-
Thông tin
-
Hỏi đáp
Intercultural Communication - Khoa tiếng trung | Đại học Mở Hà Nội
Question 1: (6pts)
State what you know about one cultural issue (give examples or make comparison between Vietnamese culture and others to illustrate your answers)
Question 2: (4pts)
Explain or make a comparison about one issue/feature in different cultures. Tài liệu được sưu tầm giúp bạn tham khảo, ôn tập và đạt kết quả cao trong kì thi sắp tới. Mời bạn đọc đón xem !
Khoa Tiếng Trung 14 tài liệu
Đại học Mở Hà Nội 405 tài liệu
Intercultural Communication - Khoa tiếng trung | Đại học Mở Hà Nội
Question 1: (6pts)
State what you know about one cultural issue (give examples or make comparison between Vietnamese culture and others to illustrate your answers)
Question 2: (4pts)
Explain or make a comparison about one issue/feature in different cultures. Tài liệu được sưu tầm giúp bạn tham khảo, ôn tập và đạt kết quả cao trong kì thi sắp tới. Mời bạn đọc đón xem !
Môn: Khoa Tiếng Trung 14 tài liệu
Trường: Đại học Mở Hà Nội 405 tài liệu
Thông tin:
Tác giả:
Preview text:
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION Deadline:
REVISION ON INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION I. Test Format
Question 1: (6pts)
State what you know about one cultural issue (give examples or make comparison
between Vietnamese culture and others to illustrate your answers)
Question 2: (4pts)
Explain or make a comparison about one issue/feature in different cultures. II. Questions
1. Ways the English/American and the Vietnamese make introductions.
2. Addressing terms in the English and Vietnamese culture.
3. Cultural conflicts in two different cultures.
4. Ways to adjust to a new culture.
5. Non-verbal communication in the English and Vietnamese culture.
6. Male – female relations in different cultures.
7. Family values in the English and Vietnamese culture.
8. Educational Attitudes in Vietnam and in other English-speaking countries.
9. Wedding ceremony in Vietnam and in the United Kingdom / the United States
(similarities and differences).
10. Cultural features of personal relationships in Vietnam and in other English-
speaking countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States… (similarities and differences).
11. Definitions of culture, communication, cultural communication and intercultural communication.
12. Use of titles in introductions.
13. Eye contact and handshaking in introductions.
14. Small talk after introductions.
15. Directness and indirectness in speaking.
16. Ways of expressing common needs in different cultures.
17. Initiating and maintaining conversations.
18. Circles of friends, mobility and friendship in different cultures.
19. Child raising, the nuclear and the extended family.
20. Teacher – student relationships and independent learning.
* Lưu ý: • Trình bày thành ý.
• Gắn link các trang ae sử dụng để tìm câu trả lời (nếu có).
Way the English/American and the Vietnamese makes introduction.
Introductions are significant in almost every country in the world. Each country has
its own ways of making introductions. Americans and Vietnamese have some
similarities in the way they make introductions, but they also have differences that need
to be aware of.
First of all, both countries used titles when greeting. Titles are used when there is a
difference in status or age between two individuals. In America, they often use formal
titles and last names to call people who are older or of different status. For example,
Students meet their teacher and they have to call their teacher “Mr”, or “Ms” with
the teacher’s last name to show their respect toward their teacher. In Vietnam, students
also used titles when they meet their teacher, but instead of calling teacher by their last
name, we often call teacher by their given names with the titles in front. Secondly,
Americans and Vietnamese tend to have a small talk after greeting. In America, many
Americans greet by saying “How are you?”. This is usually a form of greeting rather
than an actual inquiry about your well-being. The common response is “I’m good,
thanks. How are you?”. Giving an answer that is deeply personal or less positive can
make the situation uncomfortable if you are not very familiar with the person. In
opening deeper conversations, Americans often ask people about their occupations like
“So, what do you do?”. By contrast, Vietnamese people tend to ask questions that are
personal like “ How old are you?”, “Are you married?”. Because when people greet in
Vietnam, they need to know if the person they are talking to is older or younger than
them in order to have a proper way of addressing. According to the Vietnamese
concept, asking people about their age and status is a way to show that they want to
get close. Finally, A handshake is the most common greeting when meeting someone
for the first time or in a professional setting in America. Handshakes should be firm
and accompanied by direct eye contact throughout the greeting. On the other hand, the
Vietnamese are also accustomed to shaking hands. Some Vietnamese might use two
hands to shake by resting the left hand on top of the grasp with the other person's hand.
Bowing the head while shaking hands indicates respect. Elders should be greeted
especially respectfully.
In conclusion, there are some similarities in the way America and Vietnam make
introductions, but between two countries also have certain differences.
