The major obstacles in intercultural communication
and strategies for coping
Abstract: With the development of world communications, different people from different cultural backgrounds have more opportunities than ever to get in touch with each other. However, people may have difficulties and obstacles in communicating successfully with each other. In order to achieve effective and smooth intercultural communication, it is necessary to recognize the nature of the main obstacles that tend to cause problems during the process of an unsuccessful communication. And here comes the seeking of proper solutions correspondingly. Starting with the concepts of intercultural communication, the paper analyzes the three major obstacles: assuming similarity, stereotypes and ethnocentrism and sees that a better understanding of those problems can help overcome the communicative barriers. The paper also suggests some strategies aiming to cope with the negative impacts of these obstacles and to improve communicative competence: knowing yourself, knowing the cultural settings and developing empathy.
Key Words: intercultural communication; obstacle; strategy
跨文化交际中的主要障碍及对策
摘 要：随着经济全球化的发展，中国与外界的交往日益频繁，跨文化交际问题受到了外语界乃至整个社会前所未有的重视。不同的民族有着不同的文化，不同的文化必然存在有文化的差异，因此可能会导致种种的交际失误。所以，研究跨文化交际中的障碍问题，以及如何有效地解决，清除这种障碍对于中国的外语教学和社会经济文化生活具有极为重要的现实意义。本文从跨文化交际的内涵和意义入手，分析和探讨了跨文化交际中存在的主要障碍，并通过对跨文化交际实例的分析，阐述了障碍产生的原因和消极影响，最后提出了如何克服这些障碍，实现有效的跨文化沟通的基本策略。通过掌握这些策略，可以逐步提高我们的跨文化意识，成功地进行跨文化交际。
关键词：跨文化交际；障碍；策略
CONTENTS
Introduction: 1
1.Intercultural Communication 1
1.1 Communication 1
1.1.1 Definition of Communication 1
1.1.2 Components of Communication 1
1.1.3 Characteristics of Communication………………………………………………….2
1.2 Culture 3
1.2.1 Definition of Culture 3
1.2.2 Components of Culture 3
1.2.3 Characteristics of Culture 3
1.3 Intercultural Communication 4
1.3.1 Definition of Intercultural Communication 4
1.3.2 The Development of Intercultural Communication 5
1.3.3 The Study of Intercultural Communication 5
2. Obstacles to Intercultural Communication 6
2.1 Assuming Similarity 7
2.1.1 Definition of Assuming Similarity…………………………………………………..7
2.1.2 The Performance of Assuming Similarity…………………………………………..7
2.1.3 The Forming Reason of Assuming Similarity………………………………………8
2.2 Stereotypes 9
2.2.1 Definition of Stereotypes 9
2.2.2 The Performance of Stereotypes 9
2.2.3 The Impact of Stereotypes 10
2.3 Ethnocentrism…………………………………………………………………………..11
2.3.1 Definition of Ethnocentrism……………………………………………………….11
2.3.2 The Performance of Ethnocentrism………………………………………………..11
2.3.3 The Impact of Ethnocentrism……………………………………………………...13
3. Strategies for Coping With The Obstacles……………………………………………….14
3.1 Knowing Yourself………………………………………………………………………14
3.1.1 Know Your Culture……………………………………………………………….. 14
3.1.2 Know Your Personal Attitudes……………………………………………………..15
3.1.3 Know Your Communication Style…………………………………………………15
3.2 Knowing the Cultural Settings………………………………………………………….16
3.2.1 Timing……………………………………………………………………………...16
3.2.2 Physical Setting……………………………………………………………………17
3.2.3 Customs……………………………………………………………………………17
3.3 Developing Empathy…………………………………………………………………...18
3.3.1 Definition of Empathy……………………………………………………………..18
3.3.2 Hindrances to Empathy……………………………………………………………18
3.3.3 Improving Empathy………………………………………………………………..19
4. Conclusion 20
Bibliography…………………………………………………………………………………22
