沉默语的跨文化差异

沉默语是一种能传达丰富信息的非语言交际行为，但是不同文化背景下的人对它的理解不同。中国人认为“语言是银，沉默是金，”相信“静水深流”。而西方人对沉默语的理解则是负面的，认为“我说，故我在”。本文介绍了中西方在文化与教学上对沉默语的不同理解，详细分析了这种差别的文化渊源，强调了语言学习与文化的密不可分。在学习一种语言的时候，我们不仅要学习它的言语知识方面，还要有非言语方面的知识。作为非言语交际的一个方面，沉默语是我们成功地学习一种语言，避免跨文化交际的失败所必须要了解的一个方面。

Cross-cultural Differences of Silence

This paper considers some of the Western and Chinese differences in cultural and pedagogical views about silence. It argues that while silence has different meanings in the two cultures, Chinese students＇ silence should not always be interpreted as a desire to be non-participatory in discussion and Western students＇ silence as a sign of ignorance. As it is increasingly recognized that language learning and learning about target culture cannot realistically be separated, knowing the cross-cultural differences of silence can facilitate cross- cultural communication.