Cross Cultural Understanding

Definition of Culture

Culture is the "glue" that binds a group of people together.
(Douglas-Brown- 1994)

Culture is an elusive construct that shifts constantly over time and according to who is perceiving and interpreting it. (Linda Harklau- 1999)

Culture is a broad concept that embraces all aspects of human life. It includes everything people learn to do. It is everything humans have learned. Culture shapes our thoughts and actions, and often does so with a heavy hand. (Seelye- 1984-1993).

Relationship between Language and Culture

A language is part of a culture and culture is part of language; the two are intricately interwoven so that one cannot separate the two without losing the significance of either language or culture (Douglas-Brown- 1994)

Why language and culture are inseparably connected (Buttjes 1990)

-         Language acquisition does not follow a universal sequence, but differs across cultures

-         The process of becoming a competent member of society is realized through exchanges of language in particular social situations;

-         Every society orchestrates the ways in which children participate in particular situations, and this, in turn, affects the form, the function and the content of children's utterances;

In Short, language is rooted in culture and culture is reflected and passed on by language from one generation to the next

COMMUNICATION

A. Kinds of communication

1. Verbal

Verbal communication is the process of sending and receiving messages with words, including writing and sign language, for example presentation, conversation etc.

2. Non verbal

The process of sending and receiving messages with a medium other than speech or writing, for example, gesture, touching etc.

B. Communication Style

1. Direct Communication

* Say what you mean—very little need for reading into things.
* Silence in conversations is viewed as uncomfortable. Interruptions are common.

2. Indirect Communication

* Imply what you mean. Reading into things is the definitive way of communicating.
* Silence in conversations is expected and appreciated. It is usually associated in a positive sense. Interruptions are to be avoided.

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