Language and Culture in Context - A Primer Broadening Horizons

OVERVIEW Broadening Horizons Learning Objectives Successful interaction with this and associated course content will enable students to Recognize the need for IC competence in today increasingly diverse communities Develop balanced and informed views on the concepts of culture and communication Perceive patterns in cultural but be alert to Recognize the ethnic issues in IC and the need for global citizenship . Understand the role of media in framing cultural values In this initial chapter we will be discussing some of the fundamental aspects of intercultural communication , including its importance in today world , its history as an academic discipline , and the typical approaches to its instruction . There will also be discussion of the role of media in intercultural communication as well as its relationship to ethics . This chapter , as do each in this text , concludes with a section related to technology in this case , dealing with the importance of digital and information literacy for intercultural communicative competence . Intercultural Cultures under study and in the media literacy ( This page titled is shared under a ( license and was authored , remixed , curated by Jones .

Introducing Intercultural Communication What is Intercultural Communication ?

Intercultural communication refers to the process of interacting with people who are different from oneself in fundamental ways related to appearance , language , or a number of other categories . For many people this phenomenon is part of their everyday lives , for example , in multilingual , multicultural communities or in culturally diverse families . The majority of human societies deal with multiple cultures and multiple languages . The USA has traditionally been one of the few countries in which it is possible to be successful even if one speaks only one language , English ( 2010 ) The USA , however , is shifting demographically in ways that are likely to change dramatically attitudes towards language and culture . By the year 2042 , demographers tell us , whites will be in the minority ( Roberts , 2008 ) The USA is by no means unique in undergoing this process . The means of communication and transportation available today result in more mixing of cultures than ever before . This coincides with trends in commerce and trade in recent decades which have facilitated growing internationalization in all areas of business and economic activity . This process of globalization is facilitated by social media activities of people around the world . Communicating with others who are physically remote is possible through social networks such as Facebook or through online conversations via Skype or chat programs such as WhatsApp . At the same time , political and economic forces are causing large numbers of people to become or economic refugees , creating more diverse cities and countries throughout the world . This process can also create conflict , sometimes due to concerns of foreigners taking jobs away or changing the character of a region , and sometimes due to fear arising from willful ignorance and xenophobia the fear of foreigners . In fact , globalization is by no means , as often portrayed a benign process , benefiting humanity universally . While many in developed countries enjoy international travel , increasing prosperity , and safe communities , those in other parts of the world continue to experience severe ( food , water , housing ) mass unemployment , and violent communities . These conditions , along with unequal access to education and healthcare , are often accompanied by corruption and political powerlessness . This has led to mass migrations and social instability . Within developed countries , there are sharp divisions based on geography , social class , and income . These disparities , along with changes in the global economy , have propelled populist and nationalistic leaders in many parts of the world to power . The Need for Intercultural Communication Today Given the demographical and trends of recent decades , in today world one is likely to have more encounters ( online or in person ) with people from different cultures . Technological advances have played a major role in bringing people together . The Internet has reached the remotest corners of the world , as has satellite and online entertainment . People are able to see and appreciate differences in culture , way of life , and ways of interpreting the world at the click of a button . To add to this is the increasing ease of travel to different parts of the world for both work and pleasure ( for the privileged ) This has possibly resulted in a significant decrease in communication apprehension and a visible increase in the need and desire to be sensitive and competent . From that perspective , there is certainly a personal incentive for being sensitive . The openness and needed for successful exchanges offer benefits in personal and professional interactions of all kinds . Becoming knowledgeable about other cultures is also invaluable in gaining deeper insight into one own culture . An experience living abroad or in close contact with those from another culture can lead to dramatically changed perspectives on the values and behavior patterns of ones native country . Figure UK International Development Secretary , Justine Greening , talking with Syrian children in the refugee camp , Jordan

There is in addition a practical , utilitarian benefit , as companies are increasingly looking for employees who are flexible , tolerant , and able to work with others different from themselves . In virtually every business today , what happens in other countries can have a serious impact on its operations and viability . Communities and societies benefit as well , as understanding and tolerance reduce animosity and conflict . This is of increasing importance today , as we see a rise in nationalistic movements in many countries , often accompanied by growing calls for political isolation , economic nationalism , and stricter immigration controls . In part , this is a response to the fact that the forces of globalization have resulted in disadvantages for particular local populations in terms of job opportunities and economic . These tendencies have unfortunate byproducts , namely the rise of prejudicial attitudes towards members of minority groups and a of minds and feelings towards those who act or look different . It is of particular importance for future leaders to gain insight and empathy into other cultures . National or regional , heads of political parties , and others in the public eye ( entertainers , writers , activists ) function as role models . Their views , opinions , and behaviors can have a substantial public . Figures like Pope Francis , or Greta have exerted positive influence , respectively , on views of minority rights , educational opportunities for girls , and the need for immediate action on global warming . Unfortunately , we have seen in recent years public figures advocating for ideas and policies which divide and inflame communities , such as white supremacy or rejection of equal rights for individuals . Messages of this kind of hatred and can fall on receptive ears , particularly if an individual or a community has not often encountered individuals different in ethnic background , religious belief , or language Many societies are deeply divided the anger of rural and communities cut adrift by globalization is readily harnessed against the more concrete scapegoat of minorities , particularly if people have little experience with diversity . Against this context , opportunities for everyday mundane Connections that allow people to engage beyond the stereotypes can become a crucial means to overcoming division and exclusion ( 2017 , 203 ) Studies have shown that the geographical regions with the lowest number of immigrants or members of a minority tend to have the highest level of negative views of those groups . This is a clear indication that these views are not based on experience or evidence but on uninformed opinions based on slanted media or anecdotal information from friends or family . 2017 ) provides a hopeful example , namely Sudanese immigrants in a virtually Australian community becoming socially accepted by individuals and community leaders who reach out beyond stereotypes and their bubbles . Intercultural understanding is essential as well in gaining an informed and balanced appreciation of media , whether that be television reports focusing on other countries or blog posts from abroad . Today there is a vast amount of information freely available , through media channels and the Internet . Understanding the perspective from which others View the world can be very helpful in becoming informed consumers of news stories and social media . Given the importance of this topic , it will form a thread through many of the discussions in this textbook . Culture Central to our lives Embedded in the term intercultural communication is the word culture . Culture is a slippery concept . In English , it has a number of different uses . Already in the 1950 , one article cited over 150 definitions of culture ( 1952 ) while a more recent study analyzed over 300 definitions ( Baldwin et , 2006 ) One of those concepts is culture with a capital , or high culture , namely literature and the arts . When we say in English that someone is cultured , this is the kind of culture we mean , someone with a good education , who perhaps goes on a regular basis to the theater or concerts , and reads books . We wo be talking much here about that kind of culture . Rather what important for intercultural communication is the concept of culture related to the everyday pattern of life . defines culture as an accumulated pattern of values , beliefs , and behaviors , shared by an identifiable group of people with a common history and verbal and nonverbal symbol systems ( 2012 , 19 ) We will use this as our initial working definition , refining it subsequently to embrace other concepts beyond that of national cultures , implied in this view . In this traditional description of culture , several ideas emerge as being of importance . An accumulated pattern of values , beliefs , and behaviors Individual cultural identities develop over time , with concepts and actions being reinforced through repetition in a gradual socialization process . Culture references a number of aspects of normal human existence , from weighty issues