Addressing terms in the English and Vietnamese culture.
Since the dawn of humankind on Earth, we have well established our domination
upon the Earth and as our territory spreads all over the world, our population does the
same. This creates the diversity in culture in each designated area. Specifically, we will
discuss the difference between addressing terms in Vietnam versus in the USA.
First and foremost, there are many expressions that are used in English-speaking
countries but not in Vietnam. The most noticeable examples are "Thank you" and
"Sorry". In the USA, people will say "thank you" frequently as a polite response to
different kinds of favors and compliments, and it's almost done instinctively. It is
completely different in Vietnam where these terms are more often than not kept in the
heart instead of saying out-loud. When you do something for someone in Vietnam, you
will rarely hear the term "Thank you" but you can clearly notice their gratitude through
their facial expression and normally you will get something in return. This difference is
based on the fact that Americans think that saying sorry and thank you expresses brave
action while most Vietnamese people often see having to apologize as an act of self- indulgence.
Secondly, directness while speaking is perceived drastically differently in the
two countries. In America, direct-honesty and frankness are more important to
Americans than “saving face”. They are quick to get to the main point and typically do
not spend too much time on formal social amenities. They prefer talking over
disagreements and trying to patch up misunderstanding themselves rather than asking a
third party to mediate disputes. Many expressions in the USA also exemplify their
directness in verbal communication such as: "Don’t beat around the bush”, “ Let’s get
down to business” or “Let's get to the point”. If they don’t like sth, they will say
directly “ I don’t like it”. However, Vietnamese people, who value ingenuity and
softness, are careful in the communication process, value courtesy and at the same time
solve problems, often value the process more than Americans, accept compromise and
avoid conflicts. It is also considered rude to say directly: "I disagree with you" or
“You’re wrong” in most situations.
Last but not least, silence is interpreted by Vietnamese people in a different way
compared to Americans. In the USA, even two or three seconds of silence can become
uncomfortable as they consider silence in a conversation to mean disapproval,
disagreement or unsuccessful communication. They often try to fill silence by saying
sth even if they have nothing to say. According to some Japanese, Americans ask too
many questions and do not give the other person enough time to formulate a careful
answer. In contrast, Vietnamese, as well as most Asian people, long silence are
tolerated to create an appropriate answer and to not interrupt the others, which makes
the Americans think Asian people appear too passive and uninterested in the conversation.
All in all, there are definitely many differences in addressing terms in Vietnam
compared to in the USA. This just goes to show how differently we have managed to
develop our culture and create a beautiful variation of traditions.
Cultural conflicts in two different cultures.
Cultural conflict is a type of conflict that occurs when different cultural values and beliefs
clash. Culture is defined as, “a particular society at a particular time and place”. This definition
describes that cultures in various locations and during different time periods are unique, and
cannot be duplicated. In a multicultural nation, such as America, there are various cultures
with different views, beliefs and opinions that have been brought by the new immigrants and
shared within their ethnic communities, as well as their families. Compared to Vietnam, these
two different countries could have cultures and views that can clash, and result in one
interpretation of what is believed to be right to override the other.
The first aspect needs to be mentioned is about communication and culture. Vietnamese
communication is normally not much eye contact and communication can be quite long with a
great deal of repetition. Whereas the USA are much more direct with direct eye contact.
However, Vietnamese women are much more direct than Vietnamese men. Besides,
Americans will use body contact more readily than Vietnamese, especially hugging. If two
people in these two different cultures meet, it sometimes might cause awkward situations and
the one may feel disrespected when the other doesn’t make eye contact.
Second, misinterpretation is another example that can create negative feelings and confusion
between Vietnamese and Americans. In American small talk, people ask as many
meaningless questions as they can to avoid awkward silence, without eliciting a response that
is any deeper than “yea, good!”. Professional small talk questions include the following, said
with utmost enthusiasm each time: “how are you, buddy?” “how’s it goin’?!” “How’s your day,
man?” “Hey girl, how was your weekend?” That means you shouldn’t ask the questions that
are too personal. However, in Vietnam, when people first meet someone, they will definitely
be asked some questions that get straight to the point, such as: “how old are you?”, “Are you
married?”, “What’s your salary?” “What street do you live on??”. An American would be
shocked if they are asked these questions by the one for the first time they meet.
The third example of conflict that can be easily seen during the Vietnam war is ethnocentrism.
