Liu is one of Chinese studying in the United States, so am I; therefore I really understand why he wants to live with other Chinese people. We both suffer from culture shock, we both live a stressful life, and we have to cope with many things that we never met before. Life there for an international student who never lives in the United States is monotonous. Culture shock, language problems and totally different environment usually drive international students crazy. One way that may cushion stress is talking to another international student from the same country, because they share the same experience, they feel free when they talk to each other in their native language. These advantages give international students motivation to live together, talk together, even if they may not know each other before. I really appreciate those international students who have lots of American friends, for they have courage to face these obstacles, then get over them. Yes, I have the same experience with Liu, however, the difference is that I still live in the dormitory with Americans, struggle in the new life, yet he does not. I feel happy when I hang out with Chinese student, I feel I am not alone anymore, on the other hand, I try to adapt my new life, try to find topics with my roommate, narrow the gap between I and my roommate. Only in this way, I think I can get over culture shock, although I still struggle in an unacquainted environment.
lectern: (1) a reading desk or support in a church (2) any similar desk or support
sarcasm: mocking, contemptuous, or ironic language intended to convey scorn or insult
delegation: (1) a person or group chosen to represent another or others (2) all the members of Congress from one state
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
blog assignment 3
Besides verbal language, nonverbal communication is playing a leading role in people’s life. The way or ways that people express themselves without language are much different, the most effective ways that work on people all over the world are: gestures, eye contact, and body space. Admittedly, they differ from culture to culture. These nonverbal communications require us the knowledge of different cultures. Some actions could prove to be highly embarrassing in one country, but not in another country. For instance, in China, one man is okay to put his arm around another man, this action shows friendship between the two men, but the same action may be considered as impolite or other meaning in other cultures. In the United States, if one man puts his arm around another man, the two men are considered as gays. Another example for gesture is that Chinese people turn down their thumbs to express the direction of something, that is, something is under your shoes. However, Americans use this gesture to show their anger or their disagreement. Also, Chinese people stand closer than Americans while talking to friends. On the other hand, some nonverbal communications are similar between China and the United States. We both turn up thumbs to express our appreciation, and we both shake our hands when we meet strangers.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
blog assignment2 op2
As social beings, interpersonal relationship plays an extremely important role in our lives. In China, connotation is advocated when people interact with someone else, that is, people in China are unwilling to show their private selves, especially negative emotions.
On the one hand, strangers usually show their outgoing and optimistic public selves to each other. They try to hide their sorrows as their own secret. For instance, an awkward situation is often met when two strangers become friends: at first, they both leave good impression of each other when they first meet. As they become friends, one may realize that the other one has too many negative emotions and shortcomings which are intolerable. People show too little of private selves in public, and they incline to show their perfect selves to strangers.
On the other hand, talking to friends is quite different. People need to share their sorrows as well as joys to their best friends, in this way, they can cushion their stress or laugh together. Admittedly, friends even strangers can share joys to others, but only best friends can know sorrows of each other.
As I illustrated above, people in China intend to hide their true feelings in public. Someone who is good at hiding their feelings will be considered as a cultivated person.
On the one hand, strangers usually show their outgoing and optimistic public selves to each other. They try to hide their sorrows as their own secret. For instance, an awkward situation is often met when two strangers become friends: at first, they both leave good impression of each other when they first meet. As they become friends, one may realize that the other one has too many negative emotions and shortcomings which are intolerable. People show too little of private selves in public, and they incline to show their perfect selves to strangers.
On the other hand, talking to friends is quite different. People need to share their sorrows as well as joys to their best friends, in this way, they can cushion their stress or laugh together. Admittedly, friends even strangers can share joys to others, but only best friends can know sorrows of each other.
As I illustrated above, people in China intend to hide their true feelings in public. Someone who is good at hiding their feelings will be considered as a cultivated person.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Response to "Mother Tongue"
I never thought language is so powerful before I read this article. The author's mother was treated badly by others just because of her imperfect English. One of the reason why she always speaks "limit" English I guess is that language changes fast, even faster than we think. It changes from generation to generation. With the developing of Internet and other communication tools, young people try to simplify languages, sometimes we use abbreviations to communicate, like OMG. In China, young people even create new meanings of words. For instance, "thunder" is a noun in Chinese; however, young people sometimes make it act as a verb to express feelings of shock. This can never happen among older generations! That is, if you say ”you thunder me” to your parents, that does not make any sense.
On the other hand, in different situations, people use different ways to say the same thing. Suppose I discuss my course with my advisor and my classmates, I will never use slang while I talk to my advisor. To my classmates, maybe I will say, “This class sucks, I really hate it and I wanna change it.” However, to my advisor, I should show my respect, I may say, “I have trouble in this class, and I really need your help, could you give me some suggestions?” The key is that the more respect we show, the more formal word we use.
On the other hand, in different situations, people use different ways to say the same thing. Suppose I discuss my course with my advisor and my classmates, I will never use slang while I talk to my advisor. To my classmates, maybe I will say, “This class sucks, I really hate it and I wanna change it.” However, to my advisor, I should show my respect, I may say, “I have trouble in this class, and I really need your help, could you give me some suggestions?” The key is that the more respect we show, the more formal word we use.
Heeeeeeey! It's kelin!
Hey, I'm Kelin Chen. You can call me "Kelin", I know it sounds like "clean".
I'm also from China like most guys in the reading class. I come from Chengdu which is famous for leisurely way of life. Chengdu has a variety of snacks, people in Chengdu like eating. Chengdu has many tea houses which give people a lot of fun, people can talk in tea houses, people can drink tea in tea houses, and people can play Mahjong in tea houses. People who live in Chengdu all love Mahjong!
I major in accounting. I'm good at math. However, I love psychology, even better than accounting! But people who want to study psychology need to have a high level of English; unfortunately, I do not meet the requirements. That's why I don't major in psychology.
I play pool, love rock music, like street fashion and I want to be a friend of you!
I'm also from China like most guys in the reading class. I come from Chengdu which is famous for leisurely way of life. Chengdu has a variety of snacks, people in Chengdu like eating. Chengdu has many tea houses which give people a lot of fun, people can talk in tea houses, people can drink tea in tea houses, and people can play Mahjong in tea houses. People who live in Chengdu all love Mahjong!
I major in accounting. I'm good at math. However, I love psychology, even better than accounting! But people who want to study psychology need to have a high level of English; unfortunately, I do not meet the requirements. That's why I don't major in psychology.
I play pool, love rock music, like street fashion and I want to be a friend of you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)