Analysis and characteristics of intercultural communication. Intercultural communication

The concept of intercultural communication, its varieties. Accounting for intercultural features at the level of verbal and non-verbal communication, as well as at the level of customs and traditions.

The concept of business culture. Classification of models of business cultures (Hofstede, Hall).

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION,communication, in the face of significant culturally determined differences in the communicative competence of its participants, that these differences significantly affect the success or failure of a communicative event. The term communicative competence refers to knowledge of the symbolic systems used in communication and the rules for their functioning, and principles of communicative interaction. Intercultural communication is characterized by the fact that it participants in direct contact use special language variants and discursive strategies that are different from those they use when communicating within the same culture. The often used term "cross-cultural communication" usually refers to the study of some particular phenomenon in two or more cultures and has the additional meaning of comparing the communicative competence of communicating members of different cultures.

Intercultural communication- communication between representatives of different human cultures (personal contacts between people, less often - mediated forms of communication (such as writing) and mass communication). Features of intercultural communication are studied at the interdisciplinary level and within the framework of such sciences as cultural studies, psychology, linguistics, ethnology, anthropology, sociology, each of which uses its own approaches to their study.

It is believed that this concept was introduced in the 1950s by the American cultural anthropologist Edward T. Hall as part of the program he developed for the US State Department on the adaptation of American diplomats and businessmen in other countries ...

Initially, the so-called intercultural communication was used to describe intercultural communication. classic understanding of culture like more or less a stable system of conscious and unconscious rules, norms, values, structures, artifacts - national or ethnic culture.

At present, the so-called. dynamic understanding of culture as a way of life and a system of behavior, norms, values, etc. of any social group (for example, urban culture, culture of generations, culture of the organization). Dynamic concept of culture does not imply a strict stability of the cultural system; to a certain extent, it can change and be modified depending on the social situation.

As a scientific discipline, intercultural communication is in its infancy and is distinguished by two characteristic features: applied character (the goal is to facilitate communication between representatives of different cultures, reduce conflict potential) and interdisciplinarity.

Research on intercultural communication has recently become increasingly important due to the processes of globalization and intensive migration.

Types of communications:

1. By the number of participants and distant relations between them:

a. interpersonal (2 people, family) - the minimum number of participants, close relationships. The nature of development is the narrowing or expansion of the distance.

b. intergroup / intragroup - the distance is greater, as is the number of participants

c. professional (in business)

d. mass (through an intermediary - the media, television)

e. intercultural (between different cultures, includes all of the above)

2. With a functional approach:

a. informative

b. affective-evaluative (feelings, opinions)

c. recreational (information for recreation, in a playful way)

d. persuasive (between people of different statuses, ideological attitudes)

e. ritual (various traditions, customs)

3. By language use:

a. verbal

b. non-verbal

3. Functions of non-verbal communication 1. non-verbal communication complements verbal 2. non-verbal communication contradicts verbal 3. non-verbal communication replaces verbal 4. non-verbal communication serves as a regulator of verbal

Non-verbal means of communication : 1. kinesics (facial expressions, gaze, gestures, posture) 2. prosodic (voice and intonation means) 3. takesika (touch) 4. sensory (sensory perception, manifestation of sensations) 5. proxemics (spatial structure of communication) 6. chronemics ( temporal structure of communication)

Basic concepts

Japanese scientist Matsumoto: “In the field of social psychology and communication, the term interpersonal communication usually refers to communication that occurs between people who come from the same cultural environment; in this sense it is synonymous with the term intracultural communication. A.P. Sadokhin’s definition of intercultural communication: “Intercultural communication is a set of various forms of relations and communication between individuals and groups belonging to different cultures.” The term culture is of Latin origin and it appeared in the era of Roman antiquity. This word comes from the verb "solere", which meant "cultivation", "processing, care". In this sense, it was used by the Roman politician Mark Porcius Cato (234-149 BC), who wrote the treatise De agri cultura. The starting point in the formation of scientific ideas about culture is considered to be the treatise "Tusculan Conversations" by the Roman orator and philosopher Mark Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC), who used this agronomic term metaphorically, i.e. in a different, figurative sense.

Greetings in a number of countries have a national coloring. Handshakes are the main form of greeting. But in some countries it is not customary to shake hands with women, so wait until the woman herself extends her hand to you. Kisses on the cheek are common in France and the Mediterranean countries, and hugs are common in Latin America. Two palms pressed to each other in front of the chest is an Indian national greeting.