Similarly, the ethnocentrism of Vietnamese society - a traditional distaste for foreigners that
kept the culture resilient through a long history of Chinese domination. French colonialism and
American intervention- was sometimes seen by the American left as a rejection of the
American-supported side in the war and as a popular affinity for the Vietcong. In addition,
another factor that causes these two countries‘s cultural conflicts is the stereotypes and
prejudice. Consequently, from the example of war in Vietnam, people refused the American-
supported side as the result of stereotypes-the hatred feeling about Americans that they were
all the invaders. This antiforeign feelings were so pervasive, moreover, that it was as easy to
find them among strong anti-Communists and Government officials as among those sympathetic to the Vietcong.
To sum up, cultural conflicts occur as a result of misinterpretations, ethnocentrism,
stereotypes, and prejudice. Preventing these conflicts is possible with increased awareness of
our own attitudes as well as sensitivity to cross-cultural differences. Developing intercultural
sensitivity does not mean that we need to lose our cultural identities but rather that we
recognize cultural influences within ourselves and within others.
Ways to adjust to a new culture.
Cultural shock usually happens when a person has to live in a totally different
environment. The subjects often faced with this case are migrants or international
students. These are various ways to help people adapt easily to a new culture.
First of all, people should research their destination by reading articles and watching
videos about the culture they are about to encounter. Clearly, social media are helpful
sources for those looking to travel or study abroad and can provide students with the
basic knowledge they need to know to live in a new culture quickly. Therefore, the
newbies can avoid potentially embarrassing situations.
Secondly, befriending locals is an excellent way to adjust to a new culture and learn
more about it. When people find themselves in an unfamiliar situation, they ought to
think of it as a new adventure. In other words, these people should be open to accepting
cultural differences and alternative ways of doing things. The unfamiliarmay be
frightening at first but in time they will find themselves taking these once-unfamiliar
situations for granted. Moreover, the newcomers need to allow themselves to be
curious about the way things are perceived and done in this new environment. Local
friends can teach them about numerous aspects of life such as traditons, customs,
norms, and so on. On the other hand, making friends from similar cultural backgrounds
is also crucial. Fellow friends can relate to these new settlers and empathize with their
struggles and can even become their comfort zone while abroad.
Thirdly, improving their foreign language level allows them to increase their
communication skills and integrate into the local community. It is well-known that
language shapes thinking and multilingual are considered to have multiple
personalities. If someone speaks a foreign country’s language pretty well, they may
find it easier to understand its inhabitants and quickly adapt to it. In conclusion, there
are a variety of ways to adjust to a new environment and these are just a few means to
help newcomers fit into a different culture.
Non-verbal communication in the English and Vietnamese culture.
As in most cultures, non-verbal communication plays an important role in Vietnamese
society, sometimes to accompany and reinforce linguistic symbols, sometimes as a substitute for words.
Respect is conveyed by the use of special terms of address and certain stylistic devices.
But respect is also expressed by nonverbal behavior. A Vietnamese student who sits
quietly and listens attentively to the teacher wants to express respect to his teacher. This
behavior has often been misinterpreted by the American teacher as passivity and non-
responsiveness. It is also out of respect that the Vietnamese student avoids eye contact
with the teacher when speaking or being spoken to. By American standards, a person
acting in this way would appear suspicious, unreliable, or mischievous. In Vietnamese
culture, however, looking into somebody’s eyes, especially when this person is of a
higher status (in age or in social or family hierarchy) or of a different gender, usually
means a challenge or an expression of deep passion. The proper respectful behavior is
to avoid eye contact in talking who is not an equal or the same sex.
The smile, which is sometimes enigmatic to the American observer, is another
nonverbal symbol conveying the feeling of respect in Vietnamese culture. It is used as
an expression of apology for a minor offense, for example for being tardy to class, or as
an expression of embarrassment when committing an innocent blunder. For the
Vietnamese, the smile is a proper response in most situations in which verbal
expression is not needed or not appropriate. It is used as a substitute for “I’m sorry”,
“Thank you” or “Hi!” It is used instead of a ready yes to avoid appearing over-
enthusiastic. A smile is also a proper response to scolding or harsh words that one does
not harbor any ill feelings toward the interlocutor or that one sincerely acknowledges
the mistake or fault committed.
It should be noted that for certain feelings, Vietnamese culture prefers non-verbal
communication while American culture is more inclined to use verbal expression. For
casual and informal circumstances, feelings of thankfulness or apology are not
expressed by verbal expression such as “thank you” or “I’m sorry” but by non verbal,
silence or a smile. Parents and teachers never say thanks to their students for a small
service, such as closing the window or passing the books around. A smile will do in this
case. The person who gives a compliment never expects a “thank you” in return. In
Vietnamese culture, a verbal expression of thanks in this case amounts to a lack of
modesty from the person who receives the compliment.
