Light and color communicate meaning at both conscious and unconscious levels We communicate by touch, holding hands, shaking hands, a hug or a kiss, or a blow in anger Our concern for time will indicate much about us and our attitude toward other people or the event we are attending How space is used communicates information (e.g. classroom, offices, homes, villages, cities, communities) Smell and taste, as in perfumes or food, are used to communicate, among other things, attitude and intention




What makes up culture? Can we see culture? Can we lose culture? What is Chinese culture? Is there only one Chinese culture?

Culture is the shared assumptions, values, and beliefs of a group of people which result in characteristic behaviors
System Verbal Written Numeric Pictoral
Description/Explanation The use of Spoken Words Expresses words and ideas that affect the spoken word without the limitations of time or space Numbers can be used to transfer information formally (in math) or informally (7, 8, 13, 666, 911) Pictures convey information, but the same picture will convey different information to audiences of different cultures The use of sound (Music, whistles, tone of voice, bells, alarms, sirens) Body motion tells much about messenger and the message

5. A woman carries a heavy pile of wood on her back, while her husband walks in front of her carrying nothing.
A culture where men take care of the children and women always
Audio Kinetics
System Artifactual
Optical Tactile Temporal Spatial Olfactory
Description/Explanation Objects communicate as people use them in decorations, styles, possessions, even in architectural styles



1. A person comes to a meeting half an hour after the stated starting s person is late and should at least apologize or give an explanation. 2. Someone kicks a dog. 3. At the end of a meal, people burp (喷出) loudly 4. The young person you are talking to does not look you in the eye.
Class 3
Communication occurs whenever persons
attribute significance to message-related behavior It involves a transmitter, a message, and a medium It is a process of signs being passed from one party to another These signs must be interpreted, and if interpreted incorrectly, miscommunication occurs
Eating regularly Eating with chopsticks Liking novels by Charles Dickens Calling a waiter by clapping your hands Regretting being the cause of an accident Feeling sad at the death of your mother Wearing white clothes for 30 days after your mother’s death Disliking having to wear white clothes for 30 days after your mother’s death
Everything that we do “communicates”
The goal of communication is always
persuasion The communication process is generally more complex than most people realize We always communicate through more than one channel Foundational Question: How can I build trust in the intercultural communication process?

4. The young person you are talking to does not look you in the eye.
A culture in which it is considered to be rude to make eye contact with
someone older than yourself

Sleeping with a bedroom window open Running from a dangerous animal Considering snakes to be “evil” Men opening doors for women Respecting older people Learning one’s native language Speaking Arabic Speaking Arabic as a foreign language


2. Someone kicks a dog.
A culture from a country where dogs always carry disease
3. At the end of a meal, people burp (喷出) loudly
A culture where burping is the way to compliment the food


Visible dimension
Behavior What are some visible behaviors about Chinese culture?

Invisible dimension

Assumptions Values Beliefs What are some invisible dimensions of Chinese culture?




Communication is dynamic Communication is irreversible Communication is proactive Communication is interactive (intrapersonal and interpersonal) Communication is contextual




Learned Behind our every action An inter-related system Diverse Dynamic (not static) Taken for granted and rarely examined Embedded in environment
5. A woman carries a heavy pile of wood on her back, while her husband walks in front of her carrying nothing. 6. A male guest helps a hostess carry dirty dishes into the kitchen. 7. A young man and a young woman are kissing on a park bench. 8. While taking an exam, a student copies from the paper of another student.