The concept interested me the most in Chapter 4 is the intercultural language use of formality. Trenholm defined this concept “Some cultures use language in a formal way. Protocol is very important, deference should be shown to superiors, and all message should flow through proper channel”(p.97). Compare with the United States, language is very formal in the Chinese culture. The difference is obvious by how people address their names. In the U.S, we see people address other’s name by their first name even with elders. However, in the Chinese culture, they address people names by their last name with a title. For example, Mr. Tang or Mrs. Huang. They seldom refer a person’s first name especially with elders because that is considering disrespectful. The formality of language use is greatly reflected on the culture. Chinese culture is very proper and values hierarchy. On the other hand, US culture is more casual and believe in equality among individuals.
Thats an interesting difference that I never noticed! In our culture we also tend to speak about how we are free. Yet in being free we have the tendency to hurt other people with our free speaking and this has made some people feel like they are not actually free. I think the way we speak freely should also be noted that everyone here is free so don't take anything to personally. I see a lot of people always making situations about them in lagnguage. It is almost as if we use language to complain about life, instead of using language to embrace all that is around us.
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