1. Vertical Culture vs. Horizontal Culture 纵向文化与横向文化
高 原 郑州工程技术学院·外国语学院

2. Contents 1 3 5 2 4 Cultural Differences Further Explanation Assignment
模板来自于 2 4
Root
Conclusion

3. Objectives To learn vertical and horizontal cultures
Knowledge
Emotion
Ability
To enhance awareness of multicultural communication
To deal with culture clash appropriately

4. Example 1: The Chinese way to describe families in English
Part One: Cultural Differences
Example 1: The Chinese way to describe families in English
I have an older sister.
I have a younger brother.

5. Why must there be an “older” or a “younger”?
Part One: Cultural Differences
Example 1: The way to describe families in English
Why must there be an “older” or a “younger”?
We usually say “ I have a brother” or “I have a sister”.

6. Example 2: Words to describe family members in Chinese
Part One: Cultural Differences
Example 2: Words to describe family members in Chinese
姑姑、姑父
舅舅、舅妈
叔叔、婶婶
姨妈、 姨夫

7. 婶婶、姑姑、 叔叔、姑父、 舅妈、姨妈 舅舅、姨夫 Aunt Uncle
Part One: Cultural Differences
Example 2: Words to describe family members in English
婶婶、姑姑、
舅妈、姨妈
叔叔、姑父、
舅舅、姨夫
Aunt
Uncle

8. Part Two: Root
Vertical Culture and Horizontal Culture
It is believed that cultures have vertical and horizontal cultural roots.
Vertical Culture
Horizontal Culture
China and other oriental cultures have vertical cultural roots.
Many western countries have horizontal cultural roots.

9. Confucius Buddhism Taoism
Part Two: Root
Vertical Culture
Confucius
Buddhism
Taoism

10. Common People position value Middle Class respect authority
Part Two: Root
Vertical Culture
position
Emperors, ancestors
value
Middle Class
respect
模板来自于
Common People
authority

11. Emperors, ancestors, etc.
Part Two: The Root
Vertical Culture E A S T R N V I C L
Emperors, ancestors, etc.
Common People

12. Christianity the Bible
Part Two: Root
Horizontal Culture
Christianity
the Bible

13. There is only one God, and no one except him is to be worshipped.
Part Two: Root
Horizontal Culture
There is only one God, and no one except him is to be worshipped.
People should not worship other humans, because everyone is created in God’s image and all humans are of equal value.

14. Part Two: Root
Horizontal Culture

15. Other People Self Horizontal Culture WESTERN HORIZONTAL
Part Two: The Root
Horizontal Culture
Other People
WESTERN HORIZONTAL
Self

16. 1 2 Why must there be an “older” or a “younger”?
Part Two: Root
Questions 1
Why must there be an “older” or a “younger”? 2
Why are there so many Chinese words to learn just for describing family members?

17. Part Two: Root
Answers
There is an order of seniority from top to bottom. Even aunts and uncles are included in this system.

18. We shouldn’t do anything. It’s none of our business.
Part Three: Further Explanation
Dialogue
What if your neighbor is beating his wife? Will you knock on the door? Will you call the police? Will you try to rescue her?
We shouldn’t do anything. It’s none of our business.
Teacher
Student A
He must have a reason. We should not interfere.
Student B
You mean you wouldn’t help your neighbor?

19. horizontal culture vertical culture
Part Three: Further Explanation
Analysis
horizontal culture
vertical culture
We should help them, even if we have no relationship with those we believe are in need of our help.
It is not appropriate to interfere with the affairs of others.

20. Who’s wrong and who’s right?
Part Three: Further Explanation
Question
Who’s wrong and who’s right?

21. Part Two: Roots
Answer
People with both kinds of cultural roots think they are doing what is correct. The difference between vertical and horizontal cultures can be seen in the choice of vocabulary. The same action is described as “ interference” by one culture, while another calls it “help”.

22. Emperors, ancestors, etc.
Part Four: Conclusion
Vertical and Horizontal Cultures
As the world becomes more global, cultures may look more like this.
Emperors, ancestors, etc.
Other People
Self
Two cultures going in opposite directions have the potential of a serious crash when they meet each other.
They also have the potential of having harmony and cooperating well together if they understand and accept each other.
Common People

23. Part Four: Conclusion
Expectation
As international visitors flock to China you will meet people with all kinds of cultural roots. Some of their views, feelings, thoughts and ways of doing things will seem illogical or inappropriate to you.
When this happens, try not to be angry or unkind. Accept them for who they are and respect them for the cultures they represent.

24. Part Five: Assignment
Case Study
Analyze an example showing cultural difference, state the reason and if possible, try to offer a solution.

25. Contents 1 3 5 2 4 Cultural Differences Further Explanation Assignment
模板来自于 2 4
Roots
Conclusion

26. THANK
YOU