Ethnocentric reactions

Although language and cultural differences are significant barriers to communication, these problems can be resolved if people maintain an open mind. Unfortunately, many of us have an ethnocentric reaction to people from other countries – that is, we judge all other groups according to our own standards.

When we react ethnocentrically, we ignore the distinctions between our own culture and another person’s culture. We assume that others will react the same way we do, that they will operate from the same assumptions, and that they will use language and symbols the same way we do. An ethnocentric reaction makes us lose sight of the possibility that our words and actions will be misunderstood, and it makes us more likely to misunderstand the behaviour of others.

Generally, ethnocentric people are prone to stereotyping and prejudice. They generalize about an entire group of people on the basis of sketchy evidence and then develop biased attitudes towards the group. As a consequence, they fail to see people as they really are. Instead of talking to Abdul Karhum, unique human being, they talk to an Arab. Although they have never met an Arab before, they may already believe that all Arabs are, say, hagglers. The personal qualities of Abdul Karhum become insignificant in the face of such preconceptions. Everything he says or does will be forced to fit the preconceived image. [6, pp. 415-417]

III. Post-reading tasks

Answer the following questions.

1. Which of the definitions of culture do you find the most appropriate? Explain your choice.

2. In the text there are different definitions of “a big culture”, but can you guess the definition of “a small culture”?

3. Can you give some examples of various subcultures? What subculture do you belong to?

4. Is it possible to be out of culture?

5. What is culture shock and what distinct features does it have?

6. Have you ever experienced culture stress when coming to a foreign country? How did you try to cope with it? Comment on the one of the phenomena contributing to culture stress.

7. Have you ever suffered from a biased reaction? What is the way to overcome stereotyping and generalizations?

IV. Writing

Think of some other notions connected with intercultural communication. Write out their definitions from any English dictionary.

Text 3 understanding culture*

(Intermediate – upper-intermediate)

I. Pre-reading task

Look up the meaning of the following words.

ethnic group affect (v)

religious group hostile (adj)

sorority (n) disparate (adj)

fraternity (n) homogeneous (adj)

aloofness (n) aloof (adj)

Before reading try to answer the questions.

1. What is culture for you?

2. Can you think of some features characterizing different cultures?

II. Read the following text and check if your predictions were right.

You may not realize it, but you belong to several cultures. The most obvious is the culture you share with all other people who live in this country. But you also belong to other cultural groups, such as an ethnic group, a religious group, a fraternity or sorority, or perhaps a profession that has its own special language and customs. Thus all members of a culture have similar assumptions about how people should think, behave, and communicate, and they tend to act on those assumptions. Distinct groups that exist within a major culture are more properly referred to as subcultures. Among groups that might be considered subcultures are Mexican-Americans in East Los Angeles, Mormons in Salt Lake City, dock workers, wrestling fans, Russian immigrants, and Harvard M.B.A.s.

Cultures and subcultures vary in several ways that affect intercultural communication:

• Stability. Conditions in the culture may be stable or may be changing slowly or rapidly.

• Complexity. Cultures vary in the accessibility of information. In the United States and Canada, information is contained in explicit codes, including words; whereas in Japan, a great deal of information is conveyed implicitly, through body language, physical context, and the like.

• Composition. Some cultures are made up of many diverse and disparate subcultures, others tend to be more homogeneous.

• Acceptance. Cultures vary in their attitudes towards outsiders. Some are openly hostile or maintain a detached aloofness. Others are friendly and cooperative towards strangers.

As you see, cultures vary widely. It’s no wonder that most of us need special training before we can become comfortable with a culture other than our own. [3, 562]

III. Post-reading tasks

1. Answer the questions.

1. What is the main difference between culture and subculture?

2. What subculture do you belong to?

3. What are the main features describing different cultures?

2. State the difference between the following notions.

– ethnic group and religious group

– fraternity and sorority

3.Find in the text antonyms to the following words in the box.

Stable static explicitly disparate friendly openness, friendliness

IV. Speaking

How would you describe Belarusian culture in terms of the above-mentioned characteristics?

V. Writing

Complete the following table.

Characteristics	Belarusian culture	British culture
1. 2. 3. 4.