Language and Communication in China
By Terri Morgan
Problems that may result from cultural differences in business are compounded by the fact that even though a native speaker of one language has learned the other person’s language, he or she may not have been sufficiently exposed to actual usage of the target language. Mistakes in usage can occur even when grammar and pronunciation are correct.
Until recently, few Americans had been directly exposed to Chinese language and even fewer had learned how to speak Chinese. This is changing. Beginning in the 21st century, more and more people outside China have begun learning the language.
It is important to distinguish ethnicity, nationality, and language. This is done naturally by most western people since western nations have many generations of immigrants from varied ethnic backgrounds. An American whose grandparents immigrated to the US from China may not speak Chinese at all or could be learning it as a second language. It is not as common for Chinese people to make these distinctions.
The situation in China is quite different compared with the west. Modern China was a closed country until the 1980’s. Until 2000 or so, there were very few immigrants from western countries to China. It was not until China began the industrial and technical transformations of the 1990s that the study of English became pervasive.
While their exposure to English has been much greater than the exposure of westerners to Chinese, the ability of many Chinese people in China to use the English language is often hampered by direct exposure. Textbooks may be woefully outdated and the pronunciation on language tapes heavily regional. The internet and globalization have changed this to some extent, but there are pervasive problems. These include an emphasis on the use of idioms at the expense of clear, common language and the “whatever you like” approach to grammar, spelling, and usage. Cultural context can be obscured or unknown and word choice may be correct but inappropriate.
For instance, in American English, the phrase “You’d better…” is often considered a challenge or a threat. “You’d better do what I say or you will suffer the consequences.” is a phrase children may hear from their parents and others. It’s an implied order. It provokes an immediate negative response and may cause an American to prepare for a fight. The idea that “who are you to tell me I’d better do anything” comes to mind. Simply changing the language to the polite form “it would be better if you would…” reduces the negative response and is much more likely to elicit cooperation.
In China, the Chinese phrase “你好做…” or “好是你…” is polite and very considerate. It reflects caring for the other person’s well-being. The core idea is that whatever is being suggested will be helpful to the person. “今天下雨了。好是你带伞子。” may be translated as “It’s raining today. You’d better take an umbrella.” The implication is that the speaker is genuinely concerned about the other person’s health and is advising him or her to be prepared. Unfortunately, the result of this word choice in English is to imply that something bad will happen if the person does not take an umbrella. The courtesy intended by the speaker is rendered as a threat to the listener.
A more subtle but serious problem is the prevailing misconception that a large number of vocabulary words and correct pronunciation constitute the ability to use a language. A sentence can be grammatically perfect and the speaker may pronounce the words clearly, but still the meaning may be unintelligible to a native speaker. Whatever is being attempted just wouldn’t be said that way. In the worst case, what is said may even be insulting to the listener, because the meaning of what is actually being said in the context of the listener’s culture is quite different than what the speaker intended. This can happen within one language, too. It’s simply more of a problem when trying to communicate cross-culturally in two (or more) languages.
A clear example of a cross-cultural language mistake is provided by a scene in Rush Hour (1998). Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan enter a pool hall. Tucker greets the manager using culturally-permitted language among African-Americans. Chan then uses the same language, expecting to be equally well-received. Much to his surprise, it is taken as an insult. Why? Because Chan is not African-American and the language used is not culturally acceptable when used by a member of a different ethnic group.
Many business people do not account for language problems when dealing with their counterparts. The expectation is that the other person speaks the language, so everything is fine. Or, that the interpreter will accurately communicate everyone’s meaning. This can be an even bigger mistake. Even the best interpreter will run into some questions. Admitting that you don’t know or don’t understand what the other person said requires both character and confidence. It is also one of the best ways to build trust and foster genuine communication.
For western business people in China, a good approach is to learn at least some fundamentals of Chinese language. This means learning not only pronunciation, but also the written form. Whether the transliteration system is pinyin, Wade-Giles, or Yale, it will fall short. Many words in Chinese have the same pronunciation but radically different meanings. Moreover, each character has elements which aid in understanding the fundamental concept it conveys. Even a rudimentary grasp of the written language can go a long way towards improving communications. Being able to address basic questions directly is highly valuable, even if you make grammar or pronunciation mistakes at first.
