4.1 Overview of culture
As with communication, culture has been defined in many and various ways. For example:
'Culture is communication and communication is culture.' (Hall 1959)
The total pattern of human behaviour and its products embodied in thought, speech, actions and artefacts and dependent on man's capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations through the use of tools, language, and systems of abstract thought. ( Webster's Third New International Dictionary )
'Culture is acquired knowledge that people use to interpret experience and generate social behaviour.' (Hodgetts & Luthans 1997)
'Culture is learned social behaviours that develop over time.' (Dwyer 2005, p.32)
Again, as was the case with communication, the variety of definitions in this sample reflects the complex nature of culture (see Dwyer 2005, pages 32-33 for more definitions). However, despite this complexity learned behaviour, communication and intercultural communication are processes that can be developed and improved.
In developing and improving communication competence within and between cultures it is important to realise that people with whom we communicate influence our communication and we influence theirs. Communication is a shared, mutual process: always be open to new ideas and be ready to share your own. Enjoy the experience of learning!
Activity 4a
Complete the following quiz. How much do you know about other cultures?
1. In which country would the majority of people celebrate Ramadan (a month of fasting)?
a. Saudi Arabia
b. India
c. Singapore
d. Korea
e. All of the above
2. On first meeting your prospective Korean business partner, Lo Kim Chee, it would be best to address him as:
a. Mr Kim
b. Mr Lo
c. Mr Chee
d. Mate
e. Any of the above are readily accepted
3. In Brazil , your promotional material should be translated into what language?
a. French
b. Italian
c. Spanish
d. No need to translate it
e. None of the above
4. In Japan it is important to:
a. Present your business card only after you have developed a relationship with your Japanese host
b. Present your business card with both hands
c. Put your company name on the card, but never your position or title
d. All of the above
e. None of the above
5. Which one of the following sports is the most popular worldwide?
a. Basketball
b. Baseball
c. Tennis
d. Football (Soccer)
e. Golf
6. For a business person, touching a foreign business person would be least acceptable in which one of the following countries?
a. Japan
b. Italy
c. Slovenia
d. Venezuela
e. France
7. Which of the following would be an appropriate gift?
a. A clock in China
b. A bottle of liquor in Egypt
c. A set of knives in Argentina
d. A banquet in China
e. None of the above would be appropriate
8. Which one of the following countries has the most rigid social hierarchy?
a. United Kingdom
b. United States
c. Japan
d. India
e. Germany
9. Traditional western banking is difficult in which one of the following countries because their law forbids both the giving and taking of interest payments?
a. Brazil
b. Saudi Arabia
c. Mongolia
d. India
e. Greece
10. The capital of Canada is:
a. Toronto
b. Ottawa
c. Vancouver
d. Ontario
e. Montreal
Answers: 1a; 2b; 3e (Portuguese); 4b; 5d; 6a; 7d; 8d; 9b; 10b
Source: Robbins, S., Bergman, R. & Stagg, I. 1997, Management , Prentice Hall, Sydney , Australia .
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