Final Reflective Essay

Introduction

            Be it verbal or nonverbal, communication is part of everyday activity. Engaging in the act of communication will need an encoder (sender), message (content), medium (channel), a decoder (receiver) and in some cases a feedback. This is true with both intercultural and international communication which could be rigged with some biases as a result of certain misconceptions and stereotypes or s simple lack of knowledge of the cultures. Given that such factors affect communication, this essay will try to identify and explain the role of interpersonal, collective and /or institutional discrimination, how our cultural identities are influenced by the choices we make with regards to popular culture and how our attitudes work could lead to intercultural conflicts. Finally, this paper will examine my role as a savvy intercultural communicator as well as the communications nuances/barriers that could exist when two people do not speak the same language.

Identify and explain interpersonal, collective and/or institutional discrimination.

            According to Martin and Nakayama (2014), discrimination is a “behavior that results from stereotyping or prejudice–overt action to exclude, avoid, or distance oneself from other groups” (p.62). Discrimination has been used over the years a means of power especially from someone that could exert some form of influence over others. Discrimination may vary from verbal to subtle nonverbal cues as well as from an interpersonal to a collective/institutional manner. 

            Interpersonal discrimination is more on personal level that is the case with collective discrimination. With interpersonal discrimination, the discrimination act is done by singling out one person or scapegoating them out from a group treating them differently in an often-negative manner. Institutional or collective discrimination as the name suggest has to do with discrimination done to a group. The case of apartheid in South Africa is good example of collective or institutional discrimination (economic, social, health and educational) that was meted on the black by the whites. Other than South Africa, there are some forms of discrimination that are apparent in the US especially with regards to the criminal system. Even though some people may choose to justify their act of discrimination, it still goes a long way attest to the idea that discrimination does exist in every society.

How do the choices we make about popular culture influence the formation of our cultural identity?

            The only permanent thing in life is change and popular cultures do not defy the law of gravity when it comes to this. Popular cultures that existed in the 1990s and 2000s are not necessarily the same that exist now. Given that we tend to be products of our environment, it possible that the choices we make influence our cultural identity.

            The adoption of pop cultures as mainstream live is a common phenomenon. However, not every popular culture is adopted but most American. At the base of every popular culture there must be something appealing to those willing to adopt that particular culture and use them to define their cultural identity. What is more important about the choices we make when adopting a culture is determined by how well that culture fits within our personal lives. There is no doubt that we are being bombarded with a variety of cultures on both TV and especially with rapid growth in social media. However, not everything we see defines our cultural identity. In my opinion it is difficult to have a full appreciation of popular cultures and how these cultures influence our identity without understanding how our cultures relate to popular cultures. Changfu et al (2016) explains that “a different culture and society serves as a mirror which, through self-reflection, literally and figuratively reveals to us who we are and what we are made of” (p.9). This is especially true given that we tend to assume that every culture is similar to ours. Being exposed to popular culture  is the best way to relate with others as well as avoiding some of the nuances that are associated with intercultural communication

How might different attitudes toward work lead to intercultural communication conflicts?

            Most places of work are experiencing increasingly culturally diverse employees. This gives priority to the issue of intercultural communication at work. When individuals of different cultural backgrounds are working together without any knowledge of how each group communicates, there will be a clash of cultures especially with regards to how communication is carried out. Such conflicts in communication may not arise necessarily as a result of a lapse in communication but could be a result of what their job represents to them and their perception of the type of treatment they receive at work. Like Nwogbaga et al (2015) put it, “the emergence, escalation, de-escalation, resolution, and management of conflicts and crisis all depend on the information sent and received, how they are interpreted, and how they are perceived accordingly” (p.33). The perception of a conflict is very important in understanding why some conflicts last longer than others.

            Given the different context individuals regards their jobs, frustrations usually translate in the way communication is carried out. For employers and employees who have not engaged their employees and coworkers respectively with regards to their culture conflicts may be inevitable. Apart from posting anti-discrimination laws, it is also important for each organization to encourage coworkers to get to know each other. Understanding the cultural context people communicate can make the difference in the perception of attitude at work.

Describe your plan to become more interculturally savvy in communication.