A smile or a blush in the face is the proper response to a compliment. If a verbal
response is necessary, one would deny the compliment, saying that one does not
deserve it. Because of difference in the mediums used to express the feelings of
appreciation or apology in the two cultures, misunderstandings have occurred.
Male – female relations in different cultures.
There are many male-female relationships that exist today and they have many
variations to suit the culture of each country.
One type of relationship between male and female that is extremely common in all
cultures is a simple, uncomplicated friendship. This is when a man and a woman
become friends through sharing common interests and values; like two men or two
women can do. While some would argue that women and men can't be friends without
any degree of sexual attraction, it's simply a matter of both people in a friendship being
on the same page. History and popular culture are filled with examples of male-female
friendships, so men and women who like each other in friendship shouldn't be afraid to
pursue this type of relationship.
The following second type of relationship is more common in Western countries.
Sometimes a man and woman in a pure friendship decide to add sexual activities to
their relationship, leading to a "FWB" arrangement. For two friends who want sexual
satisfaction without complicated commitment, this can be an interesting and rewarding
type of relationship. However, men and women in these types of relationships run the
risk of developing romantic feelings for each other, becoming jealous if one decides to
start a romantic relationship with another or discovers that the friendship has changed
too much to continue. If two friends become sexually attracted to each other and want
to pursue this type of relationship, constant communication, and realistic expectations
are a must. But in Vietnam, the friendship of the opposite sex is easily broken when one
of them has a family. The partner's wife or husband will easily become jealous and
annoyed with his partner's opposite-sex friend. This can easily lead to quarrels,
domestic violence, and even divorce.
And those are different relationships between men and women in different cultures.
Family values in English and Vietnamese culture.
The family in every country is considered the foundation for people's growth and
society. Cultures change over time in response to economic, political, and
cultural developments, however. Therefore, “family values” vary from household
to household, from country to country, and from generation to generation.
First of all, it is the size of an ideal family. In Vietnam, the Vietnamese
household follows the extended multi-generational pattern because they think the
more children the more wealth. Moreover, whenever there is a special occasion
for family gathering, it will look huge and bring the sense of warmth and
protection. So that a typical extended family often includes three or even four
generations and typically consists of grandparents, father, and mother, children,
and grandchildren, all living under the same roof.
On the other hand, the family structure in the USA is two married individuals
living together and providing love and care for their biological offspring. They
consider a nuclear family is the best choice when everyone can have the privacy
and live in the ways they desire without any interruption.
Secondly, the difference in the way to raise and educate children also shows the
contrast between English and Vietnamese culture. In Vietnam, parents protect
children so carefully and willing to prepare the best way for their child. This is a
good thing but it only conforms with the early years as it may cause serious
conflicts when the child runs away from responsibility, and over-depends on
their parents if the protection is lengthened.
Whereas to people who follow English culture, independence is a major point in
formulating a child’s personality. Many children are taught at a very early young
age to make decisions and be responsible for their actions. It is normal for
children to have their separate rooms and can personal hygiene by themselves at
an early age without their parents by their side.
Last but not least, in Vietnamese culture which is influenced by Taoism, people
tend to dignify the tradition and attachment between family members, so parents
usually want to live with their kids with the hope that the children will support
and maintain them when they get older.
In contrast, the West is more liberal and atheistic. Some elderly want to live
alone or go to a nursing home rather than stay at home with their children
because they don't like their life being disordered and vice versa.
In conclusion, the concept of "family value" is rooted in each individual culture
thus making the values different for different societies.
Educational Attitudes in Vietnam and in other English-speaking countries.
Educational attitudes in Vietnam and in other English-speaking countries have
some in common and also differences.
Firstly, let’s take a look at similarities. It is no doubt that any country will have
an "honor system". It demands that the student be honest in all areas of school
work. Actions related to cheating, plagiarizing, and copying someone’s
homework are all prohibited, and anyone who tries to break the rules will be
punished depending on their level of fault. Another similarity is shown in the
relationship between teacher and student. In class, the teacher will maintain the
instructor’s role, but outside of the classroom, the teacher and student can be
friends. They can hang out, have coffee or have a meal together, or even interact
with each other on the internet.
On the other hand, educational attitudes in Vietnam and in other English-
speaking countries are still different. In Vietnam, students must obey their
teacher’s commands and remain absolutely silent during a class period. But in
some other English-speaking countries, students may talk, eat, and smoke during
lectures as well as criticize a teacher’s methods or contradict his or her statements.
