Culture and Components of Culture

I.
CULTURE AND COMPONENTS OF

CULTURE
Intercultural Communication
CULTURE AND COMPONENTS OF CULTURE
1. Definition:
 >300 definitions
(1960)
 Many more today
 Most: contain many of

the same elements
 A common core
 cultura animi“:
cultivation of the soul
 the evolved human
capacity to classify and
represent experiences
with symbols, and to act
imaginatively and
creatively (# instinctively)
 The distinct ways

that people, who live
differently, classified
and represented
their experiences,
and acted creatively.[
 An integrated
system of learned
behavior patterns
which are
characteristic of the
members of ONE
society and which
are not a result of
biological
inheritance. - Hoebel
 - Culture is the
shared
assumptions, values
and belief of a group
of people which
result in
characteristic
behaviors
2. Classification:
- material culture:
the physical
artifacts created
- non-material
culture: the
intangibles as
language, customs
2. Components of
Culture
- Communication
component
- Cognitive component
- Behavioral
component.
- Material component
 Communication components include language

and symbols.
- A symbol is anything that represents something
else. Symbols carry shared meanings among
people and they can be used to produce loyalty
or hostility.
- Without language, there would be no culture.
 Cognitive component
- Ideas: mental representation and are used to
organize stimulus. When Ideas are link together
it will organize into larger systems of
information which will become knowledge.
- Knowledge: a storage of information fact or
assumption, and these knowledge can be
passed down from one generation to another.
 Belief assumes that a

proposition,
statement,
description of fact are
true in nature.
- Influenced by the
external authorities
rather than proven
true from the
individual's direct
experiences.
 Values are general
abstract moral principles
defining what is right or
wrong, good or evil,
desirable or undesirable
and serving as guidelines
for social living.
- Culturally, it can be
defined as the standards
of desirability, goodness
and beauty.
 Accounts : the way on
how people use the
language for their
explanation,
justification, or to
rationalize (li luan),
excuse, or legitimize a
behavior towards
themselves or to the
others.
 Behavioral
components:
- Norms :
• They are rules and
instructions specifying
what are expected of
us in different
situations.
• specific guidelines for
behavior based on
values.
- Folkways: conventions
of everyday life that
members of society are
expected to follow
• behavioral patterns of
a particular society
• repetitive and
organized.
• violation is not
considered serious.
 Rituals are those highly

scripted ceremonies of
interactions which
follows a sequence of
actions. Examples are
baptism, holidays and
more.
- Mores (pronounced mo-RAYS) are norms which

reflect strongly-held values and whose violation
involves a strong negative societal reaction,
such as incarceration or even death.
- Laws : the formal and important norms that
translated into legal formalizations.
 Material component.
This includes materials
or objects created by
humans for practical
use or for artistic
reasons. These objects
are called as “material
culture”.
II. COMMUNICATION AND ASPECTS OF
COMMUNICATION
COMMUNICATION AND ASPECTS OF COMMUNICATION
1. Definition:
- (commūnicāre -"to
share")
- a process exchange
information between
individuals through a
common system of
symbols, signs, or
behavior.
- the act of
conveying
intended
meanings from
one entity or
group to another
through the use of
mutually
understood signs
and semiotic
rules.
 Semiotic rules: 3 levels
- Syntactic: formal properties of signs and
symbols
- Pragmatic : concerned with the relations
between signs/expressions and their users
- Semantic: study of relationships between signs
and symbols and what they represent.
2. Classification
- Verbal : the words and
sounds people emit
when communicating.
- Nonverbal : facial
expressions, gestures,
and other things that
don’t require sound,
but still offer a
message.
2. Aspects of
communication
 Listeners: happens in
several different ways.
- discrete (bottom-up):
often involves
listening for specific
information (like a
number or name)
- global (top-down):
global listening
primarily means
listening for the main
idea and the
corresponding
subtopics.
- interactive
(combining discrete
and global at the
same time):
approach combines
both.
 An active listener:
■ stays focused on the
speaker’s main
points (more global
than discrete)
■ tunes out all potential
distractions
■ listening as
objectively as
possible
■ be flexible and open-
minded when new
topics or ideas are
raised
■ uses eye contact or
other nonverbal cues,
or fillers, such as
yeah,uh huh, ok, I know
, what you mean, or
equivalent expressions
in another language
■ ask for clarification

