Лучшие эссе студентов МАХУ – победителей международного конкурса (для параллельного чтения на двух языках) - страница 6

Таким образом, овладение системой невербальных коммуникативных средств не менее важно для адекватного межкультурного общения, чем знание иностранного языка или хотя бы некоторых незаменимых слов (международных или культурно обусловленных). Речь идет не только о знакомстве с самими средствами, но и о синхронизации речевого и неречевого поведения. Общение похоже на плавание: ваши руки и ноги должны двигаться в гармонии, и вам лучше знать что-нибудь о море и повадках его обитателей. Когда их впервые бросают в воду, большинство детей испытывают восторг от того, что они умеют плавать. Некоторые, однако, спешат на берег, чтобы никогда больше не ступать в воду. Пусть же все вдохновятся на кругосветное плавание и получат от этого удовольствие!

Cross-cultural communication: culture shock or clash of cultures? / Межкультурная коммуникация: культурный шок или столкновение культур?

“We are one and different, our plurality is not antagonistic, our diversity is enriching, our identity is multiple, but we all belong to one God, one humanity.”

Sanaa Osserian

The process of globalization, which is now at its apogee, began in the 15th century, when the Europeans discovered lands unknown before. Initial shock associated with differences in mentality gave way to curiosity and subsequent exploration. The spread of Christianity, reconciling to some extent the countries of its influence, gave a spur to unification of cultures, but it did not become a universal means for solving the problems of misunderstanding, since Christianity itself was heterogeneous in different countries.

There is no single idea or system to fully unite two different cultures. The conqueror never absorbs the sub-culture completely. The mental characteristics and traditions of different people have always merged, forming amazing combinations like mixed colors on a palette. There are historical parallels, such as the development of Siberia by the Russians, as well as building the Empire by the British, determining their self-identification and attitude to other nations.

Being the heart of the Empire, England can provide countless examples of artistic influence of its former colonies. The Royal Pavilion in Brighton mixing Regency grandeur with the visual style of India and China can be regarded as one of them. The influence of Indian colonies is also noticeable in the English language and literature whereas the Russians borrowed from the representatives of the Far North methods of movement like dog sledding and kayaking, which were later used for polar research. The historical destinies of both England and Russia had a direct impact on Intercultural Communication.

Two neighbours may misunderstand each other even if they speak the same language. What happened when representatives of so original, with centuries-old traditions, cultures (English and Russian) first met? The history of Russian-British diplomatic and trade relations is usually counted from the middle of the 16th century, when the traveler Richard Chancellor brought Edward VI’s letter and in February 1554 received the tsar’s reply declaring the right of the English to trade duty-free in Russia.

The journey of Chancellor was noted in Russian Chronicles, and also sung by the British poets – William Warner and Michael Drayton. The information published by travelers, quickly spread in the English society of the 16th century. There are numerous references to Muscovy in the works of British literature and on the stage. Russian books appeared in British libraries as a result of frequent embassies, and the British had a desire to learn the Russian language. In the interests of trade, Queen Elizabeth even took care of training a staff of translators.