The Microcultural Context CHAPTER 3 The Microcultural Context

Microculture vs. Minority Group vs. Subculture Terminology Microculture vs. Minority Group vs. Subculture

A Contextual Model of Intercultural Communication Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 6e. © SAGE Publications, 2015.

The Cultural Context

Characteristics of Microcultures Physical or cultural trait Membership is usually involuntary Practice endogamy Awareness of subordinate status Experience unequal treatment

Muted Group Theory Suggests that the speech and writing of microcultural groups are not valued by the dominant cultural group. Not free to communicate like dominant group Sometimes result of immigration or colonization In response, microcultural group members: Attempt to change the dominant mode of expression. Create their own “private” language.

Examples of Microcultures Hispanic/Latino African American Asian Americans The Amish Hmong LGBT

Hispanic/Latino About 17.4% of the U.S. population. Growing rapidly Values: collectivism, la familia, faith. Communication:—Spanish, Spanglish, Cubonics, Chicano English, nonverbally demonstrative Stereotype: Machismo. Concentrated in Texas and California

African Americans Size: approximately 13.2% of the U.S. population. Stable Language/Dialect: Ebonics, “call-and-response” communication pattern. Cultural attitudes about Ebonics.

Ebonics or “Black” Dialect 80-90% use it Acceptance is societal dilemma Pronunciation and syntax follow systematic rules Emotionally intense compared to Euro-American English

Value of Black English Sense of community Expresses unique history Bridges social and economic gaps

Asian Americans Size: nearly 5.4% of the U.S. population Diversity as a microcultural group Six dominant values held by most Asian Americans include: collectivism conforming to norms emotional self-control family recognition through achievement filial piety humility

The Hmong Size—approximately 150,000 in the U. S. History of the “free people” or “mountain people” Family—grouped into clans. Patrilineal. Value arranged marriages. Dialects—Hmoob Dawb (White Hmong), Hmoob Ntsuab (Blue Hmong). Nonverbal characteristics: paj ntaub, eye twitching.

Hmong First-generation immigrants Chinese who settled in Vietnam and Laos After Viet Nam war emigrated to U.S., Australia, France Culture in conflict with mainstream Clearly defined sex roles Arranged marriages

The Amish Size—approximately 150,000 in the U.S. Average of 7 children per family Religion—Anabaptist Isolation—do not serve in the military, pay Social Security taxes or serve on juries. Do not receive social security, welfare or collect settlements. Language—high German and low German (i.e. Pennsylvania Dutch) – “He went English” Nonverbal communication through dress

Amish Isolation Separate from mainstream America Simple, quiet, austere living Familistic entrepreneuring system Collectivistic

Arab-Americans 1.2 million Americans with Arab ancestry and growing Focus on racial, ethnic, and religious hostility since 9/11 Very diverse compared to other microcultural groups

Arab Diversity Many different national, ethnic, and religious origins. Most Arab-Americans are Christian and not Muslim Language of Islam is Arabic

LGBT Most difficult of the microculture examples to characterize and define. Gayspeak—serves three functions: Protects against detection of sexual status Facilitates expression of roles within gay culture Vehicle for political identity and activism