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The term intercultural is chosen over the largely synonymous term cross-cultural
because it is linked to language use such as interdisciplinary that is cooperation
between people with different scientific backgrounds.
It is not cultures that communicate, whatever that might imply, but people (and
possibly social institutions) with different cultural backgrounds that do. In general,
the term cross-cultural is probably best used for comparisons between cultures
(cross-cultural comparison).
What is a culture?
The term culture refers to all the characteristics common to a particular group of
people that are learned and not given by nature.
Culture involves beliefs, attitudes, values, and traditions that are shared by a group
of people. Thus, we must consider more than the clothes we wear, the movies we
watch, or the video games we play, all representations of environment, as culture.
Culture may be defined as the complex system of values, traits, morals, and
customs shared by a society.
Culture teaches people how to behave, and it conditions their reactions. The
important thing to remember is that culture is a powerful operating force that molds
the way we think and behave.
For example, if we are raised in a culture where males speak while females are
expected to remain silent, the context of the communication interaction governs
behavior, which in itself is a representation of culture.
From the choice of words (message), to how we communicate (in person, or by email), to how we acknowledge understanding with a nod or a glance (nonverbal
feedback), to the internal and external interference, all aspects of communication
are influenced by culture.
Types of Cultural Communication
It implies interaction with persons of different cultural, ethnic, racial, gender, sexual
orientation, religious, age and class backgrounds.
During the past decades the growth of globalisation, immigration and international
tourism has involved large numbers of people in cross-cultural interaction (also
referred to as inter-cultural interaction or international relations) whether they
have liked it or not.
This has led to an increased desire and need for knowledge regarding cross-cultural
communication on many levels. There is the theoretical field of cross-cultural
communication and the applied field of cross-cultural training.
2. Intracultural Communication
It takes place between members of the same dominant culture, but with slightly
different values.
3. International Communication
This refers to the interactions among people from different nations not necessarily
from different cultures.
4. INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Introduction
It refers a symbolic process in which people from different cultures create shared
meaning.
One of the most important reasons for studying intercultural communication is the
awareness that raises of cultural identity and background of the societies.
In human history, living together in peace without violence and problem has been a
challenge for all humanity.
It means that human beings prefer living together with the people who are like them
rather than with people are different in looking, speaking, eating, dressing, behaving
and believing compared to their own community, shortly, people from different
cultures.
In these societies, individuals have to live together with the people from different
nations, colors, religions, languages and cultures.
Benefits of Intercultural Communication
Communicating and establishing relationships with people from different cultures can
lead to a whole host of benefits, including healthier communities; increased
international, national, and local commerce; reduced conflict; and personal growth
through increased tolerance.
In contrast with assimilation which charges exclusively migrants with the burden
integration, and multiculturalism which was light-hearted with regard to integration,
We can no longer define equality as sameness, but instead must value our
differences with others whether they can be about race, gender, ethnicity, lifestyle,
or even occupation or professional discipline.
Healthy communities are made up of individuals working collectively for the benefit
of everyone, not just their own group.
Through open and honest intercultural communication people can work together to
achieve goals that benefit everyone, regardless of group or cultural orientation.
The principles of community are applicable to any situation in which two people are
gathered together, including the global community, in the home, business, or
neighborhood.
about Whites
About Asians
I wouldnt trust
them.
When we interact with someone from a different culture we are faced with a lot of
uncertainty. We may not know anything about the persons culture, values, habits,
behavior, dress, and so on.
We may not know what to say or do in such circumstances. This uncertainty about the other
person may make us feel nervous and anxious.
Whenever we come together and interact with a stranger, our primary concern is to
reduce uncertainty, especially when the other person is someone who we will meet
again, provides rewards for us, or behaves in some deviant way.
Often, when we are faced with high levels of uncertainty we experience anxiety. In
high-uncertainty situations our primary goal is to reduce uncertainty and to increase
the predictability about the other.
This woman from France demonstrates this gesture. Can you try to guess what this
French gesture means?
Various cultures have their own customs of different distance that make their people
feel comfortable in personal conversation situations. The way human beings space
themselves is determined by their culture and the particular relationships involved.
Example: Chinese do many more touches than Americans. It is quite usual for the
Chinese to walk hand in hand between the same sexes. But in America, friends with
the same sex never keep such a close distance. Such kind of behavior is considered
homosexual in the west and is strongly disgusted.
Paralanguage:
The vocal cues that accompany spoken language like the pitch, speed, volume,
pause and silence. People use the basic elements to transfer the emotional and
intellectual meanings of their messages.
Example: Different traditions view silence much differently. Chinese people value
silence more than the use of words, many of them believe that inner peace and
wisdom come only through silence, just as the old sayings
For instance, in response to the question Will you marry me, silence in America
would be interpreted as uncertainty; while in China it would be interpreted as
acceptance.
Many nonverbal expressions vary from culture to culture, and what is accepted in
one culture may be completely unacceptable in another making in some cases the
nonverbal communication as a source of misunderstanding.
Thank you for your attention!