What does intercultural communication mean to you?
Intercultural communication to me refers to the interpersonal relations that take place between members coming from diverse groups, who vary from each other in relation to the knowledge they share and their language structure of representative behavior. This form of communication aims at understanding how individuals from different nations and cultural identities behave, converse and identify with their surroundings. It also engrosses the understanding of diverse cultures, communications and traditions of individuals from other nations. It is a form of communication therefore, which occurs when people who are subjective to different cultural and social societies confer common meanings in their respective dealings. In a business organization set up for example, employees could be coming from diverse religious, ethnic and social backgrounds. This would mean that these colleagues may not necessarily interact and communicate in the same way owing to their diverse backgrounds. Intercultural communication therefore entails understanding how such indivividuals in the business organization, are able to interact and converse in their daily operations despite their differences.
Define intracultural communication. How is this definition both similar and different to intercultural communication?
Intracultural communication refers to a kind of communication that involves the sharing of important messages between individuals of a similar dominant cultural grouping. Individuals in this case although sharing cultural identity, usually share somewhat dissimilar values. Intracultural communication is similar to intercultural communication in a sense that both types of communication occur among a group of people who have a differing aspect in their cultural backgrounds. The two types of communication however differ in this sense; intercultural communication involves individuals from totally different cultures, for example different religious groups. Intracultural communication on the other hand involves individuals who may have a similar cultural identity but hold differing cultural values. This may involve people of a similar ethnic group but have varying beliefs concerning certain important aspects. Intracultural communication hence involves sharing of a common position rule of relations and conversing. In intercultural communication on the other hand, there is no commonality in the relation and communication of individuals owing to their diverse backgrounds.
What are some reasons and approaches behind mastering intercultural communication?
It is important to master intercultural communication skills because of several of reasons. First, mastering this type of communication enhances development and growth in society. Different groups in society learn how to relate and converse with each other, hence ensuring that different sectors coordinate effectively towards a common goal. With rapid globalization taking place in the world also, it is necessary that individuals appreciate and understand each other to effectively communicate despite their various localities across the globe. At an individual level, one can increase his career opportunities by embracing intercultural communication.
Intercultural communication can be mastered through various approaches. The Empathy approach can for example be used in mastering this type of communication. This is an art where an individual from a different culture puts himself in the place of the other individual. This is done to enable them reach an understanding in their relations. This can also be done through lively listening and the acknowledgment of the important role played by each group in the interaction process. Lastly positive regard conversing approach can be used. This ensures that all the groups in relation are put at ease during their interactions, despite their diverse cultures.
Intercultural Encounters Activity
I recently walked into a shopping mall in town and ran into a young boy. From the outlook, the child appeared to be between two to three years of age. Apparently, the boy was alone in the middle of the store’s shelves and he actually appeared lost. As I approached him, I could get from his actions that he was trying to communicate something to me. I could not clearly get what he was trying to say to me since he was still learning his speech. I moved close and tried to keenly listen to what he was trying to mumble. He also used his finger to point out at a direction as he struggled to utter some words. After listening carefully and keenly, I slowly understood that the kid was trying to mention his mum. With few more minutes spent with him, I learnt that the boy was trying to look for his mum who had walked towards the direction he pointed. I walked towards the same direction with the kid and indeed met with his mum who was also looking for him.
After the encounter with the little boy at the Mall, a great deal of me changed. The encounter helped me embrace a whole new aspect of intercultural communication. I learnt that despite the differences individuals may have owing to their diverse cultural backgrounds, they can still embrace these differences and relate effectively. In cases where I experience communication problems with another party due to cultural differences, I have since learnt to put myself in the other individual’s ‘shoes’. This has always helped me get closer to the party in relation and try my best to understand them. This particular encounter also helped me build my relation with young children. This, I have done in trying to learn their communication language and skills. Most importantly, the encounter taught me to be sensitive and attentive to others despite the social or cultural differences between us. I learnt that by doing this, I could be able to give assistance to a person in need, just like the little boy who needed my help.
After the whole experience with the little boy at the mall that day, I wished I was able to understand the language of toddlers. If I did this, it would have been much easier to understand what the young boy was trying to tell me. I also wished I could be able to interpret the signs used by young children in their communication. I could be able to quickly relate the boy’s pointing finger to what he tried to communicate. As a result, it would have been less tasking to locate his mother who he was looking for.
