4 Properties of communication
‘Culture is communication and communication is culture’
The study of intercultural communication is not about theorising about how culture affects an individual’s or a group’s mindset – rather, it involves the critical evaluation of how people’s behaviour is affected by dominant norms and values in their environment. The way you behave communicates meaning to others, whether you intend it to or not, and the following activities are meant to draw your attention to the processes and the many different styles of human communication.
Activity 5
In this activity, you can see nine different attempts by scholars to define communication. None of these definitions are complete: they all address a different aspect of human communication. Below you can also find nine different properties of communication, and nine different quotes by scholars. You can find all of them in Jane Jackson’s Introducing language and intercultural communication (2014, p. 74–75). Read through all of the definitions and drag and drop the appropriate name for communication properties next to the definitions.
Process
Communication is ‘a symbolic process whereby reality is produced, maintained, repaired, and transformed’ (Carey, 1989).
Dynamic
‘Communication is the process by which we understand others and in turn endeavour to be understood by them. It is constantly changing and shifting in response to the total situation’ (Anderson, 1959).
Interactive/transactive
Communication is ‘the process by which individuals try to exchange ideas, feelings, symbols, meanings to create commonality’ (Schmidt et al., 2007).
Symbolic
The words we speak or the gestures we make have no inherent meaning. Rather, they gain their significance from an agreed-upon meaning. When we use symbols to communicate, we assume that the other person shares our symbol system . . . these symbolic meanings are conveyed both verbally and nonverbally’ (Martin and Nakayama, 2010).
Intentional and unintentional
‘Unintentional messages are not purposeful but may be transmitted by action as well as by words’ (Tubbs, 2009).
Situated and contextual
‘Communication is dependent on the context in which it occurs’ (Neuliep, 2012).
Pervasive
‘If two humans come together it is virtually inevitable that they will communicate something to each other . . . even if they do not speak, messages will pass between them. By their looks, expressions and body movement each will tell the other something, even if it is only, “I don’t wish to know you: keep your distance”; “I assure you the feeling is mutual. I’ll keep clear if you do”’ (Argyle and Trower, 1979).
Power-infused
‘Communication is the mechanism by which power is exerted’ (Schacter, 1951).
Cultural
‘Every cultural practice is a communicative event’ (Kress, 1988).
Using the following two lists, match each numbered item with the correct letter.
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Process
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Dynamic
-
Interactive/transactive
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Symbolic
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Intentional and unintentional
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Situated and contextual
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Pervasive
-
Power-infused
-
Cultural
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Communication is ‘a symbolic process whereby reality is produced, maintained, repaired, and transformed’ (Carey, 1989).
-
‘Communication is the process by which we understand others and in turn endeavour to be understood by them. It is constantly changing and shifting in response to the total situation’ (Anderson, 1959).
-
Communication is ‘the process by which individuals try to exchange ideas, feelings, symbols, meanings to create commonality’ (Schmidt et al., 2007).
-
The words we speak or the gestures we make have no inherent meaning. Rather, they gain their significance from an agreed-upon meaning. When we use symbols to communicate, we assume that the other person shares our symbol system . . . these symbolic meanings are conveyed both verbally and nonverbally’ (Martin and Nakayama, 2010).
-
‘Unintentional messages are not purposeful but may be transmitted by action as well as by words’ (Tubbs, 2009).
-
‘Communication is dependent on the context in which it occurs’ (Neuliep, 2012).
-
‘If two humans come together it is virtually inevitable that they will communicate something to each other . . . even if they do not speak, messages will pass between them. By their looks, expressions and body movement each will tell the other something, even if it is only, “I don’t wish to know you: keep your distance”; “I assure you the feeling is mutual. I’ll keep clear if you do”’ (Argyle and Trower, 1979).
-
‘Communication is the mechanism by which power is exerted’ (Schacter, 1951).
-
‘Every cultural practice is a communicative event’ (Kress, 1988).
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OpenLearn - An introduction to intercultural competence in the workplace
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