[Chapter 10] Communicating in another language: An introduction (original) (raw)
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[Chapter 11] An introduction to communication
2000
This chapter introduces you to an intercultural understanding of communication. It also outlines some effects that an individual's background and attitude have on communication.
The Routledge handbook of language and intercultural communication
Choice Reviews Online
It is commonly noted that, owing to technological advances in transportation and communication, the redistribution of production and labour, and other reasons, the potential for intercultural contact is currently greater than it has ever been in human history. Moreover, with an estimated 6,900 languages across the approximately 200 countries of the world (Lewis 2009), it is very likely that intercultural contact will involve encounters between people who speak different languages. Sometimes, these encounters take place between members of groups with a long history of interaction and thus they are rather routine, such that personal and normative expectations regarding language use effectively guide the communication process to predictable, if not mutually satisfying, outcomes. At other times, we are less well acquainted with our interlocutors' practices, and so part of the process of communication involves grappling with the acquisition of new verbal and nonverbal communication systems. Regardless of the level of familiarity, a variety of sociopsychological and sociocultural processes operate within every intercultural interaction. In this chapter, we focus on how the languages we speak are linked to feelings of identity in intercultural encounters. This relation is a reciprocal one: the languages we learn and use open up possibilities for new identities, while at the same time our identities can have implications for engagement in language learning and use. We begin with a review of how scholars in social psychology, communication studies and applied linguistics have defined identity and described its function in intercultural communication. We discuss some prominent themes that reverberate (or not) across disciplines, particularly as they relate to notions of identity, language and culture, and we consider what the various conceptualizations of these constructs imply for research methodology. In so doing, we highlight areas where we believe that theory and research can be informed through interdisciplinary rapprochement. 2. Disciplinary perspectives on identity, language and intercultural communication Social psychology The view on language, identity and intercultural communication taken by many social psychologists might be described as an 'intergroup' perspective, in that it focuses on the social
It is commonly noted that, owing to technological advances in transportation and communication, the redistribution of production and labour, and other reasons, the potential for intercultural contact is currently greater than it has ever been in human history. Moreover, with an estimated 6,900 languages across the approximately 200 countries of the world (Lewis 2009), it is very likely that intercultural contact will involve encounters between people who speak different languages. Sometimes, these encounters take place between members of groups with a long history of interaction and thus they are rather routine, such that personal and normative expectations regarding language use effectively guide the communication process to predictable, if not mutually satisfying, outcomes. At other times, we are less well acquainted with our interlocutors' practices, and so part of the process of communication involves grappling with the acquisition of new verbal and nonverbal communication systems. Regardless of the level of familiarity, a variety of sociopsychological and sociocultural processes operate within every intercultural interaction. In this chapter, we focus on how the languages we speak are linked to feelings of identity in intercultural encounters. This relation is a reciprocal one: the languages we learn and use open up possibilities for new identities, while at the same time our identities can have implications for engagement in language learning and use. We begin with a review of how scholars in social psychology, communication studies and applied linguistics have defined identity and described its function in intercultural communication. We discuss some prominent themes that reverberate (or not) across disciplines, particularly as they relate to notions of identity, language and culture, and we consider what the various conceptualizations of these constructs imply for research methodology. In so doing, we highlight areas where we believe that theory and research can be informed through interdisciplinary rapprochement. 2. Disciplinary perspectives on identity, language and intercultural communication Social psychology The view on language, identity and intercultural communication taken by many social psychologists might be described as an 'intergroup' perspective, in that it focuses on the social
Language and Cross-cultural Communication
Translation_as_a_sociolinguistic_activity
A full understanding of the nature of human communication requires not only an appreciation of the concept of language but also its relationship to the surrounding world. If we consider the differences among people, due to such factors as age, gender, social class, family background, life experiences and the enormous complexity of human relations, understanding each other seems to be rather a difficult task. If we then include the component of various cultural identities, communication across cultures should be all but impossible. And yet, more often than not, we do understand each other. It is widely accepted that knowing a language involves more than knowledge of its grammatical structures. In this paper we will look into all those necessary factors, which enable us to communicate successfully. The paper is organised as follows: we shall take the notion of learning a foreign language as a departure point and differentiate it from the process of acquiring a first language. Next, we will briefly overview the concept of linguistic competence. We will then introduce the idea of performance concentrating on appropriate language use from the pragmatics perspective paying particular attention to the theory of register and following from it ‘context of situation’.
