Introduction
Culture-specific communication nuances are the subtle differences of distinction that occur in expression, meaning and response to various aspects of culture. This paper will evaluate the nuances of communication in various aspects of life such as academic, social and family settings.
Nuances in the academic context
Katz and Aakhus (2002) have illustrated communication nuances using an example whereby person snubs a person calling him or her on a mobile phone by pressing the “no” button to show that he or she is busy. Such behavior is common in learning institutions such as campuses and classrooms in which people do not actually mean what they say, which tends to cause a break down in communication.
There is common behavior among students in which they communicate using nonverbal expressions such as nodding heads, show of hands and so forth. The subtle differences represented by the expressions may however lead to misinterpretation information. For instance, McGinty, Knox and Zusman (2003) note that ladies have a high tendency of nodding their heads when they talk to their colleagues. The nods are however understood differently by the recipients of the information.
The nuances of communication are also reflected in relationships between students and teachers. Students may decide to snub their teachers or lecturers intentionally when they are asked difficult questions. Some students will say, “I beg your pardon” even when the lecturer’s statement has been clearly heard by other students (Smith, 2005). This is a case similar to rejecting a call on the pretext that one is busy.
Nuances in communication are expressed among students by their differences in mannerism in spite of the fact that they are trained under similar conditions. These differences are caused by different relationships that students engage in such as causal relationships, intimate relationships and so forth (Katz & Aakhus, 2002).
Nuances in social context
In shopping areas such as supermarkets, it is common to find differences among shop attendants, cashiers and so forth. For instance, some cashiers are charming and look at customers as they serve them while others rarely look at customers. The same applies to customers- some will become irritating when they fail to find the products they want on the shelves.
A similar situation is reflected in restaurants whereby it is common for patrons to disagree with restaurant attendants over the quality of meals, yet others will be satisfied with the same meals. The problem lies in the subtle differences that occur among individuals and which affect their nature of communication. Some people can solve small issues amicably, but others must amplify issues at all costs (Katz & Aakhus, 2002).
Among groups of friends it is common for friends spread lies again those they perceive to be their enemies. Such friends portray broken communication because they speak but never want to be quoted. Such behavior translates into meaningless communication because reliable communication is characterized by messages whose sources can be revisited.
Nuances in the family environment context
A common nuance of communication between a parent and child is the instance in which the parent lies to please the child. For instance, it is common for parents to promise their children gifts even when it is evident that they will not fulfill the promises. Along this line, children also use some modes of communication such as crying when they want some items in order to win their parents’ sympathy.
Parents’ communication is affected by how they relate with each other and with their children. Although communication is a vital component of the family relationship, nuances occur due to differences among individuals (Katz & Aakhus, 2002; Smith, 2005). Snubbing of partners is commonplace in unstable families and this leads to a breakdown in communication between the couples. Some partners may also fail to express their personal feelings in their relationship and this leads to subtle differences in their mode of communication.
Among children, differences in behavior lead to differences in how they relate particularly with reference to how they communicate. Some children may be a nuisance to others with their use of abusive words against colleagues, others develop dodgy behavior in order to exploit their friends, and so forth. Children also become reflections of their parents’ behavior since they emulate their actions. Since most of the behavior is expressed through communication, nuances of communication become evident when children relate because each child tries to communicate in the context of how their family communicates. The differences in communication become evident when children use different jargon to mean different things, and express themselves differently (e.g. through crying and so on) to mean different things.
Conclusion
Nuances of communication pose a challenge to effective communication since the differences expressed behaviorally may damage the two-way communication process. It is important to understand these nuances in different contexts of life in order to enhance effective communication in different dimensions of the society.
References
Katz, J. E. Aakhus M. A. (2002). Perpetual contact: mobile communication, private talk, public performance. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
McGinty, K; Knox, D. & Zusman M.E. Nonverbal and verbal communication in “involved” and “casual” relationships among college students. College Student Journal (2003).
Smith, K.L. (2005). Handbook of visual communication: theory, methods, and media. New York: Routledge.