21世纪大学英语读写教程第三课课件.pptVIP

Unit 3 : Text A;Unit Three: Text A;Lead-in Activities;I. Introduction of the topic: cultural differences → conflicts → need for a cultural translator;The article includes several paragraphs in which the author starts with a general observation and then presents a series of examples to illustrate his point. ( para. 3, 9 ) The meaning of idiomatic expressions can be very hard to guess. Word formation clues don’t always help, and can even mislead us entirely! But effective readers don’t give up on the first try. They keep reading, in search of context clues – examples, explanations, contrasts or parallel phrases – that can help them figure out the meaning of idiomatic expressions.;The Tale of a Cultural Translator 1 Joint ventures involving Western and Japanese companies often run into conflicts — a multitude of little things that escalate into big emotional battles in which all the parties keep exclaiming: “What’s wrong with them!? Can they understand that …?!” But because the conflicts are mainly due to cultural differences, neither side can understand — unless they have a “cultural translator”.;2 The first cultural translator I ever met was an installation engineer, George by name, who worked for an American company where I was the director of international operations. The company had just started a joint venture with a Japanese firm, and the American management needed someone to train the Japanese employees in its unique technology. George’s solid understanding of the equipment, its installation and use made him the best-qualified employee for the job, so everyone was happy when George accepted a two-year contract for temporary transfer to Japan.;3 From the start, George was well accepted by all the Japanese employees. Japanese managers often distrust anyone sent to represent US owners, but George was so naturally nonassertive that no one could see him as a threat to their careers. So they felt comfortable asking his advice on a wide range of matters, includi