Technical Communication Quarterly Sep 1999

Ethical intercultural technical communication: Looking through the lens of Confucian ethics

Sam Dragga Texas Tech University

Abstract

Studies of intercultural communication focus little on the ethical principles that inspire specific communication practices. The ethics of Confucius (including the virtues of goodness, righteousness, wisdom, faithfulness, reverence, and courage), however, genuinely illuminate communication behaviors within China. Analysis of a cultural artifact of technical communication reveals the substantial insight offered by the lens of ethics. A comprehensive understanding of differences in ethical perspectives is necessary to achieve ethical intercultural technical communication.

Journal
Technical Communication Quarterly
Published
1999-09-01
DOI
10.1080/10572259909364675
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
technical communication
Export
BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (16)

  1. Cardinal (2022)
    Superdiversity: An Audience Analysis Praxis for Enacting Social Justice in Tech…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Wang et al. (2022)
    Ethical Dimensions of App Designs: A Case Study of Photo- and Video-Editing Apps
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. Itchuaqiyaq et al. (2021)
    Decolonial Dinners: Ethical Considerations of “Decolonial” Metaphors in TPC
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Li et al. (2020)
    Cultural Differences Between Chinese and Western User Instructions: A Content A…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  5. Boedy (2017)
    From Deliberation to Responsibility: Ethics, Invention, and Bonhoeffer in Techn…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
Show all 16 →
  1. Zhang (2017)
    Assessing Attitudes Toward Content and Design in Alibaba’s Dry Goods Business I…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. Cárdenas (2012)
    Challenges and Rewards of Teaching Intercultural Communication in a Technical W…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Gu (2011)
    Challenges to Project-based Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) for Prof…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  4. Wang (2010)
    Convergence in the Rhetorical Pattern of Directness and Indirectness in Chinese…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  5. Matveeva (2008)
    Teaching Intercultural Communication in a Basic Technical Writing Course: A Sur…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  6. Wang (2008)
    Toward a Critical Perspective of Culture: Contrast or Compare Rhetorics
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  7. Hunsinger (2006)
    Culture and Cultural Identity in Intercultural Technical Communication
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  8. Ding (2004)
    Context-Driven: How is Traditional Chinese Medicine Labeling Developed?
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  9. Ding (2003)
    The Emergence of Technical Communication in China—Yi Jing (I Ching): The Buddin…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  10. Zahed et al. (2001)
    A conceptual framework for international Web design
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  11. Dombrowski (2000)
    Ethics and Technical Communication: The Past Quarter Century
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

References (28) · 6 in this index

  1. ALRED (1997)
    Teaching in Germany and the Rhetoric of Culture
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. Artemeva (1998)
    The writing consultant as cultural interpreter: Bridging cultural perspectives …
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Boiarsky (1995)
    The relationship between cultural and rhetorical conventions: Engaging in inter…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Chan Wing‐Tsit (1967)
    Reflections on Things at Hand: The Neo‐Confucian Anthology Compiled by Chu Hsi and Lü Tsu…
  5. Chang Hui‐Ching (1991)
    Cross‐Cultural Interpersonal Communication.
    International and Intercultural Communication Annual 15
Show all 28 →
  1. Cheng Chung‐Ying (1991)
    New Dimensions of Confucian and Neo‐Confucian Philosophy.
  2. De Mente Boye Lafayette (1989)
    Chinese Etiquette and Ethics in Business.
  3. Forman (1998)
    Corporate image and the establishment of Euro Disney: Mickey mouse and the Fren…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. HAGEN (1998)
    Teaching American Business Writing in Russia: Cross-Cultures/Cross-Purposes
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  5. Hall David L. (1987)
    Thinking through Confucius.
     ↗
  6. Hall Edward T. (1976)
    Beyond Culture: Into the Cultural Unconscious
  7. Hofstede Geert (1980)
    Culture's Consequences: International Differences in Work‐Related Values.
  8. Huang Chichung (1997)
    The Analects of Confucius: Lun Yu. By Confucius
     ↗
  9. Huang Quanyu (1994)
    A Guide to Successful Business Relations with the Chinese: Opening the Great Wall's Gate
  10. Irwin Harry (1996)
    Communicating with Asia: Understanding People and Customs
  11. Kam Louie (1980)
    Critiques of Confucius in Contemporary China.
  12. Kluckhohn Florence Rockwood (1961)
    Variations in Value Orientations.
  13. Lau D. C. (1979)
    The Analects. By Confucius
  14. Leys Simon (1997)
    The Analects of Confucius.
  15. Rodman Lilita (1996)
    International Dimensions of Technical Communication.
  16. Tillman Hoyt Cleveland (1992)
    Confucian Discourse and Chu Hsi's Ascendancy
     ↗
  17. Trompenaars Fons (1994)
    Riding the Waves of Culture: Understanding Diversity in Global Business.
  18. Tu Wei‐Ming (1990)
    Heritage of China: Contemporary Perspectives on Chinese Civilization.
     ↗
  19. Tung Rosalie L. (1996)
    Managing Across Cultures: Issues and Perspectives.
  20. Ulijn Jan M. (1996)
    International Dimensions of Technical Communication.
  21. Varner Iris I. (1995)
    Intercultural Communication in the Global Workplace.
  22. YUAN (1997)
    Yin/Yang Principle and the Relevance of Externalism and Paralogic Rhetoric to I…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  23. 10.1080/03637758809376178
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 28 View in citation network → Build reading path →

Related Articles

  1. Written Communication May 2026
    Leveraging Human-Centered Design and Artificial Intelligence to Improve Rural Healthcare: Wicked Problems, Design Thinking, and Mutable Methodologies ↗
    Richard Johnson-Sheehan; Thomas Rickert; Paul Thompson Hunter; Adrianna Deptula
    technical communication artificial intelligence
  2. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication May 2026
    The User Experience of Virtual Reality for Longitudinal Writing: A Diary Study of Immersive Graduate Dissertation Composing Experience ↗
    Jason Tham; Rich Shivener; Niveditha Pookkottuvariam; Sarah Riddick
    rhetorical criticism graduate education technical communication archival research empirical research qualitative research
  3. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 2026
    Visualizing Heat Risk: Infographics, Memorability, and Design ↗
    Preksha Mysore; Kathryn Lambrecht
    technical communication
  4. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 2026
    Developing Intercultural Socioemotional Communication Skills: A Hybrid Student Exchange Project Between Kenya, Ireland, and Germany ↗
    Belinda Oechsler; Yvonne Cleary; Sissi Closs
    technical communication professional writing
  5. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 2026
    What Video Games Can Tell Us About Interactive Technical Communication ↗
    Emily Kuzneski Johnson
    technical communication multimodality