such as our worldview and standards to more mundane matters such as how we greet each other or the kinds of food we like to eat . shared by an group ofpeople These cultural norms represent fundamental , default values for individuals identified with that cultural group . That group may be small or large , fixed in a single location or dispersed among different communities ( geographically separated ) However , no matter where they may be , they share particular characteristics that make them a distinct group . with a common history How important historical memory is to members of a culture may vary . In some cases , as with Native Americans , or for other groups having been displaced or suffered acute social injustice , their history is likely to be well known and to play a significant role in determining cultural values as well as in shaping interactions with other groups . According to Rogers and ( 1999 ) collective cultural consciousness , the embedded memories of historical events important to a particular cultural group , can act as a kind of message filter , affecting significantly communication dynamics ( and ( common ) verbal and nonverbal symbol systems . Language plays an oversized role in social cohesion and is the most important vehicle for transmission of cultural values . Nonverbal communication patterns are also a prominent constituent part of a group identity and an easily identifiable marker for group membership . Both systems are based on symbols . Some see the use of symbols as the essence of a culture . For anthropologist Clifford , culture is a complex set of symbols used to create order and sense in our lives . According to , cultures denote an historically transmitted pattern of meaning embodied in symbols ( 1973 , 89 ) As we saw from the example at the beginning of this chapter , while symbols may sometimes seem arbitrary ( ie , no inherent connection to their meaning ) they nevertheless can be powerful , embodying values and beliefs . Figure Swaraj , External Affairs Minister of India at an Indian event in London . Great Britain is home to many families originating in India or Pakistan . Culture is not something we are born with , but rather it is learned , starting with our families , then moving on to our school experiences and friends . We often are not aware of the cultural values we embrace , even though many of those values and behaviors determine important aspects of our lives . They may only come to the surface when we encounter people who come from different cultures . In that sense , culture is often described as hidden ( Hall , 1966 ) Culture is not fixed and immutable culture does not exist in a vacuum , but is by historical , social , political , and economic conditions . Cultural values are constructed from social dynamics in the countries or groups represented . Those values are not necessarily universally embraced . In everyday life , cultures are often associated with , as assumed in definition . This can be traced back to the work of early 19 German scholar Wilhelm von , who was one of the first to equate nations with cultures ( Rogers , 1999 ) We often hear about French culture or Chinese culture . But within political boundaries , cultures are rarely monolithic . There tend to be many regional differences , as well as differences based on ethnicity , age , profession , social class , and other categories . National cultures change , whether it a consequence of catastrophic events such as wars or natural disasters , or simply through contact with a foreign culture . One could point to the spread of culture , for example , through the popularity of American movies and music , as well as through military interventions . In recent years we seen South Korean popular culture develop a large following outside of Korea . as it called , has many fans worldwide , some of whom adapt aspects of the pop such as dress , hair style , or mannerisms ( Kim , 2013 ) The fact is that as individuals we do necessarily fit the

mold of the national culture in which we were raised . Some scholars speak of culture as something often contested ( see Jackson , 2010 Pillar , 2017 ) Hippies in the 1960 , for example , saw themselves in opposition to the cultural mainstream of many Western countries , in political views , in dress , and in attitudes towards work and leisure . In the end , culture is personal and fluid . Figure Korean group Girls Generation , popular With these perspectives on culture , we can return to our initial working definition and add some qualifiers . This traditional view of culture implies a static state , not the flexibility described above . It also includes a common history , but a dynamic vision of culture embraces the idea that cultures can be built on the fly , through individuals coming together due to commonalities of one kind or another , possibly even for a short duration of time . Finally sharing values , behaviors and languages may be true only in a restricted sense . It is useful to have knowledge of the traditional conception of culture , but at the same time understand new and different perspectives on what culture is . That is further explored in the next section . Culture from the perspective of complexity theory We live in a world that has become increasingly complex , with a host of problems both global and intractable Economic instability , the widening gap between rich and poor , climate change and the environmental crisis , the unstoppable transnational flow of refugees despite increasingly harsh regimes of border control , the threat of terrorist movements , rising geopolitical tensions as the hegemony of the West declines , urban gridlock and conflict in our diverse cities , the unsustainable costs of health care in times of population ageing , and the unsettling impact of rapid technological change these are only a few of the large facing our globalized , interconnected world today ( Ang , 2011 , 79 ) One could easily add to the list a host of issues surrounding the Internet , from cyber security to the loss of privacy and addiction to social media . These problems are and have a variety of causes . They have repercussions in human lives , both local and global . In recent years , the forces of globalization , mechanization , and mass migration have led to social divisions and political upheaval . Economic uncertainty and resentment towards immigrants have led to the growth of economic nationalism , and isolationism across the globe . Common to these developments are ubiquity and complexity the problems are interwoven in local and global and evince multiple causes and unpredictable outcomes In short , everywhere in the world complexity is staring us in the face its overwhelming impact socially , economically , ecologically is increasingly undeniable and inescapable . That the world is terribly complex is now a vital part of global cultural experience , a structure of feeling which has grown more pervasive in the century ( Ang , 2011 , 779 ) One way of dealing with this increasingly complex world is to pretend the problems do not exist , to engage in willful ignorance , by , for example , disbelieving scientific evidence . Another option is to ignore what happens beyond one neighborhood . Yet in the it is virtually impossible in any part of the world to withdraw completely from and which may be global in scale , but often local in effect . One path is to put forward or partial measures . The danger in that approach is that it tends to lead to simplistic solutions , that may be popular , but in reality misrepresent both the issue and its

complexity . Complex problems are not solved by single , simple explanations . There are typically multiple , changing variables at play , so that any is likely to be both complicated and provisional . As conditions change , approaches must adapt . The first step is to recognize and accept the complexity of a problem and seek to understand its origins and developmental path . An approach that has gained currency in both natural and social sciences is complexity theory ( an ecological approach which stresses , unpredictability , and in how systems work . An expanded version of chaos theory , complexity theory looks to uncover a system beginning ( its initial conditions ) and to trace development as variables and subsystems are added to combine and shape outcomes in ways that are unpredictable . Studies have shown the extent to which language and language learning can be understood as complex systems , given the variability of language use and the multiple factors which affect learning a second language ( 1997 ) That approach has recently been used as well to analyze the dynamics of informal language learning ( 2018 ) In chapters three and four we will look at that topic in more detail . Another area within intercultural communication that invites a analysis is personal identity , a topic we will address in the next chapter . Culture and intercultural communication competence from a perspective helps us understand that reducing culture to national origin is a simplistic misrepresentation of the dynamics of identity formation today , in which multiple influences in person , online , and in the media combine in unique ways that are varied and unforeseeable . 1999 ) uses the term networked individual to point to the myriad influences on individuals in our time . Culture from this perspective is and dynamic , impacted by diverse , intersecting factors and not reducible to a single point of origin . The complexity of culture can also lead us to realign the typical approach in intercultural communication studies of focusing on similarities or differences . There are too many variables in play for contact between cultures to be understood in such binary terms . It is preferable to imagine instead a sliding scale , with both context and individual affecting interactions . Communication A Human Necessity Communication occurs in many different , and conversations will have different characteristics depending on who is speaking , where the exchange takes place , and what the purpose of the encounter is . Human conversation is highly contextual and infinitely variable . The linguist has made us aware of the fact that virtually every sentence we speak is something , combining a basic set of elements into endless combinations , a phenomenon known as digital infinity ( 2005 ) According to the popular conception of human speech , language is used primarily for the transmission of information . This familiar transmission model breaks communication down into a transmitter and a receiver , whose roles may be reversed in the course of a dialogue , but whose purpose in talking is to send a message of some kind . This is a concept derived from early work in electronic communication , such as that done by Bell Labs in the US in the 1040 and ( see Shannon , 1948 ) In 1960 , expanded the communication model to include factors such as the purpose and objectives of the message being transmitted , as well as nonverbal communication . His model breaks down communication into the Sender , Message , Channel , and Receiver , each of which is affected by a variety of factors . One of the important modifications in the model is emphasis on the influence on message transmission . This was later popularized in the phrase , the medium is the message , by Marshall ( 1964 ) meaning that a message is tightly tied to the means of transmission . This is of particular relevance today , as digital media have provided multiple channels of communication texting , email , Facebook messaging , tweets , posts , etc . all of which have a shaping influence on how a message is received . i

