跨文化交际 论述题

The following is the case of cross-cultural communication. In the cases there is something to be improved upon. Write an analysis on what is to be desired for more successful communication or cultural understanding in each case. Your analysis should be about 100 - 150 words. And your writing ability will also be assessed in this section of the test.//

Once a group of Chinese was visiting the home of a fairly well-to-do American. As they were shown around the house, they commented, \"You have a very nice home. It’s so beautiful.\" The hostess smiled with obvious pleasure and replied in good American fashion \"Thank you” - which caused surprise among some of her Chinese guests. Later, while conversing at the dinner table, the host remarked to the Chinese interpreter, a young lady who had graduated not long ago from a Chinese university, \"Your English is excellent. Really quite fluent.\" To this she replied, \"No, no. My English is quite poor.\" - an answer that the host had not expected and found a bit puzzling.//

Question: Was the American hostess’ reply immodest, as it seemed to some of the Chinese? Why? Was the young Chinese interpreter's remark insincere, as it sounded to the Americans? Why'?

答：1)The answer to the two questions is no.To English-speaking people praise is to be accepted,generally with a remark like “thank you”.It is assumed that the compliment is sincere,so there should be no show of false humility,no pretended modesty. 2)To Chinese however ,when hearing compliments ,the typical reaction is to show modesty.The customary reply to a compliment would be to claim that one is not worthy of the praise,that what one has done is hardly enough,or that success was more a matter of luck or some other circumstances.Acceptance of a compliment would imply conceit or lack of manners. 3)Therefore,in the two cases ,the reason for such different reactions was differences in customs and habits .Each was interpreting what the other said according to his or her own culture.