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中西文化差异情景案例解析分析

中西文化差异情景案例解析分析
中西文化差异情景案例解析分析

Culture Difference Case Study

Unit 1 Language and Culture in Communication

Theory

Communication is something we do every day. It takes place so naturally that we simply fail to notice it until it hiccups or breaks down. Though it is commonplace, it is no exaggeration to say that communication is life and life is communication.

1.When you join a social gathering, you must be aware of rules and procedures that govern the way things are going to proceed. There is a technical term for such rules and procedures—schema.

2. Face and politeness are two other areas which are extremely value—sensitive. One of the distinctive features of Chinese politeness is self—denigration and other—elevation.

Case 1

Litz is a professor of cross—cultural communication in a university in Finland. She invited her Chinese students home for an evening party.

The schema from Litz’s point of view includes the following:

1. Giving invitation: by phone / by mail

2. Prepare everything before the arrival of guests

3. Receiving guests: open the door / express welcome / take their overcoats /

introduce guests / offer them drinks / make them comfortable

4. Serving food: set the table / soup first / main course / desert

5. Post dinner activities: chat / play music / offer more drinks

6. Seeing guests off: thank them for coming / good night

Litz’s evening party was not very successful, because she was upset by one of her guests. Here was the initial conversation between Litz and Lin:

Litz: (opens the door) Oh, Lin, how nice you could come!

Lin: It’s not difficult to find your house.

Litz: Come on in.

Lin: (comes in)

Litz: Can I take your coat?

Lin: No, thanks.

Litz: Ok, this way please.

Lin: (take off her coat and hangs it)

Analysis: Litz was hurt because Lin did not let her hang her coat. Litz’s offering to hang Lin’s coat is one of Litz’s ways (it’s on Litz’s schema). On Lin’s side, she thought that Litz was her supervisor and that it was inappropriate to let her supervisor hang her coat. Here we have an instance of one action attached with different cultural values.

Case 2

Finding an Interested Buyer

Georage Hall was in Beijing attending a trade fair and looking for an opportunity to do business in China. He had been very successful in his business dealings in the US and prided himself on his ability “to get things moving.”His first day was going well .He looked around at the displays of sporting equipment to get some idea of whom he might approach. He was sure that his products, tennis rackets with an unusual new design, would arouse some interests. On the second day he approached the company which he felt would be most responsive to his products. He introduced himself to the general, a Mr. Li. Since he had read that Chinese find getting down to business immediately too abrupt and rude, he began a casual conversation, eventually leading up to the topic of his products and suggesting how Mr. Li’s company might benefit from using them. George then suggested that he could arrange to get together with Mr. Li and provide more specifics and documentation on his products.

Mr. Li responded in fairly good English,”That would be interesting.”Knowing that he had only a few days left in Beijing, George wanted to nail down a time,”When can we meet?”asked George.

“Ah. This week is very busy,”replied Mr. Li.

“It sure is,”said George,”How about 10 o’clock? Meet you here.”

“Tomorrow at 10 o’clock?”asked Mr. Li thoughtfully.

“Right,”said George, “I’ll see you then?”

“Hmm, yes; why don’t you come by tomorrow,”was the reply.

“OK,”responded George,”It was nice meeting you.”

The next day at 10 o’clock he approached Mr. Li’s company’s exhibit only to find that Mr. Li had some important business and was not able to meet with George. He called back later in the day and was told that Mr. Li was not available.

Analysis:英美人士做事情讲究守时。而中国人不太重视这方面。本案列中,李先生不仅没有准时接见预约的客户,甚至放了他“鸽子”。

Case 3

Professor Liang has written a book on Chinese culture in Chinese. His book is put on display in Beijing International Book Fair’96. Professor Liang would like to have his book translated into English and submitted to Thompson Publishers. Professor Liang has asked Li Yan, whom he meets regularly in the English Corner, to help him to talk to Peter Allright, a Thompson representative. Prof. Liang:奥莱特先生,这是鄙人的拙作。

Li Tan: Mr. Allright, this a clumsy book written by your humble servant.

Mr Allright: No, no, no, you're not my humble servant. We do not publish books in Chinese.

Li Yan (to Professor Liang): 不,不,不,你不是我的仆人,我们不出中文书。Professor Liang: 我要请李艳翻译成英文。

Li Yan (to Mr. Allright): Professor Liang will ask me to translate it into English. Mr. Allright: Mm that’s interesting.

Analysis: Chinese authors almost always belittle their works by describing them as clumsy writings, and they use the same description when they present them to Chinese publishers. But this will be counter—productive in English. Instead, authors should point out the merits of their works rather than “clumsiness”.

Unit 2 Culture Shock

Theory

1. Culture shock can be described as the feeling of confusion and disorientation that one experiences when faced with a large number of new and unfamiliar people and situations.