The world we live in has witnessed many people with different colors, different languages, different smells, different understandings, and different appearances since the day it existed. Maybe it was this diversity that made the world livable. All these diversities have created the richness we call "culture". And so all these diversity in culture created many new ways of communication. The phenomenon we call culture can be learned because it is a historical process. In other words, if we want, we can cognize the unique characteristics of many cultures and learn these features. With the communication ways that are improving day by day, getting to know various cultures and getting information about these cultures has become easier than before. At the same time, the richness of this communication network is a situation that increases and diversifies the interaction of cultures with each other. Cultures establish communication among themselves too; just like that the individuals establish within themselves. This communication, which we call intercultural communication, is one of the communication ways cultures establish with other cultures. Cultural communication studies is also a field that examines these communication and interaction ways. Since culture is very closely related to communication and this communication is increasing day by day, of course, there are some problems in this process. In this article, I will make an assessment from my own point of view by giving examples of intercultural communication problems and communication problems experienced in my own culture.
[Chapter 13] Interpersonal communication across cultures
2000
The mother board, processor, disk drives, etc Our chemical, biological, and physical make-up Level 2 Operating system DOS with Windows '95 The instincts (ie mental programming) we have to acquire, eg language Level 3 Software MS Office: Word The particular things we acquire, eg Greek as a first language Level 4 Outcomes A word-processed document The things we do with our acquisitions, eg write an assignment in Greek for the HOU course
Understanding Intercultural Communication
Understanding Intercultural Communication is a comprehensive introductory textbook covering a wide range of topics relating to intercultural communication in today's global-and technology-oriented society. The book takes the readers on a journey through various intercultural experiences without leaving the classroom, providing carefully selected real-life stories of intercultural experiences and a variety of current issues regarding intercultural communication. The edition under review is well-structured and well-organized, facilitating the students' development as effective intercultural communicators. The textbook is comprised of three main sections and each part is further divided into three to five subsections. Each chapter opens up with clear objectives and a relevant case study and closes with a concise summary along with some practical suggestions regarding actions the students can immediately take. Ting-Toomey and Chung begin Part I (Chapters 1-4) by introducing some key concepts and a theoretical framework that is necessary in order to understand what is involved in communicating with people from 'dissimilar' cultures (including both domestic and international cultures). In Part II (Chapters 5-7), the authors walk the readers through what can actually take place emotionally, linguistically, and pragmatically when people encounter others who have a different cultural background. Finally, in Part III (Chapters 8-12), the authors discuss how one can be a flexible and effective intercultural communicator along with the many challenges one may face striving to accomplish that goal.
Attitudes and Identities: Which factors affect successful communication in ELF contexts
2021
The study will attempt to explore the relationship between language and culture from a cultural and intercultural perspective, drawing on the concept of linguistic and "cultural flows" (Pennycook 2007) as well as on the idea that culture and language are "nested systems, systems within systems, which mutually co-evolve with each influencing and adapting to the other and with the boundaries between them as fuzzy and blurred" (Baker 2015). The intercultural nature of English will be highlighted in the attempt to identify which factors are more likely to contribute to successful intercultural communication. The study will analyse the attitudes and perceptions of two sample groups. The first sample is composed of students belonging to different first language backgrounds, mainly non-native speakers of English studying in a non-target language environment, the University of Calabria (South of Italy). The second sample is made up of both native and non-native English s...
The ability of intercultural communication
Journal of Community Positive Practices, 2008
The article presents a mechanism which enables the intercultural communication through improved methods and techniques of communication and the acquisition of the abilities of intercultural communication. Each individual is the bearer of patterns of thinking, feeling and potential manifestations, which he/she acquired along his/her life, and understanding the culture of the other facilitates communication. The intercultural communication refers to the communication between people whose cultural systems of perceptions and values are sufficiently different to alter/influence the process of communication between them. The ability of intercultural communication presumes an understanding of the way in which culture influences the expectations, behaviour and ability to recognise and use the cultural differences as resources to learn and solve the problems within different contexts. It also presumes the capacity for self-awareness and to use the abilities and techniques of communication in...