Bibliography 15

Acknowledgements 16

Analysis on the Concept of “Face” in Cross-Cultural Communication between China and America 

I。Introduction It is inevitable that collisions will happen when two totally different cultures meeting, even the same gestures in different countries have different meanings。 “Face” is especially important in Chinese, as the deep contact with foreigners, the concept of “face” is gradually drawn the concentrate of scholars。 There are many scholars have done remarkable research about “face”, such as Chinese scholar named Hu Xianjin, and American scholar called Goffman。 And now many people have noticed the importance of “face” in cross-cultural communication。

In the process of cross-cultural communication, one side needs to know the purpose of the other side。 Chinese and Americans have their unique ways to convey their purpose and ideas obviously or implicitly。 Therefore, the “face” culture is significant in cross-cultural communication。 If different face cultures and backgrounds are better understood by two sides, they will get that they are respected by the other side。 It can not only avoid the conflicts that might happen but also show their nation’s qualities。 Thus, it is significant to realize the position of “face” in cross-cultural communication between China and America。 

Many scholars at home or abroad have noticed the “face” problem in the cross-cultural communication and researched the “face” element。 There are many theories about the “face” element, such as Goffman’s and Hu Xianjin’s。 Both of them believe that “face” is crucial to influence cross-cultural communication。 So, it is necessary to research the “face” element in cross-cultural communication。 In order to avoid the culture conflict in cross-cultural communication, this thesis mainly focuses on analyzing the causes and differences of “face” in the communication between China and America。

II。Introduction to “Face” Concept

2。1The Phenomenon of “Face”

The word “face” is familiar in human daily life, especially to Chinese people, since “face” is considered as a key character of traditional Chinese culture。 “Face” literally means the front part of a person’s head from the forehead to the chin, or the corresponding part in an animal。 In the human case, a “face” includes eyes, eyebrow, eyelashes, nose, mouth, lips, cheeks, teeth, skin and so on。 “Face” can express rich expressions, appearance and identity among people。 But here, this thesis mainly describes the connotations of “face” rather than the literal meaning of it。

2。2The Studies on “Face” in America

It is widely acknowledged that the earliest study on Chinese “face” is made by an American preacher named Smith。 He wrote a book called Chinese Characteristics published in 1894，he raised that “face” is Chinese primary psychological character。 He remarked that Chinese “face” is complicated, and its connotation might be even more profound．After Smith published his book, scholars found that it was generally realized that “face” is not only limited in Chinese culture, but also universally exists in various human cultures。 

 Erving Goffman is an American sociologist, and he is one of the earliest scholars who have done a deep research of “face”。 In 1950s, Erving Goffman proposed “face” from the angle of sociology in his book: Interaction ritual: essays on face-to-face behavior。 Goffman defined “face” as a kind of positive social value that a person chases in social interaction。 He pointed that when interacting with others in public, inpiduals mainly show the positive image of “face”。 Every social member would like to perfect themselves。 Goffman also revealed several characteristics of “face”。 First, “face” is the positive social value a person advocates。 That is to say, only when a person does something that is positive, can he or she have “face”。 Second, “face” is recognized through appraise, from others or society。 In other words, if a person concerns about “face”, he might pay much attention to his image while with others or cares about how others comment on him。 Third, “face” emerged as the time require。 Nowadays, a person needs to cooperate with others, in order to succeed, a person will make efforts to establish a positive “face” and keep the communication。