从米德的符号互动论看跨文化研究

Cross-Cultural Studies from a Perspective of Mead's Symbolic Interaction

传统跨文化研究方法因其二元论的简单极性而受到质疑。文化涉及到各种符号之间的关系,跨文化研究就是研究不同文化符号意义之间错综复杂的关系,所以跨文化研究需要一个立体的互动视域。米德的符号互动论从自我出发,关注他者,试图揭示语言符号及其使用者的观念和行为之间的互动关系,与跨文化研究探讨不同文化间人们的观念、行为、文化的异同及其因果关系的目的一致。将符号互动论用于跨文化研究,虽未尽完善,但可以为之提供有效的分析方法和手段。

The traditional methods of cross-cultural studies were roundly criticized for its simplistic duality. For on the one hand, cultures themselves are always involved with a variety of sign relationships, and on the other hand, cross-cultural studies are intended to study such complicated relationships among different culturally symbolic meanings. In this sense, cross-cultural studies require a multi-dimensionally interactive perspective. Mead＇s symbolic interaction is based on the concept of ＂I＂ and ＂me＂ with ＂the others＂ considered, trying to reveal the interactive relationships among linguistic signs, sign users as well as the user＇s thoughts and behaviors, which is in accordance with the same goals as cross-cultural studies do, that is, to explore the similarities and differences in thoughts, behavior and culture as well as the causalities. Though the application of symbolic interaction to cross-culture studies is not of a perfect explanation, it can provide the studies with an effective and analytical method and means.