Diversity and Communication

Transcription

1 Diversity and Communication Dr. JA Spinthourakis Multilingual & Multicultural Education DOEE-University Of Patras

2 The reality of social change

3 In 2013, Europe had around: 733 million inhabitants Of which were of non-european origin, which translates into 35 to 40 million inhabitants; The European Union congregates two thirds of that population in January 2014 it had million inhabitants. In the EU, foreigners from other countries make up 9.4% of the population (which was 47.3 million in January 2010); It is estimated that the flow of immigrants received by the EU since 2003 is almost 1.5 to 2 millions per year, With an estimated increase of 350,000 to 500,000 per year. Sources: UN data, European demographic data sheet, website of Jacques Delors European Information Centre

4 What do these pictures have in common?

5

6 WHAT IS DIVERSITY? Diversity is about people. It s about the environment we work in and all of us reaching our panacea of accomplishments Its about how we value and appreciate those that are unlike ourselves.

7 In terms of diversity what is it we want: Assimilation or Integration? If you are the outsider and not a member of the dominant group, it means giving up your own values and adopting the values of others, as a means to survival. The process is not only uncomfortable it is a violation of another s identity and inner self.

8 How do we achieve integration it? We know that we can learn to understand and appreciate the values, expectations, and communication styles of other traditions without giving up our own. We can adjust appropriately and effectively to deal with different values and communication styles if we learn How to first perceive and then adapt to them.

9 Achieving Integration versus Assimilation calls for: Multicultural communicative competence You begin to understand that behavior that makes no sense to you might make perfect sense to others. And vice versa. You are not so quick to judge anymore you begin to tolerate opinions and actions you would have dismissed before. ~Craig storti, the art of crossing cultures

10 What Does It Mean To Communicate? Communicate comes from Latin word to share Exchange information: to give or exchange information, for example, by speech or writing Convey: to transmit or reveal a feeling or thought by speech, writing, or gesture so that it is clearly understood Understand one another: to share a good personal understanding. Exchange of information: the exchange of information between individuals, for example, by means of speaking, writing, or using a common system of signs or behavior.

11 Fact-- All behaviors are learned and displayed in a particular cultural context AND Culturally effective communication can be learned

12 What is this trying to communicate?

13 Counting by hand in Chinese, is it different from Korean?

14 Non-verbal Communication

15 What is Culture? Culture is the distinctive life-way of a people united by a common language and governed by rules and models for their beliefs and behavior. In layman s terms, culture is what we live everyday and what we bring with us to all our encounters. Culture is the root, the stem and the branch, while civilization is the branch, the leaf and the blossom. -Nelson Brooks, 1973 Parameters of Culture

16 Culture is what water is to a fish IT TAKES IT FOR GRANTED UNTIL IT IS OUT OF ITS ENVIRONMENT (URSALA LEITZMAN, 2004) One's own culture provides the "lens" through which we view the world; the "logic"... By which we order it; the "grammar"... by which it makes sense. (AVRUCH AND BLACK, 1993)

17

18 Cultural Iceberg: Appearances can be deceptive - more is hidden than revealed, verbal & non-verbal UBER important

19 Given that learning is influenced by: Individual experiences Individual talents Prior learning Language Culture Family Community values Multicultural communicative competence needs to comes into play!

20 The framework of multicultural competence and communication (Sue et al, 1998). AWARENESS Of your own culture in relationship with the other cultures around you, and an awareness of the culturally learned assumptions which control your life, with or without your permission. COMPREHENSION Depends on having the right facts and information about the cultural context. COMPETENT SKILLS Depends on an accurate assessment of the situation and meaningful understanding to bring about positive change in each cultural context. ADAPTED FROM: DR. MARY F. HOWARD-HAMILTON

21 Multicultural Competence includes: Knowledge about the parameters of cultures and how they impact Skills - acquire new information, analyze, manage our own responses, being flexible and adaptable Motivation - cultural understanding and respect, desire and need to improve and develop professionally.

22 Thus to help diverse groups avoid the game of assimilation but rather embrace integration We need to understand the role culture plays directly and indirectly in our dealings with others and to develop our multicultural communicative competence so that we can be more effective in provide services to the changing populations within society. BUT MYTHS ABOUT COMMUNICATION ABOUND

23 Myths related to multicultural competence, intercultural communication and working with individuals and groups. BASICALLY, DEEP DOWN, WE ARE ALL THE SAME IT ALL COMES DOWN TO PERSONALITY IF I M MYSELF, DON T PUT ON AIRS, IT WILL ALL BE OK COMMUNICATION ONLY TAKES PLACE WHEN WE CHOOSE TO SEND INFORMATION. CHOOSING NOT TO DISCUSS CERTAIN ISSUES CAN MINIMIZE PROBLEMS AND DISCOMFORT.

24 Six fundamental patterns of cultural differences (adapted from DePraw and Axner, 1997) WHAT DO WE MEAN BY THESE? 1. DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION STYLES 2. DIFFERENT ATTITUDES TOWARD CONFLICT 3. DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO COMPLETING TASKS 4. DIFFERENT DECISION-MAKING STYLES 5. DIFFERENT ATTITUDES TOWARD DISCLOSURE 6. DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO KNOWING

25 Guidelines for developing Multicultural Communicative Competence Learn from generalizations, but don't use those generalizations to stereotype.. Don't assume there s one right way to communicate. Don't assume communication breakdowns are because other people are on the wrong track. Listen actively and empathetically Respect others' choices about engaging communication with you. Don t pre-judge, try to look at the situation as an outsider, put yourself in the place of the person you are dealing with. Use this as an opportunity to develop an understanding from "the other's" point of view

26 Multicultural Premise We are all CULTURAL BEINGS Our cultural identities are simultaneously multidimensional, multifaceted, and include interdependent characteristics on the: Individual level Group level (e.g. Social group identities) Universal level We bring the fullness of our identities into any human interactions we engage in and so all of our relationships are cross-cultural in nature 26

27 Prejudice Ethnocentrism Stereotype Sexism Multiculturalism Cultural Sensitivity Ethnicity Racism Race Internalized Oppression Discrimination Heterosexism Culture Cultural Awareness & Intercultural Sensitivity The ability to be open to learning about and accepting of different cultural groups

28 What and how can we become better culturally attuned communicator s today?

29 Positively linking diversity with communication: A. Diversity is not only a fact but also an added value to modern societies B. In a time of paradigm change, a special role is played both by politics and praxis for multicultural communicative competence and social cohesion; we ALL have a shared responsibility on this issue.

30 Least we forget a basic truth Diverse voci fanno dolce note; cosi diversi scanni in nostra vita rendon dolce armonia (Diverse voices make sweet music; as diverse conditions in our life render sweet harmony.) DANTE, PARADISO IV:

31 Σας Ευχαριστώ Πολύ, Thank you very much, Moltes Gràcies, Mercès, Muchas gracias Merci, Hartelijk dank, Danke sehr, Köszönöm, Takk, Arigato, Paldies, Achu, Dziekuje, Muito Obrigado, Va multumim frumos, Spasibo balshoye, Tapadh Leat, Dakujem, TackHvala lepa, Dekuji Wa'-do, Falemenderit shumë, Grazie Mille, Shukriya, Tashakkur, Çok tesekkür ederim... JA Spinthourakis, 2014