2. There is a desire for independence and separateness, found in foreigners' needs for their own privacy and autonomy

3. Hospitality means the cordial and generous reception of or disposition toward guests.

4. Politeness refers to the consideration for others, tact, and observance of accepted social usage.

5. Privacy could be understood as the right of an individual to self-determination as to the degree to which the individual is willing to share with others information about himself.

Case 1

Jane, an American teacher in the US, had just started teaching English to a group of Japanese students. She wanted to get to know the students more formally, so she invited them to her house for party. The students all arrived together at exactly 8:00 p.m. They seemed to enjoy the party: they danced, sang, and ate most of the food. At about 10:00 p.m, one of the students said to the teacher, “I think it’s time for me to leave. Thank you very much for the party.”Then all the other students got up to go, and all left at the same time. Jane decided she would never invite them again!

Analysis:在日本以及其他很多的亚洲国家里,年轻人通常成群结队的一起去参加一些社交聚会,然后一道离去。在他们看来这是很正常不过的事。然后Jane认为这是一种侮辱,因为他们在同一时间里一下子全部离开了。在美国以及其他一些英语国家,晚上10点离开一个聚会相对来说是比较早的。

Case 2

Four Secretaries and Their Jobs

Four classmates from a top Chinese university all took jobs as secretaries after graduation. Five years later the four former classmates had a reunion and discussed their jobs.

Chen Qi and Dai Yun both work as bilingual secretaries for a Finnish company in Beijing. Chen Qi is secretary to the Finn general manger, and Dai Yun is secretary to the Chinese local manger, a position only slightly lower than that of the Finn manger.

Zhang Ying is from a politically prominent family and was hired as the secretary to the leader of a small government bureau in the capital city of her home province. Lu Yan works for a state run enterprise in the same city where she was hired as the secretary to the new manager for international marketing. The company has never marketed its products abroad before so this office and Lu Yan’s position are new to the company.

Five years later Chen Qi is satisfied with her job with the Finnish company but Dai Yun is not. The Finn manager receives orders from the company’s home office in Finland, and he gives orders to those below him in China, including his secretary Chen Qi. He tells her how he wants his time scheduled and she then makes appointments for him according to his instructions. She translates memos and other documents and interprets from Chinese to English to Chinese. If the manager does not think Chen Qi has done her work well, he tells her right away. He is very demanding, but Chen Qi feels that she knows what her duties are and knows what her manager expects. She is confident that she is doing a good job.

Dai Yun often does not have as much work to do as Chen Qi does, because her boss schedules his own appointments and does a lot of the office paperwork himself. When he is out of town she has time to study for the graduate entrance exam. However, she is not sure whether or not she is doing a good job. Her manager tells her what she is expected to do, but he does this day by day. When people call or come to the office to see her boss, she greets

them in English or Chinese as necessary. She receives their memos and other messages as well as their questions and requests and passes them on to her manager. Dai Yun thinks of her job as doing what her manager wants her to do. She pays close attention to his moods and behavior, and sometimes she is able to anticipate what he would like without him telling her.

Analysis: 许多中国人在外企工作,不同国家的外企领导有不同的工作作风和标准。本案列中,戴云给不同的外国上司做秘书,在工作中出现由于不同的文化冲突而引起的各种工作以及沟通中的问题就很常见了。

Case 3: One cold winter day in a Chinese city, Wang Lin on his way to the library met an American professor who knew very little about China. After greeting him, Wang said: “It’s rather cold. You’d better put on more clothes.”But the professor didn’t appear happy on hearing this.

Analysis: 美国人以及大部分西方国家的人们不喜欢被告知要怎么做怎么做,他们比较喜欢独立,然而中国人则习惯关心别人,这个案例中王林的建议表达的就是一种对他人的关心,可是美国教授却不习惯这样的表达。

Case 4

In a good restaurant, fourteen people are gathered to say goodbye to their professor, who is moving to another university.

Steven: May I have your attention please? I’d like to call upon Ben to say a few words.

Ben: Thank you, Steven. Professor Shore, colleagues:

Tonight is one of those paradoxes --- it’s a sad time and yet it’s a happy time. Sad, because.

We are losing one of our best professors; happy because we are pleased to see Professor Shore

gain the recognition that he richly deserves.I’m not sure who will be able to control us and keep us

in line. I think the new professor will have a difficult time. And surely no one will be able to tell

jokes in the same way as you, Professor. Seriously, we all know that you will be difficult to

replace. Your scholarly approach and your dedication will always be remembered. I would

therefore like to propose a toast. Colleagues, pelase charge your glasses. Professor Shore, may

your future be filled will great success, and may you always remember us. We know we will never

forget you.

To Professor Shore!

All: (Standing up) To Professor Shore! (Everyone drinks. Professor Shore remains seated and

smiles at them all.)

