There are many recent changes in modern science that necessitate the change in communication theory. Mirror neurons demonstrate how by watching others one learns to mirror their behaviors; epigenetics provides insight into how the environment plays a major role in the workings of the mind; the role of the brain and its functions play a major role in how language is created neurolinguistically, and these changes also require a new model of language called lexicon-based semantics. Language, it is argued, is not generated by the brain, as Noam Chomsky (1965) argues, but works on the basis of a network of overlaid neural functions (auditory, visual, tactile, and sensory motor) that combine to form the various components of language (phonation, audition, reading, and writing). Instead of generating language as a mathematical language acquisition device (LAD), this model begins with semantics which includes the lexicon and it is argued that many structures already exist in the lexicon that demonstrate the presence of syntactic structures. Other components of this model include syntactic and rhetorical devices needed to account for linguistic variation. Consequently, communication appears to be exogenetic in that it begins with signals that exist outside of the human body and are received via biological receptors and collectors into the brain where it is processed and integrated into language and cognition. It is argued that even if a lexicon-based semantics were feasible, it would still need to deal with the more difficult problems of how logical forms are represented and interpreted in a biological model of language.

This study looks at how a group of English-proficient Chinese immigrants perform professionally and socially, particularly how they deal with major issues in their process of integration in Canada. It draws on Berry’s (1997, 2003, 2005) theories and studies on acculturation, Boski’s (2006, 2008) conceptualizations of integration and Fong and Ooka’s (2006) immigrant integration patterns. Interview method is used to collect the data. The study helps to understand the myth that language is a determining factor for a successful integration. Though proficient English allows these immigrants to live a complementary parallel life, it still takes time for them to be able to behave in accordance with the expectations of the new cultural environment to be full participants of Canada. The data also reveal that the rising economic power of home culture plays a noticeable role in these immigrants’ integration.

We are living in a world with an increasingly high level of intercultural contact where integration is observed to be a beneficial strategy (Berry & Sam, 1997; Spencer-Oatey, Dauber & Williams, 2014). A lack of integration is even considered to be a hindrance to the well-being and further development at both the individual and social level (Milak, 2015). Among all music categories, World Music is commonly perceived to be able to promote intercultural communication, but very little research has been conducted to support this opinion. Therefore, Warwick World Music Group and its annual concert, Warwick Fused, are subjected to a close examination as a single case, exploring the specific influence of playing world music together on intercultural communication and competencies through an identity framework provided by Wenger’s Community of Practice theory. Data collection and analysis is conducted with the guidance of the framework, while comparatively assessing the data and the theory (Eisenhardt, 1989). The findings contribute to the validation of CoP theory and other studies, whilst also contesting some of their specifics, which will be discussed. Finally, the limitation of the study is addressed with recommendations for further research.

This study investigates the dynamics of bicultural German-U.S. families, specifically how parents promote their cultures with their children, maintain their children’s interest in belonging to both cultures, and what they expect their bicultural children’s academic achievements to be. Results showed that most values, norms, and traditions largely align across the German and American cultures. However, cultural differences also surface in the level of parental control, concerns over the environment, and the need to compromise in celebrating traditions. For parents, bilingualism represents the main access to the minority culture (i.e. German). While the level of children’s proficiency in minority language varies across families, parents’ commitment to raise bilingual children is consistently high. This study summarizes successful and unsuccessful techniques parents employ to promote biculturalism and bilingualism in their children.

The creation of a potential intellectual, psychological or emotional connection with the customers through revealing the hard and soft attributes of a brand is the general mechanism in brand image building of both Chinese and foreign narrative commercials. But the distinction of Chinese and foreign narrative commercials’ brand image building mainly lies in the aspects like thinking mode, gender preference and parental love for children, which result in different ways of creating the image of Maker, Product and User through Possible World, Figure-Ground and Prototype to create both the hard and soft attributes of a brand. This paper provides an analytical mode for intercultural study of commercials’ brand image building by combining the theories of cognitive poetics with Alexander Biel’s Brand Image Building model so as to broaden the perspective of business discourse analysis.

Cross-linguistic syntactic similarities can be deceptive as indicators of discourse-pragmatic functions. This comparative study demonstrates that such similarities in form do not necessarily map their function. By using discourse analysis to examine yes-no questions in natural conversations of Mandarin Chinese (236 cases) and Japanese (127 cases), my study argues that the intersubjectivity that emerges from on-going interactions between interlocutors is a primary factor driving speakers to choose different interrogative forms in various sequential contexts. In particular, this study demonstrates that 1) Chinese speakers often use zero-marked yes-no questions (YNQs), while Japanese speakers rely on-no desu ka YNQs to respond to “newly-learned” information from the addressee for the purpose of showing interest or expressing surprise in order to solicit further elaboration from the addressee; 2) Chinese V-not-V questions share certain intersubjective features with Japanese zero-marked YNQs in that both convey the speaker’s eagerness and high expectation for confirmation from the addressee in similar interactive contexts such as invitations.

According to Brown and Levinson, politeness is based upon a notion of “face,” the self-image individuals present to others (Goffman, 1967). One of the main goals of social interaction is to maintain and even enhance face during conversation. This paper aims to collect data and evaluate the concepts of face (mianzi/mentsu) and politeness by Chinese and Japanese youth. It clarifies the factors used by these students in their conceptualization of face and politeness. The study focuses on the results of a questionnaire that sought opinions on face and politeness in conversations of university students. The study compares the results with Brown and Levinson’s (1987) perspectives on face and politeness. Responses suggest that face is a universal construct in Chinese and Japanese interaction. The outcome shows that more male Japanese responders agreed with using politeness or honorific expressions to save face than did Chinese males. In addition, more Chinese and Japanese female respondents agreed that it is essential to save face for personal relationships than did male respondents. Most considered saving face essential when associating with another person in Chinese and Japanese cultures. The findings offer insight into cultural and linguistic differences in emic conceptualizations of face and politeness.

To draw academic attention to overseas Chinese translators, the author of this paper probes into the translation thoughts of Shi Yingzhou, a Philippine Chinese and master of poetry translation. This study is based on extra-textual materials, including Shi’s notes in his essays and his preface for his translated work, coupled with a case study of Shi’s translation of Sonnets of William Shakespeare to interpret his thinking on translators’ qualifications, translation selection, translation criteria and translation methods. By virtue of both the extra-textual and textual materials, Shi’s translation thoughts are approached in a more objective manner: on the one hand, Shi himself is a well-qualified translator and holds a scrupulous attitude towards the selection of the works to be translated, which are in line with his thoughts on translators’ qualifications and translation selection; on the other hand, “fidelity” finds its conspicuous presence in Shi’s translation criteria and translation methods, but intrinsic cultural difference between English and Chinese may jeopardize the form and the meaning of the original to some degree, suggesting a gap between his translation practices and his translation thoughts.