edf40wrjww2CF_PaperMaster:Desc
Intercultural Communication
1. Introduction
Definitions
? Culture: “the integrated sum total of all learned behavioural traits that are manifest and shared by members of society”, Adamson Hoebel
? Intercultural communication: “is communication between people whose cultural perceptions and symbol systems are distinct enough to alter the communication event”, Samovar et al
? "Culture is communication and communication is culture”, Edward T. Hall
All definitions contain:
? Culture is a pattern of behaviour which is consistent
? Culture is not biologically transmitted, rather a learned behaviour
? Culture is shared by members of a group or society
Cultures change – they are not static but living processes.
Eight basic elements
1. Material culture and technology
? Material culture refers to tools and artefacts of a society, but not those found in nature without undergoing some technological procedure
? Technology refers to the techniques used in the creation of material goods
2. Language
? The system of symbols used for communication
? The most obvious difference between cultures, and seen as a cultural mirror
3. Aesthetics
? Refers to ideas within cultures concerning themselves with appreciation of colour and form, beauty, and taste expressed in the arts, music, drama and dance.
4. Education
? Refers not just to formal educ ...