Introduction

Communication styles and norms have evolved over time, shaped by historical events, traditions, and cultural influences. In particular, the development of direct versus indirect communication patterns in Chinese and Western cultures reflects their distinct historical evolutions. Confucian philosophy deeply impacted communication in China, emphasizing respect, hierarchy, and indirectness. Meanwhile, the Western Enlightenment tradition valued direct, candid expression. Beyond philosophical roots, gender roles and age hierarchies ingrained in both cultures further contribute to norms around directness and indirectness in communication (Su, 2018). This research will analyze how these cultural factors have influenced linguistic patterns in Mandarin and English. Having navigated between Mandarin and English worlds myself, I am drawn to exploring the interaction between cultural norms and linguistics from a place of personal connection and continuous evolution. This analysis aims to build understanding between two rich histories and worldviews encoded within patterns of communication.