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Why would it be important to examine the role of history in Intercultural Communication?
According to Martin & Nakayama (2014), “culture and cultural identities are intimately tied to history, as they have no meaning without history” (p.70). Therefore, as we examine the history of various cultures, we will become more aware of how and why a certain culture came to be. Just as learning about a person’s past, and what experiences and struggles have made them who they are today, “an awareness of history is important in understanding intercultural interaction” (Martin & Nakayama, 2014, p. 69).
Take for example, the role of gender in different societies. “One of the most vital challenges [for intercultural communication] is to understand the role of power and contextual constraints on communication in order ultimately to achieve a more equable society” (Lengel & Marti, 2009, p. 2). Because each culture places such a different value on either gender, becoming aware of the culture’s gender histories can help intercultural communicators to understand where the societal power lies, and then communicate appropriately.
According to Martin & Nakayama (2014), “culture and cultural identities are intimately tied to history, as they have no meaning without history” (p.70). Therefore, as we examine the history of various cultures, we will become more aware of how and why a certain culture came to be. Just as learning about a person’s past, and what experiences and struggles have made them who they are today, “an awareness of history is important in understanding intercultural interaction” (Martin & Nakayama, 2014, p. 69).
Take for example, the role of gender in different societies. “One of the most vital challenges [for intercultural communication] is to understand the role of power and contextual constraints on communication in order ultimately to achieve a more equable society” (Lengel & Marti, 2009, p. 2). Because each culture places such a different value on either gender, becoming aware of the culture’s gender histories can help intercultural communicators to understand where the societal power lies, and then communicate appropriately.
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What are hidden histories and how might hidden histories affect intercultural interactions?
“Histories that typically are not conveyed in a widespread manner are considered to be hidden,” (Martin & Nakayama, 2014, p. 89). Because each person’s culture strongly influences the history that they know, and how they feel about it, encountering individuals from another culture with different views on the history can form hidden communication barriers.
Take, for example, the tale of the Pilgrims and Indians; in American history we learn about the Pilgrims who sailed from England on the Mayflower and landed at what became Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620 had such a good harvest the next year, they had a feast with the Indian allies (Toensing, 2012, p. 1). This occurrence has been made into an American holiday, and at Thanksgiving every year we celebrate that first great feast. However, the Wampanoag tribe, the Indian allies in this story, have a very different view on that history. Martin and Nakayama (2014) explained it well when they said, “heroes in one culture might be villains in another” (p. 69).
“Histories that typically are not conveyed in a widespread manner are considered to be hidden,” (Martin & Nakayama, 2014, p. 89). Because each person’s culture strongly influences the history that they know, and how they feel about it, encountering individuals from another culture with different views on the history can form hidden communication barriers.
Take, for example, the tale of the Pilgrims and Indians; in American history we learn about the Pilgrims who sailed from England on the Mayflower and landed at what became Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620 had such a good harvest the next year, they had a feast with the Indian allies (Toensing, 2012, p. 1). This occurrence has been made into an American holiday, and at Thanksgiving every year we celebrate that first great feast. However, the Wampanoag tribe, the Indian allies in this story, have a very different view on that history. Martin and Nakayama (2014) explained it well when they said, “heroes in one culture might be villains in another” (p. 69).
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Compare and contrast family histories with national histories.
Each individual person has several histories linked to them; large scale national and cultural histories, as well as smaller scale family histories. These histories, once brought together within a person, provide the basis of who they are as an individual. National histories are the great events and figures that are important to the people of that nation, while family histories “occur at the same time as other histories but on a more personal level” (Martin & Nakayama, 2014, p. 72).
A nation history is generally written down, studied in textbooks, and taught by the schools within that nation. In contrast, a family history, is generally not written, but passed along orally from one generation to the next. By studying your genealogy, or family lineage, you can learn about your own family history, where you came from, and stories of your ancestors.
Each individual person has several histories linked to them; large scale national and cultural histories, as well as smaller scale family histories. These histories, once brought together within a person, provide the basis of who they are as an individual. National histories are the great events and figures that are important to the people of that nation, while family histories “occur at the same time as other histories but on a more personal level” (Martin & Nakayama, 2014, p. 72).
A nation history is generally written down, studied in textbooks, and taught by the schools within that nation. In contrast, a family history, is generally not written, but passed along orally from one generation to the next. By studying your genealogy, or family lineage, you can learn about your own family history, where you came from, and stories of your ancestors.
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How is the history of gays and lesbians relevant to intercultural communication?
“How we think and what we know about the past contribute to building and maintaining of communities and cultural identities” (Martin & Nakayama, 2014, p. 80). Gay and lesbian treatment during World War II has come to publicize their similar history and therefore encourage intercultural communication among gays and lesbians in several affected nations.
When engaging in intercultural communications, it is always important to realize and be considerate and respectful, no matter the value differences, to cultural customs. Treatment and acceptance of homosexuality is especially controversial, and the consequences for such behavior is vastly different among different nations. In America, the freedom to be gay is available, though not always given the most respect. In a much darker contrast, “in July 2005, two gay teenage boys were executed in Iran, having been accused of homosexuality” (Martin & Nakayama, 2014, p. 80).
“How we think and what we know about the past contribute to building and maintaining of communities and cultural identities” (Martin & Nakayama, 2014, p. 80). Gay and lesbian treatment during World War II has come to publicize their similar history and therefore encourage intercultural communication among gays and lesbians in several affected nations.
When engaging in intercultural communications, it is always important to realize and be considerate and respectful, no matter the value differences, to cultural customs. Treatment and acceptance of homosexuality is especially controversial, and the consequences for such behavior is vastly different among different nations. In America, the freedom to be gay is available, though not always given the most respect. In a much darker contrast, “in July 2005, two gay teenage boys were executed in Iran, having been accused of homosexuality” (Martin & Nakayama, 2014, p. 80).
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How can we negotiate histories in interactions?
To over come our historical differences in intercultural interactions, the key is open-mindedness. Most people are extremely proud and loyal to their histories, family, cultural, or national. During interactions, we must hold respect for one another’s beliefs, even if we do not necessarily believe or agree with them. Diversity is powerful; by learning the different histories, we can learn from one another and head toward a brighter future together.
To over come our historical differences in intercultural interactions, the key is open-mindedness. Most people are extremely proud and loyal to their histories, family, cultural, or national. During interactions, we must hold respect for one another’s beliefs, even if we do not necessarily believe or agree with them. Diversity is powerful; by learning the different histories, we can learn from one another and head toward a brighter future together.