In the traditional model of communication , the major emphasis is on how a message is transmitted . Yet linguists , from observing and studying actual conversations , have learned that rarely does a conversation have only a semantic purpose , used to convey meaning . Instead , talking is often a social action , used to maintain relationships and convey feelings and emotions . Sometimes conversations are shaped by social status and function as a way to affirm or contest a hierarchical status quo ( see , 2013 ) Humans are social animals and the need to communicate is fundamental to our nature . Communication is what builds and maintains communities . Historically , the worst kind of human punishment has been exclusion from a community and enforced verbal isolation ( see sidebar ) Like culture , we take human communication for granted , and feel its importance only when it is lost . The nature of human speech affects intercultural communication . If talking is essentially a socialization process , holding conversations has the potential to build relationships . But that also means that the language we need for engaging in normal conversation is not simply vocabulary useful for expressing meaning . We need , importantly , to know about the social dimensions of language , the appropriate way to greet others , how to express gratitude , or what topics are appropriate to introduce in a conversation . Communication is fundamentally cultural . To be effective , conversation partners need to be sensitive to a range of factors beyond verbal communication . That includes nonverbal actions , such as how close to stand to the other person or whether to maintain eye contact ( see Hall , 1966 ) No communication no community Throughout history , when societies wanted to severely punish someone for a social transgression , the harshest punishment was excommunication banishment from the community . In Catholicism this means to cast out someone from the church . In ancient Rome the process was called ostracism , a ritual in which citizens used clay shards ( to vote for someone to be sent away from the community for 10 years . In modern Amish communities the practice is called shunning . The shunned person is allowed to physically remain in the community but is prohibited from any social interaction with others et al , Those kinds of considerations we need not think about if the conversation is with a person or a group with whom we are familiar ( Hall , 1959 ) When we speak of intercultural communication , we are moving away from that comfort zone , engaging in exchanges with people representing different cultures , that is to say different sets of values , beliefs , and behaviors a different historical memory quite possibly a different language ( or dialect ) The individual may not , in fact , represent the mainstream culture . Thereby we construct and convey different meanings in unfamiliar . That type of communication can be very different from encounters with those with whom we share a culture , in which the context is familiar . As a result , conversations tend to be more comfortable and routine . Even so , depending on the situation or context , we may experience conflict or communication apprehension . Speaking in front of a group , for example , can produce anxiety for many people . Conversing with strangers can bring on even more apprehension . This comes in large part from uncertainty . The less we know about the other background and intentions , the more uncertain and apprehensive we may be . We can combat these feelings through approaching encounters in a spirit of openness and discovery . That lessens the likelihood of misunderstanding and conflict . This page titled ) iI is shared under a ( license and was authored , remixed , curated by Robert (

Cultures under study and in the media Intercultural Communication as an academic discipline There are a variety of approaches to study and research intercultural communication ( see , 2010 Rogers Hart , 2002 ) As an academic discipline , it is often traced back to anthropologist Edward Hall and his book The Silent Language ( 1959 ) Hall was above all concerned with creating greater cultural awareness among employees of the US Department of State . He was striving to improve the ability of US technicians and diplomats to interact effectively with their foreign counterparts . Given that perspective , his approach was understandably more practical than . That pragmatism continues to be important in the field , as a central goal is to provide individuals with practical information that can be used in everyday encounters ( Rogers , 1999 ) Much of the early development of intercultural communication occurred in North America , and North American scholars represented the principal contributors to scholarly activity in intercultural communication through most of the century . However , beginning in the , the field became increasingly . European scholars have contributed important new insights and approaches to intercultural communication ( 1997 , 2010 Hua , 2013 Franklin , 2009 ) as have Australian and New Zealand scholars ( 2017 Yell , 2002 ) These scholars tend to focus more centrally on language issues than is the case for IC research in North America . Through the contributions of researchers from Africa , China , Latin America , and India , there has been a growing recognition that Western approaches to intercultural communication need to be supplemented and in some cases corrected through the different life experiences , backgrounds , and perspectives offered by scholars . One example is the anthropocosmic perspective presented in a recent Chinese textbook on intercultural communication ( Jia Li , 2019 ) which is based on the concepts of dao ( El , the path , the way to enlightenment through cosmic harmony ) and ren ( benevolence , empathy and responsibility for fellow humans ) There have been in recent years more calls for indigenous perspectives on intercultural communication ( 2007 ) Particularly welcome would be more insights from African scholars ( Miller , 2005 ) In the latter part of the century , there has been considerable interest in critical intercultural communication , which views intercultural communication within the context of power structures ( see Jackson , 2010 , 2017 ) That perspective will inform much of the discussion of IC in this textbook . Since Hall time , a great variety of disciplines have contributed to the field , including applied linguistics , business communication , social psychology , and international studies . In fact , intercultural communication is taught within a variety of academic units . Given the practical usefulness of easing communication among those representing different cultures and languages , it is logical that intercultural communication figures prominently in areas where such interactions are common and expected . In many countries , that will include tourism , medical care , education . In the US , intercultural communication is taught most commonly within programs in communication studies , while in other countries , it is considered a subdivision of applied linguistics . Professional organizations often bring together scholars from a variety of disciplines . Indeed , that is one of the enriching characteristics of the field , that it draws on knowledge and experience representing a great variety of academic fields . This textbook will incorporate aspects of research in intercultural communication as represented in a variety of disciplines . The disciplines use different research , have differing goals , and address issues from a variety of perspectives . Some use primarily quantitative data , others are more qualitatively oriented . In the end , these different approaches complement each other and together provide a more complete picture then would reliance on a single discipline ( see , 2007 ) What it means to be a confident intercultural communicator differs depending on the disciplinary orientation . However , as an overall set of common , we might break down the in the following categories , following the rubric on intercultural knowledge and competence from the Association of American Colleges and Universities ( Rhodes , 2010 ) Knowledge Skills Attitudes Cultural Empathy Curiosity Knowledge of cultural worldview Verbal and nonverbal communication Openness The more knowledge we have about other cultures the more likely it is that we will base initial judgments about representatives of those cultures on reliable information , rather than on stereotypes gleaned through popular culture or media reports . That knowledge may be in a variety of areas ranging from geography to religious beliefs . Having informed views of other cultures is likely to make encounters more successful . In learning about other cultures we inevitably learn about ourselves , as we draw comparisons between the values and behaviors of the target culture and our own .

