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Intercultural Conversation

Eunice

Intercultural Conversation

When reflecting on my interview with my Chinese interview partner, I learned several similarities between my Yoruban and Chinese cultures. Communication practices and other aspects evidence these similarities. The first area where there is a similarity is respect for elders (Marsiglia et al., 2021). In both cultures, elders are crucial in people’s lives and the community’s culture. Most importantly, elders are greatly revered; in most cases, the other community members depend on them for wisdom and advice. Respect for elders is also seen in how the younger generation treats them by caring for them in their old age. In both cultures, it is common for multiple generations to live together, and decisions are made with elders’ approval.

There is also a similarity in communication practices in these two cultures. Among the Yoruba community, direct communication is considered aggressive, and it is often avoided because the community believes it is one way to maintain harmony. Indirect communication is frequently used when discussing sensitive things (Marsiglia et al., 2021). People rarely contradict the elders, and if one disagrees with them, they express their displeasure through respectful or subtle language. The same is true in Chinese culture, where being too direct is considered wrong, and communication is often filled with nuance to avoid offending elders and others. Direct and indirect communication is also aligned with eye contact. Direct eye contact for seniors is considered disrespectful in both cultures.

Another similarity from the interview is the value given to family in both cultures. Among the Yoruba community, the family is essential, and it is considered a part of the larger community. Every person in the community contributes to the stability and well-being of the family (Marsiglia et al., 2021). It is, therefore, not uncommon to find people living with extended family members. Also, family ceremonies like birth, marriage, and even death are held by the entire community and are not private. The Chinese also emphasize the importance of family. Working together as families and living together as an extended family is expected. The Chinese emphasize collectivism over individualism, which strongly indicates their perception of the importance of a family. Therefore, family is central in both communities, and common ceremonies like the Chinese bring them together, such as the Lunar New Year Festival, and the Yoruba have the “Eyo Festival,” which unite custom, family, and community.

Food, music, and traditions are other areas that have similarities. The Yoruba of Nigeria considers food an essential part of social gatherings, and certain dishes are prepared specially for specific festivals. Pounded yams and egusi soup are some of the traditional foods that must be eaten during festivities. The same is seen in Chinese culture, where meals unite the community, and food is shared communally. Music, on the other hand, is also part of their traditions, thus showing the element of similarity in diversity (Marsiglia et al., 2021). Among the Yoruba, traditional music must be featured in festivals. That happens even today when some people have acquired Western behaviors. Playing music using traditional instruments like talking drums and bata is common during ceremonies. The Chinese also have their musical instrument and musical genres in their ceremonies. Instruments like guzheng and erhu are used to preserve history and express emotions.

References

Marsiglia, F. F., Kulis, S. S., & Lechuga-Peña, S. (2021). Diversity, oppression, and change:           Culturally grounded social work.  Oxford University Press.

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Question 

Readings: 

The first step in completing this assignment is to interview one person who belongs to a cultural group different from your own. Your task in the interview is to talk with your interview partner about communication in their culture, and how it is similar and/or different from your own. You will then use the results of the interviews to analyze how your own cultural communication practices compare with those of your interview partners.

Since the content for these main points will come from your interview, it is important that you:

  1. construct your interview questions carefully,
  2. ask your partner to elaborate on various points, and
  3. use paraphrasing and effective listening to ensure clarification and understanding.

Keep in mind the quality of your paper will directly depend on the quality of your interviews, so plan and prepare them carefully.

This assignment is a reflection paper to be no more than two pages.

Intercultural Conversation

Intercultural Conversation

Students:
Here are a few cultural conversation starter questions. You do not have to answer all of them. This information is simply provided to give you an idea of what you may ask to begin your conversation.

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