okie have to admit it. I have absolutely NO interest in written discourse. haha it is seriously not in my scope of what i think is an interesting topic for my essay.
However i do have a thought that has almost nothing to do with Language or communication. All this talk about comparing cultures through communication, tends to encourage comparison between cultures.
Yet, in an increasingly globalising world, where cosmopolitanism is also increasingly widespread, lies a contradiction. Cosmopolitanism, which is the product of a "shrinking" world, advocates diversity, pluralism of cultures. Yet globalisation forces homogenity onto cultures, by way of capitalism and mass media just to name a few.
Similarly, I feel to study cultures through communication confusing. Why should we study how Chinese people speak English? They were born to speak Chinese! so what if their writing style beats around a bush? somehow i feel we Shouldn't be comparing cultures. Cultures were built and created differently to help adapt to specific environments.
and so now, with globalisation, environments are changing. Language, as part of culture, is also changing. Social forces are increasingly intertwined and interdependant, and language along with it. I think soon, to explain certain language use would be no longer as "straightforward" or "simple" as before.
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I agree with what u say.Sometimes we think that the Chinese way of writing is so "confusing" when compared to English "linearity".We tend to think our own way is always the best way.Like Dr Deng said,calling it English "linearity" shows ethnocentrism.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that you admit your frustrations at examining culture-specific communication patterns. Many scholarly critics have also voiced their critisms against contrastive rhetoric and other similar studies. Personally, I am aware of the limitations of such studies, but I also believe in their potential values.
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