· About the attitude to people of other age. Everywhere you need to show respect for elders. They should be the first ones to start the conversation. When older people enter the room, stand up.

· General advice when eating unfamiliar food - eat what is offered to you and do not ask what it is. Cut your portion into small pieces - so it will easily get into your stomach.

· In many countries, business is influenced by religion - on the daily routine and working months and days. Learn more about the religion of a given country, but do not enter into discussions on such topics. Know and remember that Buddhist images are sacred: you can not step on the threshold in Thailand - good spirits live under it; never distract a person facing Mecca; without permission, do not take pictures or touch religious attributes with your hands.

· Everywhere you must have a business card with you, which indicates: the name of your organization, your position, titles. Abbreviations should not be used. In Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East, always hold out your business card with your right hand. In Japan, it is served with two hands, with the correct side towards the partner.

· Beware of using familiar gestures, say `V` (sign of victory). In other countries, they may have a completely different, not always decent, meaning.

The strong features of the German national character are well known: diligence, diligence, punctuality, rationality, frugality, organization, pedantry, seriousness, prudence, striving for orderliness.

Term "intercultural communication» implies interaction between representatives of different ages, nationalities, cultures, religions, etc. This is the process of exchanging the cultural characteristics of different nationalities through verbal and non-verbal language.

Business culture model proposed G. Hofsteed, includes the following indicators:

· power distance(low to high) - the degree to which people who do not have power or have little power agree that power in society is distributed unevenly;

· collectivism - individualism. Individualism characterizes a society in which the connection between individuals is insignificant: it is assumed that in the first place everyone takes care of himself and his family; collectivism characterizes a society in which people from birth grow and develop in strong, close-knit groups; these groups care for and protect "their own" throughout their lives in exchange for unconditional loyalty;

· femininity - masculinity. Masculinity is a characteristic feature of a society in which the gender roles of men and women are clearly separated, that is, men are tough, aggressive, focused on material success and victory in the external environment, and women are modest, gentle and focused on ensuring the quality of life and moral comfort in the family; femininity is a characteristic feature of a society in which the difference in gender roles is not significant, men and women can be equally focused on material success and on ensuring the quality of life;

· uncertainty avoidance(from weak to strong) - the degree of discomfort, anxiety, fear experienced by people belonging to a given society in front of unknown or uncertain circumstances.

The essential advantage of the Hofsteed model is that the poles of each characteristic are described in detail, and the characteristics themselves are expressed in numerical terms. This makes it possible to establish the degree of difference between the business cultures of countries and regions, to predict the areas of possible problems in the interaction of businessmen or managers of these countries.

E. Hall distinguishes, in turn, the following cultures:

1)))monochronous(cultures of the USA and the countries of Northern Europe.). In each certain period of time, people are busy with one thing, they strictly follow plans and schedules, agreements in order to avoid wasting time. Punctuality is important to them. This low context cultures: whenever people enter into communication, they need detailed information about everything that is happening. These are Societies where there are practically no informal information networks. These cultures are less homogeneous, interpersonal contacts are strictly separated in them, representatives of these cultures do not mix personal relationships with work and other aspects of everyday life..

These are cultures in which most information is contained in words, people openly express their desires and intentions, not assuming that this can be understood from the situation of communication. At the same time, the greatest importance is attached to speech, as well as the discussion of details.

2))) polychronic(Countries of Southern Europe, Latin America, Middle East). People do several things at the same time, and relationships between people are more important for them than plans and schedules. These are high-contextual cultures (they change little over time, therefore, when interacting with the outside world, the same stimulus causes the same reaction. These are cultures in which much is determined by the hierarchy and status, the external Sid of the premises, their location and placement. In such cultures use a lot of hints, hidden meanings, figurative expressions, etc.

The role of non-verbal communication in intercultural communication:

1. The same gesture can have completely different meanings in different cultures.

2. A gesture may mean nothing and make no sense to the person who sees it.

3. The gesture has practically the same meaning in different cultures, and its interpretation rarely causes problems in intercultural communication.

Time.

If Western culture clearly measures time and being late, for example, is considered a fault (remember "Accuracy is the courtesy of kings"), then among the Arabs, in Latin America and in some Asian countries, being late will not surprise anyone. Moreover, if you want to be dealt with seriously enough, you need to spend some time on random (ritual) conversations. Not only that, you shouldn't be hasty, as a cultural conflict may arise: "Arabs see drinking coffee and talking as 'doing something', while Americans see it as a waste of time." Accordingly, the Arabs view exact dates as a personal insult. Or the fiops look at what is being done for a long time as a very prestigious business: the longer, the better, respectively.

