Unit 1
1. The definition of INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
1.1“Inter-" comes from the Latin word for "between",and dictionaries define communication as exchanging information.Inter-"来自拉丁语，意思是"在之间"，字典把交流定义为交换信息。
Intercultural Communication refers to the exchange of information between people from different cultures.跨文化交际是指来自不同文化的人之间的信息交流。
As the very phra suggests, Intercultural Communication emphasizes cross-cultural competence rather than language only.正如这句话所暗示的，跨文化交际强调的是跨文化能力，而不仅仅是语言。
1.2 what makes IC a common phenomenon: new technology, innovative communication system,globalization of the economy , changes in immigration patterns 新技术、创新的通讯系统、经济全球化、移民模式的变化
2. The definition of globalization
Globalization is the process by which regional economies, societies, and cultures have become integrated through communication, transportation,and trade between nations.全球化是区域经济、社会和文化通过国家之间的交流、运输和贸易而变得一体化的过程。
It is a social, cultural, political, and legal phenomenon.它是一种社会、文化、政治和法律现象
3. Blocks in IC
<1> Assumption of Similarities<1>相似性假设
Many people assume there are sufficient similarities among peoples of the world to make communication easy.
They expect that simply being human and having common requirements of food, shelter, curity, and so on makes everyone alike.许多人认为世界上的民族之间有足够的相似之处
使交流变得容易。他们期望，仅仅是作为人类，拥有共同的食物、住所、安全等需求，就能让每个人都一样。
Unfortunately, they overlook the fact that the forms of adaptation to the common needs and values,beliefs, and attitudes are vastly different from culture to culture.不幸的是，他们忽视了一个事实，即不同文化对这些共同需求、价值观、信仰和态度的适应形式是巨大不同的。
The biological commonalities are not much help when it comes to communication, where we need to exchange ideas and information,find ways to live and work together.当我们需要交流思想和信息，找到共同生活和工作的方式时，生物上的共性并没有多大帮助
<2>Language differences< 2 >语言差异
Vocabulary, syntax, idioms, slang, dialects, and so on all cau difficulty.词汇、句法、成语、俚语、方言等都造成困难。
Word meaning: some people will cling to just one meaning of a word or phra in the ne
w language, regardless of connotation or context.词义:有些人只会执着于新语言中一个词或短语的一个意思，而不考虑其内涵或上下文。
<3>Nonverbal misinterpretations< 3 >非语言的误解
Learning the foreign language is actually only the beginning of learning a culture.学习外语实际上只是学习一种文化的开始。
The misinterpretation of nonverbal symbols - such as gestures, postures—is a communication barrier. But it is possible to learn the meanings of the obrvable messages.对非语言符号(如手势、姿势)的误解是一种沟通障碍。但是，了解这些可观察信息的含义是可能的。
What is more difficult to understand are the less obvious unspoken codes of the cultures, such as the handling of time and spatial relationships and the subtle signs of respect.更难以理解的是这些文化中不太明显的潜规则，比如对时间和空间关系的处理，以及微妙的尊重符号。
<4>Preconceptions and stereotypes 4 >偏见和刻板印象
A stereotype is a fixed general image or t of characteristics that people believe reprent a particular type of person or thing.刻板印象是人们认为代表某一特定类型的人或事物的固定的总体形象或一系列特征。
例:日语:“不可思议的”“(持续的，似乎不恰当的微笑)”
阿拉伯人:“易燃物”(导致美国学生与中东聚集保持距离)。
墨西哥:“讨价还价”(可能不公平地将M专业学生的犹豫或要求解读为获得优惠待遇的举动。)
e.g. Japane: "inscrutable"”(constant and emingly inappropriate smile)
Arabs: “inflammable"(cau U.S.students to keep a distance from the Middle East gathers).
Mexico: "bargain"(may unfairly interpret a hesitation or request from an M student as a move to get preferential treatment.
Stereotypes are over-generalized,condhand beliefs from which we make n out of what goes on around us, whether or not they are accurate or fit the circumstances.刻板印象是一种过于一般化的、二手的信念，我们通过它来理解周围发生的事情，不管它们是否准确或符合环境。
In a foreign land their u increas our feeling of curity.在异国他乡，使用它们会增加我们的安全感。
But stereotypes are blocks for communicators becau they interfere with objective viewing of other people.但刻板印象对沟通者来说是障碍，因为它们妨碍了人们客观地看待他人。
Stereotypes are not easy to overcome becau they are firmly established as myths by one's own culture and prejudices.刻板印象是不容易克服的，因为它们被一个人自己的文化和偏见牢固地确立为神话.
<5>Tendency to evaluate< 5 >评价的倾向
The fifth block to understanding between persons of differing cultures is the tendency to evaluate, to approve or disapprove, the statements and actions of the other person.不同文化背景的人之间相互理解的第五大障碍是人们倾向于评价、赞同或不赞同他人的言论和行为。
Rather than try to comprehend thoughts and feelings of the other, we assume our own culture or way of life is the most natural. This bias prevents the open-mindedness needed to examine attitudes and behaviors from the other's point of view.我们认为自己的文化或生活方式是最自然的，而不是试图去理解别人的思想和感情。这种偏见阻碍了从他人的角度来审视态度和行为所需要的开放心态。
