本書試圖從文化和交際的基本理論及其兩者之間的關繫入手，以跨文化交際學的基本理論和應用為框架，通過分析中西文化在言語交際、非言語交際中的差異，以及這些差異在社會禮儀和商務談判中的表現，用以培養學生的跨文化意識，加深對母語和目的語文化的理解，*終提高跨文化交際能力。
全書共分九章：第一章為入門篇，介紹跨文化交際的定義、概念、發展及其意義；第二至第六章為理論篇，第二章介紹交際的基本理論及其在人類交際中的應用，第三章討論文化的性質，包括定義、作用、特征及其差異；第四章集中闡述價值觀的文化差異，介紹文化價值維度的觀點；第五和第六章分別探討文化差異在言語和非言語交際方面的種種表現，討論英漢語言差異背後的文化原因。第七和第八章為應用篇，重點討論社會禮儀和商務談判中文化差異的具體體現和跨文化交際理論的應用。*後一章為實踐篇，探討文化適應和提高跨文化交際能力的有效途徑。

Chapter 1 Introduction to Intercultural Communication
Learning Objectives
Warm-up Activities
I. Defining Intercultural Communication
II. The Rapid Increase of Intercultural Communication
1. Improvements in transportation technology
2. Developments in communication technology
3. Changes in mass migration patterns
4. Globalization of the world economy
III. The Development of Intercultural Communication Study
1. The development of intercultural communication study in the U.S.
2. Intercultural communication studies in China
IV. The Complexity in Learning Intercultural Communication
1. The multidiseiplinary nature and elements of intercultural communication study
2. Potential problems in learning intercultural communication
Summary of the Chapter
Key Terms
Words & Expressions
Notes
Exercises
Case Study

Chapter 2 Basic Communication Theories
Learning Objectives
Warm-up Activities
I. Communication Defined
II. Needs and Functions of Communication
1. Maslow's hierarchy of needs
2. Functions of communication
III. The Classification of Communication
IV. The Process of Communication
1. Components of communication
2. Models of communication
V. The Characteristics of Communication
VI. The Challenge of Effective Communication in Interpersonal Encounters
Summary of the Chapter
Key Terms
Words & Expressions
Notes
Exercises
Case Study

Chapter 3 The Nature of Culture
Learning Objectives
Warm-up Activities
I. Definitions of Culture
II. Basic Functions and Source of Culture
III. Ingredients of Culture
IV. Characteristics of Culture
V. Understanding Cultural Differences
1. Normal distribution of people's characteristics
2. Minimum-maximum social differences
Summary of the Chapter
Key Terms
Words & Expressions
Notes
Exercises
Case Study

Chapter 4 Cultural Values
Learning Objectives
Warm-up Activities
I. Concept of Values
1. Definition of value
2. Values as the core of culture
3. Types of values
II. Priorities of Cultural Values
III. Study of Values
1. Kluckholn and Strodtbeck's value orientations
2. Hofstede-Bond value dimensions
3. Hall's high- and low-context orientation
Summary of the Chapter
Key Terms
Words & Expressions
Notes
Exercises
Case Study

Chapter 5 Verbal Communication
Learning Objectives
Warm-up Activities
I. The Relationship between Language and Culture
1. The influence of culture on language
2. The influence of language on culture
II. Cultural Impact on Verbal Communication
1. Culture's impact on language at lexical level
2. Culture's impact on language at discourse level
3. Culture's impact on language at pragmatic level
Summary of the Chapter
Key Terms
Words & Expressions
Notes
Exercises
Case Study

Chapter 6 Nonverbal Communication
Learning Objectives
Warm-up Activities
I. The Nature of Nonverbal Communication
1. Definition of nonverbal communication
2. Importance of nonverbal communication
3. Functions of nonverbal communication
4. Classification of nonverbal communication
5. Characteristics of nonverbal communication
II. Cultural Differences in Nonverbal Communication
1. Body movement(Kinesics)
2. Eye contact
3. Body touch
4. Paralanguage
5. Spatial language
6. Temporal language
Summary of the Chapter
Key Terms
Words & Expressions
Notes
Exercises
Case Study

Chapter 7 Cultural Differences in Etiquette and Protocol
Learning Objectives
Warm-up Activities
I.Understanding Appropriate Etiquette and Protocol
1. Defining etiquette and protocol
2. The importance of appropriate etiquette and protocol
3. The challenge of appropriate etiquette and protocol
II.Analysis of Cultural Differences in Etiquette and Protocol
1. Initial contact
2. Social entertainment
3. Gift-giving etiquette
4. Business scheduling
Summary of the Chapter
Key Tenns
Words & Expressions
Notes
Exercises
Case Study

Chapter 8 Cultural Differences in Business Negotiation
Learning Objectives
Warm-up Activities
I. Defining Intercultural Negotiation
II. Intercultural Negotiation Variables
III. Intercultural Negotiation Guidelines
Summary of the Chapter
Key Terms
Words & Expressions
Notes
Exercises
Case Study

Chapter 9 Cultural Adaptation and Intercultural Communication Competence
Learning Objectives
Warm-up Activities
I. Cultural Adaptation
1. Early adaptation: culture shock
2. Long-term cultural adaptation
II. Improving Intercultural Communication Competence
1. Components of intercultural communication competence
2. Four-step approach to intercultural communication training
Summary of the Chapter
Key Terms
Words & Expressions
Notes
Exercises
Case Study

References
Key to Exercises
Model Test I
Model Test II
Appendix I Intercultural Films
Appendix II Related Websites