- CUlture & Communication -
The world is full of people who are apart of an array of diverse cultures. As a result, the methods in which individuals communicate differs from place to place, culture to culture. The life lessons that one learns derives from their experiences within their culture, and so, simple gestures and ways to communicate are developed through observation and imitation. Culture is like a mentor in it's own special way. It's function is to teach those apart of the culture how to behave and communicate when faced with a multitude of different situations.
"Culture is the lens through which we view the world; it is the mirror we use to reflect and interpret reality."
(Gamble and Gamble, 2013, p. 26)
(Gamble and Gamble, 2013, p. 26)
- Understanding Difference -
It’s a fact that knowledge leads to understanding. The more an individual knows about a certain cultures pattern of behavior, the less likely he/she will risk coming off as ignorant, or culturally confused. A person who is culturally confused displays an apparent lack of understanding of the differences between cultures. Having awareness over cultural differences is a crucial part of developing stronger relationships between people of different backgrounds. The next time you visit a place where you are surrounded by people of a different culture, try observing their behavior!
- FeelingS About Difference -
The attitude one has when interacting with a person who has different values from one’s own plays a major role in their ability to communicate. Those who see one’s own culture as superior to another actively display what is known as ethnocentrism. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there is cultural relativism. Cultural relativism is the ability to accept other cultures as equal to one’s own. Stereotypes and prejudices are also influential factors that affect one’s reaction towards being in the presence of someone who is of a different culture.
For example, when I tell people that I’m an emcee/songwriter, I often find myself feeling a bit awkward because most people expect a rapper to be similar to the commercialized rappers that they are exposed to on the radio. A fair amount of people are unaware that there’s an underground side of hip hop as well, which is far from the glamour and glitz that is portrayed by the media. The independent hip hop scene can be labeled a co-culture in which lyricists choose to focus on lyrical content and complex rhyme schemes rather than redundant topics such as guns, money, women, and drugs.
For example, when I tell people that I’m an emcee/songwriter, I often find myself feeling a bit awkward because most people expect a rapper to be similar to the commercialized rappers that they are exposed to on the radio. A fair amount of people are unaware that there’s an underground side of hip hop as well, which is far from the glamour and glitz that is portrayed by the media. The independent hip hop scene can be labeled a co-culture in which lyricists choose to focus on lyrical content and complex rhyme schemes rather than redundant topics such as guns, money, women, and drugs.
Works Cited
Gamble, T. & Gamble, M. (2013). Communication Works (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.
Gamble, T. & Gamble, M. (2013). Communication Works (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.