The International Communication Gazette
COPYRIGHT © 2006 SAGE PUBLICATIONS
http://gaz.sagepub.com
NEW FORMS OF INTERCULTURAL
COMMUNICATION IN A GLOBALIZED
WORLD
Claudio Baraldi
In this article communication is considered to be the basic concept in explaining globalization.In the last decade of this century, a transcultural form of communication based on dialogue was proposed as a basis for cross-cultural adaptation, a creation of multicultural identities and a construction of a hybrid multicultural society. However, this transcultural form creates paradoxes and difficulties in intercultural communication, mixing the preservation of cultural difference with the search for synthesis. Consequently, a new form of intercultural dialogue, dealing with incommensurable differences and managing conflicts, is needed to create coordination among different cultural perspectives.
This article shows that globalization can be explained only through a communication theory that legitimizes its cultural interpretation. So globalization is considered as a process creating interdependence among societies and cultures that were previously separated.
The cultural perspective emphasizes the problematic connection between cultural innovation and the conservation of cultural traditions. Globalization means openness to cultural change and creates new opportunities for dialogue, but it also threatens the survival of cultural traditions. But glocalization is the relationship between global cultures and local cultures. So glocalization has an intercultural meaning and is created through communication. In other words, glocalization is a product of intercultural communication. Glocalization is the result of a systematic intercultural communication, involving participants socialized in differently structured societies. It is produced by a communicative confrontation between specific cultural forms of differently structured societies.
Then this article talks about ethnocentrism especially modernist one and its position in intercultural communication. I myself consider also ethnocentrism as a danger to world wide society based on communication becase "it is the tendency to refer exclusively to one's own cultural values, even if engaged with others who may not share those values."[1]
At present, in the functionally differentiated society, a particular sensitivity to cultural diversity seems to be spreading. It is emerging as this diversity seems to threaten pluralism, individualism and modernism. In particular, a new way of thinking known as cross-cultural adaptation is emerging which considers different cultures as open systems in reciprocal relationship.
Dialogue is the cultural form supposed to abolish ethnocentric boundaries and create cross-cultural adaptation. Dialogue defines the conditions of openness, exchange between cultural forms and meeting among cultures, permitting the joint creation of new cultural symbols. Dialogue is based on two communicative conditions: (1) equal distribution of opportunities for active participation in communication; and (2) empathy that is competence in assuming another’s perspective, integrating listening and understanding, interest in expression and sensitivity to the needs of others. Dialogue is supposed to produce a co-created cultural contract different cultures express themselves together in communication, appreciating each other.
To my view, what is called glocalization could be considered as plurality of globalizations that is against unification and absolute homogenization. So in this context intercultural communication finds its own importance. Glocalization has given us the chances of taking active roles in its context yet I still believe on the fair distribution of opportunities too. Yet the hardware characteristics of globalization besides its software have given every culture the chance to appear in globalized world according to its potentiality and its acceptance by others. Still what we need is communication to let other cultures take their active role.
COPYRIGHT © 2006 SAGE PUBLICATIONS
http://gaz.sagepub.com
NEW FORMS OF INTERCULTURAL
COMMUNICATION IN A GLOBALIZED
WORLD
Claudio Baraldi
In this article communication is considered to be the basic concept in explaining globalization.In the last decade of this century, a transcultural form of communication based on dialogue was proposed as a basis for cross-cultural adaptation, a creation of multicultural identities and a construction of a hybrid multicultural society. However, this transcultural form creates paradoxes and difficulties in intercultural communication, mixing the preservation of cultural difference with the search for synthesis. Consequently, a new form of intercultural dialogue, dealing with incommensurable differences and managing conflicts, is needed to create coordination among different cultural perspectives.
This article shows that globalization can be explained only through a communication theory that legitimizes its cultural interpretation. So globalization is considered as a process creating interdependence among societies and cultures that were previously separated.
The cultural perspective emphasizes the problematic connection between cultural innovation and the conservation of cultural traditions. Globalization means openness to cultural change and creates new opportunities for dialogue, but it also threatens the survival of cultural traditions. But glocalization is the relationship between global cultures and local cultures. So glocalization has an intercultural meaning and is created through communication. In other words, glocalization is a product of intercultural communication. Glocalization is the result of a systematic intercultural communication, involving participants socialized in differently structured societies. It is produced by a communicative confrontation between specific cultural forms of differently structured societies.
Then this article talks about ethnocentrism especially modernist one and its position in intercultural communication. I myself consider also ethnocentrism as a danger to world wide society based on communication becase "it is the tendency to refer exclusively to one's own cultural values, even if engaged with others who may not share those values."[1]
At present, in the functionally differentiated society, a particular sensitivity to cultural diversity seems to be spreading. It is emerging as this diversity seems to threaten pluralism, individualism and modernism. In particular, a new way of thinking known as cross-cultural adaptation is emerging which considers different cultures as open systems in reciprocal relationship.
Dialogue is the cultural form supposed to abolish ethnocentric boundaries and create cross-cultural adaptation. Dialogue defines the conditions of openness, exchange between cultural forms and meeting among cultures, permitting the joint creation of new cultural symbols. Dialogue is based on two communicative conditions: (1) equal distribution of opportunities for active participation in communication; and (2) empathy that is competence in assuming another’s perspective, integrating listening and understanding, interest in expression and sensitivity to the needs of others. Dialogue is supposed to produce a co-created cultural contract different cultures express themselves together in communication, appreciating each other.
To my view, what is called glocalization could be considered as plurality of globalizations that is against unification and absolute homogenization. So in this context intercultural communication finds its own importance. Glocalization has given us the chances of taking active roles in its context yet I still believe on the fair distribution of opportunities too. Yet the hardware characteristics of globalization besides its software have given every culture the chance to appear in globalized world according to its potentiality and its acceptance by others. Still what we need is communication to let other cultures take their active role.
My own suggestion is that our Iranian culture has got lots of potentiality on which we can rely to have intercultural communication with other cultures. To prove it let me give you the case of Iranian poet Jalaluddin Mowlan known as Rumi in all parts of U.S. The translation of his poems sold around 500/000 copies in the year of 2001 and it is a considerable case of our potentiality or better to say our power to show our powerful culture in global age. So we should have more investments on components of our culture especially on Iranian literature.
My next post will be on the potentiality of Iranian culture by going through the case of Rumi and criticizing some parts of the novel "Without My Daughter" by Betty Mahmoodi, which has given a dark image of Iranian culture.
[1] -Edgar A. (1999). Key Concepts in Cultural Theory, London, Sage Publications.
My next post will be on the potentiality of Iranian culture by going through the case of Rumi and criticizing some parts of the novel "Without My Daughter" by Betty Mahmoodi, which has given a dark image of Iranian culture.
[1] -Edgar A. (1999). Key Concepts in Cultural Theory, London, Sage Publications.
