[文学研究]Unit 6 Time and Communication.ppt

Unit 6 Time and Communication Time Orientation Time Systems Monochronic Time and Polychronic Time Reasons Case Study Time Orientation Past-oriented culture Present-oriented culture Future-oriented culture Past-oriented culture Regard previous experiences and events as most important; Emphasize tradition and the wisdom passed down from older generation; Show a great deal of deference and respect for parents and other elders. For instance The British, Chinese, Native American Present-oriented culture Regard current experiences and events as most important; Emphasize spontaneity and immediacy and try to experience each moment as fully as possible; Believe that unseen and even unknown outside forces, such as fate or luck, control their life For instance People in the Philippines and many Central and South American countries Future-oriented culture Regard tomorrow or some other moment in the future most important; Believe that their fate is at least partially in their own hands and that they can control the consequences of their actions. For instance Many European Americans Misunderstandings People from present-oriented culture People from past- People from past- oriented culture oriented culture Time Systems Technical time systems: precise; scientific Formal time systems: time units e.g. many native American cultures: moon; tides; sun European Americans: seconds; minutes; hours; days… Informal time systems: the assumptions cultures make about how time should be used or experienced Monochronic Time Monochronic time means paying attention to and doing only one thing at a time Features: Time is experienced and used in a linear way; Schedule may take priority above all else and be treated as sacred and unalterable; Time is perceived as being almost tangible; People who are governed by it don’t like to be interrupted. For instance The United States England Switzerland Germany Scandinavia Polychronic Time