My Chinese Culture Analysis
People all around the world have different communication styles based on their culture legacies. I, too, am affected by my Chinese culture when I communicate with others. In the chapter “The Ethnic Theory on Plane Crashes” in Outlier, author Malcolm Gladwell discusses the importance of cultural legacy on communication. Many of the plane crashes can be explained with “mitigated speech” by plane officers, meaning “any attempt to downplay or sugarcoat the meaning of what is being said” (194). People’s cultural legacies significantly influence a person’s ability to communicate effectively with other people, and thus might cause misunderstandings and tragedies. Cultural legacy can lead to one’s failure, but one can alter its effect by learning
…show more content…
I was born in China and spent twelve years there before I came to the United States. In China, I must use honorific language for the people who are older than me, because it expresses respect. I can only use “uncle” and “aunt” for the ones who already are married, and “older brother” and “older sister” for the ones who are single. Overall, China has defined lines between people from different age and class in communication. I religiously followed this communication style throughout my childhood in China. Therefore, when I first entered the U.S., I felt very uncomfortable and rude by calling people’s first names when they are older than me. It took me more than a year to adopt the new communication style. Yet, I continue to use honorific language when I speak Chinese, because it represents Chinese culture. American culture is different. In a way, English does not specify titles for elders, and thus not drawing a line between people at different age. I realize simply by calling people’s first name, instead of honorific names, will bring people closer. They can talk to each other like peers, and communicate without pressure. For instance, I felt pressure talking to teachers when I was in China. It is important to show respect by using honorific language to them. When I was in a high school in the U.S., I enjoyed talking to my teachers and felt they were my mentors and friends. We exchanged opinions and life stories, and we communicated back and forth. As of today, I alter my communication style and it does not reflect my Chinese culture when I speak
I was born in China and spent twelve years there before I came to the United States. In China, I must use honorific language for the people who are older than me, because it expresses respect. I can only use “uncle” and “aunt” for the ones who already are married, and “older brother” and “older sister” for the ones who are single. Overall, China has defined lines between people from different age and class in communication. I religiously followed this communication style throughout my childhood in China. Therefore, when I first entered the U.S., I felt very uncomfortable and rude by calling people’s first names when they are older than me. It took me more than a year to adopt the new communication style. Yet, I continue to use honorific language when I speak Chinese, because it represents Chinese culture. American culture is different. In a way, English does not specify titles for elders, and thus not drawing a line between people at different age. I realize simply by calling people’s first name, instead of honorific names, will bring people closer. They can talk to each other like peers, and communicate without pressure. For instance, I felt pressure talking to teachers when I was in China. It is important to show respect by using honorific language to them. When I was in a high school in the U.S., I enjoyed talking to my teachers and felt they were my mentors and friends. We exchanged opinions and life stories, and we communicated back and forth. As of today, I alter my communication style and it does not reflect my Chinese culture when I speak