Spencer-Oatey, Helen, 1952- and Xing, Jianyu. (2005) Managing talk and non-talk in intercultural interactions : insights from two Chinese–British business meetings. Multilingua - Journal of Cross-Cultural and Interlanguage Communication, Vol.24 (No.1-2). pp. 55-74. ISSN 0167-8507

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Abstract

This paper explores how people’s expectations regarding talk and non-talk can affect intercultural interactions. Using discourse data from two Chinese-British business meetings together with follow-up interview comments, it describes instances when the participants reacted differently to talk/non-talk, and considers why the differing reactions occurred. It maintains that ‘silence’ can be manifested in ways other than physical non-talk, and argues that people’s perceptions of silence depend on their expectations. Mismatches in expectations, which can occur frequently in intercultural interactions, can result not only in subjective feelings of ‘uncomfortable silence’, but may also lead people to feel they have been ‘forced’ into silence or have not been ‘allowed’ to be silent.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HM Sociology P Language and Literature > P Philology. Linguistics
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Centre for Applied Linguistics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Intercultural communication, Sociolinguistics, Social exchange, Interpersonal communication
Journal or Publication Title:	Multilingua - Journal of Cross-Cultural and Interlanguage Communication
Publisher:	De Gruyter Mouton
ISSN:	0167-8507
Date:	2005
Volume:	Vol.24
Number:	No.1-2
Page Range:	pp. 55-74
Identification Number:	10.1515/mult.24.1-2.55
Status:	Peer Reviewed
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/36634

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