A primary enabler of insights into another culture is verbal language . Language enables us to understand and express phenomena we may have found unfamiliar and for which we may not have had the vocabulary . Learning a new language on the one hand , widens our worldview , and on the other , opens a window of familiarity into the worlds of others who may have seemed unfamiliar earlier , thereby affording an opportunity for both to connect with each other . Depending on the context , the ability to converse in another language can be of central importance , determining whether effective communication is possible . Nonverbal clues smiling , nodding , bowing can send important messages , but will only take a conversation so far . It also the case that learning a second language provides deeper and more complete access to the other culture . Language takes you into the heart of a culture , offering an ( from inside the group ) perspective , rather than an view ( from outside ) The possibility of participation in the target culture , rather than just observation , is likely to lead to greater understanding and appreciation of its values and behaviors , resulting in greater empathy . That in turn is likely to lead to curiosity and a desire to learn more about that culture . For communication to be effective , both parties need to be motivated to communicate . If we go into an encounter with negative views of the group we assume the other person represents , it not likely that will be a positive outcome . On the other hand , refraining from judgment and maintaining a spirit of openness create a positive atmosphere , making effective communication much more likely . Some would argue that empathy , tolerance , and openness are helpful in personal encounters , but that a further aspect of intercultural competence beyond skills , knowledge , and attitudes , should be added civic action . Given the widening socioeconomic inequities , the growth of nationalism , and the growing mistrust and mistreatment of minorities , collective action is needed beyond the individual . The concept of global citizenship points in that direction . This concept entails a call for action in the form of active civil engagement in society , starting with local action and service to the community ( 2019 ) Another framework in accord with this vision is critical cosmopolitanism , described as a deep appreciation for difference , the willingness to engage with cultural Others and be transformed by such experiences , kindness towards strangers , and the labour of the imagination to envision a world aspires towards peace , possibilities and intercultural respect for those near and far ( 2013 , The concept of cosmopolitanism , originating in the field of sociology , has emerged as complementary to the concept of intercultural competence ( Kennedy , Diaz , 2017 ) Cultural In the academic study of intercultural communication , cultures are often characterized as belonging to particular categories , often referred to as ( a type of classification scheme ) Many of the characteristics used go back to work done by in the 1970 , who studied the cultural dimensions of workers for IBM in a variety of countries ( 1980 ) The salient category often used to characterize and contrast cultures is individualism versus . Cultures labeled as individualistic ( most often Western countries including those in North America and Northern Europe ) are seen as emphasizing the rights of the individual to , with children being brought up to be assertive and distinctive . In contrast , collectivistic cultures ( seen as prevalent in Africa , Asia , Latin America , and the Middle East ) emphasize group identity and conformity , with children expected to be obedient and respectful . While such distinctions can be useful in describing general cultural traditions and patterns of behavior , they are problematic when applied to individuals . Individual identities in today world tend to be complex , constructed from a variety of sources . Individuals may belong to a ethnic group , whose worldview , values , and behavior are quite different from those represented by the mainstream culture . Political boundaries do not define who we are . One might consider in that regard groups which cross political boundaries , such as the Kurds , or Basques . In fact , in today world the coherence of states is increasingly porous , given changing demographics , immigration , and the growth of social media . Figure Representatives of the Yi Minority in China

There are a number of other cultural dimensions often used in the field of intercultural communication , most of which derive from the work of Hall and . The concept of power distance describes the importance attributed to hierarchies in a given culture , the extent to which individuals are grouped according to birth , status or position of power . This involves as well the perception within a culture regarding how easy one feels it is to communicate with or approach a person higher in hierarchy . The higher the power distance , the less more reluctant one may feel in approaching a person senior in hierarchy . Individualistic cultures are typically seen as having a small power distance , meaning that they strive for equality in society and within families . In contrast , in countries with a large power distance , inequality among people is seen as expected and desired . Time orientation is another category often used . cultures tend to be less concerned with being on time for events , and individuals deal comfortably with more than one task or person at a time . A monochronic orientation ( on the other hand , shows a preference for being punctual and not having more than one task or person to focus on at a time . A third concept is uncertainty avoidance , the idea that some cultures are more comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty than others . Uncertainty avoidance refers to the degree to which members of a particular culture feel threatened by uncertain or unknown situations . Those with a strong uncertainty avoidance prefer predictability and tend to have clear rules of behavior . The Danger of Cultural Contemporary scholars of intercultural communication urge caution in using these categories , as they tend to present individual behavior as entirely defined and constrained by the culture in which they live so that the stereotype becomes the essence of who they are ( 2010 , Critics like describe the use of categories as , that is , assuming that people and things have natural characteristics that are inherent and unchanging . That may translate into defining the essence of individuals in terms of their national origins . If one is from Mexico ( a culture designated as ) for example , an essentialist view would be to assume that person will be late for meetings all the time , no matter the context . Inherent in such an assumption is that individuals are unable to adapt to others norms of behavior . The term reductionism is used in similar fashion , referring to the tendency to explain an object by reducing it to a different , usually simpler , level . When dealing with people this means that identities are being reduced to a predetermined set of characteristics , associated with ethnic or cultural stereotypes . Defining individual characteristics through associations with national cultures denies individual free will . It assumes that we develop unique individual personalities as we grow . Many people living in a monochronic society are often habitually late . Entrepreneurs ( and others ) in China ( a high uncertainty avoidance culture ) often take risks to make their businesses successful . No matter what kind of culture we live in , we can probably all point to individuals in our culture who have the characteristics of individualism and others who tend towards collectivism . and others have pointed out that most of the cultural categories used in intercultural communication were created from a Western perspective and tend to skew accordingly the values attached to the different labels ( 1999 , 2017 ) Individualism , for example , is seen as inherently positive , with attributes attributed to it which are valued in Western cultures , namely initiative , assertiveness , and ambition . Similarly , cultures with a large power distance are seen as undemocratic , hence inferior , and those with high uncertainty avoidance are regarded as adverse to and , therefore , inhospitable to creativity and personal initiative . emphasizes the importance of allowing other cultures to define themselves , advocating a perspective . One should be aware of conventional cultural descriptions , but in encountering someone put them aside to the extent possible and focus on the other as an individual , whose identity may be quite complex , derived from a variety of influences . He emphasizes bracketing away the cultural stereotypes , removing a priori assumptions , in order to be able to judge others individually . Of course , this necessitates on the one hand , being aware of one own preconceptions . On the other hand , it contradicts the basic human tendency of putting unknowns into familiar categories .

