Intercultural Communication as Process
Intercultural communication is a process because it is ongoing, dynamic, and ever changing. To refine the definition of communication Beebe, Beebe and Ivy (2001) define communication as the process of making sense out of the world and sharing that sense with others through verbal and nonverbal messages. We make sense out of the world by listening, observing, tasting, touching, and smelling, then sharing our conclusions with others through words and unspoken expressions. Intercultural communication as process includes people, relationships, activities, objects and experiences that are dynamic rather than static. Process views are ways to measure the success of communication by considering the methods by which an outcome is accomplished. Since many factors ought to be taken into account when people communicate, the approach is to discuss the process view of intercultural communication with its many factors and influences. As a process, perception, elements and characteristics of communication are influences. Other influences include those of co-cultures such as gender, age, race, ethnicity, occupation and issues of identity and its assumptions and negotiation and culture skills.
The reason why the study of communication is important is that we spend more time communicating than doing anything else. We should also study communication because communication is the process of using messages to generate meaning. Communication is the basis of our identity. We are who we are because of communication. Communication is the foundation of the self-concept. Communication has a relationship impact. We develop and maintain relationships through communication. Communication has a professional impact. There is no career that does not involve the ability to communicate. One of the main skills employers are looking for is the ability to communicate. Communication has a cultural impact. People in the world are dependent upon each other. Organizations are becoming global. Even relationships occur between people of different cultures. The past and present challenges of the future are the expansion of world trade and international business. An added importance of intercultural study and practice are technology and travel, competition for natural resources, international conflict and security, environmental challenges, world health issues, shifting populations and multicultural societies. (Samover, porter, and Mcdaniel 2009)
In the journal of the Association for Communication Administration, (Morreale, Osborn and Pearson 2000) provide a rationale for the centrality of the study of communication. The article reports that the study of communication is vital to the development of the whole person, it improves the educational enterprise, it is vital to society and to crossing cultural boundaries, it is vital to career success and business enterprises and communication education should be taught by specialized faculty in departments devoted to the study. Communication is vital to the development of the whole person. Communication enhances relationships to the self, others and society. Communication improves critical thinking and it helps students become more critical consumers of modern media. Communication education develops leadership skills and helps the dynamics to build a successful family. To acquire communication knowledge is to gain power.
Communication education improves the educational enterprise by enhancing classroom instruction. Communication is the key to successful collaboration in the educational environment. Communication skill is the most important trait for school administrators. Communication education is vital in the selection of teachers. Communication education fosters leadership among librarians and oral communication is among basic skills required for faculty leadership. Communication education is vital to society and to crossing cultural boundaries. Communication helps develop skills and sensitivities that shape our social and political lives. The ability to speak qualifies one to participate in public life. Good family communication helps prevent delinquent behavior, nonverbal communication influences decisions in courts of law and communication education can enhance cross-cultural understanding.
Communication is vital to career success and the business enterprise. Communication education can help students gain a desirable job. Oral communication and listening abilities are among the basic job skills desired by employers. Desirable communication behavior is essential in specific professional careers (accounting, auditing, banking, engineering, industrial hygiene, information science, sales, etc.). Learning communication skills promotes human resources training and communication enhances the effectiveness of business executives. Communication is a research discipline of emerging importance. We should explore strategies for curriculum revision to better impart communication skills for business. Teaching basic speaking and writing skills is important to business communication curricula. One can make a case for communication education because communication education programs survive in tough times.
There are six characteristics of communication. Communication is symbolic. Inherent in the definition of communication is the fact that humans are symbol-making creatures. In human communication, a symbol is an expression that stands for or represents something else. One key characteristic of symbols, and one that must be kept in mind, is that symbols bear no inherent relation to what they are intended to represent and are therefore, arbitrary. The main reason communication is symbolic is the assignment of meaning. To express the self, we form messages comprising verbal symbols and nonverbal behaviors. Symbols are words, sounds, and actions that seek to represent specific ideas and feelings. As we speak, we choose word symbols to express meaning. At the same time, facial expressions, eye contact, gestures and tone of voice—all symbolic, nonverbal cues—accompany words in an attempt to express meaning. Communication relies on the use of symbols—arbitrary constructions (usually in the form of language or behaviors) that refer to people, things, and concepts. There is a stronger connection between symbol and object, and the clarity of the intended meaning, and vice versa. People create and negotiate meanings in the course of their interactions.
Communication is interpretive. In the globalized world, there is an increasing need to interpret and translate from one language to another. An awareness of this distinction becomes somewhat important when working with international organizations that must continually manage information flow in two or more languages. People interpret the symbolic behavior of others. Interpretation is inevitably subjective. Interpretation is influenced by one's experiences, needs, wants, values, beliefs, expectations, physical and emotional states, etc. Interpretation is influenced by one's rules, schemata, scripts, and gender.
