Culture and communication are inextricably linked, as they are essential elements that shape and influence our understanding of the world. The relationship between these two is complex and multi-dimensional because as culture shapes the way we communicate, communication, on the other hand, plays a crucial role in shaping and maintaining cultural norms and practices. In her book “Intercultural Communication: A Current Perspective”, Bevan (2020) explores the relationship between culture and communication and argues that culture plays a significant role in shaping our communication styles, attitudes, and expectations. This essay will delve into Bevan’s insights and discuss how cultural factors affect various aspects of communication, such as language use, nonverbal cues, and perception of time and space.
One of the main reasons why it is crucial to be aware of culture when thinking about communication is that culture shapes our perception of reality and influences our communication styles. Cultural differences can greatly impact how individuals interpret and respond to communication. For example, in some cultures, indirect communication is preferred, while direct and straightforward communication is valued in others. Indeed “a lack of sensitivity to cultural differences can lead to serious misunderstandings and miscommunications that can harm relationships, damage reputations, and even cause conflict Bevan (2020). Therefore, understanding differences in cultural norms, values, and beliefs that shape how individuals communicate and interpret messages is necessary to avoid confusion and potential conflict.
Another main reason it is crucial to be aware of culture when thinking about communication is that it affects our communication styles and strategies. Some cultures may view emotional displays as a sign of sincerity and honesty, while others may see them as a lack of self-control. Also, some cultures value indirect communication highly and use subtle hints and implicit messages to convey meaning more than others. So “successful communication in intercultural contexts requires the ability to be flexible, patient, and willing to adapt to different communication styles ” (Bevan 2020). Understanding these nuances is crucial when communicating across cultures, as it can help individuals adjust their communication style to be more effective in reaching their audience.
Culture shapes both verbal and nonverbal communication in a variety of ways. Verbal communication, like language and speech patterns, is heavily influenced by dictating how cultures prefer either direct or indirect communication. On the other hand, nonverbal communication, such as body language and gestures, is shaped by cultural norms and practices by dictating how some cultures may value communication means like eye contact as a sign of respect and attentiveness, while in others, see it as a sign of aggressiveness or confrontation. Bevan notes that cultural norms and values heavily influence language and speech patterns and nonverbal communication, such as body language and gestures. She states, “Culture shapes communication in powerful ways, influencing not only what is communicated but also how it is communicated” (Bevan, 2020, p. 20). Therefore, culture is critical in shaping communication and providing valuable insights into effective intercultural communication.
Culture profoundly impacts the gender theme, including attitudes, ideas, and expectations about gender roles and identities. Gender norms and expectations range greatly among countries, with some societies emphasizing conventional gender roles and others promoting greater gender equality. Gender roles and expectations differ between countries, which can influence communication patterns and relationships. Bevan, for example, explores the concept of gender and its confluence with culture in Chapter 2, emphasizing that cultural expectations and conventions impact gender identity and expression. Bevan also mentions in chapter 2 that cultural differences can contribute to misinterpretations and misunderstandings in communication, especially in intercultural circumstances (Bevan, 2020). As a result, the relationship between culture and the gender issue is; therefore, the relationship between culture and the theme of gender is complex and multifaceted, and understanding the cultural influences on gender is essential for promoting gender equality and building more inclusive societies.
Culture plays a significant role in shaping the theme of perceptual filters. In chapter 3, Bevan notes that individuals’ perceptions are shaped by their cultural background and experiences, which can impact how they interpret and respond to communication cues. Since perceptual filters are influenced by cultural factors like language, values, and beliefs, cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations in communication, particularly in intercultural contexts (Bevan, 2020). Therefore, culture is critical in shaping perceptual filters and their impact on communication. As a result, there is underscore a need for cultural sensitivity and awareness in effective intercultural communication.
Paying attention to culture can help a person improve as a communicator in ways like helping people adapt to a more effective communication style when communicating with two individuals. When one understands cultural differences in communication styles and norms, one can adapt their communication style to be more effective when interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds. In Chapter 1, Bevan notes that “introducing cultural awareness and sensitivity into one’s own communication practices is essential for successfully interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds” (Bevan, 2020,p. 25). She adds on the need for cultural competence, which involves the ability to effectively negative cultural differences. This can include adjusting one’s tone, language use, and nonverbal cues to better align with cultural expectations. Therefore, paying attention to culture increases the ability to connect with people from different cultural backgrounds, which in return help them become more effective communicators.
References
Bevan, J. L. (2020). Making connections: Understanding interpersonal communication
(3rd ed.). https://content.ashford.edu
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