Two Attitudes towards Cultural Values in Intercultural Communication
Ethnocentrism
Cultural Relativism
Cultural Values Difference in Intercultural Communication
1. Social Structure
2. Social Relationship
3. Family Relationship
4. Social Etiquette
5. Individualism vs Collectivism
Major Principles and Ethics in Intercultural Communication
Read literature of others' culture
Adopt politeness strategies
Recognize the accenting and intonation
Respect the local formalities and stvles
Avoid some sensitive topics
Avoid prejudiced or stereotyping words
Passage One
The Role of Values in Intercultural Communication
Value
Value seems to be the basis of all decisions that a person makes.
How do values artect communication？
Values are communicated, both explicitly and implicitly, through svmbolic behavior.
Although what we say and what we do may reflect our personal motives or are constrained by the context of a situation, most of our speech and actions symbolically reflect the values embedded in our mind that have been learned through the socialization process.
The way in which people communicate is influenced by the values they hold.
Could you cite examples to illustrate the term "ethnocentrism” ? What is the solution to ethnocentrism?
The problem that arises with the difference in values is that we tend to use our own values as the standard when judging others. We tend to assume that our value system is best. an assumption that causes us to make value judgments of others. Such an attitude is ethnocentrism.
The solution to ethnocentrism
It is the study of the values of others within the framework of that culture rather than in comparison with our own values.
Eitective communication is needed about what each culture can contribute to the rest of the world. That communication should be free of ethnocentrism as well as relativism.
When members of different value systems encounter, what should they do in order to
achieve mutual understanding？
The first rule of intercultural communication is that each participant should understand the other's values.
The second rule is that each should adapt his/ her communication to the other's values.
New words
authoritarianism n. 权力主义、独裁主义
continuum n. 连续统一体
embed v. 将某物深而牢地固定於（周围的物体中）
ethnocentrism n. 民族文化中心主义
cthos n.（集体、社团、文化的）气质、 道德观、 思想或信仰
explicitly adv.《指说法等）明确而详细地
implicitly adv. 含蓄地；不直接表明地；不明确地
manifestation n. 明白表示事实、形势、情感、信仰等的言行
reciprocal adj. 互相给与的；互惠的：相互的；
reciprocity n.相互交换的原则或实践;（尤指）互相让步或互惠
underscore v. 强化（态度、 形势等）；加强；强调
Passage Two
Patterns of Friendship
Why do international students conclude that Americans are superficial and do not
really know how to be friends?
American values stress privacy and independence, and it is not easy for many people to move beyond initial friendliness into the stage of true friendship.
International students are ver happy when the Americans they meet are so open. However, when Americans do not continue to act in a way that an international student expects of a friend. The international students are often disappointed and confused.
How do Americans define friendship?
The word friend in the United States has a broad meaning. including evervone from a casual acquaintance to a long-time best friend. Americans tend to use the word "friend" whereas people in some other countries might use the word "acquaintance", and they often have different types of friends: friends just to do activities with. close friends. and best friends
What does friendship mean to Chinese people? Could you offer some examples to illustrate your point of view?
Chinese friendship is affective, solid, stable and long-lasting. It needs deep commitment and obligation.
example
Friendship between Boya and Zhong Ziqi
Based on what you have learned what tips could you give to those who want to make friends with Americans?
Two important American values are privacy and independence. Thus. Americans prefer to do things by themselves rather than ask for help, as they do not want to impose on the other person's time and privacy. They may also expect others to do the same.
New words
acquaintance n.相识而非密友者；泛泛之交
compartmentalization n. 分类
reserved adj.指人或性格矜持的；寡言的；内向的
superficial ad. 表面的；肤浅的;
wulnerable adj，暴露於危险面前的；易受伤的
Passage Three
Family Structure
What cultural values are reflected in these different family structures?
In some cultures the family is the center of life and the main frame of reference for decisions.
In other cultures, the individual, not the family, is primary.
In some cultures, the family's reputation and honor depend on each person's actions
In other cultures, individuals can act without permanently affecting the family life.
Some cultures value the elderly, while others do not show great respect for them.
In which way do American family values differ from those of Asian families?
Although "family values" are often mentioned in the United States, the family is not the
only frame of reference for decisions in America. Often a person's own individual "track
record" of personal achievements is a powerful predictor of future success