Communication is transactional. A communication transaction involves not only the physical act of communicating, but also a psychological act: Impressions are being formed in the minds of the people who are communicating. What people think and know about one another directly affects their communication. Communication as a transaction involves three important principles. First, people engaged in communication are sending messages continuously and simultaneously. Second communication events have a past, present, and future; and third, participants in communication play certain roles. Transactions involve two or more people acting in both sender and receiver roles, and their messages are dependent on and influenced by those of their partner. Once a communication transaction has been completed, once a message has been sent (intentionally or not) and received, it cannot be reversed, nor can it be repeated in precisely the same way. Communication is contextual. Context is the setting in which communication encounters occur, including what precedes and follows what is said. The context affects the expectations of the participants, the meaning these participants derive, and their subsequent behavior. Contexts include the physical, social, historical, psychological and cultural circumstances that surround a communication episode. All communication takes place within the powerful context of the surrounding culture (represented by the outermost sphere of the competent communication model). Contexts frame communicative events. The physical context: the actual location of the interactants; the social context; expectations about behaviors within specific settings; and the interpersonal contexts: affects expectations about behaviors in specific social relationships. To understand how important context is in intercultural communication it is necessary to point out that communication is rule-governed and that contexts prescribe appropriate communication rules and that communication rules are culturally diverse.
Communication involves shared meanings. Meanings include the thoughts in one person's mind as well as interpretations one makes of another message. Communication involves shared meanings that are invented and co-created between and among participants. Meaning is an active process created by cooperation between source and receiver. Meanings are in people. One does not receive meaning, but constructs meaning combined with social and cultural perspectives. Words do not mean; people mean. Meanings are more than words and gestures. The meanings we seek to communicate are much more than the sum of the words and nonverbal behaviors we use to represent them. Meanings are unique. No two people ever derive the same meanings all the time. Meanings are context-based. Words or behaviors may have different meanings in different contexts. Cultural context may indicate meaning about content and relationship. Communicating effectively describes how well we achieve goals. Choices of strategy may depend in part on what goals one tries to achieve and at the same time, being aware of the elements of communication.
References
Beebe, S. A., S. J. Beebe and K. Ivy (2004). Public Speaking: An audience centered approach. New York: Pearson
Morreale P. S, Osborn M. M and Pearson C. J (2000) Why Communication is Important: A rationale for the centrality of the study of communication. Journal of the Association for Communication Administration. 1-25
Samovar, L. A., E. R. Porter, and E. McDaniel (2009). Communication between cultures. Wadsworth.
The reason why the study of communication is important is that we spend more time communicating than doing anything else. We should also study communication because communication is the process of using messages to generate meaning. Communication is the basis of our identity. We are who we are because of communication. Communication is the foundation of the self-concept. Communication has a relationship impact. We develop and maintain relationships through communication. Communication has a professional impact. There is no career that does not involve the ability to communicate. One of the main skills employers are looking for is the ability to communicate. Communication has a cultural impact. People in the world are dependent upon each other. Organizations are becoming global. Even relationships occur between people of different cultures. The past and present challenges of the future are the expansion of world trade and international business. An added importance of intercultural study and practice are technology and travel, competition for natural resources, international conflict and security, environmental challenges, world health issues, shifting populations and multicultural societies. (Samover, porter, and Mcdaniel 2009)
In the journal of the Association for Communication Administration, (Morreale, Osborn and Pearson 2000) provide a rationale for the centrality of the study of communication. The article reports that the study of communication is vital to the development of the whole person, it improves the educational enterprise, it is vital to society and to crossing cultural boundaries, it is vital to career success and business enterprises and communication education should be taught by specialized faculty in departments devoted to the study. Communication is vital to the development of the whole person. Communication enhances relationships to the self, others and society. Communication improves critical thinking and it helps students become more critical consumers of modern media. Communication education develops leadership skills and helps the dynamics to build a successful family. To acquire communication knowledge is to gain power.
Communication education improves the educational enterprise by enhancing classroom instruction. Communication is the key to successful collaboration in the educational environment. Communication skill is the most important trait for school administrators. Communication education is vital in the selection of teachers. Communication education fosters leadership among librarians and oral communication is among basic skills required for faculty leadership. Communication education is vital to society and to crossing cultural boundaries. Communication helps develop skills and sensitivities that shape our social and political lives. The ability to speak qualifies one to participate in public life. Good family communication helps prevent delinquent behavior, nonverbal communication influences decisions in courts of law and communication education can enhance cross-cultural understanding.
