Crossing Cultures Confidently
Chinese is a high context language. What is said is constantly clarified by what the gestures say. Depending on context, this woman’s wave may mean 5 things in Chinese communication: 1) Hello, nice to see you, 2) Wait! Stay here, 3) Don’t go, follow me, 4) No, I don’t want it, and 5) Goodbye. To understand Chinese language, it is equally important to watch for body language and as to listen to the spoken words.
Yvonne Wolf was born in Taiwan and educated in the U.S. and Europe. She has extensive experience living and working internationally (Denmark and Japan). She is fluent in English, Mandarin, and Danish, and has studied Japanese, Spanish, and Greek. Between work and personal travel, she has visited more than 20 countries and well-traveled within the U.S. and Canada. She has worked with organizations and business executives focusing on communication strategies working with Chinese and East Asian partners. Among her many skills is mediating across cultural misunderstandings.