Intercultural Communication

Summary

This video script delves into the intricacies of intercultural communication, emphasizing the limitations of language proficiency alone. It highlights the iceberg model of culture, where visible aspects like architecture and behavior represent only a fraction of a society's deeper, subconscious values and beliefs. The script challenges the notion of culture as static, illustrating its fluidity and the importance of interaction for true understanding. It also addresses the influence of stereotypes and the complexities of navigating cultural differences, advocating for open-mindedness and awareness of one's own cultural biases to foster successful intercultural exchanges.

Takeaways

• 🌐 English is a global language that connects people, but understanding culture is crucial for effective communication.
• 🏔 Culture is often compared to an iceberg, with only 10% visible externally and 90% of values and beliefs hidden internally.
• 🎬 First impressions of a culture, like through Bollywood, can be misleading and change upon actual interaction.
• 🤔 Internal culture is subconscious and hard to change, much like a fish not thinking about the water it swims in.
• 🧩 Culture is not a solid block but a construct with varying interpretations even within the same society.
• 🏛 Since the 19th century, culture has been closely tied to nationality, influencing how we distinguish ourselves from others.
• 🌈 Our perception of other cultures is influenced by a mix of objective and emotional factors, including language proficiency and familiarity with their geography and laws.
• 🌐 Direct and indirect experiences, such as visiting a place or media exposure, shape our image of a culture.
• 🔍 Navigating between cultures is complex and often involves resorting to stereotypes as a mental shortcut.
• 👔 Stereotypes aren't always negative but become problematic when they lead to prejudice without evidence.
• 🗣️ Concepts like 'Free Speech' can have different interpretations in cultures that seem similar on the surface.
• 🌟 To improve intercultural communication, stay open-minded, ask questions, and be aware of your own cultural biases.

Q & A

What is the significance of the iceberg analogy in discussing culture?

The iceberg analogy is used to illustrate that only a small, visible part of culture is apparent to outsiders, while the majority of it is hidden beneath the surface, representing the subconscious values, beliefs, and thought patterns that influence behavior.

Why is it difficult to change one's internal culture?

Internal culture is difficult to change because it is subconscious and not directly aware to us, similar to how a fish doesn't have to think about the water it swims in but accepts it as normal.

How does the perception of a culture change when one has direct interaction with it?

Direct interaction with a culture can alter one's perception because it provides a deeper understanding of the culture's internal values and norms, which are not apparent through superficial exposure like watching a movie.

What are the weaknesses of the iceberg model when describing culture?

The iceberg model's weakness is that it suggests culture is solid and well-defined, whereas in reality, culture is fluid and varies among individuals within the same cultural background.

How does the concept of nationality influence our understanding of culture?

Nationality has closely connected to culture since the 19th century, often defining our own culture based on borders or shared language, and distinguishing between ourselves and others.

What factors influence our perception of other cultures?

Factors influencing our perception of other cultures include objective knowledge, emotional responses, factual knowledge such as language proficiency, and the degree of contact we have had with the culture.

How can stereotypes simplify our understanding of other cultures?

Stereotypes are a way for our brain to simplify unknown factors into basic judgments, making it easier for us to categorize and understand different cultures quickly.

What is the difference between a stereotype and a prejudice?

A stereotype is a generalized belief about a group, which can be positive or negative. A prejudice, however, is a negative assumption about a group of people based on stereotypes and without real evidence.

Why is it challenging to navigate between cultures even with advanced knowledge of a language?

Advanced language knowledge is not always enough because cultural concepts can have different meanings in different cultures, and these nuances can only be uncovered through communication and understanding.

What is the core value of Free Speech in the context of the United States and Germany?

In the U.S., Free Speech is a highly valued principle that is fundamental to democracy, whereas in Germany, human dignity is the highest value, and one person's right to free speech can end where it harms another person's dignity.

What can motivated learners of the English language do to improve intercultural communication?

Motivated learners can keep an open mind, ask questions, and be aware of their own cultural dispositions to better understand and communicate with people from different cultures.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Understanding Cultural Icebergs in Global Communication

The first paragraph introduces the concept of culture as an iceberg, where only a small percentage is visible to the eye, representing the external culture like architecture and behavior. The majority of culture, however, is submerged, representing internal values, beliefs, and thought patterns that are subconscious and hard to change. This analogy is critiqued for being too rigid, as culture is actually a vague and fluid concept that varies among individuals within the same society. The paragraph also discusses how culture is connected to nationality and how our perceptions and interactions with other cultures are influenced by various factors, including stereotypes and prejudices.