advocates moving away from the traditional concept of culture , identified with largely homogeneous to that of small cultures . He argues , as do others , that the commonly used of national cultures are a product of 19 century nationalism as such , the concept is associated with colonialism and the of cultures ( see Jackson , 2010 ) Holiday also maintains that the large culture paradigm makes less sense in a world that is becoming an increasingly cosmopolitan , place where cultures are less likely to appear as large coherent geographical entities ( 1999 , 244 ) Instead of the fixed and timeless concept of culture related to , small cultures are often formed on the fly , by organized or impromptu social groupings or groups . They can easily cut across national borders . In contrast to large cultures which are often presented as , small cultures represent only one aspect of an individual identity . People align themselves to different cultures at different times ( see sidebar ) The small culture concept is similar to the idea of community of interest or affinity spaces . It is clear that if we envision culture from the perspective of small cultures , the kind of comparison of differences among cultures , as often emphasized in undergraduate courses on intercultural communication , is problematic . Small cultures form dynamically Small culture is thus a dynamic , ongoing group process which operates in changing circumstances to enable group members to make sense of and operate meaningfully within those circumstances . When a researcher looks at an unfamiliar social grouping , it can be said to have a small culture when there is a discernible set of behaviours and understandings connected with group cohesion . The dynamic aspect of small culture is central to its nature , having the capacity to exist , form and change as required . Hyde ( 2004 ) 64 One of the reasons identities are complex today is the pervasive of modern media , which crosses cultural and linguistic boundaries . Participation in social media can be such a central aspect of one life as to have a determining effect on worldview , values , and behaviors . Individuals can become members of online communities which acquire over time more importance than national characteristics , religious affiliations , or even families . Such relationships may be virtual , but they are just as real and can be just as strong as relationships . Ethics and intercultural communication When we reference the widespread use of social media , we need to keep in mind the very real nature of the digital divide between those ( predominately in developed countries ) with easy access to Facebook and other online services and those ( predominately in developing countries ) who have no Internet connectivity , and possibly even no access to electricity . In fact , for many of our denizens of the , daily routines do not involve reading tweets , posting Facebook updates , or checking Instagram , but rather seeking to fill basic human needs food , water , shelter . About 50 of the world population inns the line , living on less than a day . The forces of globalization , discussed at the beginning of this chapter , have indeed brought the world closer together in terms of communication and commerce , but large numbers of people have been left out . That includes not only individuals from countries in Africa , Latin America or Southeast Asia , but also factory workers and others holding jobs who have lost their livelihoods to outsourcing or to companies moving factories to lower wage economies . There has been in recent years a growing recognition of the inequality in the distribution of wealth , leading to phenomena such as the Occupy movement of , protesting against the elite of the population , or the election of Donald Trump in the United States in 2016 , who was elected in large part due to votes from those who feel left out of the century US economy .

Figure Oakland ( California ) Occupy general strike in 2011 To be truly competent means not only being responsible and empathetic in our personal encounters , but extending that process more broadly . We need engaged global citizens , knowledgeable and caring about people and events outside our own backyards . Part of that process is being cognizant of the privileged position many of us enjoy . Important in that process is a willingness to break out of our regular routines of communication and information retrieval , occasionally stepping outside our social media bubble to encounter different voices and points of view . In that way , we are likely to be better informed about the complexities and of global communities . This can lead to an enhanced recognition of the need for social justice , the struggle to confront discrimination and challenge inequities . We are both consumers and producers of culture and we all have a role in shaping the nature of the world in which we live . From that perspective , it is important not to think of culture as a fixed entity with a controlling on our lives . Cultures , as are all human affairs , are not immutable , but rather subject to change through a variety of forces . There is a natural human tendency to want to be among those similar to ourselves , known as . It takes some effort to overcome this normal human instinct . Part of that phenomenon makes us leery of those who look different , belong to different ethnic groups , or profess other . Those who seem different become the other , rejected for being dissimilar and therefore considered inferior ( see , Jones , 2011 ) This rejection of others who have different ethnic backgrounds or practice other religions has in human history led to multiple instances of civil strife and war , including in recent times conflicts in many parts of the world from Northern Ireland to South . In extreme cases , the result can be ethnic cleansing and genocide , as we have experienced in the 20 century in , Germany , and . That process of is intensified if we feel threatened in our livelihood or security by new arrivals . This has been one of the unfortunate byproducts of the large wave of refugees beginning in 2015 , principally to Europe , from Syria , Iraq , Afghanistan , and north Africa . Figure Refugees from Syria on their way to Europe As the number of immigrants has increased in countries like Great Britain , France , Germany , some feel that not only are jobs and security at risk , but also the very existence of their cultures . This has led to the rise of a number of new movements and political parties in Europe which promote xenophobia and economic nationalism . The vote in Great Britain in 2016 to leave the European Union was not just an assertion of national independence , but also a rejection of the of foreigners . We have witnessed similar shifts towards greater nationalism in a variety of countries including Turkey , Russia , India , and the United States . Unfortunately , the patriotism evident in these developments often translates into a kind of free license to discriminate against minorities , whether that be Muslims in India or Hispanics in the US . Political leaders play a crucial role here in setting the tone , thereby I

followers in terms not only of attitudes but also of behavior . This is one of the strongest reasons we need today worldwide more intercultural understanding , so that future leaders are to accept diversity and practice tolerance . Countering the media echo chamber The popular image of the the world is flat ( 2005 ) is modern communication and transportation are leveling opportunities and bringing people together , breaking down barriers , and creating what Marshall called the global village ( 1962 ) The reality can be quite different . We may think that on the net we are all equal , but the major Internet companies Facebook and Google , for instance do just serve up information in a neutral way . Rather they use an algorithm a procedure or formula to filter information or links depending on what they know about us . What that can mean in practice is that we are served up information that the algorithm has determined we want to have , based on the personal profile the system has built . That derives from the filter bubble created by what the system thinks our likes and preferences are . This is built on links we tend to click on in searching with Google , the people we follow on Twitter , or the interests represented by the friends we have in Facebook . The assumption is that we want information only on our expressed interests and established friends . That means we may have less opportunity to have contact with people outside our circle of friends and family . If we want to be competent intercultural communicators , we need to step outside of that comfort zone . Figure We all have a personal narrative , a way we put the puzzle pieces of our lives together to make a coherent story out of the sometimes disparate elements and events . That narrative is built from our interpretations of personal experiences including family dynamics , religious practices , interactions with friends , or major life events . When we encounter new ideas , new people , new situations , we try to fit into that narrative . the Nigerian novelist , talks about the ot the single ) It a natural human tendency to make order out of complexity by simplifying . We feel more comfortable if we can put people and ideas into already established categories . In dealing with people , this can lead to stereotyping . We may not have enough knowledge of a person or of that person culture to create an informed picture . In such cases we fall back on the little information we might have . If I been to Africa or have learned about Africa , for example , I can distinguish between Nigerians , South Africans , etc . But if I do have that knowledge , I fall back on cliches and stereotypes . If I am a US citizen , I may make associations with Ebola , HIV , hunger , or refugees . Where do these impressions come from ?