Another point is that the roles of teacher and student in the classroom and
teaching style are not the same in different education systems. In Vietnam,
students learn and take notes without understanding the origin and reason behind
the knowledge, as well as without implementing the knowledge in real-life
situations. Because the emphasis of teaching is on theoretical knowledge rather
than class discussion, teachers focus heavily on textbooks. Likewise, students
don’t actively interact with teachers and ask questions. However, in other
English-speaking countries, many courses are organized around classroom
discussions, student questions, and informal lectures. Besides teaching new
lessons, teachers encourage and emphasize the importance of class discussion
and participation. Students listen to the teacher but also speak up about their
opinions and discuss questions with the teacher.
In conclusion, similarities and differences in educational attitudes in Vietnam and
in other English-speaking countries have shown the pros and cons of the
education system in our country, and maybe in the future, Vietnamese education
will change with the integration of educational ideas from Western countries.
Wedding ceremony in Vietnam and in the United Kingdom / the United States
(similarities and differences). Similarities
In every nation, a wedding is organized with many formal ritual observances.
Vietnamese and English both have engagement and wedding ceremony in marriage arrangement. · *Early wedding traditions
As early as the sixteenth, up to the nineteenth century, marriages in Vietnam and
England were arranged by parents or guardians. The bride and bridegroom often were not
acquainted until their marriage. The parents often made the marriage arrangements and
betrothals while the bride and bridegroom were small children (age three to seven ).
The children would continue to live with their own parents and meet from time to time
for meals or holiday celebrations. • Engagement.
Before the wedding, the bride and groom have an engagement party and have many
people like : their parents, friends,... they are witnesses for the engagement. * Wedding ceremony.
After engagement, they will have a big party with many people in their family or
their friends to eat together and share the happiness for the bride and bloom. That party
also like notification for all people know that they are prepare to living together.
· * Bride and bloom in both Vietnam and England will exchange ring to each others in
wedding ceremony. It’s symbol for their forever cohesion. ·
Today, a lot of Vietnamese couples have their wedding ceremony done in churches
which is very much similar to American and Western style, including exchanging vows and wedding rings. Differences: *Attire
- Vietnam: Vietnamese brides often choose white dress instead of traditional dress Ao
Dai. The couple need to make up and dress well, they all want to become the most
attractive people in their wedding.
- England: Bridal gowns are less ornate that the traditional Western style dress,
Anything fancy would require a special trip to a major city and be very expensive. * Ceremony location
- Vietnam: The bride and groom of Vietnam normally choose their house for the location of their wedding.
- English: Various and nature places: on a bluff above the crashing surf with the sunset
behind you, outdoors in England in view of a stately lighthouse , In one apple orchard
ceremony, on the beach, Places of Worship * Honeymoon
- Viet Nam: Vietnamese couples spend their honeymoon at home and of course they are free at work that day.
- English: Newly wedded England couples then leave for their honeymoon.
* Choose the time
- Vietnam: The date of weddings in Vietnam depends on the age of the bride and groom.
- English: UK people have some common knowledge about the time for marriage.
Cultural features of personal relationships in Vietnam and in other English-speaking
countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States… (similarities and differences). Similarities
- Among acquaintances: collaboration for the society development: people in both
countries build up connections and relationships to gain knowledge, experience about
various aspects of society to achieve certain goals. This leads to more innovation,
efficient processes, increased success, and improved communication
contributing considerably to their nations
- The use of terms are compulsory to show specific attitudes and express common
emotions. This also presents the social status among individuals to select appropriate behavior.
- Male – female relationship: men and women socialize and collaborate freely to
contribute to society and develop men a variety of relationships. Single people of
opposite sexes can be close friends without doubt and prejudices and furthermore, they
can share their personal issues with each other which won`t be interrupted by romantic
feelings. Besides, to couples, they may date with or without the intention of getting
married as they see it as a way to experience and chance to know more about themselves. Differences:
- Family: child raising is the most conspicuous feature which shows the
difference. In Vietnam, children are always considered to be the family`s
treasure, so the growth of each child is carefully supervised and instructed by
family members, especially parents or grandparents to lead them to success
quickly and nurture the next generations. It is a good aspect of Vietnamese
society life but sometimes it may cause serious conflicts when the child may
take too much responsibility, and pressure and they might get depressed and exhausted.
Whereas to people who follow English culture, it is not uncommon for English
parents to put a newborn in a separate room that belongs only to the child. This
helps to preserve the parent`s privacy and allows the child to get used to living
and working independently, the first step toward personal development. Every
child is encouraged to cut the apron strings to experience and learn about the world by themselves - Male – female:
+ England: Married men and women sometimes consider each other best friends
as spouses. They also socialize with members of the opposite sex. This does not
mean there is no limitation between these relationships.
+ Vietnam: problems in marriage relationship happens when a wife often has to
obey the husband’s family rules and quarrels or arguments seem to be rude or
disrespectful. Moreover, the wife finds it hard to have an opposite sex friend
when she gets married due to the fact that the husband can easily envy and make
a fuss about it, leading to domestic violence or even divorces.
