Culture of communication

Theme 2. Intercultural COMMUNICATION

READER

Culture is a system of symbols, beliefs, attitudes, values, expectations, and norms of behaviour that are shared and accepted by people in a particular society.

Cultural structure. Culture consists of four key elements that are “passed on from generation to generation”: 1) values; 2) norms; 3) institutions; 4) artifacts.

Values comprise ideas about what in life seems important. The main cultural values are universal. They include respect to the elders, hospitality, honour etc. But at the same time people from different cultures may have different values and concepts of beliefs, ethics, time and space, etc.

Norms consist of expectations of how people will behave in various situations. For example, norms of non-verbal behaviour specify that Kazakhs and Russians shake hands at meeting or parting, which is impossible for a Japanese, who bows at meeting. Norms of verbal behaviour call for special phrases in this situation (How do you do? Nice to see you again.)

Institutions are the structures of a society within which values and norms are transmitted: social, religious, educational systems, etc.

Artifacts arethings or aspects of material culture, all the products of manufacture.

Culture of communication. The mostancientart in the human culture is the culture of communication. Culture of communication determines the verbal and non-verbal behaviour of people. Culture sets behaviour, etiquette, and protocol for situations in which people communicate. It also determines the right choice of lexical and grammatical means appropriate in communicative situations.

Behaviour is the way of acting or bearing (oneself) in a socially-acceptable or polite way. Etiquette is social norms of nonverbal and verbal behaviour accepted in a society. Etiquette is respect, good manners, and good behaviour. Stereotyped (typical) situations are called etiquette situations ( meeting people at the airport, promotion, interview, diplomatic reception). To etiquette situations belong customs, traditions, and etc. Culture of verbal communication sets the ways of using language in such etiquette situations.

Etiquette is about presenting yourself with the kind of polish that shows you can be taken seriously. The most important thing to remember about professional etiquette is to be courteous and thoughtful to the people around you, regardless of the situation. Consider other people’s feelings, stick to your convictions as diplomatically as possible. Address conflict as situation-related, rather than person-related. Business professional cannot afford to be rude. Even if your faux pas was simply an honest mistake, the costs in lost businesses and damaged relationships can be terribly high. “I didn’t know” is unlikely to repair the damage occurred because of an unintentional breach of manners.

Дата добавления: 2014-11-20