            This class has offered me an array skills that are vital when engaging with other people. We live in a culturally diverse country and it is important to treat everyone and their culture with respect. I come from a country whose culture is entirely different from that of most Americans. Initially, I had a hard time understanding how to communicate or even relate to the American culture. Over the years, being open minded and accepting of other cultures has proven to be the best way not only to relate but communicate with others. The resource provided in this class will only be helpful if I apply them in everyday interaction with others. In this regards, I have to be willing to widen my scope about what I read and be willing to engage in conversations about culture with others. Traveling is learning. I have learned a great deal living in the US. I have met people of different cultures in this melting pot of cultures and it important for me to take advantage of this unique opportunity to put into practice all that I have learned.

Is it possible for two people to communicate effectively if they don't speak the same language? How?

            In my opinion, the key word here is “effective”. It is more than possible for two people who do not speak the same language to communicate. However, with regards to the effectiveness of that act of communication, some doubts can be raised. Nonverbal communication forms of communication have been used over the years especially by people who do not share the same language. However, such nonverbal cues may still pose a problem. For instance, the way Italians use their hands to indicate that something is right, correct or perfect is different from how an American will do it. Clearly, if they do not speak the same language, then even the use of such nonverbal cues might place a toll on the effectiveness in communicating with each other.  

            However, there is no doubt two people who do not speak the same language can communicate. According to Phutela (2015), “nonverbal communication  can  become  a  barrier  or  tear  down  barriers  to effective communication” (p.43). There was at least some form of communication between the Indians and the first Europeans to set foot on America. This is also the case with the case with the colonial masters when they first set foot in Africa. There was bound to be some form of communication and understanding. May be the effectiveness of the type of communication is what latter led to the resistance by both the Indians in the US and the Africans in Africa.

Gran Torino Analysis

 Gran Torino is a movie that depicts a clash of culture and prejudice. The movie open with Clinton Eastwood starring as Mr. Waltz Kowalski (a War World II veteran) at the funeral of his wife. Mr. Waltz barely has a conducive relationship with his two sons and grandchildren. He is bitter with a lot of things in live like his children (one of which is driving a foreign car even though Mr. Waltz has worked with Fords for years) just interested in his money, granddaughter in his car and that his new neighbors do no take care of their lawn and are not Americans. All these sets up a perfect climate of cultural clash not only with his neighbors but with his children and grandchildren.

            One area of cultural conflict is when could be seen when his neighbor’s daughter (Sue) finally convinced him to come over for a barbeque. While there Mr. Waltz touches the head of a child. It is normal in the American culture to give a pat on someone’s head especially children. He was surprised when he turned around and everyone in the room was staring at him. This is because the Mong people see it as disrespectful to touch another’s head because their culture has it that everyone’s souls rest on their head. Mr. Waltz things this is absurd as he cannot relate with this cultural aspect.

            Another area of cultural difference is when Tao (Sue’s brother) is requested by his family to come and work for Mr. Waltz to atone for his crime of trying to steal Mr. Waltz 1975 Gran Torino. Mr. Waltz who wanted to use the attempted theft of his car by Tao to keep his distance from his foreign neighbors does not understand why Tao’s family want Tao to work for Mr. Waltz for a couple of weeks. According to Tao’s parents, if he does not work to pay for his attempted theft, that will be dishonoring the family name. This is common of the Asian people that doing anything that could dishonor the family name is taboo.

            With regards to pop culture, the way Mr. Waltz, his Italian barber and his construction Irish friend communicate among themselves represents who they are. They do not find any wrong with the style of communication because they all agree that it is normal to talk that way. Tao who is an outsider to this culture had to bring himself to talk in the same way so he can fit in. Mr. Waltz curses throughout the movie which is an exhibition of a culture that he grew up in and the type of friends he has surrounded himself with. Another pop culture seen in this movie is that of gangs. Tao’s cousins are in a gang and they are using peer persuade and even go as far as intimidating Tao to join the gang. It was against this backdrop that Tao tried stealing Mr. Waltz 1975 Gran Torino to prove himself. This eventually led to main plots on which the entire movie is built on.