Analysis:就餐时总是要在各种缘由下向人敬酒:可以是非正式的,向朋友或同事敬酒;也可以是正式的,向全体聚会的人敬酒。与中国式的敬酒大不相同的是,在西方正式的敬酒时,受敬的人是不能喝酒的,而是正襟危坐,两眼睁睁看别人喝酒。另一个不同是:无论正式还是非正式,敬酒的人不必走过去敬酒,而是在自己的座位处站起来敬酒。敬酒时开始的语言永远是:“向…”,而其他随敬酒的人重复敬酒人的第一句话(即“向…”),然后喝一口酒。敬酒时如果举了杯,说了敬词,而实际上没有喝酒,就会被看做十分不恭的行为,在很久以前甚至于被认为是一种侮辱,是不想加入敬酒的仪式。

Case 5

An American went to Chinese home. He was offered some tea. Just when the first cup was about to finish, more tea was added. The visitor drank the second cup. Then the cup was filled the third time. Then he drank it, then…until the visitor was quite full. Why?

Analysis:在中国的传统文化习俗里,主人通常会不断给客人倒水倒茶,或者不断地给客人的盘子里加食物以表示他的热情好客。面对的这样的情况,中国客人知道如何处理,在他们觉得吃饱喝足之后,就会随它放在桌上。而美国客人就不懂了,在美国,在自己的盘子里剩下食物是不礼貌的,于是他出于遵循美国文化理念可能会在这样的招待中吃的过多。

Case 6

Dinner with Friend

Janice is a young American engineer working for a manufacturing joint venture

near Nanjing. She and her husband George, who is teaching English at a university, are learning Chinese and enjoying their new life .They have been eager to get to know Chinese people better so they were pleased when Liu Lingling , Janice’s young co-worker invited them to her home for dinner. When Janice and George arrived,Lingling introduced them to her husband Yang Feng , asked them to sit down at a table containing 8 plates of various cold dishes, served them tea and then disappeared with her husband into the kitchen. After a few minutes Lingling came back and added water to their tea. Janice offered to help in the kitchen but Lingling said she didn’t need help. She invited the couple to look at their new CD player and their colorful TV and then disappeared again.

A half-hour later she came back and sat down and the three began to eat. Yang Feng came in from time to time to put dish after hot dish on the table. Most of the food was wonderful but neither George nor Janice could eat the fatty pork in pepper sauce or the ea cucumbers, and there was much more than they could eat. They kept wishing Yang Feng would sit down so they could talk to him .Finally he did sit down to eat a bit ,but quickly turned on the TV to show them all its high teching features. Soon it was time to go home.

George and Janice felt slightly depressed by this experience, but returned the invitation two weeks later. They decided to make a nice American meal and felt lucky to find olives, tomato juice, crackers and as appetizers. For the main course they prepared spaghetti and a salad with dressing made from oil,

vinegar, and some spices they found in the market.

When Liu Lingling and Yang Feng arrived they were impressed by the apartment and asked the price of the TV, video player, vacuum cleaner and other things. Janice politely refused to answer their questions. They took small tastes of the appetizers and seemed surprised when both George and Janice sat down with them. They ate only a little spaghetti and did not finish the salad on their plates. George urged them to eat more but they refused and looked around expectantly. Junice and George talked about their families and jobs and asked the table and served coffee and pastries. Yang Feng and Lingling each put four spoons of sugars into their coffee but did not drink much of it and ate only a bite or two of pastry.

After they left, George said that at least they had a chance to talk, but Janice was upset. “We left their place so full that we couldn’t walk and they’re going to have to eat again when they get home. What went wrong?

Analysis:中西方饮食习惯大大的不同。中国人邀请客人会准备一大桌子的菜,并在就餐过程中使劲劝说客人多吃点,吃完之后,还有剩菜,就表明主人的盛情款待。而西方人一不劝吃,二就餐完毕后,盘子最好是空的。本案列中的两对中外夫妇不明这个文化差异,发生误解就是自然而然的事了。

Case 7

After the meal and after the table has been cleared. Liu is not sure what to do, but wants to help in some way. At least he wants to offer.

Helen: Thanks for your help, Huang.

Liu: Pleasure. What can I do now?

Helen: Nothing. It’s fine. I’ll rinse these dishes then stack them. It’ll only take a minute.

Liu: Does the family usually help?

Helen: Well, at special times. Jack sometimes rinses the dishes but you can see he’s really tired tonight.

Liu: Let me do it for you.

Helen: No truly, it’s okay.

Liu: Maybe I can wipe the table then.

Helen: That would be helpful. Thanks. You’re really kind, Huang. Analysis:在西方人家中的就餐的时间里,大家都设法插手帮一下忙,即便是男士也不例外,不要一点不动着开饭。所有家住者要能帮者摆摆餐具,或餐后收拾洗碗,把餐具放进洗碗机,倒垃圾,站在一边帮着擦干洗好的餐具。虽然都是小忙,却表明你对别人的操劳非常在意,是个用心的人。

Case 8

Two strangers have been chatting.

