In a world where networks are increasingly international and global, communication between speakers from different cultural backgrounds is becoming politically, economically and socially essential. Because cultural values expressed through language often do not "translate" accurately, miscommunication may arise from a lack of awareness of cultural and linguistic differences. This course explores some of the ways in which languages embody cultural differences in word meanings, in sentence structures, and in norms of interaction.
- Semester 2 - 2015
1. Demonstrate awareness of ways in which cultural diversity is encoded in language;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of relationships between linguistic communication and cultural contexts;
3. Demonstrate an understanding of underlying causes of problems in cross-cultural communication;
4. Demonstrate knowledge of different approaches to the study of cross-cultural interaction.
The course explores ways in which language embodies cultural differences, and investigates problems and principles in the study of cross-cultural communication. Topics to be discussed will include:
- words, meanings and cultural values - how vocabulary can give insight into a culture;
- linguistic and cultural metaphors;
- norms of conversational interaction - cross-cultural comparisons;
- problems in describing cultural values - "indirectness", "restraint", "politeness".
This course replaces the following course(s): LING3003. Students who have successfully completed LING3003 are not eligible to enrol in LING2501.
Written Assignment: 2 x Essays / Written Assignments
Case Study / Problem Based Learning: Case Study
Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term