Introduction to intercultural Introduction to intercultural communicationcommunication(sources: University of Jyväskylä, Intercultural Iceland)(sources: University of Jyväskylä, Intercultural Iceland)

Overview of contentsOverview of contents

What is Intercultural communication? Basic What is Intercultural communication? Basic concepts: concepts:

1.1. IdentityIdentity2.2.Culture and communicationCulture and communication3.3.Intercultural communicationIntercultural communication4.4.ICC as academic disciplineICC as academic discipline

Examples about ICC-theoriesExamples about ICC-theories- vverbal and nonverbal communication: styles, erbal and nonverbal communication: styles,

rules, politeness etc.rules, politeness etc.- vvaalues lues

IdentityIdentity• Ethnic, cultural, national and racial identitiesEthnic, cultural, national and racial identities• Age-/gender-related, occupational identities etc…Age-/gender-related, occupational identities etc…• The base, onto which a person builds a picture of The base, onto which a person builds a picture of

him-/herselfhim-/herself• Answers for instance questions like Answers for instance questions like “what does it mean “what does it mean

to be Finnish, Japanese, a 30-year old female etc…”to be Finnish, Japanese, a 30-year old female etc…”• Fundamental features of national identity (Smith 1991): Fundamental features of national identity (Smith 1991): - consists of historic territory or homelandconsists of historic territory or homeland- contains endemic myths and historical memoriescontains endemic myths and historical memories- springs from culture that is shared by the mass publicsprings from culture that is shared by the mass public- legal rights and duties as components of itlegal rights and duties as components of it- common economy and territorial mobilitycommon economy and territorial mobility

Nitza HidalgoNitza Hidalgo’’s s ““three levels of culturethree levels of culture””

1.1. ““The ConcreteThe Concrete””: This is the most visible and : This is the most visible and tangible level of culture, and includes the most tangible level of culture, and includes the most surface-level dimensions such as clothes, music, surface-level dimensions such as clothes, music, food, games etc. These aspects of culture are often food, games etc. These aspects of culture are often those which provide the focus for those which provide the focus for ““multicultural multicultural festivalsfestivals””

2.2. ““The BehavioralThe Behavioral””: This level of culture clarifies how : This level of culture clarifies how we define our social roles, the language we speak, we define our social roles, the language we speak, and our approaches to nonverbal communication. and our approaches to nonverbal communication. The behavioral level REFLECTS our values. Aspects The behavioral level REFLECTS our values. Aspects to be listed in this category include language, to be listed in this category include language, gender roles, family structure etc.gender roles, family structure etc.

3.3. ““The SymbolicThe Symbolic””: This level of culture include our : This level of culture include our values, attitudes and beliefs. It can be abstract, but values, attitudes and beliefs. It can be abstract, but it is most often the key to how individuals define it is most often the key to how individuals define themselves. It icludes values, systems, spirituality, themselves. It icludes values, systems, spirituality, beliefs, worldview etc.beliefs, worldview etc.

Studying culture and communicationStudying culture and communication

Many definitions of cultureMany definitions of culture- ““Culture is communication” (Edward T. Hall) Culture is communication” (Edward T. Hall) - ““Culture is the collective programming of the Culture is the collective programming of the

mind” (Geert Hofstede) mind” (Geert Hofstede) - ““Culture is how things are done here” (John Culture is how things are done here” (John

Mole) Mole) - ““All communication is more or less cross-All communication is more or less cross-

cultural” (Deborah Tannen) cultural” (Deborah Tannen) - ““Culture is a kind of storehouse or library of Culture is a kind of storehouse or library of

possible meanings and symbols” (Ron Scollon) possible meanings and symbols” (Ron Scollon)

Culture: conclusionCulture: conclusion

• Set of shared basic assumptions and values, with resultant behavioural Set of shared basic assumptions and values, with resultant behavioural norms, attitudes and beliefsnorms, attitudes and beliefs

• Those manifest themselves in systems, institutions and behavioural patterns Those manifest themselves in systems, institutions and behavioural patterns and non-behavioural items and non-behavioural items

• There are various levels of culture, ranging from the easily observable outer There are various levels of culture, ranging from the easily observable outer layers (behavioural conventions) to the more difficult to grasp inner layers layers (behavioural conventions) to the more difficult to grasp inner layers (assumptions and values)(assumptions and values)

