Ch 2

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 influenced by. This strong emotional response can also lead to very colorful communication at dinner tables and holidays.

Personal-Contextual Dialectic:
I’m going to try to tie the two dialectics; Although I was vulnerable in the past to be too prideful, I eventually realized this was harmful to our family. Over time, unknowingly, I applied my personal contextual dialectic, which “involves the role of the context in a relationship,” (Martin 2018, pg. 72). The role was being the second oldest sibling. I have two brothers, an older and a younger and a younger sister. Caring more about my family than petty arguments, I feel that I accomplished minimizing this obstacle. Rather than invest more in a difference, I state my opinion and allow others to state theirs, without interruption or rebuttal. This change has led to fewer and fewer arguments among the siblings; now, the older generations? that's a different story.

Martin, J. (2018). Intercultural Communication in Contexts (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.







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