Concept Application

Concept Application Blog

China is one of the oldest cultures in the world, potentially derived from ancient dynasties (2100 B.B.) that are a result of over two millenniums of growth in the human population within the region. This ancient culture has had far more time to develop than most other modern cultures. But like any culture, there are many communication concepts that can be used to learn and describe the Chinese culture. For my understanding, I conducted a few interviews of current emerging Chinese adults studying at UNL. Below, I will report on my findings and how intercultural communication concepts can be applied.

Figure 1 Depiction of Chinese dynasties at defined times

The Chinese culture is founded on respect and a hierarchical system of superiority.  Specifically, parents are expected to give everything to their children and the children in turn are expected to care for the parents in their time of need. Unlike in the United States where children are raised to be independent, parenting styles in China are focused on developing social skills and sense of community. This is most easily understood by considering the daily tasks of Chinese students compared to American students.

There are three main examples that set American and Chinese students apart. The first is the preferred method of study. American students tend to study alone, although it is more common to see groups of students studying in colleges. However, there are usually only a handful of American students in the groups. Chinese students prefer to study in large groups, believing that with more minds at work, more information can be exchanged and less work has to be done by each individual. A second example is the difference in having a meal with family or friends. In the United States, the family normally eats at the dining table, passing the food around until everyone has had their share. In China, a lot of tables are round and low to the floor. Instead of chairs, pillows are used and the food is centered so that each person can be in reach. To me, the systems of dining should be reversed. China should have rectangular tables, a geometry that allows for the clear statement of who the head of the household is; the United States should have circular tables, since we pride ourselves in equality. A third example that sets American and Chinese students apart is their treatment of superiors. Parents in China are treated with respect border lining on fear, whereas, in the United States, parents are at times treated disrespectfully by their independence-seeking child. There are many other examples were Chinese and American students are different, but let’s focus more on the Chinese culture in general.

Figure 2  Picture of a Chinese nursing home in the United States

As stated previously, the Chinese culture is based on respect and superiority. Parents are respected and possibly feared by their children, they are also taken care of in old age by their children. This is true for all Chinese people, the culture of China dictates that children take care of their elderly parents. If the children do not, the Chinese society will look down upon the disrespectful children. By take care of, I do not mean make sure they are living in a homely, comfortable and safe nursing home. In China, there are few nursing homes when compared to the United States. Instead, the elderly live with their children and grandchildren until their final days.

Another aspect of Chinese culture has to do with relationships. According to my sources, sexual orientations other than heterosexual are illegal. This is surprising to me, an American, that has grown up with at least knowledge that such sexual orientation exist, especially since some television series are based on nontraditional sexual orientations. Something else that was shocking to me was that friends in China often walk with arms crossed, girls and boys. As a child, locking arms with a friend in a game of red-rover or something similar was completely within my comfort zone. But to walk with arms crossed down the sidewalks of UNL? Not my thing. My explanation for how this became culturally acceptable is based on numbers. China has one of the world’s largest populations, which is growing by the second. For this reason, I think that Chinese students had to find a way to differentiate between best friends and acquaintances. Therefore, my hypothesis is that the linking of arms arose within a big city where the body density is high and there is a need for friends to stick together. This also brings up another interesting point that was stated by my sources. Chinese students studying in the United States are confused as to why American students do not speak through body contact. In China, touching and being in close proximity –well within the personal space of an American. My explanation for this is because of how American and Chinese students are raised, the former to be independent and the latter to be community oriented. With these examples in mind, and knowing that there are many facts I have left out, let us now consider different intercultural communication concepts.

From the data collected, the main intercultural communication concepts that can be applied are: culture shock, nonverbal communication, code switching and cultural spaces. Like any other alien in a new land, the extreme differences in the new culture can be overwhelming to an emerging Chinese adult student. Initially, my sources felt completely estranged to this country, but after some time, they began to feel comfortable with the new ways of life. They also reported that after four years they feel a little less Chinese but not necessarily more American. This goes to show that even an ancient culture like the one in China, is still bound by the principles of intercultural communication and that its people are still insecure in a new and strange environment.

Figure 3  Common gesture for greeting

One thing that was noticed by my sources is that Americans emphasize the use of gestures in communication. In China, gestures are not used nearly as much, with their use predominantly in short hellos. Along the line of courtesy, I asked if my sources ever spoke in their native tongue around non-speakers. To this they answered that they feel disrespectful if not speaking to a fellow in the appropriate tongue; which is why they will speak English to a fellow American and Chinese to a peer from their homeland. However, when in groups of friends, the language that most members have in common is spoken. Finally, as was highlighted earlier, the cultural spaces of Chinese students are much different than that of American students. They tend to have smaller personal spaces and larger social spaces, a fact that fits well with a community driven society.

I’ve learned a lot about China and people from there studying in our little city of Lincoln. Attached is an example of my interview questions. I encourage you to read through the questions and learn a few more things that I chose not to detail.

 References:

Martin, J. N., & Nakayama, T. K. (2009). Intercultural Communication in Contexts. McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

TravelChinaGuide.com. (n.d.). Retrieved 02 10, 2012, from Travel China Guide: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/

Xinhua News Agency. (2003, June 17). Clues Found to China's Origins. Retrieved March 09, 2012, from China: http://www.china.org.cn/english/China/67359.htm