Communication is vital to career success and the business enterprise. Communication education can help students gain a desirable job. Oral communication and listening abilities are among the basic job skills desired by employers. Desirable communication behavior is essential in specific professional careers (accounting, auditing, banking, engineering, industrial hygiene, information science, sales, etc.). Learning communication skills promotes human resources training and communication enhances the effectiveness of business executives. Communication is a research discipline of emerging importance. We should explore strategies for curriculum revision to better impart communication skills for business. Teaching basic speaking and writing skills is important to business communication curricula. One can make a case for communication education because communication education programs survive in tough times.
There are six characteristics of communication. Communication is symbolic. Inherent in the definition of communication is the fact that humans are symbol-making creatures. In human communication, a symbol is an expression that stands for or represents something else. One key characteristic of symbols, and one that must be kept in mind, is that symbols bear no inherent relation to what they are intended to represent and are therefore, arbitrary. The main reason communication is symbolic is the assignment of meaning. To express the self, we form messages comprising verbal symbols and nonverbal behaviors. Symbols are words, sounds, and actions that seek to represent specific ideas and feelings. As we speak, we choose word symbols to express meaning. At the same time, facial expressions, eye contact, gestures and tone of voice—all symbolic, nonverbal cues—accompany words in an attempt to express meaning. Communication relies on the use of symbols—arbitrary constructions (usually in the form of language or behaviors) that refer to people, things, and concepts. There is a stronger connection between symbol and object, and the clarity of the intended meaning, and vice versa. People create and negotiate meanings in the course of their interactions.
Communication is interpretive. In the globalized world, there is an increasing need to interpret and translate from one language to another. An awareness of this distinction becomes somewhat important when working with international organizations that must continually manage information flow in two or more languages. People interpret the symbolic behavior of others. Interpretation is inevitably subjective. Interpretation is influenced by one's experiences, needs, wants, values, beliefs, expectations, physical and emotional states, etc. Interpretation is influenced by one's rules, schemata, scripts, and gender.
Communication is transactional. A communication transaction involves not only the physical act of communicating, but also a psychological act: Impressions are being formed in the minds of the people who are communicating. What people think and know about one another directly affects their communication. Communication as a transaction involves three important principles. First, people engaged in communication are sending messages continuously and simultaneously. Second communication events have a past, present, and future; and third, participants in communication play certain roles. Transactions involve two or more people acting in both sender and receiver roles, and their messages are dependent on and influenced by those of their partner. Once a communication transaction has been completed, once a message has been sent (intentionally or not) and received, it cannot be reversed, nor can it be repeated in precisely the same way. Communication is contextual. Context is the setting in which communication encounters occur, including what precedes and follows what is said. The context affects the expectations of the participants, the meaning these participants derive, and their subsequent behavior. Contexts include the physical, social, historical, psychological and cultural circumstances that surround a communication episode. All communication takes place within the powerful context of the surrounding culture (represented by the outermost sphere of the competent communication model). Contexts frame communicative events. The physical context: the actual location of the interactants; the social context; expectations about behaviors within specific settings; and the interpersonal contexts: affects expectations about behaviors in specific social relationships. To understand how important context is in intercultural communication it is necessary to point out that communication is rule-governed and that contexts prescribe appropriate communication rules and that communication rules are culturally diverse.
Communication involves shared meanings. Meanings include the thoughts in one person's mind as well as interpretations one makes of another message. Communication involves shared meanings that are invented and co-created between and among participants. Meaning is an active process created by cooperation between source and receiver. Meanings are in people. One does not receive meaning, but constructs meaning combined with social and cultural perspectives. Words do not mean; people mean. Meanings are more than words and gestures. The meanings we seek to communicate are much more than the sum of the words and nonverbal behaviors we use to represent them. Meanings are unique. No two people ever derive the same meanings all the time. Meanings are context-based. Words or behaviors may have different meanings in different contexts. Cultural context may indicate meaning about content and relationship. Communicating effectively describes how well we achieve goals. Choices of strategy may depend in part on what goals one tries to achieve and at the same time, being aware of the elements of communication.
References
Beebe, S. A., S. J. Beebe and K. Ivy (2004). Public Speaking: An audience centered approach. New York: Pearson
Morreale P. S, Osborn M. M and Pearson C. J (2000) Why Communication is Important: A rationale for the centrality of the study of communication. Journal of the Association for Communication Administration. 1-25
Samovar, L. A., E. R. Porter, and E. McDaniel (2009). Communication between cultures. Wadsworth.
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