1、Unit 4,Verbal CommunicationPragmatic Level,In todays class, we will,look at cultural differences on pragmatic level Addressing Compliments and Compliment Responses Apologizing discuss on how these superficial behaviors are related to the cultural assumptions of the speakers,I. Addressing,A: Teacher
2、Liu, could you come over to our party this Saturday?A: Manager Smith, could I schedule your presentation on our new design for Friday morning?A: Uncle policeman, could you tell me the way to the railway station?,A. Surnames and Given names,Why different in name order?,Chinese :surname + given name B
3、ritish: given name + surname,Collectivism;Family values,Individualism,B. Addressing family members, relatives and acquaintances,Compare these two expressions: a. 林黛玉的母亲是贾宝玉的姑母，贾宝玉的母亲是林黛玉的舅母，又是薛宝钗的姨母。 b. Three cousins of the French Presidents were also to receive diamonds. Why do kin terms are extens
4、ively used by Chinese?Politeness to othersRespect to othersHierarchy,C. The Use of Titles,In Chinese :宋局长，高经理，刘老师 ，杨博士In English:Mr. ,Mrs., Miss, Ms, Dr., Judge, Governor, Mayor, President,D. The ways of getting the attention of a stranger,In Chinese:同志？，师傅，大哥，叔叔，阿姨，奶奶 In English:Excuse me, Pardon m
5、e,The root of these differences lies in,Hierarchy & Formality,Equality,II. Compliments and Compliment Responses,Case 1: An American Woman compliments the Chinese womans lovely dressAmerican woman: Its exquisite. The colors are so beautiful.Chinese woman: Oh, its just an ordinary dress I bought in Ch
6、ina.,Case 2: An American friend introduces Mr. Chen to his other friends.The American: Let me introduce Mr. Chen, an outstanding physicist and one of the nicest people I know.Mr. Chen: Should I blush, or should I say that he doesnt really mean it?,Differences Between Chinese and English Compliments,
7、Who and what to complimentHow to complimentHow often to complimentHow to respond a compliment,Translation:,A Chinese hostess, if she is complimented for her cooking skill, is likely to say,-随便弄几个菜，不好吃。 1) Oh， it is nothing. I just made some dishes casually and they are not very tasty.2) Oh, I am so
8、glad that you liked it. I cook it especially for you.,Compliments aboutMembers of ones familyA womans appearance,The root of these differences lies in,MODESTY,Equality,III. Apologizing,When to apologize Who to apologizeHow to apologize and how to respond,Case 1 A calls B, but B doesnt answer the cal
9、l immediately. Compare the following two conversations.,Conversation 1A: Why didnt you take up the phone just now?B: I just came in. I was in the office downstairs. A: Sorry, I should have phoned your office first.Conversation 2A: 你刚才怎么没接电话？B: 我刚跑上楼，我刚才在下面的办公室里。A: 我说你怎么会耽误这么长时间呢。,Case 2 Jennifer had
10、 a quarrel with her husband. Her daughter witnessed all.,Jennifer: I am really sorry for all this. 此种情景若发生在一个中国家庭？,Case 3 The boss is late for the meeting for ten minutes. Everyone is waiting. Finally, the boss shows up.,中：既然大家都到齐了，那我们开会吧！英：I am sorry I am late. I was detained.,Case 4 The father for
11、gets to bring a gift for his little boy.,中：呀，你瞧爸爸这臭记性。明天保证把礼物给你带回来。英：Im sorry, kid. I got so caught up in my thought that the gifts slipped my mind. Ill get them for you next time.,Expressions of Apology,(At the end of a conversation) “Sorry, my English is not so good.” (After the presentation) “Sor
12、ry, I didnt do it very well.” “Thank you for correcting my paper. Im sorry to have wasted so much of your time. ”,Self-check List,Cultural Differences on the Pragmatic LevelAddressing peopleCompliments and Compliment ResponsesApologizing,The following is what an American wrote of a Chinese banquet:T
13、he first six or seven dishes seemed to fill the table to overflowing, with plates precariously wedged one on top of another. With my American-bred expectations, I assumed this vast first wave of food was surely the total number of dishes to be served, and I ate greedily, dazzled by the variety and s
14、heer quantity.,The Chinese guests around me, however, had a different reaction. They must not be very hungry,” I thought with a shrug, and continued my feast. To my surprise, more dishes soon were piled on top of the already mountainous stack. Plus two or three soups, side dishes, desserts, and deli
15、cacies of various kinds, all seemingly enough to feed the entire People Liberation Army.,No wonder my fellow guests had merely sampled a few bites of each dish; they knew very well that these first few items were just the tip of a titanic culinary iceberg. I, however, was so stuffed after the first
16、fifteen minutes that I could only watch as the remainder of the banquet took its course.,Group Discussion,Different understandings of hospitality:Chinese hospitality: Westerners perception of Chinese hospitalityWestern hospitality:Chinese perception of western hospitality:,Differences in hospitality
17、,Chinese:Prepare more food than is needed; They would feel embarrassed if the food tends to be not enough or even just enough. Keep urging guests to eat and drink more.Constantly put the best pieces of food on the guests plate;Take “No” as a polite form of “Yes”,It is acceptable to leave unwanted fo
18、od on the plateThe guest is expected to say: 不好意思，让你破费了。 饭菜这么丰盛，又让你花钱了。The host/hostess may say: “多多包涵” “不成敬意“ “怠慢了您” “没什么好招待您的”,English: Prepare food according to number of guests, far less in quantity and variety, quite simpler;Leave the guest to help himself.Pushing alcohol is offensive.No is No.
19、Leave unwanted food on the plate is rude to the host/hostess.,If a guest accept the offer of food or drink, he is expected to finish it out of politeness.The guest is expected to praise the food out of politeness.eg. Guest: Thank you for the delicious food. Host: I am glad you like it. I cooked it e
20、specially for you.,Chinese hospitality in westerners eyes,Its a waste.They feel uncomfortable since it seems they cannot choose the food they like.They think Chinese host and hostess are impolite since they ignore their words. They may feel annoyed since pushing alcohols is offensive.,Western hospitality in Chinese eyes,Ungenerous. Not hospitable.Not sincere and impolite.,