It may be from our friends or family , or from school , but most likely it from media reports . In most of the Western world , news is reported from Africa only if there are natural disasters , wars , epidemics , or other catastrophic events . This is why it is so important to be critical consumers of media , to find ways to enlarge not shrink our views . Traditional print media such as the Economist , the New York Times , or the Guardian ( just to name a sampling of speaking media ) often run substantial stories on international events , in contrast to most local television stations and newspapers . Many alternative new sources have become available online in recent years , such as ( or New Online media can also be a great source of information , but it does come easily or automatically . Hearing directly from Africans , for example , has the potential for exploding our stereotypes and providing varied perspectives . That can be invaluable in maintaining open and receptive attitudes . We ca become experts in all parts of the world , but we can take advantage of opportunities that may arrive to gather knowledge from natives . Online media can supply those contacts . But it takes a willingness to move outside our regular social circle , to remain open and curious , and to seek out opportunities to encounter people different from ourselves . One of the developments in recent years which has changed the media landscape has been the growth of citizen journalism . Individuals around the world are taking advantage of the ease of posting stories and sharing media photos and videos to report on stories or issues important to them . These are not trained , professional journalists , but rather everyday citizens who use their cell

phones and social media to report on stories traditional media outlets have ignored . That may be due to the absence of media correspondents in that location or because events have occurred suddenly . Citizen journalists have been particularly important in reporting events from natural disorders , sites of political upheaval , and war zones . Examples of events for which citizen journalism through social media , especially Twitter , has been important in getting information spread widely include the Cedar Revolution in 2005 ( Lebanon ) the Tunisian uprisings in , or the Arab Spring in 2011 . As with all media consumption , it important to view citizen journalism also from a critical perspective . Citizen reporters may have a political agenda in their news accounts , leading to slanted perspectives . There may as well be technical or linguistic issues which interfere with this kind of public reporting . In some cases that has involved those holding political power shutting down the online services used by citizen journalists . Figure Citizen journalist Ryan , interviewing a refugee in the camp , South In reporting and writing of all kinds , knowing something about the writer and the purpose or context for the text can be important in being able to evaluate trustworthiness and objectivity . That can be of particular importance for reports not associated with a trusted media source or news provider , especially relevant in reporting about contentious social or political issues . One approach which aims to supply an objective analysis of both a prominent social problem and an implemented response is solutions journalism . Central to this type of reporting is the use of credible evidence , backed by reliable data , to explain an issue and profile a response that is working or one that been tried and has proven ineffective . The column of the New York Times provides an example of this approach . Having carefully stories about concrete projects to solve important social issues ( education , poverty , unemployment ) provides renewed credibility to news media , while enabling investigative reporting to contribute to the public good . This page titled ( study and in the is shared under a ( license and was authored , remixed , curated by ( worm .

Technically information literacy One of the prerequisites for effective communication is information about our conversant . The knowledge we bring to a conversation about the other person background and identity can be valuable in avoiding misplaced assumptions and false information , leading to possible or potential conflict . Knowledge about the others religious beliefs or may provide practical information about aspects of everyday life , such as greeting rituals , eating habits , or clothing choice . A Muslim woman , for example , may not choose to shake hands , may be skipping lunch because of , and may be wearing a headscarf due to social and religious customs . Knowledge about important historical events , minority groups , social hierarchies , or the situation of the other person home culture , all may be helpful in determining appropriate and inappropriate conversation topics . We ca be knowledgeable about all cultures , but we can inform ourselves about particular cultures or groups in which we have a special interest or are likely to encounter . That might include countries in which the language spoken is one we are learning , or it might be cultures represented in one living community , working environment , or university . Most people today are likely to search and find information on the Internet . That holds true as well for reading the news and keeping up with world affairs . As discussed in this chapter , online searches do not provide neutral , unbiased results . It also not the case that all search results point to sites with accurate information . With the glut of information on the Internet today , it more important than ever to be informed consumers of technology tools and services . Being an informed consumer of Internet services In assessing search results , there are a few important considerations . Typically , the sites linked first in a search ( using Google ) are sponsored links , sites that have paid to have their links first in line . The next hits listed are those which Google algorithm has determined are the most popular related to the topic searched . These sites , however , may be linked higher not due to real popularity or to the usefulness of their information but because of the effectiveness of their search engine optimization ( SEO ) SEO involves modifying a site code ( Markup Language the underlying code of web pages ) in order to include terms most likely to be used in particular searches . In some cases dummy websites are set up with back links to the main page to try to enhance the indexing process used by Google and other search engines . It important for sites to be ranked high in search results , as online advertising income is based on the number of visitors to that site . sites are set up to generate advertising revenue by relying on sensationalist headlines to attract . Often , the destination site will have minimal information and will require additional to try to find the information advertised . In such an environment , it important to be able to evaluate search results , to ascertain the likely reliability of the information provided . One indication is the nature of the website . Institutional sites associated with a university , research institute , professional organization , or institution of some kind ( such as a museum ) are likely to be more objective than personal sites or blogs . Most countries have government websites providing a wealth of information sites for government agencies can be informative as well . Of particular trustworthiness are sites with resources which are curated , or annotated . for example , is a curated collection of free online learning and teaching materials . sites such as Wikipedia can be good starting points for information gathering , particularly as they point to further resources and authoritative sources . The same cautions recommended here for written resources hold as well for video sites such as YouTube . Digital literacy also means becoming an informed user of other kinds of online tools and services . There are , for example , a great number of options available today for working in other languages . That includes a variety of dictionaries , thesauri , and . There are also a number of services which offer online machine translation . Most of those , such as Google Translate , rely principally on corpora collections of translated texts . This means that they are most accurate when there is a large number of texts available , as there are between English and other major European languages . It likely that there are far fewer texts for other language combinations , say Arabic to Estonian , forcing the translation engine to rely on models . It always good practice to machine translations , particularly using a different translation service . Such tools are especially useful for deciphering websites or other texts but less so for writing , as they do not have the flexibility to adjust for language register ( degree of formality ) or tone . In participating in online discussions , it important to be aware of practices that is , the social conventions attached to the use of particular forms of electronic communication . One should , for example , avoid writing in all capital letters , as that is perceived as shouting . In writing text messages and other short form electronic messaging , the convention is to ignore spelling and

grammar , including capitalization and punctuation , while making rich use of abbreviations . The potential for miscommunication in written online communication is increased by the absence of facial expressions , tone of voice , and body language , constraining interpretation of communicative intent exclusively to the written language . Depending on the particular medium of communication , there may be as well a particular , that is , a set of historically developed , socially accepted norms and behavior for participation . Steve Thorne discusses , as an example , French language learners participating in an Internet discussion forum for readers of the French newspaper Le Monde see sidebar . Not being aware of localized cultures of use , such as exist in this case , can lead to miscommunication and frustration on all sides . Developing an awareness of the appropriate genres of language use and styles of communication can enable full engagement in multicultural online activities . A practical lesson in In a recent study examining foreign language learning in open Internet environments , Hanna and de reported on the interactional and identity related activity of four students of French who participated in public Internet discussion fora associated with the Parisian newspaper Le Monde . Hanna and de rationale for opting to use a public discussion forum was to move students entirely outside of the relative safety of explicitly educational interactions where participants occupy the institutionally bounded subject position of student or learner . Le Monde discussion fora , by contrast , exist to support argumentation and debate about mostly contemporary political and cultural issues . Hanna and de followed four students , two of whom opened with messages that requested help to improve their French . They received a few cordial as well as abrupt replies , each of which suggested the need to take a position in the ongoing discussion . Neither did and both disappeared from the forum . In contrast , the other two students opened with a response to an existing message , directly entering the ongoing debates . One student primarily used English in his posts but still engaged members of the forum and garnered numerous responses to his contributions . With coaching and support from other participants , he was able to fully participate in the discussions , suggesting that neither politeness nor linguistic accuracy is the measure of intercultural competence here ( Hanna and de 2003 , 78 ) Rather , in the circumstances of this Le Monde discussion forum participation in the genre of debate was the minimum threshold for continued participation . Thorne , 2013 , Such conventions as illustrated here exist for most forms of social activities such as multiplayer gaming . Many of these activities are likely to be global , with participation from users representing a variety of cultures and languages . New modes of online communication will inevitably develop new . These will be learned informally , on the fly , through participating and observing . As in most areas of culture , here too we are socialized into acceptable norms and behaviors . Given the pace of development of services and activities on the Internet , this kind of socialization is not likely to take place in institutional settings , as John Seely Brown comments The unrelenting velocity of change means that many of our skills have a shorter shelf life , suggesting that much of our learning will need to take place outside of traditional school and university environments . 2008 , xi ) This translates into both a need for ongoing digital literacy and , as well , a high degree of learner autonomy , to be able to gain the necessary skills and knowledge in a environment . For Discussion and Reflection . Using the definition of culture presented in this unit , how would you describe your culture ?

