Friday, November 15, 2013

Communiaction and Culture


Effective intercultural communication is vitally important within any setting that involves diverse individuals, especially within the early childhood field. In considering all the aspects that make up culture and reflecting upon my own communication style, I find myself interacting differently with people from different backgrounds. The ways in which I communicate differently entails my body language and facial expressions; particularly while communicating with children in my class, as well as my verbal messages. I have also noted that a considerable difference occurs between the way I interact with my compatriots and nationals where I work. The mere reason for this variation is my keenness to be accessible and not be misunderstood. The difference lies mainly in my language dialect and choice of words.

Learning about the components of positive intercultural communication this week has prompted me to adapt three strategies that will enhance my communication while interacting with people from a different culture:

1- Becoming other-oriented and following Milton Bennett’s Platinum Rule, "Do to others as they themselves would like to be treated". What is appropriate and norm in one culture may be not be acceptable in another. Therefore, I need to be mindful of my comportment and the words I choose to share.

2- Expanding my cultural horizon and broadening my world view (Gonzales-Mena, 2010). I accomplish that by seeking information from those who come from different environments, and by developing my knowledge of their values, beliefs, and customs. This will enable me to understand what is important to them and avoid miscommunication that results from overlooking cultural expectations (Beebe, Beebe, & Redmind, 2011).

3- Perceiving the behavior of other people from their point of view rather than from my own and withholding judgments that distort my perceptions, particularly when I interact with others whose culture vastly differs from mine (Gonzales-Mena, 2010). Unless I interpret their behavior and words according to their own communication style and cultural codes, I cannot possibly understand their intended messages.

References

Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V. (2011). Interpersonal communication: Relating to others (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Gonzalez-Mena, J. (2010a). 50 strategies for communicating and working with diverse families. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

4 comments:

  1. Reem,

    You and I have similar ways of enhancing our communication. I appreciate your wording with your second way when you talk about expanding your cultural horizon and world view. I think this is a great way to word this and really shows your commitment to the platinum rule.

    Tara

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  2. Reem,
    Great post! You chose three great communication strategies. I can relate to your last strategy: "perceiving the behavior of other people from their point of view". I also need to do this when I communicate with others.
    Melissa

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  3. Reem,
    I find some similarities within my strategies and yours by wanting to gain more knowledge of different cultures. As professionals we remain committed to communicating with others as well as building relationships with children and their families. I believe if we remain open to expanding our cultural knowledge and views of others we build more respect for each other utilizing the platinum rule as a guide. As we build respect for one another better relationships will form. I appreciate your post.
    -Ms. Jay

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  4. Reem
    One thing to consider is that while we may be inter-cultural from someone based on one cultural factor such as ethnicity or religion) we might be INTRA-cultural based on another cultural factor (gender, age, class, role, position). By looking past the most obvious cultural trait, we often find a common ground with individuals that can form the basis for a strong communication exchange.
    ~Lora

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