Space.

Hispanic and European in a normal setting talk at different distances. Now try putting them side by side. As the Latin American tries to be at his usual distance, the European may have a feeling of intrusion into his personal space. He immediately tries to move away. In response, the Latin American will try to approach again, which from the point of view of the European will be perceived as a manifestation of aggression.

An American, going out into the yard in Latin America, feels walled up, because in his homeland there is not even a fence in the yards.

George Bush and M. Gorbachev met in 1989 not on anyone's territory, but on warships located near Malta, which introduced a certain emancipation in relations, each was outside the usual environment and regardless of the conventions of one side or another.

Accordingly, different cultures use different non-verbal communication. For example, within the "black" culture of America, it is considered rude to look a teacher straight in the eye. There are also various options for showing resentment: a special gait, a special eye movement. At the same time, a person of a different culture will not even notice it.

Different views among different peoples and on hierarchical relationships. China and Japan have a lot of respect for them, while the Americans strive to demonstrate equality. By the way, American regulations even require that Americans take pictures with Asians only while sitting, so that their dominance in height is not visible.

Western businessmen try to conduct their negotiations in confidential atmosphere, Tet-a-tet. In Arab culture, other people are present in the room, and at your request to speak in a different setting, the Arab will only bring his head closer to you. Contradictions of such different views can easily lead to conflict.

There is also a difference in views on values. One can give such an example. You are sailing on a ship with your wife, child and mother. The ship began to sink. You can only help one person. Who will it be? In Western culture, 60% will save the child, 40% the wife. And no one will save the mother. In Eastern culture, 100% will save their mother. This is because it is believed: you will always have the opportunity to marry again, have children again, but you will never have another mother. By the way, the Ukrainian address to the mother with "you" also probably has a special origin.

Different cultures have different rules for exchanging information. A representative of an oriental culture, which is more closed, can take a long time to make a decision, as, for example, the Japanese or Chinese do. The Japanese, by the way, have another curious feature that often misleads many businessmen, they basically cannot say categorically "no". Carefully inventing all sorts of courteous phrases, they will try not to even object.

The concept of business culture. Classification of models of business cultures (Hofstede, Hall).

Intercultural communication- interaction of representatives of different cultures.

It is believed that this concept was introduced in the 1950s by the American cultural anthropologist Edward T. Hall.

Sociologists distinguish several types:

Acculturation (the mutual influence of cultures, during which, in whole or in part, one culture perceives the traditions and norms of another culture).

Cultural expansion (spread of culture beyond the boundaries of one's residence).

Cultural diffusion (interpenetration of cultures with the exchange of traditions and norms).

Cultural conflict (clash of subjects of cultures).

Considered in three aspects:

Verbal

Non-verbal

Norms, traditions

Verbal aspect

Linguists - Sapir, Whorf developed the hypothesis of linguistic relativity (people who speak different languages think differently).

Necessary:

Language proficiency

Build simple sentences (if you don't know the language)

Avoid using proverbs, sayings of your people

Carefully use your national humor

Every culture has its coded phrases

Non-verbal aspect

Facial expression rules:

Exaggeration of feelings is characteristic of many peoples

Deintensification (restrained expression of emotions). Scandinavia, Japan.

Contextual ban on the expression of emotions (ex: boys do not cry)

Disguising one emotion with another (Ex: the Japanese smile when they are angry).

Haptics: distant; contact

The role of non-verbal communication in intercultural communication:

1. The same gesture can have completely different meanings in different cultures.

2. A gesture may mean nothing and make no sense to the person who sees it.

3. The gesture has practically the same meaning in different cultures, and its interpretation rarely causes problems in intercultural communication.

Norms, customs, traditions. When visiting other countries on a business trip, one should take into account their cultural characteristics. Clothing standards. Traditional holidays, rest time, attitude towards gifts, etc.

Time. If Western culture clearly measures time and being late, for example, is considered a fault, then among the Arabs, in Latin America and in some Asian countries, being late will not surprise anyone. Moreover, if you want to be dealt with seriously enough, you need to spend some time on random (ritual) conversations. Not only that, you shouldn't be hasty, as there may be a cultural conflict: "Arabs see drinking coffee and talking as 'doing something', while Americans see it as a waste of time." Accordingly, the Arabs view exact dates as a personal insult. Or the fiops look at what is being done for a long time as a very prestigious business: the longer, the better, respectively.

