Communication Research Project Assignment

Nilofar Hussain

COMM-101

Professor Bettina

March 26th, 2019

Intro:

Communication problems due to language barriers are difficult to deal with when interacting with people. I chose this because I faced problems as being bilingual. Speaking a different language, I had to overcome some language barriers in the United States. This inspired me to look at the various theories presented for intercultural communication. West and Turner mention the communication accommodation theory which will help support individuals with language barriers. This theory explains how people will try to accommodate or adjust to the other person’s way of communication. This can be done in two ways: convergence and divergence. When there is a strong liking from a group, convergence will occur and groups that have a strong cultural pride will use divergence to highlight their identity.

1. Yue QIN, & BLACHFORD, D. R. (2017). A Smooth Journey to Integration? A Case Study of Integration of English Proficient Chinese Immigrants in Canada. Intercultural Communication Studies, 26(1), 24–41. Retrieved from http://libaccess.sjlibrary.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ufh&AN=125835295&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Qin and Blachford made observations on how Chinese English-proficient immigrants performed in a professional and social environment. In addition, they looked at how the immigrants integrated the process in Canada. This connected to Berry’s discussion on acculturation in two dimensions of keeping their home culture and obtaining the new culture. The data was collected on two groups of 10 English proficient Chinese immigrants through interviews. The data revealed several factors such as although being proficient in English gives them the ability to live a different life, it still takes them adjustments to like up to the new cultural environment. Moreover, language is not a determining factor for integration into a society, rather economic and home culture plays a strong role in integration. This will help in the background information for my topic connecting to convergence and divergence.

2.

Giles, H., & Ogay, T. (2007). Communication accommodation theory. Explaining communication: Contemporary theories and exemplars, 293-310. http://doc.rero.ch/record/306556/files/2007_gilesogay_cat.pdf

The communication accommodation theory gives a variety of framework that supports the idea of individuals to create, maintain, or decrease the social interactions. There are different ways given by this theory to accommodate the communication, the motivations and what consequences might be faced. This article goes in depth on communication in various places, ages, and the media. This article gives the principles of CAT (Communication accommodation theory) as well as language barriers associated with the intergroup model and being able to influence the attitudes of the opposite group members.

3.

Ayoko, O. B., Härtel, C. E., & Callan, V. J. (2002). Resolving the puzzle of productive and destructive conflict in culturally heterogeneous workgroups: A communication accommodation theory approach. International journal of conflict management, 13(2), 165-195. https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/eb022873?journalCode=ijcma

This study explored the behaviors of communication in a culturally diverse group as an approach to communication accommodation theory. The study hypothesized that the type of conflict in a culturally diverse group is affected by communication behaviors during the interaction of communication. The data was analyzed from participant observations, some self reports, public observations, and self report questionnaires. This study revealed that the more diverse groups used discourse management strategies, the more they experienced conflict. In addition, speech interruptions were a leading cause to conflict. Groups that were involved in reversing the breakdown in communication were better able to manage their problems. This article will give support to the usage of CAT.

4.

Rogerson-Revell, P. (2010). “Can You Spell That for Us Nonnative Speakers?” Journal of Business Communication, 47(4), 432–454. https://doi-org.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/10.1177/0021943610377304

This article explored the role of speech accommodation from native and nonnative speakers of English in a variety of international business meetings. This study utilized several ways to collect data such as documentary style, participant interactions, questionnaires, and observations. It revealed how participants needed to adjust (accommodate) language for others in order to reach an understanding. They used some convergent strategies to accommodate for the linguistic differences. This describes for CAT can be useful in both native and nonnative English speakers. This article will further support CAT and how individuals will accommodate or adjust themselves.