A: So you’re been here for a year?

B: Yes. One more year to go, then I’ll go back to china.

A: What will you do back home?

B: It’s hard to know. There’s a lot change at the moment.

A: Yeah. Everything is changing, everywhere. Sometimes it’s difficult to keep up.

B: That’s true. Maybe I’ll…

(A’s mobile phone rings.)

A: Excuse me, I’d better answer this. It’s probably work.

B: Sure. Take your time.

Analysis:有时在与人交谈中,难免要有什么原因要离开一会儿,或是去接一个电话,或要去洗手间。礼貌再此被提出来。出于礼貌起见,要记住做一些恰当解释再离开。不管理由是什么,即便是要接一个手机电话,在打开电话回话前,向对方说声对不起。如果只离开几分钟,没有必要找一个理由。你说了对不起,就表明你确实是有事要离开一会儿。

Case 9

Liu Huang is calling his friend Steven at his home.

Person: Hello. John is speaking.

Liu: Hello? I’m looking for Steven.

Person: Sorry, there’s no one here called Steven.

Liu: Is that 6577 8868?

Person: No. I think you’ve got the wrong number. This is 6578 8868.

Liu: Oh, I’m sorry.

Person: No problem. Good luck.

Liu: Thanks.

Analysis:失手拨错号码是常有的事。如果在国外,即便有语言障碍,害怕说英语,也还是要先与对方核对是不是拨错了,然后再道歉。如果发现拨错了号码就马上挂电话,是不礼貌的行为。

Case 10

Lin: Thank you so much for a wonderful night. I’ve had a great time. Erica: It’s been a pleasure having you. We hope you can come again, soon. Lin: I’d like that. You both know how to make me feel at home. Thanks for everything.

Analysis:在动身离去的时候,找到主人,当面说一声谢谢,是有礼貌的行为。

Case 11

Off to a Bad Start

David Hu had just started working for the foreign owned company. He was sitting at his workstation but had not been given any assignment that he should be doing at this moment. He was relaxing and waiting and then thought he would take the opportunity to have a look around. He poked his head into several offices just to see what there was to be seen.

Suddenly Mr. Parker came up to him and angrily asked him what he was doing. David Hu was embarrassed. He laughed and quickly started to move back toward his workstation. This did not seem to satisfy Mr. Parker who started to talk rapidly and angrily. Hoping to calm him down, Mr.Hu smiled and

apologized, trying to explain that he was trying to learn more about the department. However, Mr. Parker got even angrier. Finally, another worker came by and calmed him down, but Mr. Parker left, he still looked angry. Mr.Hu sighed; he knew he had made a bad start but still didn’t understand why. Analysis:外国人很讲究隐私权,一般不允许自己的私人空间受到打扰。而中国人比较喜欢看热闹,想知道别人在做什么。所以在本案列中,吴先生未经允许就在公司四处走动,引起其他员工的强烈不满。

Case 12

Sharing the Wealth

Anna Bilow had been working for a Chinese-owned and operated company in Nanjing for about six months. The division she was working in had a small collection of Chinese-English dictionaries, English language reference books, and some videos in English including a couple of training films and several feature films that Anna had brought at her new employer’s request when she came from Europe. Anna knew that some of the other sections had similar collections. She had sometimes used her friendship with one of the women in another department, Gu Ming, to borrow English novels and reference books and in turn had let Gu Ming borrow books from her section’s collection. On other occasions, she had seen friendly, noisy exchanges, where one of the other workers in her division had lent a book or video to a colleague from another section.

Anna thought it was a great idea when a memo was circulated saying that the company’s leaders had decided to collect all the English language materials together into a single collection. The plan was to put them in a small room that was currently being used for storage so that all employees could have equal access to them. Now she would no longer have to go from department to department trying to find the materials she needed.

Anna was surprised to hear her co-workers complaining about the new policy. When the young man in charge came to the department to collect their English language materials, she was astounded to see them hiding most of the books and all but one of the videos in their desks. When she checked out the new so-called collection, she found that the few items were all outdated or somehow damaged. She also noticed that none of the materials she had borrowed from Gu Ming were in the collection. She asked her friend why the Chinese were unwilling to share their English language materials with all their co-workers, when they seemed willing to share them within their departments. Analysis:西方人对隐私方面有许多禁忌,中国人对自我隐私的保护也十分注重,但是两者之间存在较大差别。西方人乐于将自己的书籍和整理的资料拿出来让朋友和同事共享,而在中国,即便是朋友间,人们也不愿意与人共享自己的书籍和资料。由于这种资料共享的观念不同,案例中Anna才会难以理解顾明等同事将自己的资料,书籍藏起来的做法。

Unit 3 What’s in a Name?

Theory

1. Chinese and British people call each other with titles in different ways.

2. Kin terms are used in family members, but it differs between westerns and Chinese people.

Case 1

A British tourist is traveling by train in China. Sitting opposite him is a Chinese

passenger. They introduce themselves to each other…

British tourist: Hello, I’m Eric Jackson. Glad to meet you.

