Ch.8 PowerPoint
- 1. Communication between cultures 8TH EDITION Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language 1
- 2. Key Ideas • Functions of language • Language and meaning • Language and culture • Using language • Interpreting and translating • Communication technology and language • Language and intercultural competence © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language 2
- 3. Functions of language • Social interaction • Social cohesion • Expressions of identity © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language 3
- 4. Language and meaning • Language is a set of symbols that a cultural group has agreed to use to create meaning. • The symbols and their meanings are often arbitrary • Language variations – Accent – Dialect – Argot – Slang © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language 4
- 5. Language and meaning • Conversational taboos – Cultural restrictions related to the discussion of certain topics or use of certain words – Generally related to topics of sex, the supernatural, excretion and death © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language 5
- 6. Language and culture • Synergy between language and culture – Language is dominant in shaping worldview and perception of reality – A culture’s language vocabulary emphasizes what is important © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language 6
- 7. Using Language • Using Language – how language to influence perceptions • Spanish – Male orientation in Mexican society evident in gendered nouns and pronouns – Separate verb conjunctions help Mexicans express formality which is important in the culture © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language 7
- 8. Using Language • Northeast Asian cultures (e.g. China, Korea, Japan) – High context cultures – Employ language in an indirect manner to promote harmony – Politeness takes precedence over truth – Importance of formality and hierarchy – Opposite of western culture’s view of communication as a way to increase self-esteem © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language 8
- 9. Using Language • Arabic – Language unites and defines greater Arab community – Language is a function of history – Language posses emotional content – Indirectness is used to ensure smooth relations – Repetition and exaggeration is used to appeal to emotions – Focus on the present and uncertainty about the future © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language 9
- 10. Using Language • English – “I”” is used frequently in conversation – Language is used to protect your own face rather than the faces of others – Communication is used to promote individuality – Americans prefer to be on a first name basis quickly with titles rarely used © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language 10
- 11. Interpreting and translating • Interpretation - changing oral or signed messages from one language into another • Translation – changing written or signed messages from one language to another • Translation requires an extensive awareness of cultural factors © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language 11
- 12. Interpreting and translating • Working with interpreters and translators – Language knowledge – Dialect knowledge – Specialized technology – Cultural knowledge © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language 12
- 13. Communication technology and language • The digital age has greatly enhanced the ability of people around to world to easily and quickly “connect” with others through a variety of media • Interacting through the Internet requires the use of a common language • English continues to be the most common language among Internet users • Language can also play a role in the selection of which social media outlet a culture favors © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language 13
- 14. Language and intercultural competence • Improving intercultural interactions – Being mindful – Speech rate – Vocabulary – Attend to nonverbal behaviors – Checking • Second language benefits – Communicate with people – Shows people you’re interested in them – Provides insight into the emotions and values of a culture © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language 14
- 15. Communication between cultures 8TH EDITION Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language 15