Abstract

Cross-cultural communication is inseparable from both oral and written communication. But effective language communication requires effective rhetorical strategies in terms of selecting the most effective means of persuasion to ensure its success. Aristotle defined rhetoric as “the art of identifying (and applying), in any given situation, the most likely means of persuasion.”  Naturally, to conduct effective communication with cross-cultural audiences requires us to find out or understand the favorable expressions used in that country. In this way, the speaker can say in the target language what audiences from that country or culture like to hear, and thus win over their trust. This study explores the well-received Chinese rhetorical strategies or means of expressions used by Chinese leaders in their public speeches or reports through discursive analysis. It has identified six commonly used means of expression as persuasive means to engage and influence the audiences. In light of the analysis here, the author hopes other researches could also identify well-received means of expression or persuasion in other cultures, and thus make contributions to the art of cross-cultural public speaking.

Key words: Cross-cultural communication, rhetorical strategy, Chinese, means of expressions.