05:02

🤔 Navigating Cultural Differences with an Open Mind

The second paragraph focuses on the importance of maintaining an open mind when encountering cultural misunderstandings. It emphasizes the need to ask questions and be aware of our own cultural biases, which can range from personal space to complex social norms. The paragraph encourages us to reflect on whether our feelings and reactions stem from personal experiences or cultural upbringing. While we may not find definitive answers, this self-awareness can enhance sensitivity and effectiveness in intercultural communication.

Keywords

💡Global World

The term 'Global World' refers to the interconnected and interdependent nature of societies and cultures across the globe. In the context of the video, it emphasizes the importance of English as a universal language that facilitates communication and understanding among diverse cultures. The script mentions that English connects people in a globalized world, highlighting its role in bridging cultural gaps.

💡Culture

Culture is a complex set of values, beliefs, norms, and practices that shape the behavior of a group of people. The video script uses the iceberg analogy to describe culture, where only a small part (10%) is visible and represents the external or conscious culture, while the majority (90%) is hidden and represents internal culture, which includes subconscious values and thought patterns. The script emphasizes that understanding culture goes beyond language and requires interaction and experience.

💡Iceberg Model

The 'Iceberg Model' is a metaphor used in the script to illustrate the visible and invisible aspects of culture. The visible part represents the external culture that can be easily observed, such as architecture and clothing, while the invisible part represents the internal culture, which includes deeper values and beliefs. The script critiques this model by pointing out that culture is not a static block but a dynamic and fluid concept that varies among individuals.

💡Subcultures

Subcultures are smaller cultural groups within a larger culture that have distinct values, norms, and practices. The script mentions that individuals can belong to different subcultures based on their backgrounds, fears, and hopes. This concept is important in understanding the diversity within a culture and the complexity of cultural interactions.

💡Nationality

Nationality refers to the legal relationship between an individual and a country, often defined by citizenship or shared cultural identity. The script discusses how culture has been closely connected to nationality since the 19th century, emphasizing the role of culture in defining and distinguishing between different national identities.

💡Stereotypes

Stereotypes are generalized and simplified beliefs about a group of people. The script explains that stereotypes are a way for our brain to simplify unknown factors into basic judgments. While not necessarily negative, stereotypes can become prejudice when they lead to negative assumptions about another group without real evidence. The video encourages viewers to be aware of their own stereotypes and how they might affect intercultural communication.

💡Prejudice

Prejudice is a preconceived opinion or judgment that is not based on reason or actual experience. The script distinguishes between stereotypes and prejudice by noting that stereotypes become prejudice when they are used to make negative assumptions about a group without evidence. The video warns against the dangers of prejudice in intercultural communication.

💡Intercultural Communication

Intercultural communication refers to the exchange of information between individuals from different cultural backgrounds. The script highlights the challenges and complexities of intercultural communication, emphasizing the need for open-mindedness, questioning, and awareness of one's own cultural dispositions. It also points out that even advanced knowledge of a language or a country may not be sufficient to navigate cultural differences.

💡Free Speech

Free speech is a fundamental principle in democratic societies, allowing individuals to express their opinions and ideas without censorship. The script uses the example of free speech to illustrate how the same concept can have different meanings in different cultures. In the U.S., free speech is highly valued, whereas in Germany, it is balanced with the protection of human dignity, showing that cultural values can influence the interpretation of seemingly universal concepts.

💡Human Dignity

Human dignity is a fundamental value that emphasizes the inherent worth and respect of every individual. The script contrasts the American concept of free speech with the German emphasis on human dignity, highlighting how different cultures prioritize different values. In Germany, the right to free speech is limited by the need to protect human dignity, demonstrating how cultural values shape legal and social norms.

💡Cultural Dispositions

Cultural dispositions refer to the inherent tendencies, preferences, and attitudes that are shaped by one's cultural background. The script encourages viewers to be aware of their own cultural dispositions, such as personal space and distance to others, and to question why certain topics are touchy or why they feel strongly about them. Understanding one's cultural dispositions is crucial for successful intercultural communication.

Highlights

English is the global language that connects us but understanding culture is also crucial.

Culture has an 'iceberg' model with 10% visible and 90% submerged representing external and internal culture.

External culture like architecture and behavior is based on explicit knowledge and can be changed.

Internal culture of values, beliefs and thought patterns is subconscious and hard to change.

Culture is not a solid block but a vague construct agreed upon by its members.

People from the same culture may have different views on what is typical.

Culture is connected to nationality and involves distinguishing between self and others.

Perception of others is influenced by objective factors like language and geography.

