中美个人空间观比较研究_英语论文

Different Concepts of Personal Space in China and America

摘要

随着全球化的不断发展，各国之间的联系越来越紧密，有着不同的语言和文化背景的各国人民之间交流也越来越频繁，这种跨文化交际已经成为人类交际活动的重要组成部分。空间语言在跨文化非语言交际中的地位非常重要。它作为非语言交际和深层文化的组成要素，是探索不同国家文化差异的不可或缺的一部分；而个人空间作为空间语言的重要组成部分，也对跨文化交际有着广泛的影响。对中美个人空间观进行比较研究，有利于中西方人民的相互理解，减少误会与冲突。

关键词: 中美个人空间观  差异  空间文化

Abstract

The continuous development of globalization makes the world more close contacts. Communication between people with different culture backgrounds has become increasingly frequent. Intercultural communication has become an important part in human communication. Space language plays an important role in intercultural nonverbal communication. As an element of non-verbal communication, it is indispensable for exploring culture differences in different countries. Personal space, which is an important element in space language, also has a deep influence on intercultural communication. So the comparative study on the concept of personal space between China and America will help Chinese people and Western people understand each other more and reduce misunderstandings and conflicts.

Key words:  concepts of personal space in China and America;  differences;  space culture

Contents

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………..…1

1 The Definition and Categories of Personal Space……………………………….….2

2 Contrast between Personal Space in China and America……………………….…3

2.1 Different Attitudes to Crowding…………………………………………………3

2.2 Contrast in Body Touch………………………………………………………….4

2.3 Different Performance to Privacy………………………………………………..4

2.4 Differences in Seating Arrangements……………………………………………5

3 Cause Analysis………………………………………………………...………………5

3.1 The Historical Background of Culture…………………………………………..6

3.1.1 Chinese History……………………………………………………………6

3.1.2 American History………………………………………………………….6

3.2 Environmental Factors…………………………………………………………...7

3.2.1 Chinese Agricultural Culture………………………………………………7

3.2.2 American Industrial Culture……………………………………………….7

3.3 High Context and Low Context Culture…………………………………………8

3.3.1 Chinese High Context Culture…………………………………………….9

3.3.2 American Low Context Culture…………………………….……………..9

3.4 Different Perspective of Value System…………………………………………..9

3.4.1 Chinese Collective Culture………………………………………………..9

3.4.2 American Individualistic Culture………………………………………...10

4 Implications…………………………………………………...……………………...10

4.1 Implications for Cross-cultural Communication……………………………….10

4.2 Implications for Foreign Language Teaching…………………………………..11

5 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………11

References…………………………………………………………………………………13