Chinese passenger: Hello, my name is Liu Xin. I’m glad to meet you, too. Where do you come from, Mr. Eric?

British tourist: I’m from Britain. Please just call me Eric, Mr. Xin.

Chinese passenger: And you may just call me Liu Xin.

Analysis: Both of them have taken each other’s given name for the surname, since the order of the surnames of Chinese and English names are just the opposite. As in both cultures a title is usually used with the surname, they feel unnatural when their given names are used with the titles. According to British custom it’s quite normal for persons who first meet to address each other by their given names alone, whereas here, when people first meet, they usually address each other by their full names and never by their given names alone.

Case 2

A British tourist is visiting a Chinese family. The Chinese hostess introduces herself and her husband to guest…

Chinese hostess: Welcome to my home. My name is Cai Hong, and this is my husband.

British tourist: Thank you, Mrs. Cai. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Cai. I’m Lucy Taylor.

Chinese hostess: Have a seat, Madam Lucy.

Analysis: The British tourist thinks that Cai Hong’s surname is her husband’s surname, since she is unaware of the fact that in China women still use their own surname after marriage. Cai Hong thinks that ‘madam’is a respectful term of address for any female English-speaker, unaware of the fact that in Britain it is usually used by someone who is providing a service such as a shop assistant to a customer or a policeman to a member of the public as in ‘Can I help you, madam?’It is never used as a title before someone’s name. She also mistakes the given name for the surname.

Case 3

Lin Mei is a Chinese student who is now studying at a university in America. Her seven-year-old daughter Jiajia is with her and studies in a primary school. They have been in America for three years. Wang Xiaohong is a Chinese visiting scholar at the same university as Lin Mei and the two get on well with each other. Wang Xiaohong sometimes feels lonely since she has been in America for only two months, so she sometimes visits Lin Mei’s family. One day she came to visit them. Below is their conversation.

Wang Xiaohong: 佳佳,你妈妈在家吗?

Jiajia: 在。妈妈,小红阿姨找你。

Lin Mei: 王教师您来啦,请坐。我女儿真不懂礼貌。佳佳,以后要叫王阿姨。Analysis: The combination of the term of address Xiaohong Ayi (given name + Auntie) reflects the mixture of the two cultures. On the one hand we have the

跨文化交际案例分析

跨文化交际案例分析 LEKIBM standardization office【IBM5AB- LEKIBMK08- LEKIBM2C】

Case Study 1 Age and Status 两位同事的矛盾使一家数据处理公司的总经理遇到了麻烦。一方是一位踌躇满志的法裔加拿大小伙子,另一方是一位有特许签证的年长的中国女性,而此前两人确实很好的合作伙伴….. Case description: A manager in a data-processing company was having difficulty dealing with a conflict between a young, ambitious French Canadian male and his co-worker, an older Chinese woman who was on a special visa from China. She had recently become uncooperative and had made it clear to the manager that she would not be willing to travel to the capital with her co-worker to hold discussion with legislators about a new product with great enthusiasm. When the manager asked her what the problem was, he received no clear explanation. When he asked her co-worker, the young man had no insights to offer. The young French Canadian was clearly annoyed, however, that the Chinese woman was refusing to share her data with him. That meant he couldn’t make the presentation to the legislators because she had all the key data on her computer disks. The manager repeated questions to her but her “problem” got nowhere. So he changed his approach. He began explaining his concerns, as manger and as spokesperson for the company, about the upcoming meeting with legislators. His explanation about his position was unemotional. In that climate she then felt she could explain her position. She revealed she felt that that as an older, and to her mind, more senior person, she should not be sent to the capitol with a younger employee who would do the presentation of material she had worked hard to develop. That would diminish her status, she felt. The general manger knew the root of his headache. Questions: 1.What do you think caused the conflict? 2. What would you do to resolve the conflict if you were the general manager? 矛盾冲突 这位年长的中国女士投入极大的热情和精力开发产品.却在最后的关键时刻拒绝与年轻的同事一同去向议员做推介:当经理和同事问其原因.她并未做任何明确的回答:而当经理改变策略,不再直接询问原因,而是迂回地讲起自己的困境时,她才道出自己的顾虑。在这位资深年长的中国女士看来,同一位比她年轻的同事一同去国会,并且由对方来做推介会影响到她的地位和威信,因此她无法同意: 原因分析 造成这一矛盾的文化因素有两方面.对地位、年龄的不同态度以及这种不同的表达方式。人对权力的认识因文化背景的不同而不同。根据霍夫斯特的调查研

