectives3.TimeOrientation(2)Monochronic&PolychronicTimeEdwardT.Hallhighlightsthattherearetwomajorwaysinwhichculturesstructuretime—polychronictime(多向计时)andmonochronictime(单一计时).Polychronicdescribesculturesthatencouragedoingonethingatatime.Timeisimportantandpeopleareexpectedtocarefullyplantheirtime.Monochronic

describesdoingmultiplethingsatthesametime.Managingrelationshipisconsideredmoreimportantforachievingresults.BroadeningInterculturalPerspectives3.TimeOrientation(2)Monochronictimeandpolychronictimedeterminepeople’sdifferentbehaviors,sounderstandingthefeaturesofdifferenttimemodescanpredictpeople’sbehaviors.Herearemoreexamples:MonochronictimePolychronictimedoonethingatatime(Forexample,theywouldmakeappointmentsatdifferenttimesothattheywouldmeetpeopleonceatatime.)domanythingsatatime(Theywouldmakeappointmentsatthesametime,say,inthemorningorintheafternoon,sothatdifferentgroupsofpeoplewouldcomeinthemorningorintheafternoon.Asaresult,whentheymeetonegroup,othergroupsofpeoplewouldbewaiting.Orsometimes,theywouldmeetthesepeopleatthesametime.)BroadeningInterculturalPerspectives3.TimeOrientation(2)Herearemoreexamples:MonochronictimePolychronictimeconcentrateonthejob(Nointerruption.)highlydistractibleandsubjecttointerruptions(Forexample,jobsorplanswouldbeinterrupted.)taketimecommitments(deadlines,schedules)seriously(Oncedeadlinesorschedulesaremade,theywouldsticktothem.)considertimecommitmentsanobjectivetobeachieved,ifpossible(Theywouldtrytoachievetheircommitments,ifpossible.)low-contextandneedinformation(Theywouldbespecificinaskingforinformationiftheotherpersondoesnotprovideinformationclearly.)high-contextcultureandalreadyhaveinformation(Theycouldtrytoacquireinformationbyguessingaccordingtotheexternalfactors.)BroadeningInterculturalPerspectivesMonochronictimePolychronictimecommittedtothejob(focusonthejobitself,notonpeopleandrelationships.)committedtopeopleandhumanrelationships(Peopleandrelationshipsaremoreimportant.)adheretoplans(Plansarenotchangedoncemade.)changeplansoftenandeasily(Planscanbechangedanytime.)concernedaboutnotdisturbingothers;followrulesofprivacyandconsideration(Justfollowrules)moreconcernedwiththosewhoarecloselyrelated(family,friends,closebusinessassociates)thanwithprivacy(Concernedmorewithpeople)BroadeningInterculturalPerspectives3.TimeOrientation(2)Herearemoreexamples:MonochronictimePolychronictimeshowgreatrespectforprivateproperty;seldomborroworlendborrowandlendthingsoftenandeasilyemphasizepromptnessbasepromptnessontherelationshipaccustomedtoshort-termrelationships(Whenbusinessisover,therelationshipisover.)havestrongtendencytobuildlifetimerelationships(Whenbusinessisover,therelationshipcankeepforever.Businessassociatestodaycanbecomepersonalfriendsorclosefriendslater.Again,theycanstilldomorebusinessestogetherinthefuture.)BroadeningInterculturalPerspectives3.TimeOrientation(2)Herearemoreexamples:ReferenceAnswers:MonochronicWhatpeopledoPolychronicWhatpeopledoDoonethingatatimeDothingsattheirplannedtimeDomanythingssimultaneouslyPeoplecanmaketwoorthreeappointmentsatonetime.Whenthemanageristalkingwithapersonintheoffice,someonecancomeintohisofficeandtalkswithhismanagerforafewseconds.Concentrateonthejob

HighlydistractibleandsubjecttointerruptionScheduleorappointmentcanbechangedTaketimecommitmentsseriously

TaketimecommitmentsflexiblyAppointmentcanbechangedanytimeFocusonthejobwithnointerruptionFollowthescheduleBroadeningInterculturalPerspectivesTask1ReferenceAnswers:MonochronicWhatpeopledoPolychronicWhatpeopledoHavenotoleranceforambiguityNeedeverythingclear:meaningandstatementHavehightoleranceforambiguityTheycanguessorbeadaptableCommittedtothejob

Committedtorelationships

Careaboutone’sjobratherthanrelationshipRelationshipismoreimportantBroadeningInterculturalPerspectivesMonochronicWhatpeopledoPolychronicWhatpeopledoAdheretoplans

Changeplansoftenandeasily

Accustomedtoshort-termrelationship

Havestrongtendencytobuildlifetimerelationships

DoeverythingaccordingtotheplanorscheduleThoughplansaremade,theycanbechangedanytimeConsiderthecurrentinterestsorprofitsDoeverythingbasedonthefuturerelationshipBroadeningInterculturalPerspectivesTask1ReferenceAnswers:Assignment

AssignmentAfterclasspleasereadTextAagain,andfinishtheexercisesinthispart.Reviewtheinterculturaltipsandlanguagepointswelearnedintheclass.InterculturalPuzzle

InterculturalPuzzleIDon’tUnderstandWhyWorkingroupsanddiscussthefollowingquestions:WhathappenedtoJohninthecaseiscommon?Andwhy?Whatinterculturalproblemshaveyoudiscoveredfromthepuzzle?

