Interpersonal communication

Intercultural communication is something that we encounter on a daily basis. There are many people who come from different cultures, but there is one thing that will always be universal, which is communication. Forms of communication can be in many languages and interpreted differently. Communication can also be in forms of having no audible sounds, such as nonverbal communication or body language. The point of communication is to convey a message to a receiver in the most comprehensible way. With intercultural communication there are concepts that help us understand how certain cultures communicate with each other. These concepts are a type of generalization or categorization for the ways which culture differ.

Understanding the differences between cultures allows us to communicate more effectively and with an acknowledgment of cultural influences. I will be discussing three groups of cultural concepts and provide examples of each.

Culture as defined by Joseph A. DeVito the author of The Interpersonal Communication Book thirteenth edition is the relatively specialized lifestyle of a group of people that is passed on from one generation to the next through communication, not through genes. He also states that culture includes a social group’s developed values, beliefs, artifacts, language, and ways of behaving. The term culture is not applied to a specific race, gender or even a location. Culture is defined by a group of people who share similarities in certain aspects regardless of physicality or mental ability. Although certain ethnicities are referred to cultures because most of them have been taught the same values or beliefs from each generation. Examples are “Hispanic culture” and “African American culture.” Referring to eth...

... middle of paper ...

...vist try to succeed as a team. In terms of context, high context cultures expect others to understand messages and feelings by their personal relationships. Low context cultures are more forwardly spoken and must be detailed with messages and expression of emotions. Lastly, masculine orientation concentrate on competitiveness and aggression, while feminine orientation emphasizes nurturance and benevolence. Acknowledging the differences in orientation and understanding the background of a person may enhance your communication abilities. You will be able to adapt to a person’s orientation and adjust your methods of communication to benefit yourself or counter any conflicts. Mastering these skills will not be an easy task but once you are accustomed to it, you will have an advantage in creating relationships, obtaining necessities, and even overcoming differences.