Why are so many people afraid to communicate with people from cultures different from their own ?

Do you agree with the greater need for intercultural communication competence today ?

Why or why not ?

To what extent have you experienced the media echo chamber and the filter bubble ?

What methods can help overcome the restrictions on connecting with others ?

How can greater digital literacy help ?

After watching the ( ILL ) talk ( The dangers of a single story ) What does she mean by a single story ?

What would be other ways to describe this phenomenon ?

Have you had personal experiences that parallel those of ?

After watching the , I talk ( How the news distorts our worldview ) Imagine a map which would represent the geographical areas that you read , hear , is shared under a not license and was authored , remixed , curated by .

Broadening Horizons ( Summary ) From theory to practice Strive to encounter others in an attitude of openness and a spirit of curiosity . Seek to understand rather than to predict . To the extent possible , suspend judgment for as long as you can , forming an image of the other person gradually through conversing . Active listening helps , focusing intently on the words and body language of the other person . Do apply culturally differentiating labels to individuals . Generalizations about norms of behavior are misplaced when we are dealing with an individual . Because they are widespread , it good to know about the categories ( individualism collectivism ) used to differentiate national cultures , but it important to keep in mind that they represent generalizations , which can in no way be applicable to every individual from that culture . Beware of unexamined assumptions . You are likely to have gleaned information about different cultures from local new sources or from friends or family or from what you may have learned in school . You should be cautious with such received wisdom , which may rely on stereotypes and outdated information . It important to learn what sources to trust both in person and online . Equally important is a willingness to be open to different points of view . Be alert to your personal bubble . You should not assume that you are receiving neutral results from search requests or getting balanced views from online news providers . They may be feeding you what they assume you want , namely more of the same . Try using a different web browser or logging out of your Google or other accounts , to see if suggested links change . Key Concepts Active listening A communication technique that requires that the listener fully concentrate , understand , respond and then remember what is being said . Algorithm A process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other operations , especially by a computer Citizen journalism Ordinary citizens reporting through the Internet on events or issues of local importance , often using social media Collectivism Cultural orientation where the group is the primary unit of culture group goals take precedence over individual goals Communication apprehension The fear or anxiety associated with either real or anticipated communication with another person or group of persons Complexity theory Also known as complex dynamic systems a framework for understanding phenomena that are composed of many variables and subsystems Cosmopolitanism Moral view of the individual as having an allegiances and personal responsibility to the world Critical intercultural communication Approach to the field that focuses on issues of power , context , relations and forces as they play out in culture and intercultural communication encounters , relationships , and Culture An accumulated pattern of values , beliefs , and behaviors shared by an identifiable group of people with a common history and verbal and nonverbal symbol system ( from Jim ) A set of historically developed , socially accepted norms and behavior for participation in speech communities such as online discussion forums ( from Steve ) Shifting from an established center or focus especially to disconnect from practical or theoretical assumptions of origin , priority , or essence Digital divide Inequalities related to the access and use of information and communication technologies Digital The idea that all human languages follow a simple logical principle , according to which a limited set of elements are combined to produce an infinite range of potentially meaningful expressions . A scattered population whose origin lies is in a smaller geographic area Echo chamber In media , an echo chamber is a situation in which information , ideas , or beliefs are amplified or reinforced by transmission and repetition inside an enclosed system , where different or competing views are censored , disallowed or otherwise underrepresented In anthropology and other social sciences , refers to characteristics derived from inside a social group ( from the perspective of the subject ) and from outside ( from the perspective of the observer )

Empathy The imaginary participation in another person experience , including emotional and intellectual dimensions , by imagining his or her perspective ( James Bennett ) Essentialism A belief that things have a set of characteristics that make them what they are in intercultural communication , characterizing cultures by a set of contrasting features , such as individualism versus collectivism Filter bubble Describes a personalized search in which a website algorithm selectively guesses what information a user would like to see based on information about the user Global citizenship the idea that all people have rights and civic responsibilities that come with being a member of the world Globalization A process of interaction and integration among the people , companies , and governments of different nations , a process driven by international trade and investment and aided by information technology When group members try to minimize conflict and reach a consensus decision without critical evaluation of alternative viewpoints by actively suppressing dissenting viewpoints , and by isolating themselves from outside , love of the same , is the tendency of individuals to associate and bond with similar others Individualism Cultural orientation where the individual is unique and individual goals are emphasized over group goals Intercultural communication Two persons from different cultures or exchanging verbal and nonverbal messages A set of social conventions that facilitate interaction over networks Other Identifying and excluding a person from a social group , placing him or her at the margins of society , where social norms do not apply Describes the reductive action of labeling a person as someone who belongs to a subordinate social category Power distance The extent to which members of a culture expect and accept that power is unequally distributed Reductionism The practice of analyzing and describing a complex phenomenon in terms of phenomena that are held to represent a simpler or more fundamental level in intercultural communication , refers to reducing individual identities to perceived national characteristics Search engine optimization The process of maximizing the number of visitors to a particular website by ensuring that the site appears high on the list of results returned by a search engine Semantic Pertaining to meaning Small cultures Small social groupings or activities wherever there are cohesive behavior patterns and practice ( from Adrian ) Social justice The equitable distribution of wealth , opportunities , and privileges within a society Solutions journalism An approach to news reporting that focuses on the responses to social issues as well as the problems themselves Symbol An arbitrarily selected and learned stimulus representing something else Taxonomy The practice and science of classification of things or concepts Uncertainty avoidance The degree to which members of a particular culture feel threatened by unpredictable , uncertain , or unknown situations Worldview The cognitive and affective lens through which people construe their experiences and make sense of the world around them ( Xenophobia Intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries Recommended Resources Books Edward Hall , The Silent Language ( 1959 ) a classic , which many seen as the beginning of the field of intercultural communication , Cultures and Organizations Software of the Mind ( 1991 ) standard in the field by one of the major scholars Adrian , Intercultural communication ideology ( 2011 ) looks at intercultural communication against the backdrop of an unequal global politics in which ideology plays a major role Edward Said ( 1979 ) Orientalism . 1978 . New York , 1994 . Kathryn , Intercultural Communication Globalization and Social Justice ( 2015 ) ONLINE RESOURCES Globalization Hat Article from about Thomas book on globalization

