Summary and analysis of chapter 9 of the text
This is the second chapter in the text, which highlights the application of intercultural communication. Just as the topic states, this chapter explores the kind of relationship that comes out between popular culture and the concept of intercultural communication. The chapter begins by defining popular culture as a public forum, owing to its easy access to quite a big number of people, and also the way the trend has continuously applied in many parts of the world.
More importantly, there is also an in-depth discussion of how the trend, which is said to have been overlooked by many people, is consumed differently in various parts of the world. The impacts of popular culture on the lives of people have also been outlined in the chapter. Popular culture is shown to be the basis through which other cultures are learned and observed. Whereby other countries are observed to produce significant levels of popular culture, America is still the global leader in the production of popular culture.
Summary and analysis of chapter 7 of the text
This chapter is about ‘Nonverbal Codes and Cultural Space’ and it examines intercultural communication through the context of nonverbal communication. This chapter highlights the major relationship between the main forms of communication: verbal and nonverbal communication codes of communication, and how the two are applied in our daily lives, to convey information between parties.
As it is clear in this chapter, one of the ways by which the two differ from each other is that; nonverbal communication which includes the use of facial expressions, gestures, and proxemics among other codes, is more unconscious and oftentimes, it is learned implicitly compared to the verbal way of communication. More importantly, the chapter offers a concise overview of how cross-cultural differences can be observed through the various codes of nonverbal communication.
Nonverbal communication differs from verbal communication in many ways and for that reason; it can substitute, reinforce, and/or contradict it. According to various studies, the universality of this context of communication would include cross-cultural studies, primate behavior comparison, the behavior of children having hearing/sight problems, and the search for universal social needs that are filled by behaviors associated with nonverbal communication. It is also clear from this chapter that, cultural differences observed in nonverbal behaviors can result in overt discrimination and stereotyping among people.
Cultural space and cultural identity are also observed in this chapter, as crucial aspects of life which are likely to influence the way we tend to think about ourselves and others, in different segments of life. Cultural space, as observed in this chapter, tends to influence cultural identity in various segments of human existence. However, migration and travel are the two ways discussed in the chapter that would play a key role in altering cultural spaces.
Summary and analysis of chapter 12 of the text
This is the last among the five consecutive chapters which show how, when, and where the concept of intercultural communication applies. The chapter is about ‘Striving for Engaged and Effective Intercultural Communication’. Here, the competence of intercultural communication is observed to be both contextual and individual. Apart from showing the way various contexts would tend to impact intercultural competence in individuals, this chapter also explores the common components of competence which include attitudes, motivation, skills, and behaviors as manifested by people. More importantly, the levels of competence such as conscious competence, conscious incompetence, unconscious incompetence, and unconscious competence are also discussed in the chapter.
Critical and interpretive perspectives have been shown to have a significant impact in trying to emphasize the significance of contextual constraints on intercultural competence on individuals. The application of intercultural communication knowledge would include establishing coalitions, getting involved in a dialogue, working towards personal development, and social justice, among other social approaches. One significant approach that can apply where transgression between cultural groups had become hard to understand is the way of forgiveness. As it is observed through various studies in the field, the future of this world is fraught with the possibility of many intercultural communication challenges in many sectors of human existence.
Description and analysis of one form of nonverbal communication
Nonverbal communication is an efficient way of conveying information or content from one person to another or between individuals and groups of people. One common feature of non verbal communication is that nonverbal behavior applies instead of words. However, one major disadvantage of this form of communication is that it tends to communicate deception, owing to its complex nature.
As observed in chapter seven of the text, there are various codes of nonverbal communication that are certain to apply in our daily lives. A good example of the common nonverbal codes is the use of facial expressions. The facial expression refers to various ways of conveying information through the behaviors of the face.
Face expressions such as sadness, happiness, fear, and anger are universal in the world, meaning that they apply widely in almost all parts of the world. However, facial expressions are observed to fall into two main categories: intentional and unintentional. Within these categories lies a subgroup of very small expressions normally displayed momentarily and which are certain to instill changes in the eyebrows, lips, cheek, forehead, and lips among other things on the face. However, as it would be observed, facial expressions in all cultures are presented in six main types which include disgust, surprise, fear, happiness, anger and sadness. With these brief observations, it is obvious clear that the overall appearance of our faces do communicate a lot about us to other people.
The Strong Points of the Text Book
As it would be observed, this text has succeeded in addressing the major aspects and concerns of intercultural communication, through the integration of a number of different perspectives. This approach, as applied by the authors to achieve the purpose of the book, is arguably a strong point which accords the text the power it deserves to give an effective message about intercultural communication. Another strong point of the text is that, it has been well-plotted with the right information all-through, to set the right perception about the subject matter which in this case is ‘Intercultural Communication.’
Simple language and style as well as perfect presentation of key points and examples are also in the text to establish a strong context of the intended message which the book is expected to convey to the masses. More importantly, the text offers a broad insight and overview of the central matter in a more understandable manner which is likely to provide the right message to the readers. These are just some of the many strong points which are offered by the text, the one aspect that makes it more clear and understandable to the readers.