An Analysis Of Applicability Of Conversational Constraints Theory In Chinese Cultural Context

Intercultural Communication is a kind of discipline of importation. At present, thedevelopment of this discipline in China is in the ascendant. In order to promote thedevelopment and construction of the Intercultural Communication, we should localize thesewestern original theories, namely we should popularize, understand, digest the originaltheories of Intercultural Communication and put these theories into practice, especiallyapply them in Chinese culture context. Conversational Constraints Theory is one of thenumerous original theories in Intercultural Communication. It is one of the important goalsin Intercultural Communication study. Many researches of this theory were applied inwestern countries. However, in China, Conversational Constraints Theory has not beingreceived adequate attention. This research tries to analyze the applicability ofConversational Constraints Theory in Chinese cultural context. This pioneering studypromotes the development and construction of the Intercultural Communication.Meanwhile, we can compare Chinese and western language habits in studying theapplication of Conversational Constraints Theory in Chinese culture context, it can reducethe unnecessary expressions which are influenced by traditional Confucianism, so as toachieving concise expressions, improving communication effectiveness and enhancingcommunication competence.This research applies the Conversational Constraints Theory which is proposed byMin-Sun Kim and uses the approach of case study. Three main research questions are asfollows: first, the application of effectiveness of Conversational Constraints Theory inChinese culture context; second, the application of extensiveness of ConversationalConstraints Theory in Chinese cultural context; third, the application limitations ofConversational Constraints Theory in Chinese cultural context. The research groups aredivided into primary groups and sub-groups according to sociolinguistics. Then collecttypical cases which are all come from real life. Then arranging the cases and classifyingthem reasonably. Finally, using the five characters of Conversational Constraint Theory toanalyze, review and summarize the cases and discovery the characteristics and limitations inapplication.Main findings: first, by testing the objective, appropriateness and culture, it testifies that Conversational Constraints Theory can be applied effectively in Chinese culturecontext. Second, based on the feasibility of the application of Conversational ConstraintsTheory in primary groups and secondary groups, it testifies that Conversational ConstraintsTheory can be applied extensively in Chinese culture context. Third, due to affecting by thecultural dimensions of collectivism and individualism and power distance, there are somelimitations in application of Conversational Constraints Theory in Chinese cultural context.