Intercultural communication is one communicates in a different culture. According to EB Taylor culture is a complex whole that man learns as member of society and it includes language customs creeds etc. Norms are accepted patterns of behavior and values are what we say about it. Intercultural communication gained momentum due to travel and need for communication across regions countries etc.
The process of labeling starts in school as Dr David H Dobkins prof of Communication said in 1984 Spring Louisiana Univ Lafayette intercultural communication classes. One person is labeled as good student or otherwise and it forms the basis of his educational career for him. Labelling makes equality difficult among student as Dr MGR started 1000 engineering colleges to create equality among educational system. The gap in education between good and bad student is so huge in private dominated societies and these got to be reduced greatly. None commands superiority all the time and all are made equal is to be shown to all and this is the flaw of westernization and modernization greatly.
Dr Dobkins also said on the study of language in its social context, and it means language is studied under social situations and social conditions. The Tamil one speaks in Madras is different from Tamil spoken in Madurai. Languages have evolved over historical conditions and historical situations and reflect these. He researched on health communication, and cancer disease is told to patients directly in a study in Lafayette General hospital Lafayette USA
Intercultural communication studies communication across cultures as Indians living in America and their interaction with Americans etc. Ethnocentrism is criticizing one culture from another culture point of view and cultural relativism is looking at that culture from its own perspective.
Intercultural communication gained importance over increase in travel and within nations. People go from one place to other Subcultures are branches or divisions in one main culture and an example could be Tamil culture in broad Indian culture.
Languages form important part of culture and linguistics is the study of languages. Socio linguistics study the social context of languages and psycho linguistics is the study of the mind of the language. Balance theory says we need to or we are motivated to maintain balance in our lives and communication is aimed in that direction.
Group communication is important and there are two kinds of as small group communication and large group communication. Groups are formed as it starts with forming storming norming and concluding. First, it is formed secondly it is stormed or ideas are made to work the group and norms or role taking is established and finally groups conclude.
Interpersonal communication is another important communication part and topics like self-disclosure self and other are studied. It is communication between two or more persons and interpersonal communication has evolved over the years in India US and other countries
Intercultural communication is needed as nations fight like USA Iran or India and Pakistan. Cultural differences contribute to clashes and to avoid clashes we need to be culturally relativist. From a ethnocentric point of view of Western culture by a conservative Indian everything might look wrong or not correct. It is a wrong way as western culture has its advantages, and we need to be culturally sensitive to say it is good also in many ways. Finally intercultural communication is emerging a field of study in many colleges and universities in India USA and other countries.
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