if anything is
unclear
■validates the
speaker’s main
points
 Speaker
- Accuracy (follows
grammar rules correctly)
- Fluency (it is delivered in
a smooth manner with
appropriate pauses).
 Although both are
important, an increase
in one area often leads
to a decrease in the
other.
 Notes
■ should be organized by
each main idea
■ You should focus on key
words
■ Skipping small and
inessential words to
save time  using
abbreviations
■ should not be writing
every minute that
someone else is talking,
or you won’t be able to
hear new points.
■ listen carefully and
evaluate the information
to capture the full
meaning of the content
in your notes.
■ Your goal is to write all
the main points and all
the key subpoints you
heard  Make sure your
comprehension the
important points and the
relationship of what you
hear.Use as few words
as possible.
■ If you miss a piece of
information, leave a
space in your notes
where it belongs and ask
e afterward
■ Participating in a
study group is a great
way to compare your
understanding of the
key information with
someone else’s
understanding.
 two or three heads
are better than one!
III. LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND
COMMUNICATION
LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION
1. Language and culture
 Language: the system

of communication
comprising codes and
symbols which are used
by humans to store,
retrieve , organize
structure and
communicate
knowledge and
experience.
 Culture: a set of
beliefs, values,
norms, customs,
traditions, rituals,
and a way of life
that differentiates
one group from
another.
 Language is an
integral part of
culture and human
culture cannot
exist without it.
 intricately related
and dependent on
each other.
 Language: maintain
and convey culture
and cultural ties
- the primary
instrument in the
expression,
transmission, and
adaptation of
culture.
- Through the use of

language, wide vistas of
reality have been
opened. What we have
experienced,  our
norms, values and
ideas exist
- Without language,
culture cannot be
completely acquired
nor can it be effectively
expressed and
transmitted.
1. LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
-we have learned to

identify or
experience these
things through
language
 The learning of a
second or foreign
language enables
one to view life
through another
cultural lens.
1. LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
- “The linguistic relativity

hypothesis asserts that
language determines
thought and therefore
culture. In reality
language and culture
influence each other.”
- Edward Sapir
Frantz Fanon
 Culture’s influences
on language:
- Language is formed by
culture, while culture
is influenced and
impacted by language.
- Without culture,
language cannot exist.
- Lexicon (dictionary), grammar

rules, codes and rules of
linguistic communication
are all entirely formed by
cultural elements
(natural environment,
economic systems, types
of social relationships
etc...)
- Cultural premises
(tiền đề) and rules about
speaking are
intricately tied up
with cultural
conceptions of
persons, agency,
and social
relations.
 Thought
processes and
perceptions of
reality differ from
one culture to
another. How
people think and
speak is
ultimately
determined
largely by their
culture.
1. Language and culture
- language: express and
display heritage and history
 makes it unique, and that
creates a difference from one
to another.
- Linguistic differences  the
mark of another culture 
create divisiveness among
nations, even among
different groups of the same
nation.
 language can be a pathway
to culture.
2. Culture and communication

 Communication and culture : a
very complex and intimate
relationship.
- Communication is central to
the construction,
maintenance and
transmission of culture, as
well as to cultural resistance
and change. And it is the
result of cultural practice.
 “Culture” can be
defined as the rituals,
practices, and symbolic
and physical artifacts
that shape the
behaviors of
individuals, groups,
institutions, and
societies.
- Communication indirectly
create cultures. Through
communication, cultural
characteristics (customs,
roles, rules, rituals, laws,
or other patterns) are
created and shared.
 cultures are the
"residue" of social
communication.
 Without
communication and
communication
media, it would be
impossible to
preserve and pass
along cultural
characteristics from
one place and time
to another.
 Culture is created,
shaped, transmitted,
and learned through
communication. The
reverse is also the
case; that is,
communication
practices are largely
created, shaped, and
transmitted by
culture.
3. Verbal Communication
 Direct and Indirect
communication:
- The dimension of
communication on which
cultures differ the most
- The one affecting more
aspects to the
communication dynamic
- Count for more cross-
cultural misunderstanding
than any other single
factor.
 Indirect / high context:

