Differences In Time Perspective In Intrecultural Communication-a Comparative Study Between China And The United States

Nowadays, globalization progresses at a rapid rate in the world owing to thedevelopment of technology, the flourishing of international trade, and the promotion offoreign tourist industry. As a result, cultural groups contact and blend more frequentlythan ever. Born of this effect are the studies of intercultural communications aimed toreduce cultural barriers through the fostering of tolerance for and understanding ofdifferences in cultures.Time, an essential component for the development of culture itself, has muchinfluence on the communication process of different cultural groups. Time isomnipresent. It plays a significant role in the fundamental basis of all cultures whichdetermines all human activities. Various cultures have developed unique perceptions oftime, and the ways people treat and make use of time have an essential impact onintercultural communication.China and the United States, the two largest groups representing Eastern andWestern culture respectively, have distinct and contrasting features on time orientation.This paper discusses the differences of time orientation between Sino-US and attemptsto reveal its essential cultural roots. This paper discusses the differences of timeorientation between Sino-US and attempts to reveal its essential cultural roots. Thepaper adopts comparison and analysis methods to research and uses three theoreticalframeworks:1. monochromic and polychromic time system,2. past and future timeorientation, and3. linear and circular time view. It aims to put forward constructivestrategies to improve effectiveness of intercultural communication while deepeningpeople’s understanding of the differences in time orientation between two cultures.