Intercultural Communication Levan Tsagareli

Aims The aim of the workshop is to provide space for reflection on variety of cultural identities and to develop understanding for behavior, customs and values valid in a social environment other than one’s own. The participants will become aware of cultural relativity and learn how to handle the culture shock in an intercultural encounter. Within the workshop discussions they will have opportunity to reflect critically on their own perception and beliefs from the perspective of an outsider, thus getting able to interpret the divergent cultural practices without bias.

Topics What Is Culture? Why Are Cultures So Different? But Are We Really So Different? Where Do the Cultural Differences Actually Emerge? Othering and Stereotyping What Is Intercultural Competence? Critical Incidents Comparing Cultures

What Is Culture? Colere  cultivation / domestication, cult, transformation of nature (forest  garden, animal  human…) Holistic notion of culture: “Georgian culture”, “Ancient culture”, “Oriental culture”… Culture = civilization cultural / civilized nations vs. non-civilized nations (colonization) Exclusive notion of culture: “Cultural events”, “Cultural programme”, “Department of Culture”… Certain segment of the social life: arts, literature, music, theater… “high” culture vs. “low” culture (elitism) Universal notion of culture: “political culture”, “food culture”, “wine culture”, culture of dialogue”… Everything constructed by men: a totality of beliefs, ideas, perceptions, values and meanings which is materialized in practices, techniques, traditions and artefacts and serves as means of interpreting and understanding the reality. Determines our world view and behaviour (time and place bound!)

Culture as a totality of practices Culture as a whole Culture as a totality of practices Culture as a segment of social life

Why Are Cultures So Different? Causes Results Different traditions and memories Different ways of socialisation Different ways of communicating Differences in social organization Different characters Different worldviews Different ways of thinking Different perceptions of time and space Different values Different clothes Different eating habits Different gestures and facial expressions Different manners Different behaviours Different attitudes (to work etc.)

But Are We Really So Different? Individual traits of a person Features of a social group Universal Human Nature

Where Do the Cultural Differences Actually Emerge? Identity, Self-Image Alterity, Hetero-Image

Othering Consciousness Language Light Visual perception (rationality) Occident Orient Consciousness Language Light Visual perception (rationality) Clearness Masculinity The unconscious Dumbness Darkness Tactile and olfactory perception (body) Ambiguity Femininity

Stereotyping

What Is Intercultural Competence? Acknowledgment of equality of all humans Appreciation of cultural diversity Curiosity Openness Ability to review ones own beliefs, values and behaviour Comparing Explaining Associating How does the individual and social interaction work in the foreign culture? How is the self-image in the foreign culture? knowledge skills values attitudes

Critical Incidents: Gestures

Critical Incidents: Cleanliness

Critical Incidents: Nakedness and Shame

Intercultural Incidents: Behavior

Critical Incidents: Eating Habits

Intercultural Incidents: Gender Roles

Intercultural Incidents: Time Perception

Critical Incidents: Symbols

Critical Incidents: Traditions

Critical Incidents: Conversation

Comparing Cultures

centered on individual / centered on group Independence Competitiveness Sincerity Pride Ambitions, Carrier Inequality is OK Loyalty Cooperation Harmony in Relationships with group members Shame, Unity Modesty, Equality

horizontal / vertikal Criticizing each other is OK No questioning Obedience to common rules Equal opportunities for all Changes are welcome One should establish his status oneself No questioning Elderly people are valorized There are different rules for different people Breaking the rules is welcome Others decide on one’s status

convergent / divergent Adaptation Compassion for the weak Compromising Negotiation Consensus Blames the others Separation Strength fascinates Eager to meet challenges Success Originality is valorized Blames oneself

associating / dissociating Private ≈ Public Relationships > actions Express one’s emotions Different = dangerous Stress  aggression Indirect communication Private vs. Public Actions > Relationships Refuse to express one’s emotions Different = attractive Patience Direct communication

And do not forget!