InterculturalPuzzleIDon’tUnderstandWhyWorkingroupsanddiscussthefollowingquestions:WhathappenedtoJohninthecaseiscommon?Andwhy?Reference:

WhathappenedtoJohnintheinterculturalpuzzleisknownasinterculturalconflict,whichiscommonlyencounteredintoday’sglobalcontext.

InterculturalPuzzleIDon’tUnderstandWhyWorkingroupsanddiscussthefollowingquestions:2.Whatinterculturalproblemshaveyoudiscoveredfromthepuzzle?Reference:Themaininterculturalconflictisduetotheirdifferenttimeorientations,whichmanifestedinthefollowingaspects:…whenthemeetingstarted,henoticedsomewerestillbusychatting;(ForJohn),smalltalkshouldbekepttoaminimum…;…whenthepresentationdeliveredbythesalesmanagerlasted20minuteslongerthanscheduled;(John)expectedtoseeeveryonepresentairtheircomments…buttheatmospherewasextremely“harmonious”…

InterculturalPuzzleIDon’tUnderstandWhyB.AnalyzetheissuesinthecaseWhataretheproblemsthatJohnmetduringhisfirstweekworkinginChina?ReferenceAnswers:JohnfeltuncomfortablewhenworkingwithChinesecolleagues,becauseChinesecolleaguesarenotpunctualformeetingsandpresentations,noonemakesanyopinionatthemeeting,butenjoyschattingwitheachother.

InterculturalPuzzleIDon’tUnderstandWhyB.Analyzetheissuesinthecase2.Intoday’sglobalcontext,whatinterculturalsuggestionswouldyoumaketothoseworkingwithpeoplefromanothercountry?ReferenceAnswers:Chinesestaffsandforeignexpatriatesshouldreceiveinterculturaltrainingssoastoincreaseallstaffs’interculturalunderstandingsandadaptations.ForChinesestaffs,theyshouldbeawarewhattheyareexpectedtodoatthemeetinginajointventurecompany.Inthemeantime,JohnshouldlearntoadapttotheChineseculturalenvironmentandalsounderstandhowtohelpChinesestaffsfitintowesternmanagementstyle.Onlyinthiswaycantheyworkharmoniouslyandcooperativelytogether.Comprehending&CheckingConcepts

Comprehending&CheckingConceptsA.ComprehendingandReflectingReferenceanswers:CDABDD

Comprehending&CheckingConceptsB.CheckingBasicConceptsReferenceAnswers:1.linear2.deadlines3.cyclical4.punctuality5.barriers6.cross-culturalUnderstandingCulturalDiversity

UnderstandingCulturalDiversityA.PreviewandReflectPleasereadthissessionagainandreflectonthefollowingquestions:Areyousurprisedthatthosepeoplementionedherearenotpunctual?Andwhy?Supposeyouattendthepartyoranappointmentonthatoccasion,wouldyoubepunctualornot?Whyorwhynot?Ontheseoccasions,wouldyoutolerateitiftheotherpersonislate?Whyorwhynot?

UnderstandingCulturalDiversityA.PreviewandReflectPleasereadthissessionagainandreflectonthefollowingquestions:Areyousurprisedthatthosepeoplementionedherearenotpunctual?Andwhy?Referenceanswer:No.AsdifferentculturesseedeadlinesdifferentlyprojectedinTextBoftheunit,attitudestowardpunctualitydothesame.Peopleindifferentculturesperceivetimedifferently.Pleasereadthissessionagainandreflectonthefollowingquestions:Supposeyouattendthepartyoranappointmentonthatoccasion,wouldyoubepunctualornot?Whyorwhynot?Referenceanswer:Nomatterwhatyouransweris,onethingisdefinitethatwhatwearedoingisdecidedbythecultureinwhichwehavegrownup.Andthelensofowntelluswhatisrightandwhatiswrong.“WhenyouareinRome,doasRomansdo”or“Dowhatyouaretaughtinyourownculture”?Itdepends.Butthegoldenruleistoshowyourrespectandnooffence.

UnderstandingCulturalDiversityA.PreviewandReflectPleasereadthissessionagainandreflectonthefollowingquestions:Ontheseoccasions,wouldyoutolerateitiftheotherpersonislate?Whyorwhynot?Referenceanswer:First,weshouldlearnthatbeinglateinthatsituationisduetotheirdifferentviewstowardtime.Andculturaldifferencesshouldbeallowed.Inaddition,we’dbettertalkwiththemface-to-faceaboutthedifferencespatientlyforcommunicationisvitallyimportantformutualunderstandingandrespect.

UnderstandingCulturalDiversityA.PreviewandReflectWorkingroupsandexploretheculturaldifferencesonviewsoftime.Q:Whichcountriesorregionsarementionedhere?Andwhatculture–specificknowledgecanwegetinthesession?Pleasemakeyourlist.Interculturaltips:WhatisCulture-specific?Asthenameimplies,Culture-specificreferstothedistinctivequalitiesofaparticularculture,whichisoppositetoCulture-General(i.e.,principlesthatapplyregardlessofthesetting).B.Culture-SpecificKnowledge

UnderstandingCulturalDiversityWorkingroupsandexploretheculturaldifferencesonviewsofti