Abstract  As an important aspect of non-verbal ways to communicate, the information of time transmission has deep cultural connotations. Different people in different cultures have shaped perse time concept. This thesis discusses the concept of time, and illustrates the idea of intercultural barriers. In intercultural communication, there are communicative barriers or mistakes because of the persity in time concepts. Discussing the influence on cross-culture communication based on the time concept is conducive to deeper understanding and grasp of the time orientation of China and America. And it helps to enhance the interaction of intercultural activities and avoid contradictions and conflicts in intercultural activities.59174

Key words: time concepts； time orientations； time classifications；     cultural conflicts

摘要时间观作为非言语交际的重要组成部分,它的交流传递具有深层次的文化内涵。来自不同文化背景的人形成了多样的时间观念。本文讨论了不同的时间概念,并举例阐述了因为时间观念不同而引起的跨文化交际中的交流障碍。由于人们不同的时间观念，因而交际中障碍或错误经常发生。讨论基于时间概念对跨文化交流的影响，有助于更深入了解并把握中美文化不同的时间取向，增进跨文化活动的交流互动，从而避免人们在跨文化交流活动中的冲突和矛盾。

毕业论文关键词：时间观念；时间导向；时间分类；文化冲突

1. Introduction 1

2. Literature Review 1

3. Classifications Based on Time Concepts 2

3.1 Classifications on Psychological Sense of Time 2

3.2 Classifications on Form of the Time 4

4. Reasons for Different Attitudes to Time 7

4.1 Historical Reasons 7

4.2 Religion and Culture 8

4.3 Reality Factors 8

5. Ways to Avoid Conflicts of Time Concepts 9

5.1 Understanding the Differences and Facing Them Bravely 9

5.2 Avoiding Ethnocentrism 10

5.3 Learning and Drawing Lessons from Others 10

5.4 Perspectives for the Development of Modern Time Orientation 11

6. Conclusion 11

Works Cited 12

1. Introduction

     Time orientation is a significant section of the cultural psychological tendency, and it reflects the deep cultural connotation. The use of time reflects the important cultural group values level. American anthropologist E. T. Hall claims that time can change the nature of life, it is one of the most fundamental systems( Hall,1973),because there are spatial and temporal specifications among all behavior in the situation .He also claims that time can speak. The messages passed by time are sonorous and clear. It is neither controlled by consciousness like a sound language, nor easy to let people misconstrue. He pides time according to different habits of culture into monochronic time system and polychronic time system( Hall,1982). Studying different cultural concepts of time is particularly vital in intercultural communication. Seen from the time orientation, there are great differences in the past time, present time, and future time in perse cultures. The emphasis of the three times are not identical, so four different time orientations in psychologically formed.Studying the differences in time concepts will help us communicate effectively and avoid conflicts in intercultural communication.