Prepare two versions of a short sketch involving a communication breakdown.
● Perform version 1 where the communication breakdown takes place.
● Then explain what went wrong and how it could be avoided.
● Next, perform version 2, this time where no communication breakdown takes place.
● Perform version 1 where the communication breakdown takes place.
● Then explain what went wrong and how it could be avoided.
● Next, perform version 2, this time where no communication breakdown takes place.
Đáp án
Giải thích
Sketch 1:
The confused teacher
Susan is a teacher from London who comes to a small town in Viet Nam to teach English. She has her first lesson today and is very impressed by one of her students – Lien. Lien speaks English very well and is very active in the class. Later that day Susan runs into Lien in the corridor. Susan wants to compliment Lien and she says, ‘Lien, your English is excellent!’. And Lien answers, ‘No, it’s very bad.’ Susan wants to assure Lien so she confirms, ‘Yes, your English is very good!’ To Susan’s surprise, Lien repeats quietly, ‘No, it’s very bad.’ Susan feels rather confused and she doesn’t know why Lien responds to her this way.
Communication breakdown = cultural differences
In Viet Nam it is typical to deny the compliments you receive. This is a way to show your modesty. However, in western cultures, people who give compliments often expect you to take them, and denial of compliments, especially if it is repeated, may be rude and make the other person feel uncomfortable. In this situation, Lien may just politely thank her teacher.
Sketch 2:
The best restaurant
Jerry and Diana are from the USA and they are now on holiday in France. They eat out in a restaurant and they find the food and the wine excellent. At the end of the meal the chef asks how they have enjoyed the evening and Jerry holds up his thumb and index finger to make a circle. Seeing that, the chef’s face suddenly falls and he leaves immediately without a word. Jerry and Diana are left wondering what they have done wrong.
Communication breakdown = cultural differences
In the USA, holding up one thumb and index finger to make a circle means OK, good, excellent, while in France, this gesture means something not so good, even worthless.
Sketch 3:
The missing fork and the giant drink
Hoang Ly is from Ha Noi and now she’s visiting her grandparents in Ho Chi Minh City. Minh Anh, her friend in Ho Chi Minh City is taking her to eat out. When the food is brought out, Ly notices there is one fork missing on the table, so she asks the waiter for one. ‘Chú mang hộ cháu một cái dĩa nữa được không ạ?’. Then the waiter brings her a big plate. Ly thinks perhaps the restaurant is too noisy and the waiter couldn’t hear what she said.
After that, Minh Anh comes and visits Ly’s grandparents. They off er her tea and Minh Anh hears Ly’s grandmother telling her, ‘Cháu vào lấy cho bà thêm một cái chén nữa cho Minh Anh.’ Minh Anh is a bit nervous because she doesn’t feel like she wants to drink such a huge bowl of tea, especially after her big meal with Hoang Ly.
Communication breakdown = language barrier
When the people in Ha Noi and some other provinces in northern Viet Nam say ‘dĩa' they mean a fork, while this word means a plate for the people in southern Viet Nam.
Meanwhile, ‘chén' in northern Viet Nam means a small teacup whereas in southern Viet Nam the word means a bowl you use to eat when having meals.
The confused teacher
Susan is a teacher from London who comes to a small town in Viet Nam to teach English. She has her first lesson today and is very impressed by one of her students – Lien. Lien speaks English very well and is very active in the class. Later that day Susan runs into Lien in the corridor. Susan wants to compliment Lien and she says, ‘Lien, your English is excellent!’. And Lien answers, ‘No, it’s very bad.’ Susan wants to assure Lien so she confirms, ‘Yes, your English is very good!’ To Susan’s surprise, Lien repeats quietly, ‘No, it’s very bad.’ Susan feels rather confused and she doesn’t know why Lien responds to her this way.
Communication breakdown = cultural differences
In Viet Nam it is typical to deny the compliments you receive. This is a way to show your modesty. However, in western cultures, people who give compliments often expect you to take them, and denial of compliments, especially if it is repeated, may be rude and make the other person feel uncomfortable. In this situation, Lien may just politely thank her teacher.
Sketch 2:
The best restaurant
Jerry and Diana are from the USA and they are now on holiday in France. They eat out in a restaurant and they find the food and the wine excellent. At the end of the meal the chef asks how they have enjoyed the evening and Jerry holds up his thumb and index finger to make a circle. Seeing that, the chef’s face suddenly falls and he leaves immediately without a word. Jerry and Diana are left wondering what they have done wrong.
Communication breakdown = cultural differences
In the USA, holding up one thumb and index finger to make a circle means OK, good, excellent, while in France, this gesture means something not so good, even worthless.
Sketch 3:
The missing fork and the giant drink
Hoang Ly is from Ha Noi and now she’s visiting her grandparents in Ho Chi Minh City. Minh Anh, her friend in Ho Chi Minh City is taking her to eat out. When the food is brought out, Ly notices there is one fork missing on the table, so she asks the waiter for one. ‘Chú mang hộ cháu một cái dĩa nữa được không ạ?’. Then the waiter brings her a big plate. Ly thinks perhaps the restaurant is too noisy and the waiter couldn’t hear what she said.
After that, Minh Anh comes and visits Ly’s grandparents. They off er her tea and Minh Anh hears Ly’s grandmother telling her, ‘Cháu vào lấy cho bà thêm một cái chén nữa cho Minh Anh.’ Minh Anh is a bit nervous because she doesn’t feel like she wants to drink such a huge bowl of tea, especially after her big meal with Hoang Ly.
Communication breakdown = language barrier
When the people in Ha Noi and some other provinces in northern Viet Nam say ‘dĩa' they mean a fork, while this word means a plate for the people in southern Viet Nam.
Meanwhile, ‘chén' in northern Viet Nam means a small teacup whereas in southern Viet Nam the word means a bowl you use to eat when having meals.