Communicating Effectively with the Chinese

Stella Ting-Toomey (PhD, University of Washington) is a professor of human communication at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). She has published numerous books and over more than 100 articles/chapters on the topics of intercultural conflict competence and ethnic identity negotiation process. A recent book title is Understanding Intercultural Communication, Second Edition (with Leeva Chung; Oxford University Press). Her publications have also appeared in the International Journal of Intercultural Relations, Communication Monographs, Human Communication Research, and The International Journal of Conflict Management, among others. Dr. Ting-Toomey's teaching passions include intercultural conflict theory and practice and intercultural communication training. She is the 2008 recipient of the 23-campus wide CSU Wang Family Excellence Award, and the 2007-2008 recipient of the CSU-Fullerton Outstanding Professor Award. She has lectured widely throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe on the theme of mindful intercultural conflict competence.

Utilizing the `self-OTHER' perspective as a conceptual foundation, the authors portray and interpret some of the distinctive communication practices in Chinese culture. They examine how self-conception, role and hierarchy, relational dynamics and face affect ways of conducting everyday talk in Chinese culture. They explain why miscommunication between Chinese and North Americans takes place and suggest ways to improve communication. By incorporating instances of everyday talk, the authors offer a realistic and clear illustration of the specific characteristics and functions of Chinese communication, as well as problematic areas of Chinese/North American encounters.

Self-OTHER Perspective and CommunicationChinese Personal Relationship Development ProcessesCharacteristics of Chinese CommunicationMian ZiMiscommunication Between Chinese and North AmericansEpilogue