A Study Of Computer-Mediated Intercultural Communicative Competence

There have been abundant studies on intercultural communicative competence and numerous researches on computer-mediated communication. However, very little literature home and abroad has touched upon competences of computer-mediated intercultural communication. With the internet growing fast, to communicate effectively and appropriately with people from diverse cultures in the virtual world, one must possess computer-mediated intercultural communicative competence (CMICC for short). From this perspective, the thesis is trying to analyse what CMICC is, what components it includes, and what the relationship between these components and CMICC.To construct CMICC, this thesis first refers to three models proposed by Byram, Canale and Swain, and Wen Qiufang, and to a computer-mediated communication competence model established by Spitzberg. After a comparison, it is found that CMICC is different from intercultural communicative competence but still belongs to the study scope of intercultural communicative competence.It then takes the features of computer-mediated communication into account, and divides CMICC into three parts: computer competence, intercultural competence and communicative competence, with their respective sub-constituents. Based on this, a general model is established.In this model, computer competence involves not only basic computer knowledge, but also higher level of digital literacy; intercultural competence embraces sensitivity, tolerance and flexibility to deal with online cultural differences; and communicative competence is divided into three aspects, linguistic competence (including online verbal competence and online nonverbal competence), pragmatic competence and communicative strategies.Based on the analysis of the components, it is found that the relationship between CMICC and its components is dialectical, and the inter-relation between components is co-relational in nature. Specifically, computer competence is a prerequisite for CMICC, without which, CMICC is no difference from intercultural communicative competence; intercultural competence is the determinant component of CMICC; communicative competence is a necessary part of CMICC, and the development of linguistic competence, pragmatic competence and strategic competence will enhance the efficiency and the quality of online intercultural communication.Overall, this thesis intends to raise people's awareness of CMICC and offer a conceptual framework for gaining insights into what it means to be interculturally competent in the virtual society.