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    Assignment - Intercultural Essay

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    Assignment - Intercultural Essay

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    Assignment - Intercultural Essay

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    COM 101: Fundamentals Of Communication Sm 1 23

    Ass.1/ESSAY - Intercultural Communication

    By Deborah Waldropt-Downer

    Hofstede’s Cultural Context; Generic Response; Content and Focus;

    A major challenge facing the world today is to learn to accept cultural and, by extension communication
    differences.

    Write an essay in no more than 600 words which discusses cultural and communication differences, and show
    how the study and practice of intercultural communication can bridge these differences.

    Communication must benefit the receiver and the sender in a manner that appreciates the differences,
    honours the dignity and respects the human value.

    According to “Communication Works” by Gamble, Communication is the deliberate or accidental transfer of


    meaning. It is the process that occurs whenever someone observes or experiences behaviour and attributes
    meaning to that behaviour. As long as what someone does or says (his or her symbolic behaviour) is
    interpreted as a message—as long as the behaviour of one person affects or influences the behaviour of
    another—communication is occurring.

    One key function of communication is “insight into ourselves and others.

    Technological advancements have increased the pace of global communication, and this causes us to interact
    with cultures in a way that would not have been possible just thirty years ago.

    One of the main reasons for intercultural communication is the desire to understand other cultures.

    Intercultural Communication Competence (ICC) – the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately in
    various cultural contexts.

    A culture is the system of knowledge, beliefs, values, customs, behaviours, and artifacts that are acquired,
    shared, and used by its members during daily living.

    According to Dr. Stephen Klien of the University of Minnesota 2016: “Culture is the ongoing negotiation of
    learned and patterned beliefs, attitudes, values and behaviours.” “Cultural group identities are defined by
    enduring powerful norms developed over history and taught to its members through communication.”

    Empathy – appreciating another culture as also “normal” and entitled to exist. Solution to ethno-centrism,
    which is a coping mechanism for uncertainty; mistrust; discomfort.

    Every cultural group has its own rules or preferences for interaction. When these are ignored or unknown, we
    are likely to misinterpret the meaning of messages received and miscalculate the impact of messages sent.

    We can also interpret another culture from our own ethno-centric viewpoint.

    Intercultural communication involves interaction with and learning about another culture, in ways that can
    either help to sustain and improve, or harm and terminate, the relationship.
    According to Griswold, pp. 22–24. Wendy Griswold, Cultures and Society in a Changing World. Thousand Oaks,
    CA: Pine Forge, 1994, pp. 22–24. “Culture is the lens through which we view the world; it is the mirror we use
    to reflect and interpret reality.”

    The social graces of each culture may vary.

    The act of bowing is a common part of daily life in Japan. Generally, it is a mark of respect and emphasises
    social rank between people. Bowing is also used to thank, apologize, make a request or ask someone a favour.

    In Ethiopia, feeding each other with your hands is a gesture of hospitality. The tradition is intended to build
    trust and social bonds between those sharing the food.

    In China and Taiwan, burping is the highest form of flattery—it means you like the food!

    Those who speak out publicly against the prohibition on the education of girls are intimidated, threatened or
    even killed. Malala Yousafzai from Pakistan.

    Female genital mutilation, practiced in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, is a violation of the
    human rights of girls and women.

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