Intercultural Communication - AIU

Intercultural Communication

The Atlantic International University

Course Code: AIU050

Mark Wellington

Ref. Code: 2874HCA7131 The D. Sc. Degree in Communication Studies

October 2005

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Table of Contents

Page Number

Introduction

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1

The Importance of Intercultural Communication

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2

Communication and Culture-Merged Variables

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2

A Closer Look at Culture

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3

Communications and Culture

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4

The Use of Language in Cyber-Space

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5

The Meaning of Cyber-Space

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5

The Role of Language

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7

Language and Technology

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8

Structuralism, Language and Semiotics

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9

The Conclusion

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11

Reference

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13

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INTRODUCTION To broach a topic such as culture is to find oneself in an "epistemological1 band" of debates that may not produce any deductive logic. In fact the concept of culture is so dynamic that there is no fixed definition upon which all theorizing cannot be successfully argued.

In essence, we may best approximate culture to signify those symbols, language and other gestures that are understood by a group of persons to mean the same thing. In fact, such cultural affiliations are the facilitators of communication2 between/among human beings.

It is therefore not hard to deduce, why communication between two (2) persons or among a group of persons of the same culture would be easier than communication between/among groups of persons of different cultures. Since communication does not only include the dissemination and the use of language (with feedback) then other variables of culture as mentioned above may interfere with effective communication.

Robert Heller in his book; "Communicating Clearly" pointed out that "good communication is the lifeblood of all societies." He went on to highlight that communication takes many forms. He included speaking, writing and listening as essential variables of communication (1998;P.6). He also went on to point out that effective communication hinges on people understanding your meaning and replying in terms that move the exchange forward. Implied in Robert Hellers argument is the fact that meanings must be understood by all parties to the communication process to mean the same thing. If that is not the case then miscommunication evolves and no foundation for growth in any form can be achieved, be it social, political or economic.

Inter-cultural Communication would denote communication between cultures. It must be understood from the outset that culture is experienced and identified in many forms and

1 That which is philosophical and constitutes repetitive theorizing. 2 Interactive transference of meanings between intelligences.

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at many geographical locations across the globe. Hence to say "inter-cultural3" does not necessarily mean the populace of Jamaica being able to communicate effectively with the populace of Canada for example, but would signify communication between or among indigenous cultures of Jamaica itself. The point to be made here is that intercultural communication is solely entrenched in meanings and not necessarily geographical locations.

Why is Intercultural Communication important? We communicate to get things done, pass on and obtain information, reach decisions, achieve joint understanding and develop relationships. Hence communication covers the social, the political and the economic aspects of life in any society. Since information technology now seeks to achieve one global culture, then such technology must also be capable of unifying language, symbols and gestures to achieve a true global culture. It is considered a fact that information technology cannot capture all variables of true communication effectively and so we are still challenged with the hypothesis of such technologies being able to provide us with "one world order."

We live in a world that promotes free trade as the vehicle for economic growth. Free trade captures all goods and services of all societies of the free world/democratic societies. With such a benchmark our terms of communication to foster relationships (political, economic and/or social) must be created on the basis of shared meanings. If such exchange cannot be achieved then there will always be inequities in trade and relationships nationally and internationally.

Communication and culture ? merged variables John Fiske in 2000 highlighted that "communication is one of those human activities that everyone recognizes but few can define satisfactorily" (2000;P.1). It is not surprising that this assertion was made because in a new world order where the owners of technology redefined communication based on the abilities of the technologies over what the technologies actually do, make it difficult for us to have a unifying definition of

3 Between cultures and sub-cultures alike.

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communication. However to keep this paper in context, we shall agree from the outset that communication must always denote "the interactive transference of meanings among intelligences." If "meaning" becomes our operational term, then information dissemination cannot become an active or true definition of communication.

Let us take a look at Culture Culture as defined by Aggrey Brown, is "that dimension of interaction (communication) that defines a particular group of people and incorporates symbolic, technical and social phenomena adopted and understood by such groups (1995;P.14). At the outset we can agree that culture is created and sustained through instrumental and social arrangements of people. As highlighted in Aggrey Browns work, technologies are both manifestations of culture as they are the means through which culture is created and expressed. That being the case, technologies have found themselves on both ends of the debate: 1. Technology is a form of culture and 2. It assists in creating or re-defining cultures. Its latter characteristics may help us to better understand how Inter-Cultural Communication may be achieved. Hence, technological advancements modifying cultures may in fact unify some cultures facilitating inter-cultural communication and distort others by dissemination information but not facilitating the exchange of meanings. Hence, we may agree to disagree on the point of intercultural communication as in some instances intercultural communication is achieved and at other times communication between or among cultures become thwarted. Intercultural communication must therefore be characterized by shared meanings.

ENC DEC

SHARED MEANING

DEC ENC

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