For Chinese business people in China, a reasonable approach is to consider that the versions of English taught in China are not the same as English in the US, the UK, Australia, or anywhere else for that matter. Even with native speakers there will be normal cultural variations. Textbook phrase examples may only be correct for one subset of one culture. The pervasive idea that correct pronunciation equates to mastery of the language is mistaken and frequently results in miscommunication. Simply asking about the western person’s background and nationality can go a long way towards eliminating misunderstandings.
Terri Morgan, Wudang Research Association
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May 29th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Interesting and poignant examples, and your message is very timely.
Still, I think everyone would do well to lighten up and assume that when a non-native speaker says something that sounds insulting, that was not his or her intention. (And even if it was, so what?)
I probably insulted people daily when I was first learning Chinese. I hope they understood that it wasn’t intentional.
May 29th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
You are basically talking about two things: 1. Lost in translation, and 2. context is more important than language, because the latter can be non-verbal. As far as Westerners learning Chinese, yes, a word or two just to break the ice is better than learning it half way. I’ve had Westerners who come up to me and speak lengthy “Chinese” that I don’t understand. It hurts the ears to listen, is ineffective in communication, and can be perceived as patronizing. Terry – the two versions of three Chinese characters you wrote does not make any sense.
May 29th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Very nice article. I’ve lived in the US for 5 years and still feel the big need to learn the language-I didn’t know “You’d better…” is confrontational even though I’m used to saying “you might want to…”. Would you recommend any such book that will help in this regard? Thank you!
BTW, the correct translation for “You’d better” is “你最好…”, and the correct one for “You’d better take an umbrella” is “你最好带把伞”. Hope that helps.
May 30th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
At least, I try to spell people’s names correctly so as not to deliberately be as offensive as you, Deng. Your trite comments show clearly the problem of misuse of idioms at the expense of clear language.
I can say precisely the same about Chinese who come up to me and speak lengthy “English” that I don’t understand. It hurts the ears to listen, is ineffective in communication, and can be perceived as patronizing. But saying so is counterproductive, insulting, arrogant, and embarrasses both the speaker and the listener. I prefer to give the other person credit for making the attempt and try to offer what help I can to encourage that person to improve.
If everyone had your attitude, no one would ever learn another language and business would be brought to a standstill due to complete lack of understanding and respect.
As for the Chinese included, the Chinese professor of Han ancestry at who has been teaching for 40 years at a university in China to whom I showed it prior to publication did not have any problem with it. I would agree that there are other equally correct versions which can be used as Zhang has done.
As noted in the article, regional and individual preferences can be quite varied. This is, in part, what makes translations difficult.
May 30th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
GE, I start with the assumption that a non-native speaker does not know he/she is being insulting in their choice of words. Sometimes though, once the phrase has been said, it’s tough to overcome certain cultural triggers.
A few years ago, I was in China preparing for a major presentation at an international event. As I finished my rehersal, a junior associate (Chinese) who had been listening came up and in a loud, emphatic voice said to me in English, “You must have tried very hard to practice.” I was crushed. I had worked extremely hard for 3 months. Was my delivery really that bad?
The girl was trying to pay me a compliment, but instead had delivered a huge insult, implying with her choice of words, tone, and phrasing that despite my “trying very hard” I still wasn’t very good. It took a great effort on my part to continue with the rehersal. Fortunately, I was able to recover and performed well at the event several days later.
If I’m the one functioning in another language and am speaking with someone I do not know, I normally apologize first for any mistakes I might inadvertently make. I find that keeping to a more formal use helps avoid this; slang and idioms are too easily misused. With friends, I’m a bit more willing to take risks.
Deliberate insults are another matter. I’m quite unlikely to do business with someone who insists on deliberately insulting me.
May 30th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Zhang, your re-translation is incorrect for the meaning in English. It may be that you’ve not studied the fundamental operative / comparative / superlative distinctions in English. “Better” is the comparative; “Best” is the superlative; with “Good” being the operative.
In my example, I used the comparative (vis. you’d better…) Were I to have used the superlative (you’d best…) your Chinese (zui hao = best) would be correct.
June 1st, 2009 at 3:06 am
Its an interesting post from Terri. For sure people get themselves into all sorts of bad positions through ignorance. But the first priority is to know what you are talking about in your own language first as this can prevent many barriers.
Basically as a foreigner you need to understand you are a guest in China and no matter how fluent you think you are its not 100% and never will be. And it doesn’t matter. As a person listening to a foreigner speaking your mother tongue, you need to accept certain inaccuracies that lead to potential insults as non deliberate.
With that foundation established you can get on with things and laugh about any miscommunications.
