Abstract
This paper first introduces the appeal of investing in the emerging Chinese market. The paper then asserts that one of the key challenges to negotiations and agreements with the Chinese is the language barrier between Chinese and English. Due to the impossibility to learn Chinese in a short amount of time, the paper explains that Americans must compensate by exemplifying respect and using diplomacy through other means. The paper discusses Chinese culture and provides useful tips to negotiating with the Chinese and explains many essential Chinese customs.

Table of Contents:
Executive Summary
- Background and Introduction
- Main Conclusions
- Recommendations
Overcoming the Language Barrier in China
- Background
- Actions Speak Louder Than Words
- Other Forms of Communication
- Understanding the Chinese Business System
- Patience is a Virtue
- Respecting Chinese Culture
- In Business, Words Can be Over-Rated: Efficiency is King
- Future Trends
- Limitations, Conclusions and Recommendations
Bibliography

From the Paper
"Ivanovich is quick to point out the vastness of the country, saying it would take many lifetimes to understand all the regional dialects that exist in this expansive country, and thus are embedded within its national business process (2007). He provides a much-needed element of realism in addressing the language barrier issue. In effect, one cannot realistically expect to master the language, so don't let the language barrier discourage. The Chinese system of doing business is different, and research indicates that learning the Chinese system is the most effective means of overcoming the language barrier. In the process, one must remain humble and respect the intricacies of Chinese custom in order to, find other more universal ways of communicating with and showing respect for the Chinese in order to overcome the language barrier."

Tags:global market, expansion business companies language economy

Abstract
This paper first relates that, for thousands of years, although the Chinese Empire set a standard of civilization and innovation that few others cultures have matched, there has always been a struggle between the politics of Empire and the cultural aspects of its people. The paper then examines the language, literature, philosophy, law, religions, inventions, science and ancient political history of China to underscore the diversity of its cultures and clans. The paper concludes that Chinese culture survived despite the Empire and its various rulers, who recognized the average Chinese only as a human tool to be used for their own needs.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Interaction of Various Cultures In China
Literature and Literature/Philosophy
The Law
Religion- Emperors as Divinities
Philosophers versus the Court
Daoist Alternatives
Anarchists
Qin, The 'Anti-Historian
The Failure of Reformers
The Tiers of Society
So Many Diverse Cultures and Clans in China
Inventions and Science
Is There an Antagonistic Position of Culture vs. Empire?

From the Paper
"Considered by many China historians, the name Mencius is second only to Confucius. He did something no philosopher in China had emphasized. He preferred a state of monarchy to the thought of democracy, or "power to the people." Of course, the culture of China in those days was one of reverence by the peasants to the nobility, and the payment of gifts by the nobility to the Emperor to remain nobility. More over, Mencius and his followers infuriated the Emperor because they were avowed pacifists."

Tags:feudalism language women confucius, civil service

Abstract
The paper relates that the Chinese script is indigenous to China and has shown itself to be adaptable through many centuries, a pictographic and ideographic medium that can be read and used by speakers of various Han languages. The paper notes its usefulness to an imperial power and to classical literature and scholarship, and shows how it was used after 1958 to serve the Communist campaign towards mass literacy.

From the Paper
"China did not develop as an alphabetical language for reasons to come into view when one recognizes that its script is the first language of about 25 per cent of the world's population. It was used earlier in Japan, Korea and Vietnam and remains the written or printed medium of Mandarin and several other important Chinese languages. David Crystal explained how it is a single method of writing that unites Chinese and a shared literary and cultural history. (1987, 137-138) The Chinese refer to eight languages as dialects of Mandarin that are really distinct, about as close as French..."

Tags:chinese, adaptation, closed society

Abstract
Korea is a country with a long and proud history in which language plays a particularly important and interesting role. This paper discusses language policy in the Republic of Korea through an investigation of Korean history, society, culture and economy; factors which have had a major impact on official policy, as well as societal attitudes towards language.

