Communication Between Cultures

order to fit in and become functional

in their host culture. Fortunately, as

discussed by Ward, Bouchner, and

Furnham,^8 there are a number of mea-

sures that can be taken to facilitate

cross-cultural adjustment. These recom-

mendations are set forth below.

Learn About the Host Culture

A major theme of this book is the principle that developing a bank of knowledge

about other cultures is a necessary first step toward improving intercultural communi-

cation skills. Culture shock can be lessened and adaptation accelerated if one

becomes aware of the host culture’s fundamental characteristics. In this context we

consider cultural awareness to include understanding the new culture’s religious orien-

tation, historical background, political system, primary cultural values and beliefs, ver-

bal styles, nonverbal behaviors, family organization, social etiquette, and other similar

aspects.

Learn About the Language of the Host Culture

Of the many challenges facing someone living in a new culture, language is the most obvi-

ous and perhaps the most demanding. However, the importance of learning about the

host culture’s language cannot be overestimated, as is explained by Masgoret and Ward:

Knowledge of the language spoken in the receiving community plays a central role within

the cultural learning process, since language is viewed as the primary medium through

which cultural information is communicated. Because language and cultural learning are

intimately linked, miscommunications will likely result if migrants and sojourners do not

acquire at least some fundamental verbal skills.^9

The difficulties associated with exposure to a new language are twofold: language

acquisition and the speaking style unique to the new culture, both of which can contrib-

ute to culture shock and impede the adaptation process. As brought out in our discus-

sion of language in Chapter 8, cultural variations in language usage encompass a variety

of topics, from the use of idioms and conversational taboos to linguistic ways of showing

respect. We are not saying that you must be fluent in the host culture’s language. Obvi-

ously, it would not be practical for someone going to another culture for a short time to

try to attain fluency. However, learning a few phrases to help express greetings, render

courtesies, and perhaps ask directions will serve you well. Moreover, learningaboutthe

language will provide insight into turn taking, directness and indirectness, logical or

relational orientation, and other culturally specific language traits.

Guard Against Ethnocentrism

As we have discussed throughout this book,ethnocentrismis the conviction that one’s

own culture is superior to other cultures. Everyone is vulnerable to ethnocentrism—

sojourners, immigrants, and even members of the host culture. A sojourner with feel-

ings of ethnocentrism can expect to encounter difficulties adjusting to a new set of

cultural norms. Taken to an extreme, ethnocentrism can lead to prejudice, which in

CONSIDER THIS

Culture shock is a normal response when encountering unfamiliar

situations or behaviors.

Managing Culture Shock and Enhancing Acculturation 385

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