Abstract：With the development of economic globalization, the exchanges between different cultures are also increasing. People of different cultural backgrounds in the communication process will inevitably encounter various problems, misunderstandings and conflicts. This requires us to study the similarities and differences between cultures and languages, and to discover the problems and find solutions to the problems.

In today’s society, cross-cultural communication is increasingly frequent. As different cultures disagree with each other as to what are taboos under certain context, the lack of understanding about these differences can produce misunderstanding, conflicts, and even unexpected serious consequences. For taboo, people will often take “avoidance” attitude, so as not to offend others. But taboo as part of human language, is inevitable. In this paper, from the perspective of cross-cultural communication, the main aspects of taboos in English and Chinese culture and related factors are introduced, and the similarities and differences between them are compared, which might provide the readers a more in-depth and systematic knowledge. Finally, the correct attitude and useful strategies are put forward, in order to make the readers know themselves as well as the counterparts in the cross-cultural communication, seek common ground while reserving differences, and achieve effective communication.

This paper consists of four parts. The first chapter gives a general introduction of what is cross-cultural communication, what is taboo. The second chapter is literature review and the specific research significance. The third chapter is listed in Chinese and Western about culture differences of taboo. The fourth chapter is to summarize the major findings, the research solutions and study limitations.

Keywords: cross-cultural communication   taboo  culture 

Contents

Acknowledgements

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

Chapter Two Cross-Cultural Communication and Taboo Culture-3

2.1 Cross-cultural Communication-3

2.2 Significance of Taboo Culture in Cross-cultural Communication-3

Chapter Three A Comparison of the Taboo Culture of Both China and the West-5

3.1 The Differences between Chinese Taboos and Western Taboos-5

3.1.1 Diet Taboos-5

3.1.2 Number Taboos-5

3.1.3 Color Taboos-6

3.1.4 Social Taboos-6

3.1.5Gift Taboos-7

3.1.6 Animal Taboos-7

3.1.7 Religious Taboos-8

3.2 The Similarities between Chinese Taboos and Western Taboos-9

3.2.1 Death Taboos-9

3.2.2 Disease Taboos-9

3.2.3 Curse Taboos-9

3.2.4 Physiological Taboos-9

3.3 Discussion-10

Chapter Four Conclusion-11

References-13