Chapter 3 The Microcultural Context

The Microcultural Context

Intercultural Communication: Principles and Practice.

FLAN 3440

Learning Objectives

• Define and explain the concept of amicroculture and the criteria formembership.
• Recount the fundamental assumptions ofthe muted group theory.
• Provide examples of the variousmicrocultures in the U.S.

The Cultural/MicroculturalContext

Activity

• Write down the first three words thatcome to your mind when youhear/read the terms said by yourprofessor.

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TERM	Your words

Activity

• Write down the first three words thatcome to your mind when youhear/read the terms said by yourprofessor.

This Photoby Unknown Author is licensed underCC BY-NC

Terms	Terms
Middle Eastern	Hispanic
Amish	Asian American
Mexican	Arab
African American	Farsi
White	Arab American
Asian	Gay/Lesbian
Chinese	Christian

Hmong	French
Muslim	Canada

MicroculturalGroup Status

• Physical or cultural trait
• Membership is usually not voluntary
• Generally practice endogamy
• Awareness of subordinate status
• Experience unequal treatment

Muted Microcultural Groups

• Lack of Linguistic Power

• –Not able to communicate freely
• –No contribution to the construction of language
• –No words or symbols to represent their group

MicroculturalGroup Response

• Attempt to change the dominant mode ofexpression
• Create their own “private” language

Microcultures in the U.S.

• Formation Process
• Hispanic/Latino
• African American
• Asian Americans
• The Amish
• Hmong
• LGBTQA+

Hispanic/Latino

• Size: 17% of theU.S. population
• Values: Family,Language, Religion
• CommunicationPattern:collectivistic
• Stereotype:Machismo

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Black Americans

• Size: 14% of U.S.population.
• Communication:Ebonics
• Stereotypes:poor, indifferentto poverty

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Asian Americans

• Size: 6% of the U.S.population
• Values & CommunicationStyles:

• –Collectivism
• –Conforming to norms
• –Emotional self-control
• –Family recognitionthrough achievement
• –Filial piety
• –Humility

• Stereotypes: Modelminority; Competent butcold

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SOURCE: Elliott, C., Adams, R. J., &Sockalingam, S. (2010). Summaryof Normative CommunicationStyles and Values. Retrieved fromhttp://www.awesomelibrary.org/multiculturaltoolkit-styleschart-normative.html

Native Americans/American Indians

• Size: 2% of U.S.population
• Membership:IndividualTribesdeterminecriteria

• –BloodQuantum
• –Pure Blood

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Native Americans/American Indians

• CommunicationPatterns: HighContext, Collectivism
• Stereotypes: redmen, Indianaprincesses, childrenof nature

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Arab Americans

• Size: 3.6 million U.S.citizens have roots inan Arab country
• CommunicationPatterns: Religiousexpressions common,repetition, descriptivemodifiers, high context
• Stereotypes: evilterrorists; naïvecharacter who pursuesextravagance; BedouinArab living in a tent

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LGBTQA+

• Distinguishingcultural trait: SexualOrientation
• Membershipvoluntary orinvoluntary?
• Endogamy is possibleall states now
• Awareness andUnequal Treatmentby the largerdominant group

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Gayspeak

1. Protects against detection of one’sLGBTQA+ status.
2. Facilitates the expression of gay andlesbian roles within gay culture.
3. Is a vehicle for political identity andactivism.

Stereotypes: behavioral and manner ofspeaking

Summary

• Defined Microculture
• Exploredthe following Microcultures:

• –Hispanics/Latinos
• –Black Americans
• –Asian Americans
• –Native Americans/American Indians
• –Arab Americans
• –LGBTQ