ILMIY VA PROFESSIONAL TA’LIM JARAYONIDA MULOQOT, FAN VA MADANIYATLAR
INTEGRATSIYASI
337
Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages
CHINESE LANGUAGE AND CHINESE DIALOGUE CULTURE INSIGHTS
Bao Liyang
Chinese Teacher
From: Confucius Institute at Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages
Abstract.
Language theory and the culture of dialogue are interconnected in profound
ways, as both deal with communication, meaning, and the structure of interaction.
While
language theory
focuses on formal systems, grammars, and computational models of
language, the
culture of dialogue
emphasizes the social, ethical, and practical aspects of
communication between individuals and groups. Combining these two fields can lead to a deeper
understanding of how language shapes human interaction and how dialogue can be fostered in
diverse cultural contexts.
Key words
: language theory; dialogue culture; Chinese; communication
2. Chinese Language Theory
Chinese language theory encompasses the study of the structure, evolution, and usage of
the Chinese language, including its phonetics, grammar, semantics, and pragmatics. Chinese
language loaned alphabet from Latin to form Pinyin-Chinese pronunciation system, specialized
with four tones and one neutral tone, to significantly affect the meaning of delivery. Meanwhile,
Chinese grammar is characterized by its lack of inflection, reliance on word order, and use of
particles to indicate grammatical relationships. And Chinese writing system uses logograms,
where each character represents a morpheme or a word with rich meanings. Moreover,
understanding meaning in Chinese often requires knowledge of context, cultural nuances, and
idiomatic expressions.
These concepts are not limited to programming or artificial languages; they also apply to
natural languages, which are the medium of human dialogue.
2.
Chinese Culture of Dialogue
The culture of dialogue in China is deeply rooted in its philosophical traditions, social
norms, and historical context. The key elements include Confucian influence, indirect
communication, Face, collectivism etc.
Confucian Influence: Confucianism is the traditional Chinese cultural spirit last for more
than 2000 years. It emphasizes harmony, respect, and hierarchical relationships. Dialogue often
aims to maintain social harmony and avoid direct confrontation.
Indirect Communication: Chinese communication tends to be indirect, with a preference
for implicitness and reading between the lines (“
言 外 之 意
”
；
“
画 外 之 音
”). This is often
referred to as "high-context" communication.
Face (
面 子
, Miànzi)
: The concept of "face" is crucial in Chinese dialogue. Maintaining
one's own face and the face of others is a key consideration in interactions.
Collectivism
: Chinese culture is collectivist, valuing group harmony over individual
expression. Dialogue often reflects this by prioritizing the group's needs and opinions. Like
My
school
, will be “
我们学校
”(our school), rather than “
我学校
”(my school) .
Historical Context
: Historical events and traditional values continue to influence
contemporary dialogue practices. For example, the emphasis on education (
万般皆下品，唯有
读书高）
and respect for elders
（长者赐，不敢辞）
is evident in many conversations.
3.
Interplay Between Language and Culture
Language theory and dialogue Culture intersect in several ways. Language theory provides
tools to analyze the structure of dialogue (e.g., parsing sentences, identifying grammatical rules),
while dialogue culture teaches us to navigate ambiguity through clarification, context, and
mutual understanding. In language theory, protocols define how symbols can be combined, while
in dialogue, social protocols govern how people interact, to ensures that these systems are used
in ways that respect diversity and promote equity.
ILMIY VA PROFESSIONAL TA’LIM JARAYONIDA MULOQOT, FAN VA MADANIYATLAR
INTEGRATSIYASI
338
Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages
The Chinese language and culture of dialogue are deeply intertwined. Language reflects
cultural values and, in turn, shapes how people communicate and interact. The use of honorifics
and polite forms in Chinese language reflects the cultural emphasis on respect and hierarchy.
Also, Chinese dialogue often includes proverbs and idioms that convey cultural wisdom and
values succinctly. Besides, div language, gestures, and facial expressions play a significant role
in Chinese dialogue, complementing verbal communication.
5. Conclusion
Understanding Chinese language theory and the culture of dialogue requires an
appreciation of the historical, philosophical, and social contexts that shape them. The interplay
between language and culture in China offers rich insights into how communication functions
within this unique cultural framework.
References:
1
. Chinese Communication Studies: Contexts and Comparisons ,edited by Xing Lu, Wenshan Jia,
and D. Ray Heisey
2.
Communicating Effectively with the Chinese, by Ge Gao and Stella Ting-Toomey
3.
Indirect Communication in Chinese Culture: A Comparative Analysis, by Guo-Ming Chen
4.
High-Context and Low-Context Communication in Chinese and Western Cultures, by Edward
T. Hall
5.
Confucius: The Analects (Translated by D.C. Lau or Roger T. Ames and Henry Rosemont Jr.)
6.
Confucian Ethics and Chinese Communication, by Xiaosui Xiao
Chinese Nonverbal Communication: A Historical Perspective, by Ge Gao
