Intercultural Communication: A Little Overview

What is intercultural communication?

We usually feel comfortable when dealing and interacting with people who have in common with us. In taste, meaning, thoughts, beliefs, and even culture. It is comfortable in dealing with similar backgrounds, we can say as a comfort zone. What if we do not get out of it? Is not it possible for everyone to deal with people of different background beakang? Tell me, when someone has to feel comfortable with each other space, it will be difficult for him to get in touch with people who have differences with him. For example, someone who used to communicate in his native language and never touched any other language. When he met with people who have different backgrounds, say language. There will be a shock occurs that causes the barriers in communication in the framework of the language.

William B. Hart II said that the study of intercultural communication can be regarded as that emphasize the effects of culture on communication.[1] From the words of William's, there is a relationship between communication and culture. This understanding then makes communication related knowledge and culture must be understood together. We can not let go of either one alone. Andrean L. Rich and Dennis M. Ogawa interpret intercultural communication as a communication between people who have different backgrounds.[2] This communication occurs by the existence of the meetings in the social space. Where the space is allowing the establishment of cultural differences and communication.

In addition, Guo-Ming Chen and William J.Starosta say that intercultural communication is an exchange of symbolic systems or negotiation process.[3] What is meant by these two characters, that communication among people of different cultures, to give each other something and require interpretation. This is called the exchange of symbolic systems. By then influence the attitude of the people involved in such exchanges. This is what can limit and guide human behavior in the future. In the definition of intercultural communication, we would not be separated from the model that is owned by this communication. Existing communication models can help us map out the course of communication. In addition, the model can make it easier for us to explain the phenomena that occur.

  

 Figure 1. The Basic Model of Intercultural Communication[4]

  

 From communication model above, the exchange or the relationship between culture A to culture B that is able to generate a new culture (C). in the course of this relationship or interaction, it is important to note is that the communication is done and the symptoms that appear in it. The first is the uncertainty and anxiety, which arises from the suspicion of others with minimal ability to predict others. In addition, the lack of the ability of these predictions will menyembabkan uncertainty to be. Second, communication accommodating. In intercultural communication we do, we should be able to adapt to other people who enter into inter-cultural communication is in progress. Why require adaptation? Our ability to understand other people and successfully predict require assessment. This assessment is done on the adaptation or adjustment. Of adaptations that have been done, we can understand, understand, and predict others. Then, from the adaptation of effective communication can take place. With the provisions of each willing to accommodate itself to open and adjust.

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[1] Alo Liliweri, Dasar-Dasar Komunikasi Antarbudaya, (Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar, 2004), pp. 8.

[2] Ibid., pp. 10.

[3] Ibid., pp. 11.

[4] Ibid., pp.33.

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