- Teachers and students: While in Viet Nam, students regard teachers as their
parents, so they barely rely on and follow their instructions, leading to the lack of
independent learning and limited practical knowledge.
Learners in English culture only consider teachers to be their instructors, they just need
them whenever they get in trouble. The rest of the lesson they will learn by themselves
and find their own ways to receive the knowledge effectively.
Use of titles in introductions.
There are different ways to address people depending on both the relationship involved
and the situation. It's important to learn the basic etiquette rules for using first and last
names, as well as courtesy titles, in spoken English. When addressing someone,
remember which register to use depending on the situation. Register refers to the level
of formality required when speaking. When to Use First Names
You should address people by their first name in informal and friendly situations, such
as with friends, coworkers, acquaintances, and fellow students, for example:
"Excuse me, Mary. What did you think of that presentation yesterday?" > A woman talking to a coworker
If you are speaking with coworkers in the office about work, use first names. However,
if you are speaking to a supervisor or someone you manage, you may have to use a title
and last name in more formal situations. The use of a first name versus a title depends
on the atmosphere in the office. Traditional businesses (such as banks or insurance
companies) tend to be more formal. Other firms, such as technology companies, are often more informal:
"Here is the report you asked for, Mr. James." > A man addressing his supervisor When to Use Courtesy Titles
Use courtesy titles—for example, Mr., Mrs., Miss, and Dr.—in formal situations such
as in meetings, during public speaking events, or when addressing superiors at work or
school. Some workplaces prefer an informal tone between management and staff. To be
safe, you can begin by using a courtesy title and change to a more informal address if
your supervisors ask you speak to them on a first-name basis, for example:
"Good morning Ms. Johnson. Did you have a good weekend?" > A student talking to her teacher. Talking About Other People
Speaking about other people also depends on the situation. Generally, in informal
situations, use first names when talking about other people:
Debra visited her parents over the weekend. > A husband speaking to his friend about his wife, Debra In Vietnam:
Vietnamese people generally address one another by their given (personal) name in any
casual context. This is usually accompanied by an honorific title, based on people’s
gender, age and social relationship to one another.
Titles usually have familial connotations, such as ‘uncle or ‘aunt’ instead of professional meanings.
Younger people address older men as ‘Ong’ (grandfather) and older women as ‘Ba’ (grandmother).
An older person addresses non-elderly men and women as ‘Anh’ (older brother) and
‘Chi’ (older sister) respectively, and very young or unmarried men and women as ‘Chu’
(younger brother) and ‘Co’ (younger sister). Definitions of
• culture: Culture refers to the cumulative deposit of knowledge, experience,
beliefs, values, attitudes, meanings, hierarchies, religion, notions of time, roles,
spatial relations, concepts of the universe, and material objects and possessions
acquired by a group of people in the course of generations through individual and group striving.
• communication: a process by which information is exchanged between
individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior
• cultural communication: the process of recognizing both differences and
similarities among cultural groups in order to effectively engage within a given context.
• intercultural communication: a symbolic, interpretive, transactional,
contextual process; process in which people from different cultures create shared meanings.
Eye contact and handshaking in introductions.
Eye contact:
- Speaker maintains eye contact in introductions as well as in general
conservation gives an indication of honesty.
- Most people become nervous if frequent eye contact turns into staring
- If you don’t have an eye contact when speaking, you will be considered to
avoid something or to be dishonest. In others it is seen as challenging and rude. Handshaking:
- Handshaking is a polite gesture indicating friendship and acceptance.
- When shaking hands, people shake firmly and briefly. A firm handshake is a sign of sincerity.
- Prolonged handshaking is not usual in many countries. - Some ways of shaking:
+ Precaution to be safe: Shows the self-confidence
+ Covering of the hand: Used when you know about your friend clearly
+ The softie: Demonstrates weakness, lack of confidence, lack of interest, and lack of masculinity.
+ Attack: Putting your hand into opponment’s hand palm is the sign of attack
+ “The handshaking of the queen”: Point out that you are wise, skillful.
Small talk after introductions. -
Common features: In the following dialogue, small talk takes place until
the speakers discover that they share the same experience.
Example: Immediately after introductions are made, there is usually a period of
time in which impersonal or trivial subjects are discussed. This type of
conversation called “small talk”, is important because it often helps to maintain
conversations and it can lead to interesting discussions. Moreover, it helps to fill
up silences and makes you both feel comfortable and friendly with each other.