But there is nothing worse than someone who claims to be a language expert but they have no clue what they are talking about! We have a word for such people where I come from w*****s!
June 1st, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Thank you, David. Yes, being able to laugh at your own mistakes and move on is a highly useful skill. To be sure, I’ve made plenty of folks laugh and laughed with them.
Your point about being fluent vs. a native speaker applies to everyone, irrespective of the languages. I once had an American business associate who was born in Egypt, raised in Saudi Arabia and whose native language was Arabic. His French (2nd language) was exceptional. English was his third.
I’d differ with you greatly on the idea that race defines who is a ‘foreign guest’ in any country. Dividing people solely by race is not my preference. It’s hurtful, biased and creates a very poor business operating climate.
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:57 am
Terri
This is a good example….. This is my native language but I dont think I even referred to the race issue? Re-read my reply again and see if the word is there. So why did you raise it as it has nothing to do with your post or the content of my reply.
My reaction to this is like this :- I get the notion from your comments to the people who have taken the trouble to respond that you are trying to get the high ground and teach us all.
Would this reaction be what you expected or have I misunderstood your real intention due to the cultural barrier we may have because we are from different countries?
What comes out of someones mouth only gives 7% of the communication. The other 93% comes from non verbal communication. Attitude and social intelligence is often lacking in people who are not successful.. Why is that then?
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:47 pm
The clarity of thought and verbal skills of the world’s great writers are well recognized, in many languages. David, you seem to be suggesting that anyone who writes lacks the ability to communicate.
As to your race-based comment: quote “Basically as a foreigner you need to understand you are a guest in China” unquote.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Terri,
Great post. Wasn’t it Mark Twain who said that Americans and English were two people “separated by a common language”? And if cultural differences between two such close peoples can create misunderstandings, it is no surprise that people from totally different cultures speaking totally different languages have the types of problems you describe.
Many a Chinese has asked me why their Western boss keeps asking them the same question even after they’ve answered it. I tell them it is because their boss didn’t recognize the answer as an answer. Many a Westerner has told me that the Chinese never tell them anything, to which I reply that the Chinese in fact do tell them, but they don’t recognize it when they do.
Why these differences? Because speaking across cultures is a two step process. Most think that a language in common is all that is needed, that acquiring language “skills” (grammar, vocab, pronunciation, idioms etc) is the key to success. Well, it is “a” key, but insufficient by itself. To a language in common must be at least one side thinking and using language in common.
Every culture develops their own unique Rules Of Communication, ways language “should” be used. Just one example, Westerners think disagreement should be direct, Chinese think it should be indirect. Neither are right, or wrong. Each way works, and the way you were raised basically decides what you think is most comfortable.
Annoying examples are legion. A pet peeve is Chinese saying “I know, I know” when I explain something to them. A direct translation from Chinese, in word and usage, yet in English it means “I already know (so why are you telling it to me now?).” Chinese instead should say “I see” or “Now I know.” A little thing, but a fresh-off-the-boat Westerner can easily misunderstand, thinking the trying-to-be-polite Chinese is arrogant. Whoops.
I make the same types of mistakes in reverse. My wife had some recent immigrants from China she’d met over for dinner, a couple and their late-teen son. The conversation turned towards the son going to university. As the husband told of their plans I realized he was thinking of the US school system, not the Canadian. Thinking this was serious I corrected him, politely but clearly. I was trying to prevent him from making a mistake.
Later my wife was furious with me, telling me that I had insulted him and embarrassed him. Why? Because I had told him “in front of his family” that he wrong; that while my message was good I should have found a way to communicate it indirectly, so as to not make him lose face.
Sheesh. The key to success is we ALL must learn to market our messages, not sell them. When I communicate with Chinese I try to use Chinese Rules, even when speaking English. It isn’t easy, but … so? My goal is that my audience receives my message 100% clearly, not that I speak in a way comfortable to me.
I like getting immediately to the point in a first meeting with a client. If s/he is from Holland or America I can, but if from China or Japan I can’t. So I adjust. No big deal.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Terri,
I like your crisp article. It probably took a lot of time to write and clearly is well intended. Unfortunately, your comments seem unnecessarily defensive. They could leave the impression you 爱较劲. I believe you mean well, but it doesn’t coming across well.
Considering in Mandarin “你最好“ and “你最好带把伞” is commonly spoken, you may have done better to just thank Zhang Bin. He (she?) shared with everyone how the phrase is commonly spoken in China.
