Language,_Culture,_and_Behavior

July 12, 2010 COM 200: Interpersonal Communication Professor Doug Seigler Language, Culture, and Behavior Can one’s culture affect their communication behaviors' According to an article by Margaret Cote entitled “Language Reflects Culture”, the answer is yes. She begins by discussing the cultural differences between the Saulteaux Indian language and the English language. She states that “language determines the way a person views the world” and describes how Indian people view things around them differently than English speaking people do (Cote, 1985). She bases this on her personal experience of being fluent in Saulteaux and English and states “I have two different attitudes and even two different personalities, depending on which language I use” (Cote, 1985). In this paper I will discuss how attitudes and behavior are determined by the language one speaks and how language does indeed reflect a culture. Culture is an important in your life because it is a part of who you are. It not only influences your perception of yourself and others, but your perception of everything in life with which you have contact (Hybels & Weaver, 2007). Concepts and objects have frames of reference that differ from culture to culture (Cote, 1985). Many cultures have their own language and therefore, the meaning of a word in one language may not be the same in another. For example, Cote explains that when she returns home the language she speaks and her cultural identity is determined by the topic of the conversation. If she is discussing her personal life or culture related topics, she speaks Saulteaux and if she is discussing her studies she speaks English due to the Saulteaux language being “very literal and exact which makes it difficult to translate one language to another “(Cote, 1985). Different cultures have different beliefs and values which are expressed in their language, whether it be verbal or non-verbal. Countless misunderstandings occur in intercultural communications because many are unaware of cultural differences. It is important for a person to learn various cultures so they can better understand their own identity. It is through knowing about others that one learns what is truly important to oneself. Both verbal and non-verbal communication reflects whether or not a culture values individualism or collectivism. Individualistic cultures value self-expression, speak out to solve problems and are confrontational when dealing with interpersonal problems (Hybels & Weaver, 2007). In collectivist cultures people have unquestioning loyalty to the group, and when in conflict use avoidance, intermediaries, and other face-saving techniques to solve problems (Hybels & Weaver, 2007). This is evident in Cote’s description of trying to teach the English language to the Saulteaux because “these things were never a part of the Saulteaux language or culture” and “would have to force the English words into the Saulteaux conversations” (Cote, 1985) . An individual’s lack of knowledge or naïveté about another culture can cause a communication impediment. There are many barriers to intercultural communication, including ethnocentrism, stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. These are barriers because each is constructed around a judgment and before communication takes place that then biases the communication that follows (Hybels & Weaver, 2007). Ethnocentrism is when one believes “one’s own cultural group’s behaviors, norms, ways of thinking, and ways of being superior to all other culture groups (Hybels & Weaver, 2007). This becomes a communication barrier when one refuses to believe that another culture’s beliefs have any real value. It prevents one from seeing another’s point of view (Hybels & Weaver, 2007). Stereotyping is oversimplifying or distorting views of another race, ethnic group, or culture (Hybels & Weaver, 2007). This is an easy way to categorize and generalize the information we receive daily. The problem with stereotypes is once they are established they are difficult to remove, even more so if they exist in our sub-conscious. Some individuals tend to view things that support the stereotype rather than see things that contradict them. Once a negative stereotype develops, an intercultural communication barrier is created. Once this barrier is formed the only way to eradicate the negative is to recognize it and obtain information to counteract it. Stereotypes often lead to prejudice. Prejudice is a negative attitude toward a cultural group based on little or no experience (Hybels & Weaver, 2007). When one has prejudice feelings towards another cultural group they do not like them because of some preconceived perception. This greatly hampers intercultural communication because when one has a prejudice they form an opinion about a person or cultural before they know anything about them. One way to avoid this is getting to know a person and learn about their culture before you make an opinion about them. Discrimination takes stereotypes and prejudice one step further by excluding, avoiding, and distancing oneself from other cultural groups (Hybels & Weaver, 2007). There are many ways to show discrimination to a person or group, such as body language, no eye contact, verbal insults, and physical violence. This can form a communication barrier because it causes negative stereotyping and prejudice feelings to form which prohibits interaction between cultural groups and discourages one from obtaining information about the culture and form their own opinions. Language is a symbolic communication system that is taught and imitated, not inherited. Since it is a symbolic system, meanings and symbols can be changed to create an infinite flexibility in communication. Human language is unique in many ways and perhaps the most important element of culture because it is a verbal expression of how a culture thinks. It also lets us know what is important and what is not important to a particular culture. By simply taking the time to learn about different cultures to raise one’s awareness can help prevent intercultural communication barriers. When we open our minds and hearts we are less likely to stereotype, be prejudice against, or discriminate against individuals who have different values and beliefs then ourselves. This is the most important step in making intercultural communications a rewarding experience.   REFERENCES Cote, M. (1985, September). Language Reflects Culture. Retrieved July 6, 2010, from http://www.sicc.sk.ca/saskindian/a85sep21.htm Hybels, S., & Weaver, R. (2007). Communicating Effectively Eighth Edition. Boston: McGraw- Hill.