跨文化交际中的沉默行为

沉默是非语言交际的一种重要形式,它和语言一样传递着非常丰富的信息。但沉默的使用因文化而异。在东方,沉默是一种积极的交际策略;在西方,沉默行为则被视为一种消极、被动的反应。沉默行为在东西方文化中的差异主要体现在工作、学习、政治、商务谈判和日常交际中。之所以有如此大的差异是因为东西方有着截然不同的语言观、价值观和语境交际类型。为了减少跨文化交际的失误,我们必须克服自己的文化定势,增强对东西方文化中沉默行为差异的敏感度。

On Silence in Intercultural Communication

As one important form of nonverbal communication, silence implies as much information as verbal language. But silence has different functions in different cultures. In the east, silence is regarded as one positive communication strategy whereas the western people often consider silence as a negative and passive response. The differences of silence in east and west can be reflected in working, study, politics, commercial negotiation and daily communication, etc. The reasons for the differences lie in the different outlooks on language, value and the context communication forms. In order to lessen the misunderstanding in intercultural communication, we have to overcome the cultural stereotype and increase the sensitivity towards the differences of silence in east and west.