( the is tlat offers to the conventional wisdom about globalization , the concept that , as Tom put it , the world is . In particular he has interesting comments about Facebook . TED description It may seem that we living in a borderless world where ideas , goods and people flow freely from nation to nation . We not even close , says . With great data ( and an survey ) he argues that there a delta between perception and reality in a world that maybe not so after all . From Global Policy Forum , with extensive links Statistics on world demographics ) I ' Profile From Index Mundi , includes demographic information on all countries the White ity Humorous take on the demographic changes coming to the USA Cultural dimensions and history of intercultural communication ' Hall and lhe ) lhe States Article tracing the role of anthropologist Edward Hall in founding the field of intercultural communication ( From Clearly Cultural On broadening horizons and media ( lhe of single stun Nigerian novelist speaking about her experiences growing up in and studying in the USA TED description Our lives , our cultures , are composed of many overlapping stories . Novelist tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country , we risk a critical misunderstanding . Leslie ( Do Africa TED description Real narratives are complicated Africa isn a country , and it not a disaster zone , says reporter and researcher Leslie . In her talk , she calls for journalists , researchers and to stop representing entire continents as one big tragedy . the news distorts out no World map dramatically illustrates the US media reporting on world events ( very limited ) TED description Miller , head of Public Radio International , talks about why though we want to know more about the world than ever the media is actually showing us less . stats and graphs . Technology and the filter bubble Technology is creating a world without strangers On the sharing economy How to Burst the Filter Bubble that Protects Us from Opposing Views From the MIT Technology Review bubbles classic TED talk explains the concepts of echo chamber and filter bubble . TED description As web companies strive to tailor their services ( including news and search results ) to our personal tastes , a dangerous unintended consequence We get trapped in a filter bubble and do get exposed to information that could challenge or broaden our worldview . Eli argues powerfully that this will ultimately prove to be bad for us and bad for democracy . Listening to global ' Interesting comments on how to be more aware of what happening in the rest of the world , such as engineer serendipity and cultivate . Discussion of Twitter from an international perspective . TED description Sure , the web connects the globe , but most of us end up hearing mainly from people just like ourselves . Blogger i

and technologist Ethan wants to help share the stories of the whole wide world . He talks about clever strategies to open up your Twitter world and read the news in languages you do even know . References . Ang , I . 2011 ) Navigating complexity From cultural critique to cultural intelligence . Continuum , 25 ( Baldwin , 2006 ) culture across disciplines . Lawrence . 1960 ) The Process of Communication An Introduction to Theory and Practice . Press . Brown , 2008 ) Foreword Creating a Culture of Learning . In . and Kumar ( Opening Up Education The 10 . 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 . 15 . 17 . 18 . 19 . 20 . 21 . 22 . 23 . 24 . 25 . 26 . 27 . 28 . 29 . 30 . 31 . 32 . Collective Advancement of Education through Open Technology , Open Content , and Open Knowledge ( Cambridge , MA MIT Press . Retrieved from . 1997 ) Teaching and assessing intercultural communicative competence . Multilingual Matters . 2005 ) Three factors in language design . Linguistic Inquiry 36 ( 2005 ) The world is flat . New York , and . 1973 ) The interpretation of cultures Selected essays ( Vol . 5019 ) Basic books . 2018 ) Chasing the butterfly effect Informal language learning online as a complex system . Language Technology , 22 ( 1959 ) The Silent Language . Garden City , 1966 ) The hidden dimension . New York , NY , US , A . 2017 ) Among cultures The challenge of communication . de , 2003 ) A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Electronic Discussion and Foreign Learning . Language Learning Technology , 1980 ) Culture consequences international differences in values . Beverly Hills , Sage , A . 1999 ) Small Cultures . Applied Linguistics , A . 2010 ) Intercultural Communication Ideology . London Sage . 2013 ) Exploring intercultural communication Language in action . Jackson , 2014 ) Introducing language and intercultural communication . Jia , Li , 2019 ) Experiencing Global Intercultural Communication . Beijing Foreign Languages Teaching and Research ( Diaz , 2016 ) Cosmopolitanism meets language education Considering objectives and strategies for a new pedagogy . In , Diaz , The Critical Turn in Language and Intercultural Communication Pedagogy ( im , 2013 ) The Korean wave Korean media go global . 1952 ) Culture A critical review of concepts and definitions . Museum of American Archeology . 2007 ) Handbook of intercultural communication ( Vol . Walter de . Hyde , 2004 ) Intercultural Communication An Advanced Resource Book for Students . London . 1997 ) and second language acquisition . Applied Linguistics , 18 , 2010 ) Writing the intellectual history of intercultural communication . The handbook of critical intercultural communication , 1962 ) The galaxy The making of typographic man . University of Press . 1964 ) Understanding Media The Extensions of Man . New York Mentor . 2007 ) An on bias in communication theory . Communication , 74 ( Miller , 2005 ) Keeping up with cartography A call to study African communication , in . Starosta , and ( Personal Communication across Cultures , Washington , 2010 ) Language , Culture , and Teaching Critical Perspectives . New York , 2019 ) A transnational model of virtual exchange for global citizenship education . Language Teaching , I . 2017 ) Intercultural Communication A Critical Introduction . Edinburgh University Press . Jones , Foeman , 2014 ) Intercultural communication A perspective . Press .

33 . Rhodes , 2010 ) Assessing Outcomes and Improving Achievement Tips and tools for Using . Association of American Colleges and Universities . Retrieved from wu value rub ledge 34 . Roberts , 2008 ) Minorities in US set to become majority by 2042 . New York limes . Retrieved from . 35 . Rogers , Hart , 2002 ) The histories of intercultural , international , and development communication . Handbook of international and intercultural communication , 36 . Rogers , 1999 ) Intercultural communication . Press . 37 . Yell , 2000 ) Communication and culture An introduction . Sage . 38 . Jones , 2011 ) Intercultural communication A discourse approach . London John Wiley Sons . 39 . Shannon , A Mathematical Theory of Communication . Bell System Technical Journal . 27 , 40 . 2013 ) Cultivating cosmopolitanism for intercultural communication Communicating as global citizens . New York . 41 . 2013 ) Intercultural communication Globalization and social justice . Thousand Oaks , CA Sage . 42 . Franklin , 2009 ) Intercultural interaction A approach to intercultural communication . Springer . 43 . Thorne , 2013 ) Digital . In Hawkins ( ed . Framing Languages and Socially Situated and Perspectives ( New York . Credits Photos Unless otherwise noted , the images used are from open sources Horizon , Swaraj UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office ' 11 ' Girls Generation Korea World Festival wu photos 42438955 ( 11039813825 Justine Greening Peter Embassy Jordan ' il i ( ut , a , Ul ' 97 120 14008 ) Ryan Project ( photos ( Yi ethic group Gross ' Small discussion group Culture Republic ' 11 ' 4700594335 Oakland Occupy Brian ' Active listening , University of Washington Communication Department ( comm 26826519792 This page titled ( is shared under a ( license and was authored , remixed , curated by Robert ,