BOOK APPLICATION Understand Intercultural Communication
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BOOK APPLICATION: UNDERSTANDING INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Wilbur Medley
GLST650: Intercultural Communication
March 2024
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Contents
Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………….. 3
Lessons Learned ……………………………………………………………………………... 4
Chapter 5 What is Cultural Shock …………………………………………………
....
4
Chapter 6: What Is the Connection Between Verbal Communication and Culture ….. 5
Chapter 8: What Causes Us to Hold Biases Against Outgroups …………………….. 6
Chapter 10: What Are the Challenges in Developing an Intercultural-Intimate Relationship ………………………………………………………………………….. 7
Chapter 12: How Can We Become Ethical Intercultural Communicators …………... 8
Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………… 9
Bibliography ………………………………………………………………………………… 10
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Introduction:
Stella Ting-Toomey’s book “Understanding Intercultural Communication”
probes into the difficulties of communication across different cultures, stressing the importance of understanding
cultural differences to effectively navigate intercultural interactions. The thesis of the book revolves around the idea that successful intercultural communication requires individuals to develop cultural awareness, sensitivity, and adaptability in order to bridge cultural divides and foster meaningful connections.
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Ting-Toomey begins by exploring the concept of culture and its impact on communication, highlighting how cultural values, norms, and beliefs shape individuals’ communication styles and
preferences.
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She stresses the role of context in intercultural communication, noting that cultural contexts influence how messages are encoded, transmitted, and decoded by individuals from different cultural backgrounds.
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The book also delves into key theoretical frameworks that underpin intercultural communication,
such as Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory and Hall’s high-context versus low-context communication styles.
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Ting-Toomey discusses how these frameworks can help individuals understand and navigate cultural differences in communication, providing practical strategies for improving intercultural communication competence.
Moreover, Ting-Toomey addresses common challenges and barriers to effective intercultural communication, such as ethnocentrism, stereotypes, and prejudice. She offers insights into how individuals can overcome these barriers through empathy, open-mindedness, and a willingness to
learn about and respect other cultures.
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Stella Ting-Toomey, “Understanding Intercultural Communications”, (New York, NY, 2012), 5.
2
Ibid, 43-44.
3
Ibid, 210-211.
4
Ibid, 12-125
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Overall, “Understanding Intercultural Communication” serves as a comprehensive guide for individuals seeking to enhance their intercultural communication skills and navigate diverse cultural landscapes with sensitivity and respect.
Lessons Learned:
I will focus my discussion on the lessons learned from “Understanding Intercultural Communication” in the following section. Each will focus on the chapter and what I took from it.
Chapter 5: What is Cultural Shock:
Cultural shock is a common experience when individuals encounter unfamiliar customs, beliefs, and practices in a different cultural setting.
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This experience can be particularly challenging for Christians engaging in intercultural communication, as it may hinder their ability to effectively convey their faith and values to individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. However, overcoming cultural shock can lead to appropriate and effective Christian intercultural communication by fostering understanding, empathy, and respect for others’ perspectives.
One key aspect of overcoming cultural shock is developing cultural competence, which involves acquiring knowledge about different cultures, recognizing and respecting cultural differences, and adapting one’s communication style accordingly.
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By actively seeking to understand the cultural norms and values of others, Christians can avoid misunderstandings and misinterpretations that may arise during intercultural interactions. This increased cultural awareness enables them to communicate their Christian beliefs in a way that is sensitive to the cultural context of their audience, fostering mutual respect and understanding.
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Ibid, 93.
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Ibid, 97-98.
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Furthermore, overcoming cultural shock can help Christians cultivate empathy towards individuals from diverse backgrounds. By recognizing the challenges and struggles faced by those who are different from them, Christians can demonstrate compassion and solidarity with others, creating a sense of connection and unity across cultural divides. This empathetic approach
to intercultural communication allows Christians to build meaningful relationships based on mutual trust and respect, facilitating open dialogue and collaboration in sharing their faith with others.
By developing cultural competence, cultivating empathy, and adopting a humble attitude towards
cultural differences, Christians can navigate intercultural interactions with sensitivity and respect, fostering meaningful relationships and facilitating the sharing of their faith with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Chapter 6: What Is the Connection Between Verbal Communication and Culture:
Verbal communication plays a crucial role in shaping and reflecting culture. Culture is a learned meaning system that consists of patterns of traditions, beliefs, values, norms, meanings, and symbols that are passed on from one generation to the next and are shared to varying degrees by interacting members of a community.
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Language is a fundamental aspect of culture, as it is an arbitrary, symbolic system that labels and categorizes objects, events, groups, people, ideas, feelings, experiences, and many other phenomena.
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The connection between verbal communication and culture is complex and multifaceted, as language both reflects and shapes cultural identities and social structures.
In the context of intercultural communication, understanding the relationship between verbal communication and culture is essential for fostering effective interactions between individuals 7
Ibid, 299.
8
Ibid, 305.
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from different cultural backgrounds. For Christian intercultural communication to be appropriate and effective, believers must be sensitive to the cultural nuances that shape verbal interactions. By acknowledging the role of language in reflecting cultural identities and worldviews, Christians can engage in meaningful discussions with individuals from diverse backgrounds. This requires not only linguistic proficiency but also a willingness to listen actively, show empathy, and adapt communication strategies to bridge cultural divides.