When non-native Chinese speakers try both “好是你带伞子“ and “你最好带把伞” with native Chinese, the nonplussed reactions to 好是你带伞子“ will be remembered, not grammar rules.
Thanks for the good article!
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Good post Terri, do you speak Chinese?
June 2nd, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Hummm, as used by David, the term “foreigner” describes people who are not Chinese citizens by birth or having grownup in the country. Consequently, “foreigner” does not specifically refer to a race, i.e. any race other than “Han”. The term foreigner may be applied to returning hua2qiao2; as such, while ethically Chinese, hua2qiao2 would be well advised to heed David’s admonition.
June 2nd, 2009 at 4:45 pm
I find Terri’s answers 4 and 6 (as well as 7 too some extent) rather surprising for someone presented as an expert in cross cultural communication! Though carefully-worded, they certainly sound overly aggresive to me. I know post no 3 sounded rude, but the guy isnt an expert writing articles on the subjects! Typical arrogant American replies from my perspective. You must be having a difficult life in China, assuming you actually live here.
June 2nd, 2009 at 5:08 pm
I appreciate Terri’s article. I think that it is useful to discuss the translation of the sentence in Terri’s article. When I read Terri’s article, I did not get the meaning of “你好做…” or “好是你…” initially. None of native Chinese speaker would speak like this. If you do, no one would understand you.
Then how do we translate this sentence?
“It’s raining today. You’d better take an umbrella.”
现在正在下雨,你最好带把雨伞. (The best translation)
今天天在下雨,你比较好的是带一把雨伞. (so-so translation, but people will understand you.)
好是你带把雨伞. (The worst translation, no one would understand it.)
If translation is completely based on grammars, you may not get the meaning crossed.
June 2nd, 2009 at 6:16 pm
I appreciate Terri’s article and like Greg’s story and insights in the culture difference.
What I want to say is that how to translate a sentence may show whether you really get your message crossed. Let’s use the sentence in Terri’s article: “It’s raining today. You’d better take an umbrella.” I can list three translations here:
1. 现在正在下雨,你最好带把伞.
2. 今天天在下雨,你比较好的是带一把雨伞.
3. 好是你带把伞.
I think that first one is the best translation. This is how native Chinese speaks. The second one is so-so translation, people will understand you but may feel a little wield. The third one (direct translation) is the worst one, and no one would understand it. No one starts a sentence in Chinese like this “你好做…” or “好是你…”.
This is just two cents from a native Chinese speaker.
June 2nd, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Terri, your quotation of rainning day umbrella story is not right anywhere in China. Your professor friend is either a joke or never really reviewed your article before you published it here. Don’t be too sensitive if you want to present yourself as an expert of communication in Chinese language or culture. Afterall, it is one of the most difficult. If you ask how I could be sure. I graduated from top university in China twenty years ago, with a journalism degree. If you don’t think this is enough for me to correct your version of Chinese story telling, ask any Chinese friend you have what it will take for someone to get into Fudan Journalism department in late 1980. The truth is, you are wrong at quoting the phrase, a non-existing one, as a matter of fact. Just say sorry and move on.
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:24 am
Greg has emphasised precisely my point with the reference to Mark Twain. Even people who are both native speakers can fall foul. By the way some of my best buddies are American.
I am not suggesting anyhting about a race issue and neither am I suggesting that people who write cant communicate!
This culture card is usually overplayed and I yawn when I hear foreign visitors to China playing this card. (definition of a Foreign Visitor is someone who has a passport with a Chinese Visa in it) They are usually in the business of consultancy or teaching of some kind and are using it to preen their feathers…
June 5th, 2009 at 11:27 am
I find the article and the subsequent banter around its content such a perfect example of how things can go so wrong so quickly in communication. In a flash, everyone has been diverted from the real topic and become bogged down in semantics.
The example might not have been 100% perfect, but point of what Terri is saying is understandable to me. And it should be to everyone else too, because the content of the replies has actually validated her post!
June 5th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Greg – Absolutely right.. What is surprising is that the Author, who I commended for her work in my first post, did not appear to get it..
June 5th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Curious that so few of the comments posted are actually directed at the key points in my post. I suppose this does more to reinforce the main points than I might have imagined.
For those doing business cross-culturally, this does clarify the many problems with even basic communication.
The main points were virtually ignored by several posters who prefered instead to pick at one minor illustration taken completely out of context. I’d expect this sort of thing keeps international contract lawyers quite busy.
