Chapter One Communication and Culture 1
Ⅰ Basics of Communication 1
Communication:broad types and essential elements 1
Communication:definition and components 3
Communication:characteristics 5
Ⅱ Understanding Culture 7
Culture:too familiar to be noticed 7
Culture:definition 8
Culture:elements 12
Culture:characteristics 14
Ⅲ Communication and Culture 17
Communication:culture bound 17
Communication:high-context and low-context 17
Chapter Two Intercultural Communication 25
Ⅰ Intercultural Communication 25
Intercultural communication:definition and levels 25
Intercultural communication:importance and difficulties 26
Ⅱ Overview 29
Chapter Three The Hidden Core of Culture 32
Ⅰ Understanding the Core of Culture 32
Ⅱ Recognizing Key Elements in the Core of Culture 33
The Axial Age and the different cultural spirits 33
Worldviews 36
Holistic vs.dualistic worldviews 38
Values:definition 43
Values:types 44
Values:characteristics 44
Ⅲ Instruments Comparing Cultural Values 47
Kluchhohn's value orientations 47
Hofstede's value dimensions 52
Ⅳ Study of Specific Cultural Values 55
Chapter Four Verbal Communication 71
Ⅰ Understanding Language 71
Ⅱ Language and Culture 73
Language and thought 74
Culture and word meanings 76
Ⅲ Styles of Discourse 86
Ⅳ Discourse Patterns and Thought Patterns 92
Chapter Five Nonverbal Communication 100
Ⅰ Understanding Nonverbal Communication 100
Definition 100
Importance 100
Functions 102
Ⅱ Nonverbal Communication and Culture 103
Ⅲ Elements of Nonverbal Communication 105
Body language 106
Paralanguage 115
Environmental language 117
Chapter Six Interpersonal Relationships 127
Ⅰ Family Relationships 127
Family types 127
Family structures 129
Ⅱ Friends and Friendship 137
Chapter Seven Social Interaction Customs 148
Ⅰ Forms of Address 148
Ⅱ Greetings and Farewell 151
Ⅲ Compliments and Responses 154
Ⅳ Gratitude and Thanks 155
Ⅴ Invitation 157
Ⅵ Appointment and Visiting 158
Ⅶ Hospitality 161
Chapter Eight Improving Intercultural Competence 170
Ⅰ Intercultural Communication Competence 170
Ⅱ Potential Problems in Intercultural Communication 174
Cognitive barriers 174
Stereotyping 175
Ethnocentrism 177
Culture shock 179
Ⅲ Efforts We Should Make 181
Knowing ourselves 181
Appreciating similarities and respecting differences 183
Developing empathy 185
Keeping an open mind 186
Appendix Ⅰ Book List for Students 190
Appendix Ⅱ Relevant Websites 192
References 194