论中西文化差异-高一作文

论中西文化差异-高一作文 当传统国学文化与西方文化相遇,当圣诞节与春节“撞车”,随 着时代的发展进步,人们越来越趋向于欣赏西方文化。如今,“崇洋 媚外”已成为一种风尚;“抨击传统文化,赞赏西方文化“似乎是文 学家教育家津津乐道的话题;越来越多的家长希望自己的孩子出国接受国外的教育……我不得不思索,难道中华五千年源远流长的传统文化真的比不上西方文化吗? 其实不然。中西方文化的起源不同,二者追求的信仰也不一样。我们的东方文化受到佛教、以孔子为首的儒家思想和老子的道教思想影响深远,主要追求精神的超脱,追求礼孝忠义,注重个人修养和人与自然的和谐相处。而西方文化起源于古希腊罗马文化,他们拥有平等、自由和开放的观念,追求个人权利以及对自然的探索和求证。因此,中西方文化存在明显的差异, 在文化教育方面,中西方各领风骚。传统国学文化深受儒家影响,中国的教育也注重于培养学生的个人素质,注重基础教育和因材施教。虽说应试教育不利于学生的全面发展,但是我们不能全盘否定我国的教育方式。考试是对学生在某个阶段学习效果的检验。应试教育有助于培养学生的自我思考和独立自主能力。而在西方,无论是在学校还是在家庭都很注重培养一个人的动手和实践能力。曾经有一个二年级的中国孩子,随父母去美国读小学,它的教师告诉他父母说:“我可 以告诉你,六年级以前,他们的数学不用学了!”

中西方文化教育的不同直接导致了人们性格修养不同。中国人热情好客,关心和询问别人的身体健康状况是一种有礼貌,有修养的表现。人们一般见面都喜欢相互寒暄:“你吃饭了吗?”“最近过得怎么样?”而西方人喜欢尊重他人隐私,所以才以谈论天气,生活来避免尴尬。中国人提倡默默无闻和无私奉献精神,以集体利益为重,个人利益为轻,崇尚助人为乐和不求回报。但是西方人的自我中心意识很强,他们个人荣誉感极强,把个人利益放在第一位,并且推崇个人奋斗,强调多劳多得。 传统国学文化历史悠久,源远流长。漫步在历史的长廊中,我们可以细细品味抒写美的爱情,反映现实生活的《诗经》。穿越过春秋战国时期的百家争鸣的文化盛宴,我们有唐诗宋词元曲明清小说……伟大的祖先留给我们的文化瑰宝如同满天繁星般璀璨,是每个民族都可望不可及的。传统国学文化是华夏子女的历史财富,是我国全人类的文化遗产,我们应当学会珍惜。 面对着中西方文化的差异,当外来文化“入侵”时,我们应当取之精华,采取谦虚,不卑不亢的态度。对于我们的传统文化,我们则需要总结提炼其精华,推崇提倡中华民族文化之瑰宝,才能培养更高素质的人才。

文化差异案例分析

成功案例一: 1925美国总理福特访问日本,美国哥伦比亚广播公司(CBS)受命向美国转播福特在日的一切活动。 在福特访日前两周,CBS谈判人员飞抵东京租用器材、人员、保密系统及电传问题。 美方代表是一位年轻人,雄心勃勃,提出了许多过高的要求,并且直言不讳地表述了自己的意见,而日方代表则沉默寡言,第一轮谈判结束时,双方未达成任何协议。 两天后,CBS一位要员飞抵东京,他首先以个人名义就本公司年轻职员的冒犯行为向日方表示道歉,接着就福特访日一事询问能提供哪些帮助。 日方转变了态度并表示支持,双方迅速达成了协议。 分析: 在这个案例中可以看出,美国人坦率外露的思维方式和日本人内部思维方式相冲突。 美国人反对过分拘泥于礼仪,办事干净利落,注重实际,语言表达直率,而且耐心不足;日本人讨厌过分施加压力,比较注重资历、地位。 CBS的要员充分掌握了日本人的性格及谈判风格,才促成了谈判的成功案例二: 美国福特汽车公司和通用汽车公司最初来上海谈判时,正值美国政府要对中国进行制裁,并提出美国在中国的合资公司不能提出国产化要求的时候。 但福特汽车公司代表一开始就提出合作期间可考虑50%的国产化要求,通用汽车公司接着在上海谈判时,又主动提出国产化率可从60%开始。 由于他们并未理会其政府的限制,我方代表也充满信心的与其谈判,最终达成协议。

