【正文】 d points out the significance of custom awareness.In order to give a definition of intercultural munication, Chapter Two first analyzes culture and provides some characteristics of culture. Then it describes munication and lists some of its ponents. Chapter Two also offers the criteria of effective munication.Chapter Three is the core of this thesis. It analyses the customs of social interaction between Chinese and Americans by contrast, namely, forms of address, greetings, farewells, pliments and responses, gratitude and thanks, invitations, appointments, visiting and hospitality. Then it points out that what result in the differences are different histories and values.Chapter Four discusses some other barriers to intercultural munication and points out that cultural conflicts occur as a result of misinterpretations, ethnocentrism, stereotypes, and even prejudices. Faced with culture shock, people would have different reactions to cope with them, and there is an intercultural adaptation process, which is also provided in this chapter. Chapter Five, the last chapter, offers some methods for the development of intercultural munication and for the reduction of cultural conflicts. First, we should know ourselves, then we should develop empathy and munication flexibility. Last but not least, we should appreciate similarities and respect differences. 現(xiàn)代社會中，經(jīng)濟(jì)和科技的飛速發(fā)展以及全球化合作使我們和其他民族進(jìn)行著直接或間接的交流。由此，跨文化溝通日益明顯，日益頻繁。本文從論述跨文化溝通對商務(wù)方面的深刻影響說起，描述了社會交往風(fēng)俗習(xí)慣在跨文化溝通中的作用并指出溝通中需要有風(fēng)俗習(xí)慣的意識。第三章為本文的核心。面對文化沖擊，人們的反應(yīng)有所不同，對于沖擊的適應(yīng)也會有一個(gè)過程。最后，我們在跨文化溝通中還需要尋求共性，尊重差異。As a result of the rapid developments of science and technology, especially those in the areas of the transportation, telemunication, and information systems, globalization has bee a trend since the 1960s. It naturally follows that people from diverse backgrounds have e into more and more contacts with one another. For instance, the convenient transportation avails us to on board a plane and fly anywhere in the world in a matter of hours, and the opening world attracts more and more people to study abroad and travelers to enjoy different nations and places throughout of the world as well. The reality of a global economy makes today’s contacts far more monplace than in any other period of the world’s history. Globalization ties all nations of the world into an international network of economic interdependence. No country could be pletely selfsufficient, each country has at least one asset that is superneeded by another one. In the arena of business, for instance, 60 per cent of all shoes and more than half of the toys sold in the United States bear a “Made in China” label. Economic interdependence accelerates international trade cooperation. The relevant trade agreements like GATT and NAFTA that lower tariffs, tap larger markets, and improve living standards in the world have bee monplace. Multinational corporations increasingly participate in various international business arrangements including joint ventures between two or more organizations that share in the ownership of a business undertaking. Globalization also calls for new approaches to doing business, one of which has been the uniting of national business to form multinational organizations. Through acquisitions and mergers, many . panies have been absorbed into other panies or have gained new names. Another approach to globalization has been through partnerships among two or more panies. Subcontracting has also bee monplace in the global economy. These international business arrangements usually result in individuals from one culture working not only with, but also for individuals from another culture. Now the world situation is one in which as an American boss of a multinational corporation may contact his employees in Asia, a Swedish businessman may meet his clients from India. Intercultural munication takes place everywhere and at anytime.However, there are many problems when working or living in a foreign environment because munication across cultural boundaries is difficult. Differences in customs, behavior, and values result in obstacles that can be managed only through effective intercultural munication and interaction. Foreign petition and the need to trade more effectively overseas have forced most corporations to bee more culturally sensitive and globally minded. The most successful firms in the global arena will be those panies whose managers not only understand world economics and global petitiveness but also are “sensitive to the broader implication of their actions and decisions upon organizational and world cultures.” Consequently, never before in history has the business arena portrayed such global qualities and a need for effective intercultural munication. reduced conflicts, and personal growth through increased tolerance. Effective munication can ultimately lower or remove the walls and barriers of misunderstanding that separate human beings from one another and provide businessmen with more opportunities to make profits. Culture Characteristics of Culture Culture Is Learned Culture Is a Symbol System Culture Is Subject to ChangeThe history of munication is as long as that of human beings. Communication appeared along with the emergence of human beings since the human survival depends on munication and contact.As the foundation of all human relationships, munication is everywhere and constantly occurs around us. However, because of its ubiquitous nature, human munication is quite difficult to define. Up to now there are as many as over 100 definitions of munication, yet no one has been universally agreed on. A variety of scholars with diverse backgrounds in the munication field have given different definitions, which, in a way, reflect how they think and theorize about munication.The most succinct definition is that munication is “the exchange of information and the transmission of meaning”. (Katz am