Understanding Intercultural

Communication Second Edition

Chapter 1

Why Study Intercultural Communication?

Stella Ting-Toomey & Leeva C. Chung

OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS

PowerPoint Slides Designed by Alex Flecky and Noorie Baig

TODAY’S MENU

I. Practical Reasons to Study

Intercultural Communication (ICC)

II. What is Culture?

I. Why Study Intercultural

Communication?

• Take a moment to think about why you would like to study this subject. Jot down your reasons.

•Then, move to the next slide to see if your reasons match.

I. Some Practical Reasons to Study

ICCA. Adjust to global workplace

heterogeneity

B. Adapt to domestic workforce diversity

C. Engage in creative multicultural

problem solving

D. Comprehend the role of technology

in global communication

I. Some Practical Reasons to Study ICC cont’d.

E. Facilitate better multicultural health

care communication

F. Enhance intercultural relationship

satisfaction

F. Foster global & intrapersonal

peace

G. Deepen cultural self-awareness

and other-awareness

II. What is Culture?

•Take a moment to think about what culture is. Jot down your reasons.

•Then, move to the next slide.

II. Culture: A Learned Meaning System

Culture is a learned meaning system

consisting of patterns of:

•Norms

•Meanings

•Symbols

… that are passed on from one

generation to the next and are

shared to varying degrees by

interacting members of a community.

•Traditions

•Beliefs

•Values

Culture is like an Iceberg:

Culture: An Iceberg

Metaphor

Surface-level culture: Popular culture

Can you give examples of current popular culture

icons that are different to the ones listed in the

textbook?

What are some Canadian popular culture icons?

Culture: An Iceberg Metaphor

Intermediate-level culture: Cultural norms

How would you introduce yourself:

To your professor?

To your romantic partner’s friends?

Deep-level culture: Culturally shared

traditions

How would you explain common Canadian

traditions to a visitor from another culture unfamiliar

with them?

Parting Thoughts…

Culture is the widening

of the mind and spirit.

~ Jawarhalal Nehru