Communication is:

Symbolic

Symbols are central to the process: words, actions, or objects.

Interpretive

We interpret symbolic behaviors of others.

“We see Sinbad very differently.”“We just understand each other.” When folks travel to foreign countries, they are comforted when they find fellow countrymen.

Transactional

Folks communicate at the same time (face-to-face)

Contextual

The setting, or situation

Physical (actual location) (Ball games, bars, and classrooms )

Social (Shared expectations, funerals), and Interpersonal Context (expectations based on differences in the relationship, speaking to your parent, friend)

A process (Communication is dynamic, i.e. changing a greeting at the last minute, “doing”conflict, apologizing too early, a debate flow chart, reminiscing with a friend)

Creates Shared Meanings

(We don’t always consult a dictionary, i.e. “honorable,” “friends”)

Culture:

*Is learned*Involves a set of shared interpretations about norms, values, and beliefs that affect behavior*Involves a large group of people*Involves feelings

Three Levels of CultureTing-Toomey & Chung (28-37)

Surface-Level: Popular CultureEasily observed culture: Pop music, television, gadgets, etc.

Intermediate Level: Symbols, meanings and norms Words, gestures, and nonverbal behaviors: idioms, expressions “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down” (a Japanese idiom)“Let’s hang out” “What’s up?!” Language students enjoy these “real” expressions

Deep Level: Traditions, beliefs, and values; A patterned way of living by a group of individuals who share a common set of history, traditions, beliefs, values and interdependent fate. (Stable over time)

For example: Religion, Military, LGBT, Friends, Team, Academic, consumer culture, etc.

Intercultural Communication:a symbolic, interpretive, transactional, contextual process in which people from different cultures create shared meaning. (Koester and Lustig)

two persons from different cultures, or co-cultures exchanging verbal and non-verbal messages.(Neulip 2006)

Socio-Relationa

lContext

Person 1 Person 2

Verbal Code

Nonverbal

Environmental/Physical Context

Cultural ContextMicro-culture/co-culture context

Everyone has culture!

Three Approaches to Intercultural Communication (Burrell06)

Functionalist: Research Goal: Describe and predict behavior

Method of study: Survey, ObservationContribution of the approach: Recognizes

difference, but doesn’t consider context

Interpretive:Research Goal: Describe behavior, but not

predict behavior.Method of study: Participant/observationContribution of the approach: Recognizes

differences shouldbe studied in context.

Critical:Research Goal: Change behavior

Method of Study: Textual Analysis of MediaContribution of the approach: Asserts that all intercultural interactions are characterized, or

affected by power. (Political, economical)

A continuum of interculturalnessMost Intercultural-----------------------------Least Intercultural

Go to ICC Comp

Why is it important to learn about

Intercultural Communication?

Imperatives for Intercultural Communication

Technological Marshall McLuhan’s “Global Village”

Demographic The U.S. Census Bureau in 2010, estimates America's young people will become "minority white" in 2023.About two decades later, in 2042, the same will be true for adults.Presently there are “minority majorities” in Miami, Detroit, L.A., Chicago, Baltimore, San Francisco, Fresno, San Jose, Sacramento, Atlanta, New York...

Peace-keeping Religious Tolerance Hate Crimes

Economic Trade Workplace diversity

Race: Certain physical similarities, such as skin color, eye shape, that are shared by a group of people. Race is socially defined.In 2000, the U.S. census allowed people to identify themselves as bi-racial for the first time.

Nationality: A political term referring to set of formal and legal mechanisms that regulate the political behavior of its people. How leaders are chosen, rules of the legal system for example. Additionally, your nationality is defined by the government you were born under. Ethnicity: A group that shares a language, historical origins, religion, nation-state, or cultural system.

Metaphors of Cultural Diversity

Melting Pot

Tapestries

Tributaries

Garden Salad

Forces that Maintain Cultural DifferencesHistoryEcology

TechnologyBiology

Institutional NetworksInterpersonal Communication Patterns