Abstract

Intercultural communication is now frequently happening worldwide, which contributes to the development of the world in various aspects. However, conflicts between cultures often arise from cultural differences, ethnic prejudice and different religious beliefs. Fortunately, these problems are avoidable, as long as we enhance mutual understanding and communicate effectively with people from an unfamiliar culture. 

This thesis mainly focuses on the ways for people to achieve effective communication with strangers in an intercultural environment, with the help of Gudykunst’s anxiety/uncertainty management theory (AUM). The film A Grandson from America is taken as a vivid and informative sample to study intercultural communication, for the issues this movie presents are common in real life, and some solutions in it are also advisable for people to achieve effective communication with strangers. 

By choosing the perspective of major characters, especially of the Chinese one, and analyzing their failed and successful attempts of intercultural communication related to language, education conceptions and cultural identity, I try to discover what cause the abnormal amount of anxiety and uncertainty leading to failed communication and how to use “mindfulness” as a strategy to cope with anxiety first, and then solve language barrier and other practical problems. In this way interlocutors could manage anxiety and uncertainty and make communication more effective. Finally, some suggestions are given according to my analysis for interlocutors involved in intercultural communication to prevent or eliminate conflicts.

Keywords: intercultural conflicts; effective communication；AUM theory，mindfulness 

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Researching Background and Significance-1

1.2 Literature Review-2

1.2.1 Researches Related to the Practice of AUM theory-2

1.2.2 Film-Related Researches about Intercultural Communication-2

1.3 Methodologies of Study-3

2. Theoretical Framework-5

2.1 Major Concepts of AUM Theory-5

2.2 The Models about AUM Theory-5

3. Analysis of the Ineffective Communication Based on AUM Theory-8

3.1 Examples of the Ineffective Communication in the Film-8

3.1.1 The Ineffective Communication Related to Language Barrier-8

3.1.2 The Ineffective Communication Related to Education Conceptions-8

3.1.3 The Ineffective Communication Related to Accepting Strangers’ Culture-9

3.2 Main Causes of the Ineffective Communication in the Film-10

3.2.1 Lack of Motivation to Communicate-10

3.2.2 Wrong Social Categorization of Strangers-10

3.2.3 Improper Reaction to Strangers-11

4. Analysis of the Effective Communication Based on AUM Theory-13

4.1 Giving Priority to Anxiety Management-13

4.2 Increasing the Knowledge of Strangers’ Language-14

4.3 Recognizing and Correcting Pragmatic Errors-14

5. Conclusion-16

References-17