A Study Of Cultural Context In Communication Between Chinese And Americans

Cultural context plays a very important role in intefcultural communication between Chinese and Americans. Edward T. Hall says that cultural is communication and communication is culture. These two are so closely interwoven that people engaged in communication subconsciously reveal the traits of their own cultures. In communication between Chinese and Americans, cultural context is important in many ways. First, Chinese culture and American culture belong to different cultural types. Namely, Chinese culture is of high-context culture and American culture low-context; second, Chinese culture is said to be circular in the outlook on life, and American culture linear in this respect; third, Chinese culture is said to be inductive in logical reasoning, and American culture deductive. There are also many other differences including the differences of basic values, language systems and nonverbal behavior. All these differences make it indispensable of studying the cultural context in communication between Chinese and Americans. Only when people of intercultural communication know about the cultural context of the target culture can they have an effective communication. Communication between Chinese and Americans is no exception.Problems frequently occur in communication between Chinese and Americans due to the differences of cultural contexts respectively. Since the cultural differences are clearly known, the ensuing problems are easier to be found out and relevant solutions could be applied accordingly. The major problems discussed in the thesis include those based on different cultural values, different language systems and different nonverbal behavior; the tentative solutions provided include knowing about the two cultures, adapting an impartial attitude and trying to make cultural adaptations.The Thesis analyzes the importance of cultural context in communication between Chinese and Americans; discusses the differences of the two cultures; problems and tentative solutions.