Usually, speakers initiate small talk with such questions as: “Where do you
live?”, “How do you like living here?” or “What are you studying?”. It is also for
people to ask “What is your job?”, but it is uncommon and considered impolite
to ask “How much money do you make?” or “How much does your house
cost?”. Other questions such as “Are you married?” or “How old are you?” (to an
adult) are generally considered too personal for initial meetings.
There are some types of small talk topics to get started -
Universal topics: Things like the weather, current news, sports and
entertainment are usually safe conversation starters. Some people might not be
fans of sports, or might not follow entertainment news, so if you can, try to
match people’s interests to the topic you choose. Examples:
“This weather is crazy! It was cold yesterday and today I came in with an open
jacket. I hope it stays warm, don’t you?”
“Did you watch the Oscars last week? I can’t believe Leonardo DiCaprio finally won one!” -
The day: If you’re not sure what topic to talk about, or don’t have
anything interesting to say, you can just ask someone about their day, or you can
talk about yours. Example:
“How was your day? / How has your day been so far?”
“How have you been feeling today?”
“What have you been doing today?” -
Observation: looking at your partner and find something nice to
compliment them on. Nothing makes people feel better than a genuine compliment
Example: “I love your shoes today, they really pull your outfit together.”
A: It’s nice to meet you. My friend told me about you. Have you lived in Seattle long?
B: No, only three months. How about you?
A: I moved here three years ago from California.
B: Oh really! I’m from California too. Where did you live in California?
A: In Gilroy, not far from San Jose.
B: This is really a coincidence. I’m from Gilroy, too!
Reference: https://www.fluentu.com/blog/english/english-small-talk/
Directness and indirectness in speaking.
A communication style is the way in which we use language to share information with
others. There are two basic communication styles: directness and indirectness.
Direct communication happens when a speaker’s true intentions are communicated in
his or her verbal message. It expresses the speaker’s needs and desires explicitly. When
a direct communicator wants or needs something, he or she will ‘come right out and
say it’. Direct communicators take the other speaker’s words at face value: they will not
analyze the message for underlying meaning. They value the effectiveness of short,
direct answers, and expect and respect honesty and frankness.
Indirect communication happens when a speaker’s true intentions are hidden. Indirect
speakers will not make a direct statement or directly answer a question that might cause
tension or result in an uncomfortable situation. They are more likely to say “maybe” or
“possibly’ when the true answer is “no”. Indirect communicators believe that being
polite is more important than giving a true response; this belief is related to the concept
of ‘saving face’ – to avoid hurting another person’s self-esteem.
In the U.S. and most western cultures, direct communication is usually the preferred
style. In other cultures, including African and some Asian countries, indirect
communication is more prevalent. To a direct speaker, indirect verbal communication is
often considered evasive, even untrust- worthy, while to an indirect speaker, direct
verbal communication is perceived as harsh, even rude. With direct communication,
there is less risk of misunderstanding, but more risk of surprising or offending the
receiver. With indirect communication, there is more risk of misunderstanding, but less
risk of offending the receiver.
In conclusion, directness and indirectness are cultural, personal and linguistic. For
building and maintaining relationships when communicating in English it is important
to have an understanding and preferably a control over the level of directness produced
and how this is or may be perceived.
Ways of expressing common needs in different cultures.
Individuals in every culture have similar basic needs but express them differently.
There are some typical ways of expressing these things.
In daily life we all initiate conversation, use formal and informal speech, give praise,
express disagreement, seek information, and extend invitations. Some of the verbal
patterns we use are influenced by our culture. Whereas directness in speech is common
in the United States, indirectness is the rule in parts of the Far East. Thus people from
both of these parts of the world would probably express criticism of others differently.
In parts of the Middle East a host is expected to offer food several times but in the
United States he may make an offer only once or twice. The different modes of
expression represent variations on the same theme. Each language reflects and creates
cultural attitudes; each has a unique way of e0ay of initiating conversation (e.g., "Hi
how are you? Those are beautiful earrings that you're wearing. Where are they from?").
It is acceptable to compliment a person's material possessions (e.g, home, decorations
in the home, clothes, etc.). Too many compliments given may be interpreted as
insincere. Not enough compliments may be interpreted as a sign of apathy or dislike.
For example: If a guest doesn't praise the quality of a dinner, the host might feel that
the guest didn't like it. However, in the Middle East you should take care not to admire
anything in your hosts' home. They will feel that they have to give it.
People in some parts of the world believe that compliments are dangerous because
they invite the "evil eye" (bad luck), therefore compliments in these places are not
given freely. In the United States this belief does not exist.
There are, however, no restrictions or superstitions related to the number of
compliments that can be given.
Initiating and maintaining conversations.
