광진ECC

Language Across Cultures

 

 

People cannot communicate adequately only by knowing the language. We need to know the culture as well. Culture and Language are bound inextricably. Language usage is a function of the cultural context. By studying both the language and the culture from which it came, people should prove to be better communicators in the language.

 

< 언어지식만 으로는 적절하게 의사소통을 할 수 없고, 언어와 동시에 문화를 이해하는 것이 중요하다는 것이다. 언어와 문화는 하나이며, 언어사용에 있어서 문화적 기능은 절대적이라는 것을 의미한다.>

Individualism & Collectivism

Communication behavior differences across cultures can be accounted for largely by the individualism/collectivism dimension which is discussed in the January ECC Newsletter. In Western cultures the relative emphasis is toward individualism, and in the Eastern cultures it is toward collectivism. The United States is an example of individualism, and Korea and Japan illustrate collectivism. The contrast between the two types of culture become apparent when delineating their characteristics.

 

<문화차이에서 오는 의사소통의 행동 양식은 크게 개인주의와 집단주의 문화로 대별 할 수 있다. 서양의 문화는 개인주의 문화이며, 동양권은 집단주의 문화에 속한다고 볼 수 있다. 이 두유형의 문화 양식을 대조해 보면 언어의 이해가 명확해진다.>

 

American Verbal Style

; Are willing to talk to almost anyone

; Avoid highly personal topics with non-intimates

; Only comment on personal appearance when it's a compliment

; Maintain an atmosphere of equality

; Often use a "negotiating" style

; May omit names or titles if status is uncertain

; Apologize, compliment, and thank frequently

; Use "Yes" to mean "I agree" or " I'll do it"

; Use direct speech with intimates, strangers, and status unequals only

; Prefer indirect speech with peers, co-workers, friends, acquaintances, status equals

; Explain background information clearly

; Often justify, explain, and offer reasons for actions

-sources: Klopf, 1995; Wolfson

 

Non-verbal differences are distinguishable between the individualistic and collectivism cultures. Members of individualistic cultures tend to be remote and distant, touching little and standing apart from fellow conversant. Collectivism cultures promote closeness. Inter-dependence is seen as the people work, play, live, and sleep in close proximity to each other. Members of individualistic cultures maintain their own schedules, coming and going as they see fit. They smile more and are friendlier than people in the collectivism cultures. They are willing to participate in 'small talk' about family, weather, hobbies, vacations or weekend activities. They are reluctant to talk about personal topics, religions, politics, salary or physical appearance. In business situations, they usually get to the point quickly. They tend to use clear and explicit messages in this area. When they make an appointment for lunch or offer invitations, they maintain negotiating style. They check their schedule, talk about time and places and then they set up appointments. Conversations keep a back-and-forth style like a ping-pong game. This means that they are not passive listeners. they positively take part in the conversation using Answer-Add-Ask formula. They use a lot of compliments like 'I like your shirt.' or 'Nice hair cut'. These compliments could be friendly expressions. Also compliments are frequently returned.

 

<이 두 유형의 문화에서 특히, 비언어적 요소, 제스츄어 등이 다르게 나타난다. 개인주의 문화에서는 대화의 물리적인 거리가 있으며, 신체적인 접촉을 꺼린다. 반대로 집단주의 문화에서는 대화거리가 가깝고, ‘우리’ 라는 개념의 상호의존성이 높다. 개인주의 문화에서는 일상적인 대화 가령, 날씨, 기분, 취미, 휴가등에 관해서 가볍게 이야기를 많이 한다. 반면, 개인적인 문제, 종교, 경제사정, 혹은 신체적 외모에 관해서는 자주 언급하지 않는다. 비즈니스에서는 요점을 명쾌하게 말하며 직설법을 시용한다. 약속을 할 때도 시간, 장소등을 충분히 의논하여 정한다, 일방적으로 약속을 하고 통보하는 방법은 거의 없다. 마치 대화형태는 탁구처럼 주거니 받거니 하는 방식이며, 대답하고, 붙이고, 다시 물어보는 방식의 적극적인 대화를 한다. 또한 많은 칭찬과 관심을 표현한다.>

 

Korean Verbal Style

The Korean culture represents a culture almost diametrically opposite that of the United States. In communication style many of the differences surface. Koreans do not pay much attention to the role of dialogue in their daily conversations. In a typical conversation the two communicators talk past each other much of the time, each person saying only what he or she wants to say and not responding to what the partners says. Wrapped up in their own thoughts, they fail to listen to what the partner says. The characteristic may be attributed to the Korean tradition of emphasizing nonverbal communication. The desire not to speak is the most significant feature of Korean language life.

 

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