exam questions

Intercultural Communication

Topic 1. Introduction to Intercultural Communication

Dr. Oksana Shkurska Dalhousie University

Agenda

1.  Warm-up 2.  Groups and Course Outline 3.  Getting to know each other 4.  Topic 1: Introduction to intercultural communication 5.  Discussion

What is communication?

Defining communication

“Human communication is a dynamic process in which people attempt to share their thoughts with other people through the use of symbols in particular settings” (Samovar, Porter & McDaniel, 2013, p. 29)

•  Communication is a dynamic process (it has no beginning or end)

Communication is symbolic: •  we need to infer, interpret, and assume

Communication is contextual •  its nature depends on the context

Most communication behavior is learned

Communication has a consequence. It affects others: •  How they perceive themselves •  How they think about themselves •  How they think about others

•  Involves verbal and nonverbal communication

It takes place in varied forms •  Face-to face •  Online

•  Communication is a dynamic process •  Communication is symbolic •  Communication is contextual •  Most communication behavior is learned •  Communication has a consequence •  It involves verbal and nonverbal communication •  It takes place in varied forms (face-to face, online,

etc.)

(Samovar, Porter & McDaniel, 2013, p. 28-29)

The Uses of Communication

People communicate for different purposes. Which are these purposes?

The Uses of Communication

Helps 1.  to understand your identity (perception of the self) 2.  to gather information about others 3.  to “satisfy a basic social need as it provides a sense

of inclusion and affection”, a sense of belonging 4.  to make decisions about your “communicative

behavior”, further relationships and ways of self- defense

5.  to “shape other people’s behavior” (Based on Samovar, Porter & McDaniel, 2013, p. 28-29)

The Uses of Communication

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Sender (encodes

information) channel

Recipient (decodes and

interprets information)

Sender (encodes

information)

channel Recipient

(decodes and interprets

information) feedback

feedback

channel

feedback

Sender (encodes

information)

Recipient (decodes and

interprets information)

Sender (encodes

information)

Noise

•  Physical •  Physiological •  Psychological •  Semantic

Transactional Communication Model

Intercultural Communication

What is intercultural communication?

Intercultural Communication

How does intercultural communication differ from everyday forms of communication?

Participant1 (Culture 1)

Participant3 (Culture 3)

Participant 4 (Culture 4)

Participant2 (Culture 2)

Sender (encodes

information) Recipient (decodes

information)

Culture Code

The unconscious meaning we apply to everything via the culture in which we are raised (Rapaille, 2006).

Sources of Data in Intercultural Communication

•  Anthropology •  Psychology •  Applied Linguistics •  Culture Studies

DISCUSSION

Discussion

•  One of the purposes of communication is to “satisfy a basic social need”. How can intercultural communication fulfill this need if the participants in this process are very different due to different cultures they come from? Discuss in small groups.

Discussion

•  Taking into account that the participants of intercultural communication use different codes while delivering and interpreting information, how does it affect communication?

Bibliography

•  Martin, J. N., Nakayama T. K. (2004). Intercultural communication in contexts (3rd ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill.

•  Paulston, C. B., Kiesling, S. F., & Rangel, E. S. (2012). The handbook of intercultural discourse and communication. Malden, MA: Malden, MA : John Wiley & Sons.

•  Rapaille, C. The culture code (2006). New York: Broadway Books.

•  Rogers, E. M., Steinfatt T.M. (1999). Intercultural communication. Prospect Heights, III: Waveland Press, Inc.

•  Samovar L.A, Porter, R.E. & McDaniel, E.R. Communication between cultures (8-th ed.). Wadsworth: Cengage Learning.