The Language of the Chinese Culture
- What is the language-communication process of Chinese culture?
Chinese language communication utilizes both verbal and non-verbal communication. Verbal communication entails indirect communication, and the Chinese rely on postures, facial expressions, and tone of voice to communicate and understand the meaning. Non-verbal communication is also utilized in the process of communication. Eye contact, beckoning, pointing, whistling, waving, and silence are all used to communicate various meanings (Duff & Li, 2014). Chinese prefer to stand at an arm’s length when talking to one another and at a further distance when talking to strangers. Chinese people do not understand some gestures like winking and shrugging shoulders.
- What languages are spoken at home?
Chinese people have eight primary spoken dialects within mainland China. The languages and dialects include Mandarin, standard Chinese, Hakka, Gan, Xiang, Wu, Min, and Cantonese. (Evason, 2019)
- What language is preferred when speaking to outsiders?
The Chinese prefer to speak the Mandarin language to outsiders. Mandarin is the official language of China, and one of the official languages of the US. Mandarin is also among the official languages spoken in Singapore. However, English is also used in some regions to communicate with strangers.
- Do second and third generations in the US speak the language to grandparents?
Second and third generations of Chinese people in the US can fluently speak both Mandarin and English. The third generation does not entirely lose the family’s native language; therefore, they can fluently speak Mandarin to their grandparents.
References
Duff, P. A., & Li, D. (2014). Rethinking heritage languages: Ideologies, identities, practices, and priorities in Canada and China. Rethinking heritage language education, 45-65.
Evason, N. (2019). Chinese Culture. Retrieved from https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/chinese-culture/communication#communication