            In my opinion, the conclusion of the movie cannot not be the only true way to resolve a conflict. This is because if every cultural conflict was to be settle with the death of anyone, this will not be seen solving that main problem. In the same way, that Mr. Waltz got to understand Tao, Sue and their family and culture, if he gave that second chance to Tao cousins, may be that would have a difference. The priest stated that he has been trying to reach out to this gang. Mr. Waltz would have used that opportunity to work with the priest and reach out to the gang. Also, when he made the decision to go and confront the gang, he should have involved the police. Conflict is usually based on perception. How the opposing parties perceive each other. Like Nwogbaga et al (2015) put it, “the emergence, escalation, de-escalation, resolution, and management of conflicts and crisis all depend on the information sent and received, how they are interpreted, and how they are perceived accordingly” (p.33). I think Mr. Waltz missed an opportunity to engage Tao’s cousins when he failed to involve the priest and the police. Reaching out to the gang and dialoguing with them is always the way out. Using violence as a response to violence only creates more violence.

            This is not my first time watching Gran Torino. However, I have never succeeded in completing the movie. This movie puts into context the essence and importance of intercultural communication. I do not identify myself with a particular character the entire movie but there are instances that I relate with them. I have had to do things when I was younger because of peer pressure and the desire to fit in.  However, if I was to pick a character, who represents me, it will be Tao. Tao has a shy personality, has a good heart and just needed someone to direct him and give him some focus. I was almost the same way when I moved to the US. There were a lot of things I did not know about the American culture and all I wanted to do was fit in so I should be an outsider.

Historical Examination

Individuals grabble with different identities as they choose which groups values their different identities. Per Bloomaert (2015) “people define their “identity” in relation to a multitude of different niches and by orienting to a multitude of “centers” of normative order” (p.154). It is possible for our identities to change over time as our values changes. For instance, some people move from being atheist to Christians while others become more environmentally inclined with an increase knowledge of global warming. When choosing what to write about for this paper, my accent was no doubt at the top of the list, as a day rarely goes by without someone either complementing or criticizing it.

            Unlike some identities that people adopt over time, I had no control over my accent neither did I choose to have the accent. Cameroon is a former British and French colony and I grew up in a predominantly French speaking region. Apart from French and English, I speak pidgin English and my local dialect. Given that most people I grew up around speak almost the way I do, it has never crossed my mind that someday I will be told I had an accent. At the time, I did not consider my accent as an identity that will could be used to set me apart from others or will be used to identify me as an outsider. It was not until I arrived the United Stated that people started either complementing or criticizing my accent.

            It took a while for me to get comfortable with the way I spoke as people often regarded me as an outsider. Given that I did pronounce most words like most Americans do, some people found it attracting and wanted to know more about me and where I come from while others were impatient with me and will often be rude when asking me to repeat something I just said. Personally, in the same way that my accent served as an advantage to me, it was also a disadvantage. However, over time, I have learned not to consider my accent as a disadvantage because everyone has an accent to some respect. For instance, a Cameroonian will consider as having an accent if the American was visiting Cameroon.

After traveling to the United State, it became apparent to me that what I considered as normal was not normal. I was repeatedly called out because of my accent. My first few months in the US were the hardest especially given that very few people said they could understand me and will would rarely pay attention to me what I had to say. Coupled with all the cultural shocks I was experiencing, my accent only made things worse. My so-called accent affected my communication with others. I only engaged communication with those who sounded like myself. I had a circle of friends that I spoke only with them and I spoke to any other person only when it was necessary. As such, I seldom participated in class activities because some of classmate would say they did not understand me. However, as soon as accepted my accent for what it was and started talking slowly to everyone who was patient enough to listen to me, my grades in class went up. Over the years, I have made a conscious effort to talk slowly so that I could be understood. This has proven to be successful as far less people complain about not being able to understand me. Inasmuch, I have maintained my accent for the most part, I learned to be patient with those who still have a hard time understanding me especially at work. After identify my accent, most patients are more interested in knowing where the accent is from as well as about my country. I see this as advantage because I can educate them about my country which most Americans do not know. Rakic et al (2011) explain that “a fundamental characteristic of person perception and categorization is that people react to the first available and meaningful information to categorize others” (p.16).

The way I interact with those that share my accent is very different from those that have a hard time understanding me when I talk. I am less restrained when I am talking to someone from my country. This is because like me, they have the same accent and will pick up what I am trying to say. However, if I was to talk to someone with another identity, I will be more restrained and will try to articulate my words so they can understand me.