22 . Components of intercultural communication

1.CONTEXT Intercultural competence is contextual. Competence is not independent of the relationships and situations within which communication occurs. Competence is not an individual attribute; rather it is a characteristic of the association between individuals.

2. APPROPRIATENESS AND EFFECTIVENESS Appropriate- those behaviors that are regarded as proper and suitable given the expectations generated by a given culture, the constraints of the specific situation, and the nature of the relationship between the interact ants. Effective- those behaviors that lead to the achievement of desired outcomes.

3.KNOWLEDGE The cognitive information you need to have about the people, the context, and the norms of appropriateness that operate in a specific culture. Two types: Culture-general- provides insights into the intercultural communication process abstractly, regardless of culture. Culture-specific-knowledge used to understand a particular culture.

4. MOTIVATION The overall set of emotional associations that people have as they anticipate and actually communicate interculturally. Feelings- the emotional or affective states that you experience with someone from a different culture. Intentions- what guides your choices in a particular intercultural interaction. Your goals, plans, objectives, and desires.

5. ACTION The actual performance of those behaviors that are regarded as appropriate and effective. You can have the necessary information, be motivated by the appropriate feelings and intentions but still lack the behavior skills necessary to achieve competence.

23 Culture and its main components

The term was first used in this way by the pioneer English Anthropologist Edward B. Tylor in his book, Primitive Culture, published in 1871. Tylor said that culture is "that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society."

Components of culture

Symbols

Language

Values

Beliefs ( religion)

Norms

Etiquette

Science and technology

Cuisine

Gender roles

Holidays.

Symbols are probably the most common things taken for granted. The simplest most everyday things are symbols. To the human mind, symbols are cultural representations of reality. Every culture has its own set of symbols associated with different experiences and perceptions

Symbols occur in different forms:

verbal

nonverbal

written

unwritten.

Language—a system of verbal and sometimes written representations that are culturally specific and convey meaning about the world.

Religion influences culture in many ways. People of different cultures have a set of beliefs that influence their daily lives and how they act. For example, muslims pray five times a day in the direction of Mecca, the most sacred place on earth to them. The women of Islam must dress in cloaks that cover their whole bodies and hair. Also, in the fall, they have Ramadan where they must fast for their religion. If someone were to convert to Islam, it would really change their life because of all the things they have to do or sacrifice.

Religion is like a way of life. Many people take their religion very seriously, so their lives and cultures are majorly affected by their religion. For example, serious Christians read their Bibles daily, get baptized to express their faith to their peers, and attend church every Sunday. They also pray multiple times a day. The Bible states that Christians are supposed to love and help each other always. Many Christians try to be kind and help people in need. What someone believes in will help them to make choices that shape their daily lives.

Technology. In today’s world, the easy access to technology creates the situation that, when you look around, people are often using smartphones or using their computers to check on what’s happening in the world around them, providing a feeling of connectedness.

Technology has affected culture by making life easier to live. Electrical devices and computers have made work much easier. This, in turn, has given people more free time, which makes room for more technology as people look to be entertained.

Cuisine (from French cuisine, "cooking; culinary art; kitchen"; ultimately from Latin coquere, "to cook") is a characteristic style of cooking practices and traditions, often associated with a specific culture. Cuisines are often named after the geographic areas or regions from which they originate.A cuisine is primarily influenced by the ingredients that are available locally or through trade. Religious food laws, such as Islamic dietary laws and Jewish dietary laws, can also exercise a strong influence on cuisine. Regional food preparation traditions, customs and ingredients often combine to create dishes unique to a particular region.

Holidays . Generally holidays are intended to allow individuals to celebrate or commemorate something of cultural or religious significance. Holidays may be designated by governments, religious institutions, or other groups or organizations. The degree to which normal activities are reduced by a holiday may depend on local laws, customs, or even personal choices.