The cultural approach in intercultural communication emphasizes the meaningful engagement and interaction between individuals from different cultural backgrounds. Based on definitions of an intercultural approach, it is where people of different cultures have engaging interactions with each other.
This approach moves beyond simply recognizing cultural differences; it focuses on actively participating and connecting across cultural lines.
Key Elements of the Cultural Approach
The cultural approach in intercultural communication centers on building bridges through interaction. Core components derived from understanding this approach include:
- Engaging Interactions: This is the fundamental action. It means people from different cultures actively participate in dialogue and activities together, rather than just coexisting. These interactions are lively, involved, and aim for genuine connection.
- Developing Strong Relationships: Through these engaging interactions, the goal is to foster robust, lasting connections between individuals from diverse cultures. These relationships are built on a foundation of trust and mutual effort.
- Sharing Ideas and Values: A crucial part of building relationships is the exchange of thoughts, beliefs, and core principles. This sharing helps individuals understand different worldviews, find common ground, and appreciate the diversity of human experience.
- Mutual Respect and Understanding: This is the essential attitude underpinning the cultural approach. It requires individuals to show high regard for other cultures and to make a genuine effort to comprehend different perspectives, norms, and communication styles.
Practical Insights & Examples
Applying the cultural approach involves specific actions and attitudes:
- For Engaging Interactions:
- Actively listen when someone from a different culture speaks, focusing on understanding their meaning within their cultural context.
- Be open to participating in cultural exchange events, like trying new foods or attending cultural festivals.
- Ask thoughtful questions about cultural practices without making assumptions or judgments.
- For Developing Strong Relationships:
- Invest time in getting to know individuals from other cultures on a personal level.
- Be patient with communication challenges and work collaboratively to overcome them.
- Find shared interests or goals that can serve as a basis for connection despite cultural differences.
- For Sharing Ideas and Values:
- Be willing to articulate your own cultural perspectives and listen openly to others share theirs.
- Discuss how cultural values might influence perspectives on topics like time, hierarchy, or personal space.
- Identify universal human values (e.g., kindness, family importance) that can create solidarity.
- For Mutual Respect and Understanding:
- Challenge your own biases and stereotypes about other cultures.
- Educate yourself about the history, customs, and social norms of cultures you interact with.
- Acknowledge and validate the experiences of others, recognizing that their reality may be shaped differently by their cultural background.
In essence, the cultural approach in intercultural communication is a dynamic process of connecting, sharing, and building respectful relationships across cultural divides. It prioritizes interaction and mutual understanding as the pathway to effective cross-cultural engagement.