Outline
An Introduction to Korea
Chinese
Japanese
English
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Culturally Korea is very different from countries in the west. The journalist, author, and long time resident of Korea Michael Breen, in his book "The Koreans," writes, "This is not a culture in which diversity is seen as a value or an ideal. Koreans see virtue in unity: one mind, one people, one system, one race, one path (1998:68)."
Korea is considered to be the nation most influenced by Confucian philosophy, being even more orthodox in its implementation than China, from where Confucius originated. Therefore, elders are held in very high regard, as are people in authority, and of high social standing."

Tags:bilingualism, culture, diglossia, efl, esl, japanese, chinese

Abstract
The paper discusses the Chinese market which is rapidly changing in light of the increasingly global market place. The paper states that the economic boom in China's urban areas is creating a new consumer culture where the consumer has more disposable income, which has affected consumer preferences within the Chinese marketplace. The paper states that the result is that a sophisticated Chinese consumer is emerging and foreign companies need to market to their sophisticated needs, while at the same time marketing to the general population's needs. The paper states that the most effective way for a company to build a strong brand name in the rapidly emerging Chinese market is to adapt itself to the rapidly changing Chinese culture. The paper concludes that despite the numerous challenges that the Chinese market presents, a company can be successful if it spends the time and resources necessary to gain an in-depth understanding of the local culture and the Chinese consumer's attitudes and thus becomes prepared to cope with the many unexpected intricacies of the Chinese marketplace.

Outline:
Introduction
Understanding Cultural Issues
Collective Society
Brand Perception
Language
Aesthetic Sense
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The Chinese people carry with them a strong aesthetic sense, based on their perceptions of nature. To the Chinese consumer, in general, images of the natural form are highly attractive. For example, mountains and animals are often used in association with brand names in order to create attractive brand imagery and visual displays. On the other hand, abstract symbols are not favored as they are inconsistent with the Chinese cultural preference for natural aesthetics. Further more, the marketer needs to understand that the Chinese people enjoy complicated forms and shapes and certain colors. For example, the color red is seen as being the most cheerful color and thus can be successfully used to attract people's attention. Another example is the Chinese preference for peaceful imagery, largely a result of the influence of such religions as Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. When a company is designing a strategy for marketing their brand in the Chinese marketplace, all of these aesthetic considerations must be made. Therefore, it is important to use specific colors and imagery in order to strengthen the brand's market presence and thus increase overall company profits."

Tags:economic, boom, Chinese, preference, traditions

Abstract
This paper introduces the "Chinese Room" argument proposed by John Searle that cognitive understanding by a machine is impossible. It attempts to show artificially intelligent (AI) brains can, in fact, understand ideas in a human sense by comparing languages used by both humans and AI. It also compares the methods by which both humans and AI learn about their environments and uses juxtapositions between language acquisition and environment to show that human and artificial brains are in fact the same.

From the Paper
"While an individual program may not have true understanding abilities, a robot, complete with sensory perception units could. A brain knows where its sensory information comes from, whether it is ear, eye, skin, mouth or nose, and the brain can understand. Therefore, the man should be told from which sensory unit the symbols come, if it is to understand as the brain does. In addition, a brain is capable of knowing how to recognize individual objects. The English man, while he gets his information in Chinese, is able to write down patterns and then attempt to explain what is actually happening outside."

Tags:computers, knowledge, language, learning, philosophy

Abstract
In this article, the writer refers to Whorf, then other cultural arguments citing language's dictation of gender expectations and forms. The writer provides a critical reflection on what language can tell us about social interaction, nearness and affinity rooted in a shared language as well as what a language means of itself in terms of symbolic community or identity; two examples: interaction on the Toronto transit system where Toronto English is spoken and Chinese Culture as reflects a language whose gender differences were removed, tend to prevail, and have no special meaning attached.

From the Paper
"This paper explores a number of theoretical interests pursued by anthropologists and others that pertain to language in relation to culture, behavior, gender and varied processes seen in human interaction that may involve more than one language known. The topic seems important given what can be taken for granted when referring to language or the ability of persons to understand one another simply because they have a language in common. Benjamin Whorf's claim to languages as imparting different ways of thinking is known to be too narrow."