- The ability to verbally and nonverbally initiate conversation is important because
effectively being able to initiate a conversation allows students to gain independence
and create social relationships. Variables such as personality (outgoing vs. shy) and the
communication style used in the child's home environment can both impact the
frequency and preferred method (direct vs. indirect) of a child's initiation of
communication. In your classroom, reminding students to use their words when they
need something and deliberately providing models of various way to initiate
interactions with peers and adults will help support your students to develop this
important social communication skill.
We should demonstrate the following methods of initiating interactions:
• Asking questions for information or to obtain a desired item o Where is my water? o What's in the bag?
• Spontaneously communicating a need or want o I need some water o I'm hungry o Can you help me? • Greeting others
o saying "hi" to teachers and peers when arriving at schools
• Modeling or actively attempting to join in a peer's play (may be verbal or nonverbal) o "Can I be the driver?"
o Quietly sitting down next to a friend in the construction zone and
beginning to build a similar structure.
To maintain a conversation.
1. Find what to say in your favorite topics.
We all have things we are passionate about: activities, hobbies, projects, goals, ideas or
jobs. Take some time to make a short but relevant list with the things you are most
passionate about, and would make easy conversational topics for you. 2. Ask open ended questions.
One way to keep a conversation going is to get the other person talking. And the best
way to do this is by addressing her open ended questions.
3. Let the other person end the silence.
Most people are uncomfortable with silences in a conversation. When one occurs, they
immediately try to fill it by finding something to say. You can use this to keep a conversation going.
4. Practice, practice, practice.
I know many people which had huge problems with keeping conversations going and
now, they can do this even with the most shy or uncooperative person. How did they
manage to get to this point? They’ve practiced. They consciously pushed themselves
out of their comfort zones, to meet new people, to socialize and to apply techniques
like the other 3 mentioned above.
Finally, remember that you don’t have to keep a conversation going no matter what.
If you see the person you’re talking to is simply refusing to participate in the
conversation and be sociable, you can end the conversation politely and go talk to
someone else. However, I believe you have the responsibility to at least try and make a
conversation work. And if you do this well, you will be significantly more able to make
great friends and influence people.
Circles of friends, mobility and friendship in different cultures. 1. Circles of friends:
It is common to have different “circles of friends” such as church friends, work friends
or sports friends. A person may choose not to involve members of different circles in
the same activity. One’s friends from the office may never meet one’s friends from the
sports club. Terms such as “office mate” and “tennis partner” indicate the segregation
of friends. The office mate is a friend in the office and the tennis partner is a friend on
the courts. People have different types of friends: one may have many good friends and
one best friend. “Best friends” are usually two people of the same sex who have known
each other for a long period of time. People usually have more casual friends than close or best friends. 2. Mobility and Friendship
The Americans are geographically mobile and learn to develop friendships easily and
quickly. Approximately one out of every five American families moves every year.
People relocate because they begin new jobs, attend distant colleges, get married, have
children or simply want a change in their lives. Perhaps as a consequence of this,
people form and end friendships quickly. Students attending two or three universities
during their undergraduate and graduate years may change their circles of friends several times.
Relationships based on a common activity may fade or end when the activity ends.
Students might meet in classes and remain friends for the duration of the course and
then stop seeing each other after the final examination. The same holds true for
neighbors who are the closest of friends until one moves away. In these friendships,
shared daily experiences form the foundation for the relationship. Enduring friendships
develop when individuals have similar interests and a common outlook on life. The
high rate of mobility in the United States can explain a great deal about transient friendships.
It is easy to be misled by instant friendships which may appear to be deep and personal
but are really superficial. Friendship and friendliness are not synonymous. Friendliness
characterizes much of the daily interaction but is not always an indication of friendship.
Strangers may share life histories without any intention of pursuing a relationship.
Characterizing instant friendships is the appearance of two people becoming close but,
in reality, there is no strong bond between them. Brief encounters do not always imply
desire for further contact. Many people frequently smile or say, “Have a nice day” or
“See ya later,” or even extend an invitation as part of a cultural pattern of politeness.
Such expressions do not always suggest an offer of continued friendship.
Child raising, the nuclear and the extended family.
• Americans traditionally have held • Independence • Closely – related value • Individualism
• Teach children • Making decision • Responsibility • Financial independence
• VCompare to ietnam: https://ielts69.com/essay/compare-the-ways-of-child-
raising-in-the-english-american-and-the-vietnam-culture-mXxnr
• Similarity: in both two cultures all parents pay attention to their children. • Differences: • The US:
• The most important responsibility of parents is to raise their children to be self-
sufficient. They encourage their children to become self-sufficient by requiring
them to perform activities: washing, cleaning, cooking,...
• Parents respect their children and allow them to express themselves on family matters
• The majority of children will move out of the family to have a fully independent life • VN: