Not on My Watch

Without a doubt Language influences our view of reality. It’s defines how our reality is transmitted to others. Languages have different words and meanings around the world. We create our reality based on our culture, the experiences we have within and language is the way we communicate those experiences. Researches show that in the world there is about 7,000 languages spoken and they are all different from one another in all kinds of ways. Some languages have different sounds they have different vocabularies and they also have different structures very importantly different structures that brings the question does the language we speak shape the way we think?

 

 I personally speak two international languages, French and English and three African local languages Bassa, Ewondo and Bulu. I will say depending what language I’m using my perception in equality between race is influenced. For example, in Bulu language, there is no word to differentiate human races. And that affects the value that the Bulu society attach to the race of an individual. In order words from a bulu prospective the color of your skin does not count when it comes to define who you are and your place in the society. But in the Other hands, when I came to the U.S and started learning English, one the first think I noticed was that English gives an exhaustive classification of skin colors and that emphasis in how people look like influence somehow the perception of their place in the American society. 

 

I honestly believe that understanding the nonverbal communication from other cultures is useful so you can interact better with those from another culture. Understanding significations also can make you appreciate the culture better and know what to do or not do when communicating with others. During the recent US presidential election campaign, it was curious to notice all the verbal and nonverbal messages used by the candidates. Hillary Clinton seemed more conservative and maybe because she is used to all the protocols and how to get along in those situations. Her appearance, posture and paralanguage were interesting to see.  On the other hand, Donald Trump said what he wanted and when he wanted, without thinking about the consequences of his words. It was intriguing to see all his nonverbal messages, facial expressions, gestures, posture, etc.

 

The importance of understanding nonverbal language result into the fact that non-verbal language or communication of a culture plays many important roles in an intercultural situation. In the Bassa language, the person who speak, provides through his gesture, nonverbal cues that clarify the context for interpreting and understanding how the verbal message should be understood. In that regards, neglecting non-verbal language can create either confusion or misunderstanding. For example, body posture can convey power structures, attitudes and levels of civility. Slouching in the Bulu society is considered disrespectful, while other parts of the world may not think much of it one way or another. In America, standing with hands on the hips may suggest power or pride, but in Cameroon, it may suggest anger or a challenge. Many cultures also frown upon showing the bottom of the shoe, something that is considered dirty for a Cameroonian. Therefore, sitting with the foot resting on the opposite knee is strongly discouraged in Cameroon. In my opinion, some of the challenges in reading accurately a nonverbal message are ethno-centrism, lack of cultural exposure towards other cultures and stereotypes. 

 

The article that really caught my attention is “Lesson Learned: A University Administrator’s intercultural Journey” by Alfred J. Guillaume Jr. the article relates the experience of a black man from the south side of the country who manage to have a successful life despite all the walls of limitations imposed to him by a racist social culture cause of the color of his skin. The article speaks about social perception of the value of black person life and potential in the prism of prejudices, stereotype and racism.   

I think in the article Dr. Guillaume gave what I believe will be the essential mindset strategy I will use in order to create in my circle of influence a better inter-cultural communication experience. “Race, ethnicity, and gender are secondary factors in communicating with others. I’ve learned that trust can only be earned, not expected, and that the way to earn trust is through collaboration and sincere demonstration of respect for others.”

 

Intercultural communicative competence, or ICC, refers to the ability to understand cultures, including your own, and use this understanding to communicate with people from other cultures successfully. ICC could include understanding how gestures and the distance between speakers vary from culture to culture. As a competent intercultural communicator, I think some of my capacities are the fact I can identify a situation where there is a misunderstanding due to cultural differences. I can be more aware of the challenges faces by others when interacting with me because of the differences of our cultural backgrounds. In that sense my responsibilities would be to create cultural differences awareness, become the bridge between cultures, stand against stereotypes and prejudice in my circle of friends and family. Voice and act against racism and ethnocentrism in my daily words and actions. 

References:

• Kim Y.Y.(1995), "Cross-Cultural adaption: An integrative theory.", in: R.L. Wiseman (Ed.)Intercultural Communication Theory, 170 – 194, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
• Messner, W. & Schäfer, N. (2012), "The ICCA™ Facilitator's Manual. Intercultural Communication and Collaboration Appraisal", London: Createspace.
• Messner, W. & Schäfer, N. (2012), "Advancing Competencies for Intercultural Collaboration", in: U. Bäumer, P. Kreutter, W. Messner (Eds.) "Globalization of Professional Services", Heidelberg: Springer.
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