1、AcknowledgementsHow time flies! My four years study at Xianyang Normal University will soon be over. Here, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the people who have helped me during my college years.My deepest gratitude goes first to Zhang Shasha, my supervisor, for her valuable sugges
2、tions and constant guidance on my thesis throughout all the stages. Without her patient assistance and friendly encouragement, it would not be possible for me to complete this thesis in such a short period of time.In addition, my thanks would go to our school library, which provides me with so many
3、useful reference books and collected data.Last, I deeply appreciate the contribution to this thesis made in many ways by my friends and classmates.AbstractNowadays, with the formation of global integration and the acceleration of economic globalization, intercultural communication has become an unav
4、oidable situation. As one of the significant aspects of nonverbal communication, time orientation plays a more and more important role in intercultural communication. Diverse cultures shape different time orientations. Different understanding of the time will inevitably lead to the barriers of peopl
5、es communication. Therefore, it has practical significance and utilitarian value to study on time orientation. The paper aims at a better understanding of different time orientations, which can enhance the ability of intercultural communication.This paper is mainly studied through the methods of doc
6、umentary analysis and qualitative analysis. The paper lists, compares and analyzes the differences and causes of different time orientations between China and America. Besides, the paper gives us some feasible strategies focused on the differences and points out learning different time orientations
7、not only help to reduce conflicts but also absorb mutual beneficial components to complement each other.Key Words: intercultural communication; cultural differences; time orientations摘 要当今世界，随着经济一体化的形成和经济全球化的加快，跨文化交际已经成为不可避免的局势。时间取向作为非语言交际的重要方面，它在跨文化交际中起着举足轻重的作用。不同的文化形成了不同的时间取向，人们对时间的不同认识不可避免地会造成交际障
8、碍。因此，对时间取向差异的研究具有实际意义和实用价值。本文旨在让人们对不同的时间取向有较好的认识以便促进人们跨文化交流的能力。该文主要运用了文献分析法和定性分析法。本文通过列举、对比和分析的方法指出了中美两国不同时间取向的差异及成因，并基于差异给出了一些可行性策略。此外，文章还指出学习差异不仅可以减少矛盾，还可以相互取长补短。关键词：跨文化交际；文化差异；时间取向Contents TOC o 1-3 h z u1. Introduction 12. The Brief Introduction of Time Orientation 22.1The Definition of Time Ori
9、entation 22.2 Chinese Time Orientation 32.2.1 The Past Time Orientation 32.2.2 Circular Time Orientation 42.2.3 Polychronic Time Orientation 42.3 American Time Orientations 42.3.1 Future Time Orientation 52.3.2 Linear Time Orientation 52.3.3 Monochronic Time Orientation 62.4. Contrasts in Time Orien
10、tation between Chinese and Americans 62.4.1 Punctuality 62.4.2 Appointments and Schedules 72.4.3 Office Time and Private Time 82.4.4 Different Understanding of Time in Language 92.4.5 Reflection in social life 113. Factors of Different Time Orientations 123.1 Different Historical Background 133.2 Di
11、fferent Religions and Beliefs 143.3 Different Cultural Background 143.4 National Character 154. Strategies for the Differences 174.1 Paying attention to the Effect of Differences 174.2 Maintaining Cultural Openness 184.3 Referencing to others Beneficial Ingredients 194.4 Observing the Differences in
12、 Further Eyes 204.5 Constructing the Consciousness of Time Management 205. Conclusion: 21Bibliography 23On the Cultural Differences between China and America from the Perspective of Time Orientation1. IntroductionWith the acceleration of economic globalization and the formation of global integration
13、, China is taking an increasingly active part in the world business activities. In such a situation, intercultural communication has become an unavoidable topic and reality. It is therefore necessary and inevitable for domestic enterprises to cooperate with foreign enterprises. As an important facto
14、r of nonverbal communication, time orientation is playing a significant role in our daily life and works, for people with different languages and cultures communicate a lot. But like everything else, intercultural communication is a mixed blessing, for merits and demerits usually come together. Peop
15、le with different culture may misunderstand and have conflicts with others if they dont know about others time orientations when they are working together. Time orientation is such an important element that can affect peoples thinking modes and behaviors in the intercultural communication. In the cu
16、rrent world, with the comprehensive national strength becoming increasingly fierce, time orientation is increasingly becoming the source of national cohesion and creativity and an important factor in the competition and comprehensive national strength.China is a culture-flourished country with a long history. Why is China still a developing country while America has developed into a develope