• Culture is shared among members of one group or society, and has an Culture is shared among members of one group or society, and has an interpretative function for the members of that group interpretative function for the members of that group

• Culture is dynamic, more than nationality or ethnic background, more than Culture is dynamic, more than nationality or ethnic background, more than traditions and habitstraditions and habits

• Culture is connected with the individual, the group and the societyCulture is connected with the individual, the group and the society

• You can only get to know many of the most important components of You can only get to know many of the most important components of culture through interaction and communicationculture through interaction and communication

• ““Every society always concist of many cultures. ThatEvery society always concist of many cultures. That’’s why it is impossible to s why it is impossible to say that there is one common culture or national characteristic existing. Itsay that there is one common culture or national characteristic existing. It ’’s s also impossible to talk about German or Finnish culturesalso impossible to talk about German or Finnish cultures”” (Bausteine (Bausteine –– Kloeters)Kloeters)

Why is the discussion about culture Why is the discussion about culture so important?so important?

- Group power can only empower individuals when Group power can only empower individuals when they have a sense of they have a sense of usus (dominant group) as (dominant group) as opposed to opposed to themthem (dominated groups) (dominated groups)

- It is important to realize the power of the group It is important to realize the power of the group powerpower

- When you understand the concept of culture and When you understand the concept of culture and how it works, it is easier to navigate in a complex how it works, it is easier to navigate in a complex world and explain different phenomenaworld and explain different phenomena

- Critical thinking is important: there are some Critical thinking is important: there are some cultural traits but no such thing as one and only cultural traits but no such thing as one and only Finnish culture etc.Finnish culture etc.

- Communication is the clue!Communication is the clue!

What is intercultural communicationWhat is intercultural communication

The question, to which the study of Intercultural The question, to which the study of Intercultural communication is trying to answer:communication is trying to answer:

““How do people understand one another when How do people understand one another when they do not share the common cultural they do not share the common cultural

experience”experience”

- Bennett -- Bennett -

What is intercultural communicationWhat is intercultural communication

““Intercultural Communication is at best Intercultural Communication is at best intercultural intercultural dialoguedialogue, a jointly travelled path , a jointly travelled path

towards towards learninglearning and and understandingunderstanding, , respectrespect and and responsibilityresponsibility. .

Different opinions become a source for new Different opinions become a source for new solutionssolutions, and culture turns into a valuable , and culture turns into a valuable

resource. In the multicultural and resource. In the multicultural and interdependent world intercultural dialogue is interdependent world intercultural dialogue is

our chance to make a differenceour chance to make a difference..””

Liisa Salo-Lee, ProfessorLiisa Salo-Lee, ProfessorIntercultural Communication – University of Jyväskylä Intercultural Communication – University of Jyväskylä

Intercultural communication is Intercultural communication is communication between two or more communication between two or more individuals representing different culturesindividuals representing different cultures

Culture can be regional, national, Culture can be regional, national, organizational, ethnic, professional, social, organizational, ethnic, professional, social, age- or gender-related etc.age- or gender-related etc.

Communication: Verbal and nonverbal

• Verbal communication: Verbal communication: whatwhat is being said is being said or writtenor written

• Nonverbal communication: Nonverbal communication: howhow something is being said, written or donesomething is being said, written or done

• Both of them very important! Both of them very important!

Intercultural communication as Intercultural communication as academic disciplineacademic discipline

• Intercultural communication as a human activity Intercultural communication as a human activity ancient > academic discipline relatively new ancient > academic discipline relatively new • Beginning: Hall (1959) – the Silent LanguageBeginning: Hall (1959) – the Silent Language- The beginning of ICC: training as the main issueThe beginning of ICC: training as the main issue- First (university) courses and academic textbooks in First (university) courses and academic textbooks in

the USA in the 1970´s, in Europe 1980´sthe USA in the 1970´s, in Europe 1980´s- University of Jyväskylä one of the pioneersUniversity of Jyväskylä one of the pioneers- From the earlier more applied focus on training, ICC From the earlier more applied focus on training, ICC

has in the last decades developed and matured also has in the last decades developed and matured also as an academic field with its own theory buildingas an academic field with its own theory building

