Intercultural Communication Essay

Interaction between individuals with various ancestries and cultural identities is referred to as intercultural communication. The majority of communication happens when a member of the community imparts knowledge for another person from a different culture to synthesize. People interacted with counterparts from other civilizations on several occasions. The interactions’ most significant historical moments occurred during trade, religious travel, and battle. Due to the development of culture and people’s interdependence in modern society, more intercultural concerns have also garnered significant attention (Scollon, 2011). The development of self-awareness in many societies depends on the study of cross-cultural dialogue. The connection between people from different cultures is affected by the political and historical environments where it happens. Advancements in technology have tremendously boosted intercultural communication between people.

Technology has made meetings possible. The development of transport networks has contributed significantly to the interaction between people. Airplanes, cars, and ships have made the other parts of the world more accessible. A person from North America can go to Asia where he or she meets people with a different culture (Ting-Toomey and Chung, 2005). In that case, the traveler will have learned some aspects of the foreign culture and vice versa.

Development of advanced communications like the internet has made the world a “Global Village” (Scollon, 2011). The communication networks have boosted the social relationship between people from different areas. Social websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp among others have significantly contributed to this interaction.

Through technology, people get information about others and their cultures throughout the world. The access to information creates a better understanding of each other’s culture.

On the other hand, continuous interaction between people from the same culture makes them develop a feeling of appreciation towards it. When a child grows up in a given culture, it is only reasonable that he or she gets acquited to that way of life (Scollon, 2011). The continous practice of the aspect of the culture makes it part of the child as he or she grows up.

In conclusion, technology has dramatically contributed to intercultural communication. People from different cultures have got an opportunity of understanding and appreciating each other.

References

Scollon, R., Scollon, S. W., & Jones, R. H. (2011). Intercultural communication: A discourse approach. John Wiley & Sons.

Ting-Toomey, S., & Chung, L. C. (2005). Understanding intercultural communication. New York: Oxford University Press.