Cross-Cultural Communication 3301-JF2631

The aim of this course is to exemplify and analyse a number of cross-cultural differences in the characteristic ways of speaking of selected languages and cultures (in particular Polish, Anglo-Australian, Anglo-American, Chinese). Differences between conversational routines, forms of address, culture-specific speech genres and keywords, ways of self-presentation, characteristic forms of non-verbal communication illustrate and reflect specific cultural values of different societies. Course topics include:
1. Introduction. Language as a cultural resource and speaking as a cultural practice. Communicative competence and ethnographies of speaking. Towards a maximally culture-neutral perspective on meaning.
2. Cross-cultural communication and different cultural values: 'modesty', 'assertiveness',' in/directness', 'in/formality', 'warmth' and 'respect' in a comparative perspective.
3. Cultural scripts and conversational routines, part 1: praise and compliment responses, formulating advice and criticism.
4. Cultural scripts and conversational routines, part 2: saying 'yes' and 'no', information-seeking.
5. Polish language and culture: a cross-cultural view. Polish vs. Anglo-American emotional norms. Polish 'serdeczność' (cordiality) and 'narzekanie' (complaining) as cultural verbal practices.
6. Cultural keywords and core cultural values. Case studies: Anglo 'reasonable' and 'fair.' Chinese miànzi and liǎn (face). Further examples from Japanese - amae 'dependence' and omoiyari 'empathy'.

Course coordinators

Paweł Kornacki

Type of course

elective courses

Mode

Classroom

Prerequisites (description)

Up to 3 absences per semester The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the classroom is governed by the rules set forth in Resolution No. 16 of the Teaching Council for the programs English Studies, English Studies – Linguistics, and English Studies – Literature and Culture of 9 December 2025 https://ia.uw.edu.pl/fileadmin/ilustracje/dokumenty/2026/RD_IA_2025_UCHWALA_nr16_narzedzia_AI_nowelizacja_ZAL2_EN.pdf

Learning outcomes

Knowledge
Students will have in-depth familiarity with:
K_W01 advanced terminology, theory and research methods corresponding to the state of the art in the discipline of linguistics, in accordance with their chosen specialization (and educational path)
K_W04 concepts and principles concerning the protection of intellectual property and copyright

Abilities
Students will be able to:
K_U01 apply the advanced terminology, theories and methods of linguistic research to solve complex and original research problems in accordance with his/her chosen specialization (and educational path)

K_U04 apply the concepts and principles of intellectual property protection and copyright law

Social competences
Students will be ready to:
K_K01 critically appraise their knowledge and content obtained from various sources
K_K02 recognize the importance of knowledge in solving cognitive and practical problems; consult experts when required

*** Applies to students who began their studies in the year 2022/2023 ***

Knowledge

Students will have in-depth familiarity with:

K_W01 Identify and characterize on an advanced level the place and status of linguistics within the humanities

K_W02 Describe on an advanced level the current trends in linguistic research within English studies

Abilities

Students will be able to:

K_U01 Apply advanced terminology and notions pertinent to the discipline (linguistics).

K_U03 Apply knowledge obtained during the course of studies to account for and solve a problem, thereby completing a research task related to the discipline linguistics

K_U04 Analyze linguistic, literary and cultural phenomena and draw generalizations on their basis in the context of societal, historical and economic factors on an advanced level

K_U05 Discern alternative methodological paradigms within a discipline

K_U08 Participate in group projects, collaborate with others and be a team leader in conducting collaborative research, presentations and other tasks included in the curriculum

K_U09 Present knowledge in a coherent, precise and linguistically correct manner in English on level C2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, ensuring an appropriate register and form

Social competences

Students will be ready to:

K_K02 Apply knowledge and skills obtained during the course of studies to undertake lifelong learning, as well as personal and professional development

K_K03 Take responsibility for performing one’s professional duties, with due respect for the work of others, obey and develop the ethical norms in professional and academic settings related to the disciplines included on the curriculum of English studies

K_K04 Assess critically one’s own knowledge and skills related to the studies.

Assessment criteria

Midterm presentation and semester paper

Bibliography

Bellah, R.N. (Ed.). 1996. Habits of the Heart. University of California Press.
Duranti, A. 1999. Linguistic Anthropology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Fox, K. (2004). Watching the English: The hidden rules of English behaviour. Hodder & Stoughton.
Goddard, C. 2005. The Languages of East and Southeast Asia: An Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Hoffman, E. 1989. Lost in Translation. Chicago: Minerva Press.
Klos Sokol, L. 2005. Shortcuts to Poland. Warsaw: Wydawnictwo IPS (2nd edition).
Kochman, T. 1981. Black and White. Styles in Conflict. Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press.
Kornacki, P. 2003. Scripts of 'Face': Chinese Conceptions of Mianzi and Lian from the Natural Semantic Metalanguage perspective. In: Mioduszewska, E. (Ed.) Relevance Studies in Poland, Vol.1, pp.349-383. The Institute of English Studies, University of Warsaw.
Kornacki P. (2021) Chinese Cultural Keywords. In: Ye Z. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Chinese Language Studies. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-6844-8_43-1
Wierzbicka, A. 2003. Cross-Cultural Pragmatics. The Semantics of Human Interaction. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter.
Wierzbicka, A. 2006. English: Meaning and Culture. New York: Oxford University Press.