CC Comm

Juan Guevara The Study of Intercultural Communication Something interesting is the categories of dialectics. They are special in the way they identify how people communicate and why that is. Let me explain by trying to apply two of these dialectics into my life: Cultura-Individual Dialectic: The definition in this communication is “cultural means we share communication patterns with members of the groups to which we belong,” (Martin 2018, pg. 72). These patterns are learned or imprinted by who we associate with. You think of how Italians are known for being expressive or Japanese for modesty. After learning of this dialectic, I tried to identify which cultural pattern I was inherited. One pattern which is consistent in my family, we can be too prideful. I have seen the silliest argument which lead to prolonged resentment. I have been guilty of this fiasco too. This flaw seems to be common among Hispanics in my experience and it seems to be a Cultural Dialectic which I have been i...

Juan Guevara Foundations of Intercultural Communications A big part of studying intercultural communications is getting to know your own cultural background. Although you begin studying other’s cultures, you also begin to understand your own and the many intricacies which all these cultures play on one another. For example, after studying IC, you become aware of ethnocentrism ; the tendency to think that our own culture is superior to others (Martin 2018, pg. 4). This could come in many forms such as believing doing a task another way might be “weird” or “wrong” when in fact there is no wrong way of doing said task. With diversity , we can expand our thinking and method of doing things (Martin 2018, pg. 8). There is value in the differences we share. Once we see and try another approach, we could potentially find more efficient ways of doing things. Think about it like this; every civilization may have invented the wheel, but how, with what material. By seeing and trying other w...

Juan Guevara Culture Communication and Conflict Both my parents are from Mexico. They came to the U.S. looking for work and realizing the potential for a good life, decided to become permanent residents and raise their family here. I grew up speaking Spanish and learned English as a second language. It wasn’t until later in life that I realized there was a communication difference between the two languages. One good example was how conflict (Martin, 2018, p. 443) was dealt with. In Spanish, I realized this arena was very blunt, direct. Expressing yourself was, is, more candidly. I did not realize the difference until I was an adult, realizing the difference and looking back, I can’t help but feel embarrassed. I realized there were many times I was incompatible (Martin, 2018, p. 443) with others. Luckily, with time, I did realize this. I was able to switch gears with the language I spoke. However, it wasn’t all filled with mistakes. I have been told I speak well. I do not fear ...

Juan Guevara Chapter 10  Intercultural Relationships; the term seems odd. When I think of Intercultural relationships, I think of an intimate relationship between two people of different cultures. Sure, it can be friends too, and that would also come with all the complexities; however, in an intimate relationship, it seems these differences are beyond profound. They are processed and felt deeply. I’ll discuss the benefits and the challenges as I saw them in my relationship with my wife, Jacque. These are by no means all the benefits or challenges I saw or experienced but just some of them. Benefits: I met my wife when we were both 16 years old. We met while working at none other than Round Table Pizza. I was a cocky, reckless, and stubborn kid and she was a carefree, happy-go-lucky, girl. In many ways, I don’t know how we got together. In addition to our different personalities, we also had a different cultural background. I know it does not seem that long ago but ...