We are not saying that you need to have an encyclopedic knowledge of world his-
tory in order to be a competent intercultural communicator. That is well beyond the
realm of reasonability. However, in general, it is recommended that in intercultural
exchanges, you need to be mindful that your perception of a historical event may dif-
fer from that of the other person(s) and that those differences carry the potential to
cause confusion, impede understanding, or even create alienation. There are, there-
fore, situations where it is advisable to acquire an appreciation of another culture’s
history. In the event you plan to sojourn or work in a country for any extended period
of time, knowledge of the host culture’s history will improve both communication
and relations with your hosts. Moreover, it will expand your awareness and under-
standing of the beliefs, values, and behaviors dominant in the host country. What
we are trying to convey is this: The more you know about another culture, the greater
the likelihood of competent, effective intercultural communication.Summary
- History and culture are interwoven.
- The study of intercultural communication and the study of history are
complementary. - “Thepast causes the present, and so the future.”
- The influence of history is sometimes difficult to recognize because it contains all
the deep structure elements of culture. - A culture’s history affects perception, behavior, and how people relate to other
cultures. - Historical events provide insight into and help explain national character.
- History is a key element in developing a culture’s values, goals, expectations, and
identity. - The early U.S. historical experience promoted values of independence and self-
reliance. - Although U.S. Americans are considered individualistic, they often participate in
manyself-selected groups on a voluntary basis. - Geography and a lengthy history of authoritarian rule have helped shape the
Russian national character. - China’s long history, record of cultural achievements, and Western exploitation in
the nineteenth and twentieth centuries strongly influence Chinese contemporary
worldview. - The social divisions instituted during the Tokugawa era continue to be reflected in
Japanesemodern society. - The 1947 Partition of India was a result of Hindu–Muslim discord that began
hundreds of years earlier and continues today.
196 CHAPTER 5•Cultural History: Precursor to the Present and Future
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