June 7th, 2009 at 5:41 am
我是一个中国人，你写的论文意思很好，对我们的商业工作帮助很大，十分感谢！
Yulongzi
June 7th, 2009 at 7:19 am
It’s a really good article. Before having read it, I did consider the expression “you’d better…” is a polite suggestion rather than some threat implied. And having learned from teachers, or perhaps from Chinese styled program, I misunderstood it a compliment “you must have tried very hard…”. For any language, perhaps only its native speakers can well understand the precise implicitions. What a foreigner can do is to try his / her best to aovid pitful expressions. Very often, foeigners will be limited by their language behavior which is a reflect of the cultural differences.
June 10th, 2009 at 2:28 am
Interesting. But I agree with G.E.Anderson. The key is to demonstrate empathy and humility towards trying to reach understanding. Laugh at your shortcomings in the language, and your listeners will try their best to help and understand.
Too many of us regard meetings and presentations as occasions where we are to be smooth and polished. We must not make mistakes! That is when the unpleasant misunderstandings occur.
I have tried to stress that in a book just published on http://www.hitmeagain.com.hk. All about why people succeed in speaking.
June 10th, 2009 at 4:42 am
Hi all,
I want refer to jason (post 17) and Terri (post 21). Please excuse my poor English, I am neither English, American nor Chinese, both are foreign languages to me.
That brings me up to a point which I miss in this discussion. Aren’t their any misunderstandings between native speakers as well? Terri herself wonder that only few posts directed to her key points. For me that shows that even she failed to make it clear in her and yours, at least most of you, native language.
For me, a keypoint is, that many people lost the skill to use words and sentences in a precise way and people sometimes try to bring too much context to words. For me there is no reason to think about something bad if someone says “better take an umbrella”. Should I feel touched because he or she cares so much about me?
I have some IT background as programmer, from this experience I feel writing a computer program forces you to choose your words precisely. This is more difficult to do in a foreign language, but sometimes also in the native language.
There are some common ways to help other understand your messages, like drawings or examples. Asking some questions to check if others understand your message correctly might also help.
Maybe I am lucky, maybe I never found out yet, but I never felt Chinese feel offended by what I said. Every law has a loophole, sometimes my Chinese girlfriend feels hurt by what I said, or not, for reasons I couldn’t figure out.
Interesting thread so far, keep going. I would like to read more from some Chinese readers, curious if they really feel offended when foreigners talk in Chinese to them.
June 10th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
John, the ‘how to deal with your verbal gaffs’ you and GE have posted are very helpful.
At the same time, if we know where some common mistakes can be made, we can learn to avoid them.
Unintentional mistakes will happen. Most people don’t go out of their way to offend others.
When a mistake is made in a private social situation, laughing it off and moving on is fine. Even in a presentation, a few glitches are normal.
Sometimes too, what is clear and well-received by one audience is not so clear or well-received by another.
In a business situation, though, I could be laughing, but I’d also want to understand where the mistake was so if it’s something I need to address I can take steps to avoid it in the future or at least mitigate the consequences.
June 12th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Actually the above also demonstrates that e-mail and blogs do not transmit emotions and context in communication very well. Although not the subject of this article, many written communications have been mis-understood especially across cultures – I guess we intepret what’s written based usually on our own value systems and experiences. Hence, I personally find that tolerance, patience and understanding normally works well in communication.
June 17th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Did not realize this discussion was still going on? I’m no linguist, but for the three years I was in China, I always spoke English with a few basic Chinese words or phrases. I did utilize interpreters, but two at a time to mitigate risk. There are never exactly correct translations. I do speak Spanish and English, some French, German and Italian.
However, when I spoke English, I spoke very abbreviated English the same way that a native Chinese speaker would speak English. I didn’t always conjugate verbs, using infinitives mostly. And, I didn’t ever correct anyone who spoke English (American) at all incorrectly. Probably because I don’t speak Chinese. I never had any issues other than some giggles from girls occasionally but if that bothers you stay home.
What I found the most interesting were the Chinese Americans that frequently spoke zero Chinese. Native Chinese would just look at them and couldn’t believe they didn’t speak any Chinese. Plus, when I read the books that the Chinese students were studying for their English curriculum it was so flowery I could hardly understand it myself. My advice to all is speak small phrases and don’t expect to be perfect. Most never will be unless learned as a child. The point is to try and communicate, most is body language and tone anyway.