杨澜 北京申奥演讲 案例分析 英文版

Case study & analyzation

H aving watched Yang Lan’s public speaking, I would like to carry out an analysis from two perspectives. One is from my own view, while another stands on the theory in text book.

According to our text book, criteria for intercultural communication competence (ICC) includes four key points. Following are my analyzation on Yang Lan’s public speaking with the use of ICC.

First, think and act in ways that acknowledge and respect cultural diversity. This concept was well blended into her lecture. At the beginning of her speech, she named listeners as ladies and gentlemen, which shows full respect to everyone. In paragraph four, Yang described Beijing as a city of millions of friendly people who love to meet people from around the world. Furthermore, she expressed wishes that Chinese people are eager to enhance harmony between their own culture and the diverse culture all over the world. In paragraph six, Yang promised that Chinese people is about to carry out multidiscipline cultural programs, ranging from exhibitions to camps, which will involve young people from around the world. Besides, she praised Greek, Roman, Egyptian and many other cultures as the oldest civilizations known to man in the next paragraph. Yang delivered her speech with a sincere attitude and placed diverse culture into the same level without discrimination, which is the best way to show respect to different culture.

Second, be sensitive to different cultural backgrounds and seek to understand the world from various points of view. This concept seems similar to the previous idea. Although both of them all emphasize the significance of esteem to diverse cultural, it does have a difference. The former one place emphasis on respect, while the latter one underline the understanding.

I think the sentence “seek to understand the world from various points of view” can be comprehended as a further step that guarantees our perception as well as judgment precisely and entirely. In this way, it ulterior avoids our discrimination or subject opinions. Through Yang’s speaking, we can spot that there isn’t much relevant thing reflect latter sentence. In my opinion, it is because of the orientation of lecture. Anyway, it is much important to obey the rule “respect cultural diversity”than “understand the world from various points of view” in such an intercultural speaking. It is enough when Yang evaluated other cultures in a same high level.

Third, be especially alert to how cultural factors will affect responses to your message. This concept can be divided into three sub-points. No.1 is to avoid words or phrases that might cause misunderstanding. In Yang’s speech draft, she deliberately avoided using sensitive words like “the first” “the most” or other phrases related to policy and religion. No.2 is to research examples and other supporting materials that are relevant to your listeners. Yang’s speech purpose is to draw public attention as much as possible and help Beijing win the right to host Olympic Game. So, the majority of her lecture are related to the expectation and introduction. She mentioned that Beijing is an international modern city that possess a long history and is capable to be the host city. Her lecture also refers to the spreading of Olympic spirit. No.3 is to recognize that your cultural assumptions and practices will not be shared by all members of your audience. That is, try not to express in an extreme way and give it more leeway. For example, in paragraph two, Yang used sentence “Many people are fascinated by China’s sports legend in history.” instead of “Everyone are all fascinated by