- Tend to infer, suggest
and imply than say
things directly
- Culture: more collectivist
+ harmony and saving
face are greatest goods
 away from
confrontation.
- People: intuitive
understanding, no need to
spell things out and say so
much
- Message may be
expressed in term of what
is not said or done
- Goal and purpose:
preserving and
strengthening the
relationship
 Direct / Low context:
- Less collectivist, more
individualist with less
well-developed in-
groups
- Independent lives and
fewer shared
experiences  less
instinctive
understanding
- Less context  the spoken
word carries most of the
meaning
- No need to read anything
not said or written
- Goals: getting or giving
information
- No culture uses the direct
or indirect approach
exclusively but tend to be
more or less.
3. Communication Styles: The manner of expressing

oneself with words, of communicating with words,
varies dramatically from one culture to another, and
indeed from one person to another in a single
culture.
 A variety of communication styles have been
developed over centuries and generations
 closely linked with cultural values, norms and
behaviors of associated groups and individuals
3.1. Linear Communication Style 3.2. Circular Communication

- develops an argument  a
Style
conclusion and presents in a - gives all necessary contextual
very explicit manner elements which listeners can
- Tells «the point», explain
connect to understand what
precisely the intended the speaker means.
meaning. - A speaker avoids explicitly
- feel they speak quickly and

stating any one «point».
efficiently, because they use - feel that, although they might
straightforward logic and state speak at length, once they
points explicitly. have spoken, all elements
- Circular communicators talk
necessary for understanding
too much without ever getting are clear.
to the point. - Linear communicators are
simplistic
 Direct Communication Style  Indirect Communication Style

- The message is sought within the - the message is sought outside
words used without surrounding the words used, in many
context. elements: proverbs, metaphors,
- Speakers say exactly what they silence, and surrounding
mean and tend to give priority to contexts.
the content of communication - Speakers tend to give priority to
exchanges. relationships and harmony
 Feel they are frank and honest, among those present.
this style is efficient and practical - feel that they are considerate and
and how people feel about the sensitive and focusing on
content is a separate subject. relationships is wise in the long
 Indirect communicators are not term.
honest or that they avoid saying - Direct communicators are too
«what they really mean.» blunt and hurtful.
 Emotionally Expressive Style  Emotionally Restrained Style

- prefers to show emotions. - prefers to hold and manage
- to respect others and create emotions within.
connected relations, one - to respect others and maintain
should let them know what harmonious relations, one
one is experiencing. should avoid forcing one's own
 feel alive and engaged when feelings on them.
they express and receive  feel respectful and
emotional expressions, even responsible.
negative emotions.  Expressive communicators are
 Restrained communicators are immature because they
cold or not interested in either cannot control their emotions
the issues or in the other and that they lack respect for
person. the needs of others.
 Concrete Communication  Abstract Communication

Style Style
 prefers to use examples,  prefers to use theories,
stories, actual cases, and concepts, and abstract ideas
real situations to reinforce to explain communication
communication messages. messages.
 feel that their stories and  feel that theories and
cases are the base from concepts provide the
which abstract ideas are framework to understand
developed. relationships among
 Abstract communicators are concrete details.
out of touch with their  Concrete communicators are
listeners and are too vague. too personal and
unsophisticated.
 no communication
style is better than
any other,
 all styles allow for
the discussion of all
subjects
 A good interpreter is
someone who is able to
translate not only words
but also communication
styles
 We can begin by
becoming aware of our
own preferred styles and
then learning ways to
show respect for other
styles we encounter
 developing intercultural
competence
1. recognize communication
styles and to respect each of
them
2. modify listening strategies in
order to understand meanings
communicated in another
style.
3. adapt one's own
communication style to
different contexts and, little by
little, learn to communicate in
styles which match those of
another
4. Nonverbal
Communication
- Spoken words:
often not even the
primary mean of
communication
(high context
cultures)
- People rely on
Nonverbal
behaviors to send
message
- are not carried in

language
- 65%-90% of real
messages are often
conveyed through
nonverbal means.
- can override the verbal

message (reinforcing or
contradicting).
- can create powerful
emotional meaning
- Communicate feelings,
express friendship and
humor and irony,
warning and power
relations, questions and
trust
- requires attention,
understanding, and
the development of
specific competencies
- Do not have inherent
meaning (that
automatically come with
it) but the meaning
assigned by people
- People from different
cultures (sometimes)
assign different
meaning to the same
behavior 
misunderstandings
 Three main categories:

► Behaviors in one’s own
culture and in the target
culture
- having same meaning
- being assigned the same

meaning by the sender
and receiver
 successful
communication (not
cause confusion)
► Behaviors exist in both

culture with different
meaning in each
- Sender: sending the
different message than
intended
- Receiver: misinterpret
the message receiving
► Nonverbal behaviors has

meaning in this culture
but no meaning in
another one.
- You think you have
communicated but you
haven’t in fact
- You may have
communicated without
meaning or without
realized it  confusion
 main dimensions
- Face and body movement
- Eye contact
- Tone of voice and volume
- Spatial orientation
- Touch
- Environment
- Time and how it is used in
conversation,
- Silence
 golden rule:
- Observing
- Trying to understand,
- Adapting one's own non

verbal can contribute to
 mutual understanding
in any intercultural
 communication
process.
 Developing Non Verbal