Interdisciplinary field of Interdisciplinary field of intercultural communicationintercultural communication

Academic field of Intercultural Academic field of Intercultural communicationcommunicationTheory building of ICC:Theory building of ICC:- borrows theories from other fields borrows theories from other fields - forms new theories forms new theories - studies involve multisource data and mixed studies involve multisource data and mixed

methodologymethodology- the realization of the complexity of studying the realization of the complexity of studying

intercultural interactions increases intercultural interactions increases continuouslycontinuously

Examples about ICC-theoriesExamples about ICC-theories

Communication styles, rules and norms Communication styles, rules and norms on verbal and nonverbal communicationon verbal and nonverbal communication

Value studies in ICCValue studies in ICC

Verbal communicationVerbal communication

1.1. Low and high context communication Low and high context communication processing processing

2.2. Communication styles Communication styles

3.3. Cultural speaking rules Cultural speaking rules

4.4. Politeness Politeness

Low and high context Low and high context communication processing (Hall)communication processing (Hall)

• Low context communication: verbal communication Low context communication: verbal communication emphasized, information coded in words > correspond emphasized, information coded in words > correspond relatively accurately to what is meant, nonverbal relatively accurately to what is meant, nonverbal communication not very contradictory to verbal communication not very contradictory to verbal communicationcommunication• High context communication: only a part of information High context communication: only a part of information

expressed verbally, a great part of messages expressed verbally, a great part of messages “read” in the “read” in the context > interpreted with the help of certain cues context > interpreted with the help of certain cues carrying cultural meanings (f.e. smile). Different carrying cultural meanings (f.e. smile). Different interpretations can be a source of intercultural interpretations can be a source of intercultural misunderstandings.misunderstandings.

Communication stylesCommunication styles

- Direct/indirect communication styleDirect/indirect communication style

- Elaborate/succint comm. style Elaborate/succint comm. style

- Personal, or person-centered/ Personal, or person-centered/ contextual communication style contextual communication style

- Instrumental/affective Instrumental/affective communication style communication style

Direct and indirect Direct and indirect communication stylecommunication style

• Direct communication: things are being said Direct communication: things are being said verbally verbally • Indirect communication: nonverbal cues Indirect communication: nonverbal cues

crucialcrucial• Indirect communication often used if mutual Indirect communication often used if mutual

harmony iharmony is important s important

Elaborate/succint Elaborate/succint communication stylecommunication style

• The amount of speech and expressivenessThe amount of speech and expressiveness• Elaborate style: rich language characteristic Elaborate style: rich language characteristic

for everyday discussions, metaphors for everyday discussions, metaphors commoncommon• Succinct style: frequent pauses, silence, only Succinct style: frequent pauses, silence, only

the absolutely necessary is saidthe absolutely necessary is said

Personal or person-Personal or person-centered/contextual stylecentered/contextual style

• Person-centered communication style is informal Person-centered communication style is informal and emphasizes the individual and equalitarian and emphasizes the individual and equalitarian relationships (the use of pronoun relationships (the use of pronoun “I”) “I”) • Contextual style is status and role oriented. Personal Contextual style is status and role oriented. Personal

pronouns are not much used. All information is not pronouns are not much used. All information is not necessarily explicitly expressed.necessarily explicitly expressed.• Personal and contextual communication styles are Personal and contextual communication styles are

related to individualism and collectivism related to individualism and collectivism • Express also cultural differences in power distance Express also cultural differences in power distance

(hierarchy) (hierarchy)

Instrumental/affective styleInstrumental/affective style

• Instrumental communication style is goal Instrumental communication style is goal oriented and sender focusedoriented and sender focused• Affective communication style is process Affective communication style is process

oriented and listener focused oriented and listener focused • Instrumental style: explicitnessInstrumental style: explicitness• Affective style: implicitnessAffective style: implicitness• Instrumental and affective communication styles Instrumental and affective communication styles

can be also related to individualism and can be also related to individualism and collectivism or to low and high contextcollectivism or to low and high context

