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CMST280Ch89thEd.ppt

Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language

Chapter 8

Communication Between Cultures, 9th edition

by Samovar, Porter, McDaniel & Roy

Consider...

Language and culture are interconnected in a multiplicity of ways.
“If we spoke a different language, we would perceive a somewhat different world.” - Ludwig Wittgenstein

Functions of Language

Social Interaction
“Language allows you to speak, read, write, listen to others, and even talk to yourself – or to think.”
Social Cohesion
A common language allows individuals to form social groups and engage in cooperative efforts
Expressions of Identity
Language plays an important role in the formation and expression of your identity

What is Language?

An organized system of symbols, both verbal and nonverbal, used in a common and uniform way by persons who are able to manipulate these symbols to express their thoughts and feelings

Characteristics of Language

Words are only symbols
Words are substitutes for the real thing
Words are arbitrary
The relationship between a symbol and the agreed meaning is arbitrary
“Language is arbitrary because there is no inherent reason for using a particular word to represent a particular object or idea” – Solomon & Theiss

Characteristics of Language continued…

Using both the connotative & denotative, a message/word can elicit many more meanings

Language and Culture

Language and thought
While words and meanings differ from one culture to another, thought processes and perceptions of reality also differ
Linguistic relativity – the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis
Language profoundly shapes the perceptions and worldview of its speakers
Language is not simply a means of reporting experience, but a way of defining experience
Even ideas such as time, space, and matter are conditioned by the structure of our language
“Those aspects of culture that are important for the members of a society are correspondingly highlighted in the vocabulary” – Salzmann (See Table 8.1 page 273)

Consider…

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Language influences your interpretation of the world around you; it influences how you think and what you think
Language reveals and reinforces your values; Language preserves your identity
- e.g. national identity “American”, “Liberty”, “Freedom”

Language and Culture continued…

Using Language – it’s about context

Linguistic rules can determine: who talks first, what is a proper topic for conversation, how interruptions are perceived, what is the correct sequencing of subjects for discussion, and how humor should be treated
English
Spanish
Brazilian Portuguese
Northeast Asian
Chinese
Korean
Japanese
Arabic
German

Interpreting

The need to use and to understand how to work with interpreters is central in the business, healthcare and educational settings
An interpreter works with spoken or signed language
A translator works with written text
The United Nations has only six official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) but utilizes over 190 interpreters

Cultural Considerations in Interpreting

Often words, ideas, and concepts cannot be translated directly
Often there is no single word equivalent or the word may have a different meaning in another language
The translation process can alter the meaning of what is being said
Translation requires an extensive awareness of cultural factors

Working with Interpreters

The ability to work through an interpreter becomes essential if your message is to be conveyed accurately
It is important to select an interpreter or translator who best suits your particular situation
Prepare for the session – locate someone with whom you’re comfortable; the person must be completely bilingual; the person must be aware of any specialized terminology to be used (jargon)
During the session – Do not rush, use short sentences and pause often; remember that the interpreter is not the audience; remember the importance of feedback

Developing Language Competence in the Intercultural Setting