Communication
Competencies
- Become more aware of
how your own nonverbal
codes work and of the
cultural norms and values
which underlie them.
- Observe without judgment
the non verbal of people
around you.
- Practice adapting your non

verbal when your
communication partner is
operating very differently
from you, and be aware of
the effort and the
uncertainty generates for
you.
- Experience films
- Train yourself to seek the
«why and wherefore» of non
verbal expressions
IV. CROSS-CULTURAL OR INTERCULTURAL
COMMUNICATION
INTRODUCTION TO INTERCULTURAL
COMMUNICATION
I. Communication and Intercultural
Communication
1. Communication:(commūnicāre -"to share")
- a process exchange information between
individuals through a common system of
symbols, signs, or behavior.
- conveying intended meanings from one entity or
group to another through the use of mutually
understood signs and semiotic rules.
Introduction to Intercultural communication
 Intercultural communication
- Inter- : “between”
- refers to exchanging information between
people from different cultures.
- the study and application of knowledge on
“cultural perceptions and symbol systems” of
people belonging to different cultures.
Introduction to Intercultural
communication
4 elements of intercultural
communication
- Two people (or two
groups)…
- of different cultures (with
the definition of «culture»
being quite broad)…
- in interaction…
communication
- who negotiate
common meaning
 the importance of
not merely trying to
communicate but
also trying to
understand
 particularly
interesting
communication
 The metaphor is
often used iceberg
to talk about culture
 behaviours,
institutions, the
arts, etc.)
 a larger invisible
part (cultural
values, norms,
beliefs)
communication
2. Cultural Values
- the lenses through
which we view and
evaluate the attitudes
and actions of others.
- form the basis of all our
attitudes and actions,
and this brings us into
harmony or conflict with
the cultural values of
groups in which we are
members
communication
- The invisible part of our
culture
- The importance of the
connection between
cultural values and
behaviour can be
explored using the
work of two well-
known models of
cultural value
orientations
communication
- different perceptions and
interpretations of «the
same» situation or word or
moment of silence can be
even within a single
culture.
- It’s greater in interacting
from different cultural
backgrounds and values
 the concept of perception
is central when we think
about intercultural
communication.
communication
3. Culture Shock
 Culture shock is the temporary disintegration of one’s
central identity, one's sense of self.
communication
 incapable of
constructing any
stability in their world,
incapable of making
reliable meaning in a
new context.
 feelings of grief
- losing the self , habits
and, behaviours,
values,
- things which we often
were not even aware of
communication
 generates uncertainty,
stress and resistance, and
thus requires a great deal
of energy and strength,
especially for people who
expect themselves to carry
on in their work and social
life.
 learning and adapting in a
new culture: tiring and
unsettling process
 challenging but rewarding
experience
communication
 During the time of

culture shock, it is
important to practice
the following:
- Try not to judge yourself
too harshly
- Try not to blame the
host culture for
problems.
communication
- Be quick to laugh,
especially at yourself
as you learn and learn
again from each
experience
- Practice safe stress
reduction techniques:
meditation, safe
exercise, healthy diet,
dance and music,

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I.

CULTURE AND COMPONENTS OF

 Most: contain many of

 The distinct ways

 Communication components include language

 Belief assumes that a

 Rituals are those highly

- Mores (pronounced mo-RAYS) are norms which

■ ask for clarification

1. Language and culture

 Language: the system

- Through the use of

-we have learned to

- “The linguistic relativity

- Lexicon (dictionary), grammar

2. Culture and communication

 Indirect / high context:

3. Communication Styles: The manner of expressing

3.1. Linear Communication Style 3.2. Circular Communication

- feel they speak quickly and

 Direct Communication Style  Indirect Communication Style

 Emotionally Expressive Style  Emotionally Restrained Style

 Concrete Communication  Abstract Communication

- are not carried in

- can override the verbal

 Three main categories:

- being assigned the same

► Behaviors exist in both

► Nonverbal behaviors has

- Adapting one's own non

 Developing Non Verbal

- Practice adapting your non

 During the time of

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