1、Unit 7Time and Space Across CultureslWhat is Time Language?(See Page253-256)How late is“late”?(P.254)lIn Britain and America,_lIn Arab countries,_lIn Italy,_lIn Ethiopia,_lIn Java,_lIn the United States,_lIn Latin America,_lIn German,_Time l1)perceptions of past,present,and futurel2)Halls monochroni
2、c and polychronic classificationsPast-oriented cultureslPeople regard previous experiences and events as most important.lThey place a primary emphasis on tradition.lThey show great respect for parents and the elderly.lCountry:_(P255)Present-oriented cultureslPeople regard current experiences as most
3、 important.lThey place a major emphasis on spontaneity and immediacy.lThey experience each moment as fully as possible.lCountry:_(P255)Future-oriented cultureslPeople believe tomorrow is most important.lCurrent activities are accomplished not for their own sake but for the potential future benefits.
4、lTheir fate is at least partially in their own hands and therefore they can control the consequences of their action.lCountry:_(P255)What does it mean to intercultural communication?lPeople from present-oriented cultures might view people from past-oriented cultures as too tied to tradition.lPeople
5、from future-oriented cultures may be regarded as passionless slaves to efficiency and materialism.Time systems(Hall,1976):Monochronic Time(M-Time)Polychronic Time(P-Time)美国人类学家霍尔（美国人类学家霍尔（Edward Hall）在）在超越文化（超越文化（Beyond Culture）一书）一书中首次区分了两种不同的时间观念中首次区分了两种不同的时间观念,即即“单单向计时制向计时制”（monochronic time）和）和“
6、多向计时制多向计时制”（polychronic time)a.Monochronic time(M-time)b.Polychronic time(P-time)Polychronic time means being involved with many things at once.Monochronic time means paying attention to and doing only one thing at a time.w Monochronic and polychronic views of time Monochronic Time(M-Time)It schedul
7、es one event at a time.In these cultures time is perceived as a linear structure just like a ribbon stretching from the past into the future.Country:_(P256)Polychronic Time(P-Time)P-time schedules several activities at the same time.It is more flexible and more humanistic.People from P-time system e
8、mphasize the involvement of people more than schedules.They do not see appointments as ironclad commitments and often break them.Country:_(P256)Monochronic PeoplelDo one thing at a time.lConcentrate on the job.lTake time commitments(deadlines,schedules)seriously.lAre committed to the job.lAdhere to
9、plans.Polychronic PeoplelDo many things at once.lAre easily distracted and subject to interruptions.lConsider time commitments an objective to be achieved,if possible.lAre committed to people and human relationships.lChange plans often and easily.Monochronic PeoplelAre concerned about not disturbing
10、 others;follow rules of privacy.lShow great respect for private property;seldom borrow or lend.lEmphasize promptness.lAre accustomed to short-term relationships.Polychronic PeoplelAre more concerned with people close to them(family,friends,close business associates)than with privacy.lBorrow and lend
11、 things often and easily.lBase promptness on the relationship.lHave strong tendency to build lifetime relationships.lPersonal SpacelYour personal space is like an invisible bubble that surrounds you.lThe bubble expands and contracts according to _ l(P239)Private SpaceShort DistanceMedium DistanceLon
12、g DistanceLatinsAmericansJapaneseMediterranean ArabsNorthern Europeans Mediterranean EuropeanslThe size of the private space is influenced by _l(P240)Personal Space in the U.S.Intimate distance18”Personal distance18”to 4Social distance4 to 8Public distance8 to 10Concept of TerritorialitylDo you knoc
13、k before you enter someone elses room?lEnglishmans home is his castle.lThis is my car!lOne-meter lineTouch CultureNontouch CultureArab,Southern and Western Europeans,Jews and LatinsAmericans,Northern Europeans and OrientalsJourard sat in coffee shops in four different cities.Whenever he saw people t
14、ouch,he recorded the touch.His records are as followed:San Juan(Puerto Rico):San Juan(Puerto Rico):18180 Paris:1 Paris:10 Gainesville(Florida):Gainesville(Florida):22 London:London:0International Students HandbooklGestures and movementslDirect eye contact is given and expected in return by Americans
15、 talking with other people.lA smile is the universal sign of greeting and Americans give it freely.lPeople who have good posture usually appear more self-confidentlSome Americans tell stories or talk in a dramatic manner,using a lot of hand and body gesturing.These people are considered popular,attr
16、active,and of high social status.lMen take up more space than women in their use of gestures,body posture and movements:lLegs spread apart when standinglWide use of arms when speakinglAnd legs crossed at the ankles when sittinglImitating the posture of the persons with whom you are communicating sho
17、ws you are probably agreeing with them.lSome people use a lot of nodding and smiling as they listen.lOthers choose to communicate by leaning forward,touching,or use of a conversational style.lTo touch or not to touch lResearchers classify Americans as low touchers in relation to other people of the
18、world.However,touch in a multicultural society is very individual.lYou will meet some people who will never touch you,even though they highly prize your friendship.And you will meet others who will touch you often,usually on the shoulders and arms,but such touches will not really express a meaning.l
19、Because US society is very aware of the potential for people to use negative touch to intimidate or threaten,people are careful in how they touch.lIn the US,touch is used mainly as greeting to say goodbye.lAmericans can give the feeling of touch(without touching)by allowing others to move in close w
20、hen talking.lGood friends may exchange hugs,friendly punches,kisses,and may touch frequently when talking to each other.lFor acquaintances and superiors,like professors or interviewers,a simple handshake is all that is expected.lSome people are high touchers and give friendly arm,back and shoulder t
21、ouches even to new acquaintances.lYou will find that some students feel free to show in public what might be considered“private”expressions of affection in your culture.An example might be kissing outside classrooms.lSpace is jealously guardedlPrivacy is the key to understanding the use of space and
22、 territory in the USlAmericans claim,use and will defend what is their chair,their television,their stereo,or their kitchen.lMost interpersonal disagreements between roommates focus around the use of space and the idea of ownership.For instance:l“He drank my milk from my side of the refrigerator!”l“
23、She used my stapler and kept it on her desk.”l“They just walked in and turned on my stereo without asking.”l“He took five drawers for his clothes and left me just two.”lUS students feel free to decorate their environments if they have“paid”for them through rent or dorm fees.lIn general,Americans are
24、 generous people who will lend and give freely of possessions,but only to those who ask first.lEven in public places(library or large dorm lounge),people often“mark”their space by putting down a piece of clothing(coat),books or food to show that,“This place is mine and Ill be right back.Dont come he
25、re.”lDoors send messages.In almost all cases,the open door says“Im friendly”,and the closed door suggests“Id rather be alone”.You might shut your door only because you want to study,but you should be aware that others may see that shut door and fairly or not,assume it represents your whole attitude or personality.l68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit is considered a comfortable room temperature.lAmericans are very aware of scents and smells,judging others and their dwellings by the type and intensity of scents detected.Windows and doors are usually kept wide open to let in“the fresh air”.