Chapter 8: What Causes Us to Hold Biases Against Outgroups:
Biases against outgroups are often rooted in a variety of psychological, social, and cultural factors. According “Understanding Intercultural Communication,”
one of the primary causes of biases against outgroups is social categorization, which involves individuals categorizing themselves and others into distinct groups based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, religion, or nationality.
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This categorization can lead to the formation of ingroups (groups to which individuals belong) and outgroups (groups to which individuals do not belong), with individuals often displaying favoritism towards their ingroup and prejudice towards outgroups. This bias can be intensified by stereotypes, which are oversimplified beliefs about the characteristics of members of certain groups.
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Stereotypes can lead individuals to make assumptions about outgroup members based on their group membership rather than their individual qualities.
In the context of Christian intercultural communication, addressing biases against outgroups is essential for fostering understanding, empathy, and cooperation across cultural boundaries. Effective communication strategies such as active listening, empathy, and cultural sensitivity can
help bridge the divide between ingroups and outgroups within Christian communities. By 9
Ibid, 163.
10
Ibid, 165.
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recognizing and challenging biases, Christians can create a more inclusive and welcoming environment that embraces diversity and promotes mutual respect among all members.
Biases against outgroups are complex occurrences influenced by social categorization, stereotypes, intergroup competition, and historical/cultural factors. By acknowledging these biases and actively working to overcome them through effective communication strategies, Christians can promote intercultural understanding and unity within diverse communities.
Chapter 10: What Are the Challenges in Developing an Intercultural-Intimate Relationship:
Developing an intercultural-intimate relationship poses various challenges due to differences in cultural backgrounds, values, beliefs, and communication styles. One of the main challenges in intercultural-intimate relationships is overcoming language barriers.
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Effective communication is essential for building trust and understanding in any relationship, and language differences can
hinder this process. Misinterpretations or misunderstandings may arise when partners do not share a common language or have varying levels of proficiency in a shared language.
Another challenge is managing differing cultural expectations and norms regarding gender roles, family dynamics, and social interactions. In some cultures, certain behaviors or gestures may be considered disrespectful or inappropriate, leading to conflicts or misunderstandings in intercultural relationships. Additionally, religious beliefs and practices can also impact the dynamics of an intercultural-intimate relationship. Differences in religious backgrounds may influence values, traditions, and lifestyle choices, requiring partners to navigate these differences with sensitivity and respect.
Furthermore, stereotypes and prejudices based on cultural stereotypes can create barriers to forming meaningful connections in intercultural relationships. Overcoming these biases requires 11
Ibid, 210.
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individuals to challenge their assumptions and preconceptions about other cultures and engage in
open dialogue to foster mutual understanding and respect. Developing cultural competence and awareness is crucial for navigating the complexities of intercultural-intimate relationships effectively.
In regard to Christian intercultural communication, understanding and embracing diversity are fundamental principles that can guide individuals in fostering respectful and inclusive relationships across cultures. Effective Christian intercultural communication involves active listening, empathy, and a willingness to learn from others’ perspectives while upholding one’s faith-based values.
Developing an intercultural-intimate relationship requires patience, understanding, and a commitment to bridging cultural differences through open communication and mutual respect. Embracing diversity and applying effective Christian intercultural communication strategies, individuals can cultivate meaningful connections that transcend cultural barriers.
Chapter 12: How Can We Become Ethical Intercultural Communicators:
This involves being aware of one’s own cultural biases and assumptions, actively listening to others, and demonstrating empathy and understanding towards different cultural perspectives.
Christian intercultural communication, ethical communication is essential for building trust, fostering mutual respect, and promoting unity among diverse groups of believers. By approaching intercultural communication with humility and a willingness to engage in self-
reflection and self-critique, Christian communicators can avoid imposing their own beliefs or values on others and instead create space for genuine dialogue and understanding.
Furthermore, ethical intercultural communicators in the Christian context should strive to stand up against injustice, discrimination, and inequality, Christian communicators can demonstrate
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their commitment to upholding the values of love, compassion, and justice that are central to the Christian faith. Becoming an ethical intercultural communicator is essential for fostering appropriate and effective Christian intercultural communication. By embodying ethical principles such as cultural humility, empathy, integrity, and social justice, Christian communicators can build bridges across cultural divides.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Stella Ting-Toomey’s book “Understanding Intercultural Communication”
provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the complexities involved in intercultural
interactions. Through her theoretical framework of identity negotiation theory, Ting-Toomey highlights the importance of understanding cultural differences, communication styles, and power dynamics in fostering effective intercultural communication. She emphasizes the significance of mindfulness, empathy, and adaptability in navigating intercultural encounters and
building meaningful relationships across diverse cultural environments. By surveying various case studies and real-life examples, Ting-Toomey offers practical strategies for improving intercultural competence and promoting mutual understanding among individuals from different cultural backgrounds. Overall, this book serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in improving their intercultural communication skills in an increasingly globalized world.
Bibliography
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Ting-Toomey, Stella. and Leeva C. Chung.
Understanding Intercultural Communication
. Available from: Liberty University Online Bookshelf, (2nd Edition). Oxford University Press Academic US, [2012].