分析: 美国人热情奔放,性急但信心十足、很容易接近,认为自己是谈判高手,希望对方也是谈判高手,含糊隐晦、高深莫测的对手只会让美国人纳闷,只有同样充满信心才能获得对方的好感。 案例三: 美国某公司与河北省某市谈判黑白玻壳项目,由于竞争条件不如日商,谈判失败。 后来中方积极调动美方力量,使其对陕西、河北、河南三省的几个玻壳项目一起承包,最后达成交易,并向中方条件靠拢。 分析: 美国商人喜欢搞全盘平衡的“一揽子”交易,我方积极运用对方力量去促成更大范围内的联合协作,从而减少谈判中的阻力,在这种情况下,就必须充分了解美国人的特性。 失败案例一: 1992年,我国13名不同专业的专家组成一个代表团,去美国采购约三千万美元的化工设备和技术。 美方自然想方设法令我们满意,其中一项是送给我们每人一个小纪念品。 纪念品的包装很讲究,是一个漂亮的红色盒子,红色代表发达。 可当我们高兴地按照美国人的习惯当面打开盒子时,每个人的脸色却显得很不自然———里面是一顶高尔夫帽,但颜色却是绿色的。 最后,合同我们没和他们签。 分析: 美国商人的原意是:

高一作文:论中西文化差异作文1000字

论中西文化差异 当传统国学文化与西方文化相遇,当圣诞节与春节“撞车”,随着时代的发展进步,人们越来越趋向于欣赏西方文化。如今,“崇洋媚外”已成为一种风尚;“抨击传统文化,赞赏西方文化“似乎是文学家教育家津津乐道的话题;越来越多的家长希望自己的孩子出国接受国外的教育……我不得不思索,难道中华五千年源远流长的传统文化真的比不上西方文化吗? 其实不然。中西方文化的起源不同,二者追求的信仰也不一样。我们的东方文化受到佛教、以孔子为首的儒家思想和老子的道教思想影响深远,主要追求精神的超脱,追求礼孝忠义,注重个人修养和人与自然的和谐相处。而西方文化起源于古希腊罗马文化,他们拥有平等、自由和开放的观念,追求个人权利以及对自然的探索和求证。因此,中西方文化存在明显的差异, 在文化教育方面,中西方各领风骚。传统国学文化深受儒家影响,中国的教育也注重于培养学生的个人素质,注重基础教育和因材施教。虽说应试教育不利于学生的全面发展,但是我们不能全盘否定我国的教育方式。考试是对学生在某个阶段学习效果的检验。应试教育有助于培养学生的自我思考和独立自主能力。而在西方,无论是在学校还是在家庭都很注重培养一个人的动手和实践能力。曾经有一个二年级的中国孩子,随父母去美国读小学,它的教师告诉他父母说:“我可以告诉你,六年级以前,他们的数学不用学了!” 中西方文化教育的不同直接导致了人们性格修养不同。中国人热

情好客,关心和询问别人的身体健康状况是一种有礼貌,有修养的表现。人们一般见面都喜欢相互寒暄:“你吃饭了吗?”“最近过得怎么样?”而西方人喜欢尊重他人隐私,所以才以谈论天气,生活来避免尴尬。中国人提倡默默无闻和无私奉献精神,以集体利益为重,个人利益为轻,崇尚助人为乐和不求回报。但是西方人的自我中心意识很强,他们个人荣誉感极强,把个人利益放在第一位,并且推崇个人奋斗,强调多劳多得。 传统国学文化历史悠久,源远流长。漫步在历史的长廊中,我们可以细细品味抒写美的爱情,反映现实生活的《诗经》。穿越过春秋战国时期的百家争鸣的文化盛宴,我们有唐诗宋词元曲明清小说……伟大的祖先留给我们的文化瑰宝如同满天繁星般璀璨,是每个民族都可望不可及的。传统国学文化是华夏子女的历史财富,是我国全人类的文化遗产,我们应当学会珍惜。 面对着中西方文化的差异,当外来文化“入侵”时,我们应当取之精华,采取谦虚,不卑不亢的态度。对于我们的传统文化,我们则需要总结提炼其精华,推崇提倡中华民族文化之瑰宝,才能培养更高素质的人才。

中西文化的差异以及管理文化的比较

中西文化的差异以及管理文化的比较 不同的文化没有优劣,但是相互之间必有差异。中西文化的基本差异就是在人与自然的关系问题上,中国文化比较重视人与自然的和谐统一,即天人合一,以人为本。而西方文化强调人要征服自然,改造自然,求得自己的生存和发展。中国文化重和谐统一,西方文化重分别和对抗。 中国文化中以人为本的精神,激励人们尊重人的价值和尊严,努力在现实生活中去发现人实现人的价值。中国文化中天人合一、以和为贵的精神,激励人们维护整体利益,坚持集体主义的价值取向。中国长期统一与中华文化中刚健自强、以和为贵的基本精神是分不开的。这种精神,在两千多年的历史中,一直激励着人们奋发向上,不断前进,坚持与内部的恶劣势力和外来的侵略压迫作不屈不挠的斗争。 但是,我们传统文化中的人本主义明显重人伦轻自然,重群体轻个体,只强调个人义务和道德人格的独立性,而不重视个人的权利和自由,也带来许多消极的影响,表现在教育领域,只有身份较低的人才去学习自然科学;表现在中国科技领域是导致中国科技的落后。 高度的中央集权制度使得中国管理文化注重讲集中,求统一,以

