Cross-cultural communication is NOT simply a matter of
speaking my language appropriately
choosing the right words
using the most effective intonation
applying the most acceptable accent
speaking in clear and correct utterances or
sounding eloquent and convincing
It is more than that.
Cross-cultural communication IS
understanding that my language affects the way I perceive the world
recognizing that I evaluate everything by what is normal and familiar to me
knowing that I am seen as a member of one or more cultural groups
approaching others as individuals and unique members of their culture
realizing that I know little about the dynamics between "us" and "them"
resolving to learn to know "them"
assuming that I am the strange one
Cross-cultural communication IS
being careful not to assert my cultural assumptions and behaviors on others
giving up trying to understand everything
having tolerance for the ambiguous and different
fitting myself in
adjusting or removing my own cultural "shades," trying on theirs
It is
establishing mutual understanding through whatever means
observing others' communicational strategies and doing the same
being willing to learn their language or dialect, not just learning about it
making personal and personable connections with others
and --
reaching out to them in spite of all our differences
Cross-cultural
communication is simply a matter of the heart.
It is a decision waiting to be made.
Marjo
Mitsutomi is Assistant Professor
Director, MA in Curriculum and Instruction
School of Education
University of Redlands. California, USA
E-mail: marjo_mitsutomi@redlands.edu
BIOGRAPHICAL DATA will be found in the introduction to our Verse section.