Tags:language, gender, distinctions

Abstract
Language as a tradition and experience illustrates the holistic effect of language to individuals. In the field of social psychology, it is posited that language determines thought, and this hypothesis, called the theory of linguistic relativity, is proposed by Benjamin Whorf and Edward Sapir. The theory shows how language determines people's perceptions of their social realities as experienced and related to within their society. Chang-Rae Lee ("Mute in an English-Only World"), Dennis Baron ("Don't Make English Official-Ban it Instead"), and Amy Tan ("Mother Tongue") confront this issue in discourses on language as tradition and experience. This paper provides a comparative analysis of the authors' works and arguments about language and its function and meaning for the individual and society.

From the Paper
"Baron uses the academic approach in portraying English as a tradition, a functional system of codes that enables people to interact with each other in the society. Using this as his primary thesis, Baron argues that English should not be implemented as the country's national language, since "it's hardly even English anymore." The hybridization of English in America is the result of the assimilation of other languages of people with various nationalities who immigrate and live in America. Because of the emergence of hybrid, pseudo-American languages, it cannot be possible to determine the "purity" of English as a language anymore. Thus, implementing English per se defeats the purpose of language for society "that is, to let people interact and understand each other. However, Baron's argument does not conclude definitively, since as he confesses, "there is no obvious candidate" that would be fitting to become an alternative to English. Thus, Baron's arguments is halted and brought to a standstill, since his arguments against the language pertains only to its function as tradition, and not as an argument against English as a language experienced by its users."

Tags:Asian, Chinese, immigrants

Abstract
This study provides a comparison of language learning anxiety between language learners being instructed by both native and non-native English as a second language teachers in Taiwan today. This paper uses a critical and comprehensive review of the peer-reviewed and scholarly literature to develop the background and resources needed to answer the study's guiding research questions. The paper provides a summary of the research, important conclusions and salient recommendations in the concluding chapter.

Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1:
Definition and Overview of Anxiety
Language Anxiety and ESL Instructors
Chapter Summary
Chapter 2: Methodology
Description of the Study Approach
Data-Gathering Method and Database of Study
Chapter 3: Data Analysis
Chapter 4: Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations

From the Paper
"According to these authors, "Motivation, it now appears, is but one of many individual variables that influence the success of language learning. Anxious students can filter their language learning experience through such thick shielding that often immense amounts of comprehensible input result in limited intake. Risk-takers in terms of language learning progress more quickly and experience greater enjoyment than do their non-risk-taking peers" (emphasis added) (Leaver & Shekhtman, 2002, p. 15). In the classroom setting, a number of interpersonal and small-group issues can enhance or impair the efforts of any individual student in the "visible classroom" (the overt relationships) who reacts poorly to the "invisible classroom" (ubiquitous but covert group dynamics), to use the concept and terminology advanced for this purpose (e.g., the significance of small-group dynamics and rapport may be greater than many teachers realize) (Leaver & Shekhtman, 2002).
The vast majority of research on these variables has been conducted on groups of students with mixed backgrounds and at lower levels of proficiency. Based on their lengthy experience and empirical observations, our seventeen-year experience in extensive and intensive work with Superior-level students, learners at this level, especially those studying in courses and groups, tend to have a different set of anxieties, most of which are more closely tied to linguistic aspects of job performance than to the intellectual risk-taking required of language learning in general (Leaver & Shekhtman, 2002)."

Tags:chinese, interpersonal, learner, educational, class, behavior

Abstract
This paper describes a particular Chinese Buddhist chant used for both individual and group practice, which is the repetition, through singing or chanting, of one of the names of Buddha - Amitabha. The author points out that Amitabha, which is an ancient chant, was written in the Sanskrit language before Buddhism was transmitted to China. The paper relates that the chanting is sometimes accompanied by percussion instruments.

From the Paper
"The Chinese Buddhist chant I have chosen to describe is, perhaps, one of the simplest and most ancient - the chanting of Amitabha. While some Chinese Buddhist chants were originally written in Chinese, this one predates the transmission of Buddhism to China and is therefore written in Sanskrit, the original language of Buddhism that comes from northern India. Amitabha is one of the names of Buddha, and the chant is associated with repentance and forgiveness. It is, in most cases, as simple repetition of the four-syllable word `Amitabha', though in some cases other syllables are added to it. Buddhist thought values simplicity above all things."

Tags:chinese, buddhist, chant