Wrapping Culture: Politeness, Presentation and Power in Japan and Other Societies - Couverture rigide

Hendry, Joy

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 0198273894 ISBN 13 : 9780198273899

Editeur : Clarendon Press, 1993

Synopsis

"Wrapping Culture" is concerned with problems of intercultural communication and the possibilities for misinterpretation of the familiar in an unfamiliar context. Starting with an examination of gift-wrapping, Joy Hendry demonstrates how our expectations are often influenced by cultural factors which may blind us to an understanding of underlying intent. She then extends this approach to the study of polite language as the wrapping of thoughts and intentions, garments as body wrappings, constructions and gardens as wrapping of space, and even to the ways in which people may be wrapped in seating arrangements, or meetings and drinking customs may be constrained by temporal visions of wrapping. Throughout the book, Dr Hendry considers ways in which groups of people use such symbolic forms to impress and manipulate one another, and points out a Western tendency to underestimate such non-verbal communication, or reject it as mere decoration. The ideas she presents should be valid in any intercultural encounter and demonstrate that Japanese culture, so often thought of as a special case, can supply a model through which we can formulate general theories about human behaviour. This book should be of use to the general reader, and students and teachers of social anthropology, Japanese studies, sociology and sociolinguistics, intercultural communication, business studies, and of any course which involves an interest in Japanese culture.

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

Wrapping Culture is concerned with problems of intercultural communication and the possibilities for misinterpretation of the familiar in an unfamiliar context. Starting with an examination of gift-wrapping, Joy Hendry demonstrates how our expectations are often influenced by cultural factors which may blind us to an appreciation of underlying intent. She then extends this approach to the study of polite language as the wrapping of thoughts and intentions, garments as body wrappings, constructions and gardens as wrapping of space, and even to the ways in which people may be wrapped in seating arrangements, or meetings and drinking customs may be constrained by temporal versions of wrapping. Throughout the book, Dr Hendry considers ways in which groups of people use such symbolic forms to impress and manipulate one another, and points out a Western tendency to underestimate such non-verbal communication, or reject it as mere decoration. The ideas she presents should be valid in any intercultural encounter and demonstrate that Japanese culture, so often thought of as a special case, can supply a model through which we can formulate general theories about human behaviour.

Revue de presse

Quite remarkable ... she writes with wit and style and expounds her thesis with plenty of illuminating evidence and anecdote ... Hendry in this book makes another enormous contribution to a social analysis of Japan. This is enriching reading for anyone, especially those who have a commitment to being involved in Japan either for business or leisure. (Insight Japan)

an original and stimulating account of contemporary Japanese culture ... Hendry writes prose which is lucid and refreshingly jargon-free (John Adamson, Sunday Telegraph)

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Clarendon Press
• Date d'édition: 1993
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0198273894
• ISBN 13: 9780198273899
• Reliure: Relié
• Numéro d'édition: 1
• Nombre de pages: 215
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: Ufficio Anagrafiche Messaggerie; ufficio.anagrafiche@meli.it; ; Via Verdi, 8; Assago Milano; 20090; Italie