登录
二、不同文化对沉默有着不同的理解。请阅读下面短文，根据短文内容和你的思考回答以下问题。
Silence has different meanings in different cultures.
Many people in some Asian cultures think silence is a basic part of communication. In traditional Chinese and Thai communication, a sudden pause often means the speaker wants the listener to think about what was said before speaking again. Silence is often considered a sign of respect, especially to elders or people in power.
Silence is used in different ways in Western cultures. In America, if you keep silent during a conversation, the speaker may think you're impolite or not listening carefully. People from Russia, France, and Spain may use silence to show they agree with what is being discussed. However, Mexicans may keep silent when a powerful person gives them rules, even though they don't agree with the rules.
In our daily lives, understanding the exact meaning of someone's silence is quite helpful for good communication. A man was ill in hospital. One morning, when the nurse greeted him with "hello", he said "hello" back. "How are you feeling now?" the nurse asked. But the man lay in bed and looked at the nurse, saying nothing. "Not well, right? Then I will check on you, OK?" the nurse continued. The man was still silent. Then the nurse passed him a cup of warm water. He drank it quickly. After that, the nurse checked on him. "Mr Smith, your blood pressure is a bit high. But don't worry, you'll feel better soon after taking some medicine," the nurse said. The man finally smiled and said, "You're the best nurse I've ever met." You see, this is how silence works.
1. What does a sudden pause often mean in traditional Chinese and Thai communication?
2. In America, what may the speaker think if you keep silent during a conversation?
3. If you disagree with what your parents say, will you keep silent? Why or why not?
Silence has different meanings in different cultures.
Many people in some Asian cultures think silence is a basic part of communication. In traditional Chinese and Thai communication, a sudden pause often means the speaker wants the listener to think about what was said before speaking again. Silence is often considered a sign of respect, especially to elders or people in power.
Silence is used in different ways in Western cultures. In America, if you keep silent during a conversation, the speaker may think you're impolite or not listening carefully. People from Russia, France, and Spain may use silence to show they agree with what is being discussed. However, Mexicans may keep silent when a powerful person gives them rules, even though they don't agree with the rules.
In our daily lives, understanding the exact meaning of someone's silence is quite helpful for good communication. A man was ill in hospital. One morning, when the nurse greeted him with "hello", he said "hello" back. "How are you feeling now?" the nurse asked. But the man lay in bed and looked at the nurse, saying nothing. "Not well, right? Then I will check on you, OK?" the nurse continued. The man was still silent. Then the nurse passed him a cup of warm water. He drank it quickly. After that, the nurse checked on him. "Mr Smith, your blood pressure is a bit high. But don't worry, you'll feel better soon after taking some medicine," the nurse said. The man finally smiled and said, "You're the best nurse I've ever met." You see, this is how silence works.
1. What does a sudden pause often mean in traditional Chinese and Thai communication?
2. In America, what may the speaker think if you keep silent during a conversation?
3. If you disagree with what your parents say, will you keep silent? Why or why not?
答案
1. It often means the speaker wants the listener to think about what was said before speaking again.
2. The speaker may think you're impolite or not listening carefully.
3. No, I won't. Because in my culture, communicating openly with parents helps solve problems. Keeping silent may make them misunderstand my thoughts. / Yes, I will. Because I need time to think and don't want to argue with them. (Any reasonable answer is acceptable.)
2. The speaker may think you're impolite or not listening carefully.
3. No, I won't. Because in my culture, communicating openly with parents helps solve problems. Keeping silent may make them misunderstand my thoughts. / Yes, I will. Because I need time to think and don't want to argue with them. (Any reasonable answer is acceptable.)
