"Intercultural communication is the study of differences and similarities of cultural content and its influence on persons within and across different cultures" (156). In order for communication to exist, we have to have words that can string together in a certain manner that ultimately derive a specific meaning. However, how do different cultures gain different understandings of the same word? In addition, how can people from different cultures communicate efficiently when having different understandings of the word. Variations in culture do not solely remain in differences in dialectic, but values and beliefs also differ from culture to culture. When observing different cultures it is important to be mindful that a universal truth doesn't exist and that your truth isn't everyone's truth.
Living in the United States can be a blessing and a curse. Yes, the U.S. can be a place with loads of diversity, however is it possible for multiple cultures to exist in the same space? The U.S. portrays that this can be the case, but often times immigrants and people from various backgrounds are not always accepted to express their own culture. Specifically, people are allowed to express themselves legally, but that doesn't mean that they're expressions are accepted into societal norms. For example, people who practice the Islamic religion in the U.S. are legally able to practice their religion and they won't be thrown in jail for identifying as Islamic. However, many people in the U.S. have stuck a negative tag on the Islamic religion due to events like 9/11 and things like terrorism. Hence, a stigmatism is created that all Muslim's are harmful or terrorists. Moreover, this is most certainly not the case because they're good and bad people amongst every religion, but people are socialized through the media and history to obtain certain viewpoints about specific cultures. The main point being, the U.S. attempts to appear that we are accepting of all cultures, but what really goes on within society and how people are treated is a completely different story when coming from a different culture.
I think that in order for anything to change, people have to really open up their mind and look past the differences of other cultures. Saying you will do something and actually carrying out what you say are two different things. Thus, it is important to recognize that everyone has a purpose for what they do and their actions may or may not be ethical within your culture. For that reason, it is important to accept what people have to say and listen to understand versus listening to judge. This does not mean that you agree with everything that goes on in another culture, but that you accept the fact that people are different--letting them express themselves without fear of being persecuted by society.
I enjoyed reading your opinion on this chapter. You bring up some valid points. In referring to how one culture can identify the same meaning across country borders is interesting. When we assign meaning to words that have different meanings elsewhere it can become problematic to determine the right act. Mindfulness as you mentioned is a very easy accommodation but very hard to do at the same time when we are so accustom to our individual routines. Ronald Arnett suggest that the culture shock is being placed into a new environment is really the only way we learn from differences and ourselves in some cases (Pg. 157). Do you agree?
ReplyDeleteAnother argument to consider with intercultural communication is, what’s is the best possible way to introduce cultural beliefs in a dialogue or belief with another when we don’t have enough rapport established to discuss things so intimate? They might not be comfortable self-disclosing with some who is new in their life. I think listening to understand as you mention is important but at some point we will have to respond not necessary knowing what they believe is ethical. It is one of the 3 elements in a dialogue (i.e. Attentiveness, Listen without demand, and negotiation). Does negotiation become the main contributor? Learning to accommodate the other person I believe is really important but can be hard when individuals are so set on their own beliefs. I think a accommodation of all 3 elements is really the only way to make a good come from a dialogue in a cultural reference. Good Post!