整体性的宏观管理为主。同时,地理的阻隔,封闭的状态造成了思想上的保守,缺乏挑战意识。但是,疆土的封闭也造就了中国人强大的“向心力”,中国人强烈的民族意识与眷恋国土的情怀,使得我国今日的管理文化也体现出管理文化中的团队精神。 西方经济发达国家多数为三面或两面临海型,再加上人们对原始土地的开发,使得西方国家对外交通和对内交通都很发达。这样的地理环境下使其更加崇尚管理的精打细作,即所谓的微观管理而不太重视宏观管理。西方国家从其建立之初就有强烈的对外扩张的欲望以及在原始的土地开发上彼此强烈的竞争意识。 以农耕经济为主的中华文明是一种主张和平自守的内敛型文化。这种农业文化心态体现在管理文化上有以下特点:首先,等级制度与以民为本相结合。尽管今天的社会制度已发生了极大的变化,但是专制主义的管理体制在今天的组织中体现尤为明显,强调绝对服从,抹煞个性、强调统一,忽视下级向上级的反馈。同时,中国农业社会的统治者也较早的认识到了“水能载舟亦能覆舟”,“民贵君轻”等民本主义对中国管理的重要性。这种等级制度与以民为本的制度相互对立又相互补充,构成了中国管理思想的基础。其次,狭义的中庸之道。周而复始的农业生产,自给自足的自然经济,形成了中国人力求稳定、少走极端、和反对冒险的中庸精神。表现在管理上则力求使事物保持稳定、协调、平衡,这就构成了中国管理文化的标准和规范。

文化差异案例分析

成功 案例一: 1925美国总理福特访问日本,美国哥伦比亚广播公司(CBS)受命向美国转播福特在日的一切活动。在福特访日前两周,CBS谈判人员飞抵东京租用器材、人员、保密系统及电传问题。美方代表是一位年轻人,雄心勃勃,提出了许多过高的要求,并且直言不讳地表述了自己的意见,而日方代表则沉默寡言,第一轮谈判结束时,双方未达成任何协议。两天后,CBS一位要员飞抵东京,他首先以个人名义就本公司年轻职员的冒犯行为向日方表示道歉,接着就福特访日一事询问能提供哪些帮助。日方转变了态度并表示支持,双方迅速达成了协议。 分析:在这个案例中可以看出,美国人坦率外露的思维方式和日本人内部思维方式相冲突。美国人反对过分拘泥于礼仪,办事干净利落,注重实际,语言表达直率,而且耐心不足;日本人讨厌过分施加压力,比较注重资历、地位。CBS的要员充分掌握了日本人的性格及谈判风格,才促成了谈判的成功 案例二: 美国福特汽车公司和通用汽车公司最初来上海谈判时,正值美国政府要对中国进行制裁,并提出美国在中国的合资公司不能提出国产化要求的时候。但福特汽车公司代表一开始就提出合作期间可考虑50%的国产化要求,通用汽车公司接着在上海谈判时,又主动提出国产化率可从60%开始。由于他们并未理会其政府的限制,我方代表也充满信心的与其谈判,最终达成协议。 分析:美国人热情奔放,性急但信心十足、很容易接近,认为自己是谈判高手,希望对方也是谈判高手,含糊隐晦、高深莫测的对手只会让美国人纳闷,只有同样充满信心才能获得对方的好感。 案例三: 美国某公司与河北省某市谈判黑白玻壳项目,由于竞争条件不如日商,谈判失败。后来中方积极调动美方力量,使其对陕西、河北、河南三省的几个玻壳项目一起承包,最后达成交易,并向中方条件靠拢。 分析:美国商人喜欢搞全盘平衡的“一揽子”交易,我方积极运用对方力量去促成更大范围内的联合协作,从而减少谈判中的阻力,在这种情况下,就必须充分了解美国人的特性。 失败 案例一:1992年,我国13名不同专业的专家组成一个代表团,去美国采购约三千万美元的化工设备和技术。美方自然想方设法令我们满意,其中一项是送给我们每人一个小纪念品。纪念品的包装很讲究,是一个漂亮的红色盒子,红色代表发达。可当我们高兴地按照美国人的习惯当面打开盒子时,每个人的脸色却显得很不自然———里面是一顶高尔夫帽,但颜色却是绿色的。最后,合同我们没和他们签。 分析:美国商人的原意是:签完合同后,大伙去打高尔夫。“戴绿帽子”是中国男人最大的忌讳,合同我们没和他们签,不是因为他们“骂”我们,而是因为他们对工作太粗心。连中国男人忌讳“戴绿帽子”都搞不清,怎么能把几千万美元的项目交给他们? 案例二:张先生是位市场营销专业的本科毕业生,就职于某大公司销售部,工作积极努

浅谈中西文化差异对翻译的影响

浅谈中西文化差异对翻译的影响

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