Emotional factors and factual knowledge also shape our understanding of other cultures.

Direct and indirect contact with a culture influences our image of it.

Navigating between cultures is complex and we often resort to stereotypes.

Stereotypes simplify the unknown but can become prejudice without evidence.

Concepts may seem the same but describe different things in different cultures.

Free speech is valued in the US but limited in Germany to protect human dignity.

Advanced knowledge of a language or country is not enough to navigate cultures.

Our own predispositions can prevent us from having intercultural conversations.

To improve intercultural communication, keep an open mind, ask questions, and be aware of your own cultural dispositions.

Understanding personal space, taboo topics and emotional reactions can enhance intercultural sensitivity.

Transcripts

da da

welcome to flip

in our Global World English is the

language that connects us

but sometimes even knowing all the words

and having perfect grammar is not enough

we need to have a better understanding

of what culture is and how to navigate

between different cultures

[Music]

the culture of a society has often been

compared with an iceberg only 10 percent

of the iceberg is above the water and

visible to anyone for example

architecture or the way people dress and

behave

this is the external or conscious

culture it is based on explicit

knowledge and can easily be changed if

your first impression of India is made

through a Bollywood movie your concept

of the country will easily be changed

once you visit it however the remaining

ninety percent of the iceberg is on the

water and invisible to The Superficial

glands the values beliefs and thought

patterns that influence our Behavior

represent our internal culture it is

subconscious we are not directly aware

of it the way a fish never has to think

about the water it swims in but accepts

it as normal

internal culture is hard to change if

your way of thinking is never in

conflict with your surroundings you also

do not have to adapt it

that also means that we cannot truly

understand another culture without

interacting with it which brings us to

the weaknesses in the iceberg analogy

the iceberg model suggests that culture

is something solid well-defined an ice

block isolated in a vast ocean

the issues with that image are obvious

if you asked any two people from the

same cultural background what is typical

for your culture they would give you a

very different answers and yet you would

find certain similarities too

so culture is a constrict something

vague that has inexplicitly been agreed

upon by the people who consider

themselves part of it and those people

have all kinds of different backgrounds

fears and hopes consider themselves part

of different subcultures

since the 19th century culture has also

been more closely connected to a sense

of nationality defining our own culture

be it based on Borders or on a shared

language always includes distinguishing

between ourselves and others

the way we perceive others is influenced

by a variety of factors the more

objective they are the easier it is for

us to communicate with members of that

Society

these factors could be emotional that is

our own subconscious feelings about a

culture and how interested we are in it

our factual knowledge about a culture is

another factor for example whether you

can speak the language or how familiar

you are with the geographical context

laws or the system of government of the

country

naturally the degree of contact you have

had with a culture influences your image

too it could be direct by visiting it or

indirect through media

of course these factors do not stand

isolated either and influence each other

constantly navigating between culture is

a complex process

this is also why we easily resort to

stereotypes when engaging with different

cultures they're a way for our brain to

simplify an unknown factor to basic

judgments

stereotypes do not necessarily need to

be negative if you think of a man

wearing a suit as trustworthy that is a

stereotype that works in favor of suit

wearing men

stereotypes become Prejudice when one

group makes negative assumptions about

another group of people based on

stereotypes and without real evidence

most of the time Intercultural

communication will happen naturally and

without too many problems yet it gets

tricky when a concept seems to be the

same but really describes different

things in different cultures

take Free Speech as a core value to

democratic societies

for someone from the United States Free

Speech would be one of the most highly

valued principles that cannot be touched

without undermining the Democratic basis

of the country

on a superficial level Germans being a

democratic Western culture as well and

thus fairly similar might agree with

that

but the German Constitution sees human

dignity as the highest value within

Society

s in Germany one person's right to free

speech ends where another person's

dignity is harmed in the U.S limiting

free speech to cuddle others would be

considered on democratic

this shows that even Advanced knowledge

of a country or a language are sometimes

not enough to navigate between cultures

different concepts of the same term can

only be uncovered through communication

and yet our own predispositions often

keep us from having those conversations

so what can we as motivated Learners of

the English language do to make

Intercultural communication more

successful unfortunately there is no

simple one-size-fits-all solution to

every cultural misunderstanding

all we can do is keep an open mind ask

questions and be aware of our own

cultural dispositions this goes from

simple things like personal space and

distance to others to more complex

things like why are certain topics

touchy and why do we feel so strongly

about them are those feelings something

that come from us as individuals or

because of the context we grew up in

we will probably never find the perfect

answer to this question but asking it

makes us a little more sensitive when

communicating with people from different

cultures