A Study Of Intercultural Communication From The Perspective Of Polysystem Theory

Polysystem theory, as a cultural theory, has been studied for 14 years in the field of translation. However, it hasn't gotten enough attention from intercultural communication researchers. Through the theoretical study and the case study of Falling Leaves, the present study tries to prove that polysystem theory is of potentiality in narrowing the gap of intercultural communication study and in instructing intercultural communication study to shed it away from the mainstream, and is constructive to the localization of intercultural communication study in China.As the mainstream of intercultural communication study holds that agreement and understanding can be achieved as long as speakers and interpreters have the similar information and exchange it in the same language, it overlooks the substance of"social behavior"in the process of intercultural communication, and regards it as a"pure"course without authority and interests. It conceals the unequal relationship between the East and West, the north and the south, the center and the periphery, the empire and the colony. It denies the difference and views it as the minor, the unsubstantial, the marginalized, and the temporary. What's more, the theories of intercultural communication study mainly originate from the West and are based on Western society, value and culture. As a result, they put Eastern culture on the marginalized position.Through the analysis of the source, aim, development and contents of polysystem theory, the study assumes the overlap between polysystem theory and intercultural communication, and its potentiality in intercultural communication study. The analysis of Falling Leaves written by a Chinese American from the perspectives of polysytem theory is made to testify that application of polysystem theory to intercultural communication is of potential contribution to the localization of intercultural communication study in China. From four factors including ideology, poetics, patronage, and cultural preference of the author, it will be discussed, behind which both the popularity and the success of this book in the West hide, and of which ideology is conducted by two angels. One is from target culture, and the other is from the text.With theory study and case analysis, the thesis draws a conclusion that polysystem theory can provide a new approach to intercultural communication study.