Speech communities and codesSpeech communities and codes

• Different speech codesDifferent speech codes• Several aspects affect communicationSeveral aspects affect communication• The proportion of verbal and nonverbal comm. vary The proportion of verbal and nonverbal comm. vary • Language not only a means of communication, but Language not only a means of communication, but

also a indicator of the speakeralso a indicator of the speaker’s cultural identity’s cultural identity• Expressions express belonging to a group, but Expressions express belonging to a group, but

sometimes also exclusion, separation or sometimes also exclusion, separation or discriminationdiscrimination• Intercultural communication takes place when Intercultural communication takes place when

participants represent a different communication participants represent a different communication system > potential sources of clashes system > potential sources of clashes

Cultural speaking rulesCultural speaking rules

• Each speech community has its norms, forms and codes for Each speech community has its norms, forms and codes for communicationcommunication• Rules of speaking: what is appropriate and inappropriate in a Rules of speaking: what is appropriate and inappropriate in a

situationsituation• Conversation can be seen as a Conversation can be seen as a ““ball gameball game”” (participants need (participants need

to know the rules)to know the rules)• Turn giving and taking systematic and signalled by f. e. Turn giving and taking systematic and signalled by f. e.

nonverbal meansnonverbal means• The speech community maintains the norms and rules of The speech community maintains the norms and rules of

communication > may also change themcommunication > may also change them• In every speech community some individual deviation from In every speech community some individual deviation from

the norms > not all group members communicate the same the norms > not all group members communicate the same wayway• Always a possibility for misunderstandingsAlways a possibility for misunderstandings

PolitenessPoliteness

• Positive and negative politenessPositive and negative politeness• Two kinds of linguistic politeness strategies: Two kinds of linguistic politeness strategies:

1) involvement and 2) independency strategies 1) involvement and 2) independency strategies > reflect general human social needs: to be > reflect general human social needs: to be connected to other people, yet to be independent connected to other people, yet to be independent and unique (Scollon & Scollon 1995)and unique (Scollon & Scollon 1995)• The core of politeness is to take other people into The core of politeness is to take other people into

consideration, to take care > can be done in consideration, to take care > can be done in different ways different ways • Norms and behaviours culturally and socially Norms and behaviours culturally and socially

learned learned > misunderstandings interculturally common > misunderstandings interculturally common

Nonverbal communicationNonverbal communication

• Time: monochronic and polychronic time Time: monochronic and polychronic time orientation, linear and cyclic time conceptorientation, linear and cyclic time concept• space/proximity/touching (the use of space)space/proximity/touching (the use of space)• body language: expressions, gestures, body language: expressions, gestures,

movements, body position movements, body position • eye contact eye contact • smell smell • physical appearance physical appearance • clothing, artefacts clothing, artefacts • living environment living environment

Cultural values and communicationCultural values and communication

- Human being: good, neutral, evil?Human being: good, neutral, evil?

- Relationship towards natureRelationship towards nature

- Relationships between people Relationships between people

- Time orientation Time orientation

- Personal space Personal space

- Different patterns of communication Different patterns of communication

- Attitudes to arguments Attitudes to arguments Ethical and moral reflectionsEthical and moral reflections

Value studies in ICCValue studies in ICC

Some of the best known cross-cultural value studies:Some of the best known cross-cultural value studies:

1.1.Parsons & Shils: Pattern variables Parsons & Shils: Pattern variables 2.2.Kluckhohn & Strodtbeck: value orientations Kluckhohn & Strodtbeck: value orientations 3.3.Hall: Contact & low contact; Monochronic & Hall: Contact & low contact; Monochronic & polychronic time concept; Low & high context polychronic time concept; Low & high context 4.4.Hofstede: Work-related values Hofstede: Work-related values 5.5.Chinese culture connection: "Confucian work Chinese culture connection: "Confucian work dynamism/long term orientation" dynamism/long term orientation" 6.6.Schwartz: Schwartz Value Inventory Schwartz: Schwartz Value Inventory 7.7.Trompenaars: Cultural dimensions Trompenaars: Cultural dimensions

Conclusion:Conclusion:Values, styles and rulesValues, styles and rules

• Communication styles, norms and rules Communication styles, norms and rules reflect cultural values (3-layer model)reflect cultural values (3-layer model)

• Culture can national, gender-based, age-Culture can national, gender-based, age-based, occupational etc.based, occupational etc.

• All are strongly related to each other All are strongly related to each other