Chapter 11 Society, Culture, and Communication

Defining Culture Often thought of as based on geographical or ethnic boundaries Often thought of as based on geographical or ethnic boundaries Also reflected in styles of communication Also reflected in styles of communication Co-cultures and ‘social communities’ exist within the larger framework of culture Co-cultures and ‘social communities’ exist within the larger framework of culture

Defining Cross-Cultural and Intercultural Communication Cross-cultural: Compares communication styles of people from very different social structures Cross-cultural: Compares communication styles of people from very different social structures Intercultural communication: How these people interact and the difficulties they face Intercultural communication: How these people interact and the difficulties they face

Transacting Culture Belonging to a culture means being part of a group of people who share meanings and styles of speaking, systems of beliefs, and customs Belonging to a culture means being part of a group of people who share meanings and styles of speaking, systems of beliefs, and customs This system of thought and behavior affects how you interact with other people This system of thought and behavior affects how you interact with other people

Society and its ‘Secret Agents’ Society becomes a coded system of meaning that reinforces cultural beliefs and ways of being Society becomes a coded system of meaning that reinforces cultural beliefs and ways of being Other people intentionally or unintentionally reinforce these expectations of your behavior (Society’s ‘secret agents’) Other people intentionally or unintentionally reinforce these expectations of your behavior (Society’s ‘secret agents’)

Structure-Based Cultural Characteristics High-context/low-context High-context/low-context Collectivism/Individualism Collectivism/Individualism Monochronic/polychronic approach to time Monochronic/polychronic approach to time Past, present, or future orientation Past, present, or future orientation Conflict as opportunity or destructive force Conflict as opportunity or destructive force

Defining and Performing Cultural Membership We identify with different cultures in different contexts We identify with different cultures in different contexts We belong to a culture even if we don’t realize it We belong to a culture even if we don’t realize it We reveal our culture through our talk We reveal our culture through our talk

How Culture is Performed and Revealed Through Talk By what we take for granted By what we take for granted By the ‘speech codes’ we use By the ‘speech codes’ we use  Restricted – meanings or rules available to everyone  Elaborated – meanings or rules ‘owned’ by fewer people