3.1. Intercultural communicationThe

3.1. Intercultural communication
The Model of Intercultural Communication

Intercultural communication is communication between persons who have different cultural beliefs, values, or ways of behaving. The larger circles represent the cultures of the individual communicators. The inner circles identify the communicators (the sources-receivers). In this model each communicator is a member of a different culture. In some instances the cultural differences are relatively slight-say, between persons from Toronto and New York. In other instances the cultural differences are great-say, between persons from Borneo and Germany, or between persons from rural Nigeria and industrialized England. All messages originate from a specific and unique cultural context, and that context influences their content and form. You communicate as you do largely as a result of your culture. Culture (along with the processes of enculturation and acculturation) influences every aspect of your communication experience. And, of course, you receive messages through the filters imposed by a unique culture. Cultural filters, like filters on a camera, color the messages you receive. They influence what you receive and how you receive it. For example, some cultures rely heavily on television or newspapers for their news and trust them implicitly. Others rely on face-to-face interpersonal interactions, distrusting any of the mass communication systems. Some look to religious leaders as guides to behavior; others generally ignore them.
The term intercultural is used broadly to refer to all forms of communication among persons from different groups as well as to the more narrowly defined area of communication between different cultures. The model of intercultural communication applies equally to communication between a smaller culture and the dominant or majority culture, communication between different smaller cultures, and communication between a variety of other groups. The following types of communication may all be considered "intercultural" and, more important, subject to the same barriers and gateways to effective communication identified in this chapter:
Communication between cultures-for example, between Chinese and Portuguese, or between French and Norwegian.
Communication between races (sometimes called interracial communication), for example, between African Americans and Asian Americans.
Communication between ethnic groups (sometimes called interethnic communication)-for example, between Italian Americans and German Americans.
Communication between people of different religions-for example, between Roman Catholics and Episcopalians, or between Muslims and jews.
Communication between nations (sometimes called international communication,)- for example, between the United States and Argentina, or between China and Italy.
Communication between smaller cultures existing within the larger culture-for example, between doctors and patients, or between research scientists and the general public.
Communication between a smaller culture and the dominant culture-for example, between homosexuals and heterosexuals, or between older people and the younger majority.
Communication between genders-between men and women. Some researchers would consider intergender communication as a separate area-as a form of intercultural communication only when the two people are also from different races or nationalities. But gender roles are largely learned through culture, so it seems useful to consider male-female communication as intercultural (Tannen, 1994a, b).
That is, even though gender itself is transmitted genetically and not by communication, it is cultures that teach boys and girls different attitudes, beliefs, values, and ways of communicating and relating to one another (Payne, 2001). You act like a man or a woman partly because of what your culture has taught you about how men and women should act. Further, you can view male-female communication as cross-cultural because of the numerous differences in the way men and women speak and listen (Eckstein & Goldman, 2001). This does not deny that biological differences also play a role. In fact, research continues to uncover biological roots of behaviors once thought to be entirely learned, such as happiness and shyness (McCroskey, 1997).
Regardless of your own cultural background, you will surely come into close contact with people from a variety of other cultures-people who speak different languages, eat different foods, practice different religions, and approach work and relationships in very different ways. It doesn't matter whether you're a longtime resident or a newly arrived immigrant: You are or soon will be living, going. to school, working, and forming relationships with people who are from very different cultures. Your day-to-day experiences are sure to become increasingly intercultural.
3.2. Understanding and managing cultural differences
3.2.1. What is cultural difference?
Cultural differences are the variations in the way of life, beliefs, traditions and laws between different countries, religions, societies and people. Many people see culture as an all encompassing overview of large groups of people. However, the word culture can be used to describe the way of life of much smaller groups.
The most common meaning of culture, as suggested, is that of large groups of people and how their lifestyles and beliefs differ; this is where cultural differences come in. here we live and what we believe has a great impact on all aspects of our life whether we realize it or not. Some of the differences between cultures are enforced by internal rules (such as legal age of marriage) whereas others just happen through many years of development towards a certain way over another (e.g. Eating with knives and forks).
Some examples of cultural differences include:
- Clothing - Many cultures can be identified by their clothing. For example, Sikh men who wear turbans.
- Food - Some cultures are not allowed to eat pork. Most cultures have traditional dishes. For example, in the UK they eat a Sunday roast and Full English Breakfast.
- Language - Different countries tend to have their own language and methods of communication. However, there are also sub cultural differences, such as regional accents or sign language.
- Rules/ Laws - Cultures can often be recognized by the regulations they have to live by. However, lesser known rules can prove problematic. For example, tourists unaware of local custom may be arrested for inappropriate behavior.
Cultural differences are important to identity and to provide us with a sense of belonging. A person's culture is often very important to them and will have usually been a part of them since birth.
Like the classic Russian doll, larger groups such as continents, countries, cities, towns, villages and varying demographics of the inhabitants therein may each house their own culture, and so with so many differing cultures and sub-cultures through-out the world there are bound to be misunderstandings when it comes to interpretation of cultural differences. It is by knowing the meaning of cultural differences that such situations can be avoided.
3.2.2. Seven cultural dimensions
A culture distinguishes itself from others by ‘preferring’ one side of a dilemma’s continuum. The seven, universal dimensions of cultures are:
1. UNIVERSALISM versus PLURALISM
“What is more important – rules or relationships?”-The degree of importance a culture assigns to either the law or to personal relationships. In a universalistic culture, people share the belief that general rules, codes, values and standards take precedence over the needs and claims of friends and other relationships. In a pluralistic culture, people see culture in terms of human friendship and intimate relationships. While rules do exist in a pluralistic culture, they merely codify how people relate to one another.
2. INDIVIDUALISM versus COMMUNITARISNISM
“Do we function as a group or as individuals?” –
The degree to which people see themselves function more as a community or more as individuals. In a principally individualistic culture, people place the individual before the community. This means that individual happiness, fulfillment and welfare prevails and people take their own initiative and take care of themselves. In a principally communitarian culture, people place the community before the individual. Thus, it is the responsibility of the individual to act in ways which serve society. In doing so, individual needs are automatically attended.
3. SPECIFIC versus DIFFUSE
“How far do we get involved?”- The degree to which responsibility is specifically assigned or is diffusely accepted. In a specific culture, people first analyze the elements individually and then put them together, the whole is the sum of its parts. People’s lives are divided accordingly and, only a single component can be entered at a time. Interactions between people are very well-defined. Specific individuals concentrate on hard facts, standards and contracts. A diffusely oriented culture starts with the whole and sees individual elements from the perspective of the total. All elements are related to one another. Relationships between elements are more important than individual elements.
4. AFFECTIVITY versus NEUTRALITY
“Do we display our emotions?”- The degree to which individuals display their emotions. In an affective culture, people display their emotions and it is not deemed necessary to hide feelings. However, in a neutral culture, people are taught not to display their feelings overtly. The degree to which feelings become manifested is therefore minimal. While emotions are felt, they are controlled.
5. INNER DIRECTED versus OUTER DIRECTED
“Do we control our environment or work with it?”- The degree to which individuals believe the environment can be controlled v