Space. Hispanic and European in a normal setting talk at different distances. Now try putting them side by side. As the Latin American tries to be at his usual distance, the European may have a feeling of intrusion into his personal space.

Western businessmen try to conduct their negotiations in confidential atmosphere, Tet-a-tet. In Arab culture, there are other people in the room, and when you ask to speak in a different setting, an Arab will only bring his head closer to you. Contradictions of such different views can easily lead to conflict.

business culture is associated with a broad conceptual base, including people's beliefs, their relationships with each other and with the external environment. It rests on the psychology of the formation of practical experience, representing the value orientations of this experience.

Business culture is designed to reflect the company's attitude towards legality, personality, product quality, finance and production obligations, openness and reliability of business information.

This should be embodied in a set of rules, traditions, rituals and symbols that are constantly supplemented and improved.

Business culture is influenced by national culture

It is often the features and characteristics of the national culture that provide the key to understanding the characteristics of certain elements of business culture that distinguish the activities of certain companies.

Hofstede did research on different cultures in the 50s.

Options:

power distance - the level of inequality, which in a given society is perceived as the norm

High

For low - democratic style of management. Adults and children - mutual respect and equality. The ideal leader is a competent democrat. Privileges are role-based.

femininity - masculinity.

Masculinity (masculinity) is understood as a commitment to material success, records, perseverance in achieving goals, heroism.

Priority work, material success

At school, focus on the best

In public life - for competitiveness, forceful methods of solving problems

Femininity (femininity) implies an orientation towards building even relationships, a tendency to compromise, the desire for harmony and comfort in life.

Home and family values are important

Middle school orientation

In public life - on the ability to reach consensus

degree of uncertainty:

High

Uncertainty avoidance - the degree of uncertainty that a given society perceives as normal

Low cultures tend to take calculated risk. Framework agreements are typical (everything that is not prohibited is allowed). USA, UK, Scandinavian countries.

High - anxious about uncertainty. Emotional willingness to take risks. Characterized by the development of detailed regulations, instructions, rules, a low level of mobility. Germany, Russia (partially)

The essential advantage of the Hofstede model is that the poles of each characteristic are described in detail, and the characteristics themselves are expressed in numerical terms. This makes it possible to establish the degree of difference between the business cultures of countries and regions, to predict the areas of possible problems in the interaction of businessmen or managers of these countries.

E. Hall distinguished types of crops:

+ high-context. The social context plays an important role. A person is evaluated depending on external factors (origin, religion, education, race, etc.). Coded language is used. The presence of double behavioral standards is characteristic. Countries: Russia, India, countries of Southeast Asia, Southern Europe, Latin America.

+ low context. A person is judged not by origin, but by his social qualities. The social context plays a secondary role. Countries: USA, Holland, Scandinavian countries.

Sedunova Irina Vladimirovna,
OmLA, Omsk

Culture is a complex phenomenon inherent in the entire civilized society, but not one hundred percent homogeneous, since each people brings to culture something of its own, individual, special, peculiar only to it, and therefore capable of causing misunderstanding on the part of other peoples. This becomes a big problem when the conversation turns to intercultural communication, i.e. interaction of representatives of different cultures, sometimes differing from each other like heaven and earth. But if under normal conditions representatives of different cultures are free to simply avoid interaction with each other, then in the conditions of teaching a foreign language, interaction is inevitable. The fact is that the one who learns a foreign language, as a rule, aims to use a foreign language in practice, but in order to avoid communicative failures in interaction with native speakers of a foreign language, it is not enough to master all the grammatical language norms - one must learn to think like native speakers foreign language, and this is where intercultural communication comes into play.

The complex of communicative knowledge and skills traditionally includes: "knowledge of the norms and rules of communication; a high level of speech development, which allows a person to freely transmit and perceive information in the process of communication; understanding the non-verbal language of communication; the ability to make contact with people, taking into account their age, social and cultural, status characteristics; the ability to behave adequately to the situation and use its specifics to achieve their own communicative goals; the ability to influence the interlocutor in such a way as to persuade him to his side, to convince him of the correctness of his arguments; the ability to correctly assess the interlocutor as a person and as a potential competitor or a partner, as well as to choose the right communication strategy depending on this assessment; the ability to evoke a positive perception of one's own personality in the interlocutor ".

All of the above is a process of communication with all its constituent elements. Having mastered it, as well as a foreign language, you can establish contact with a representative of a foreign culture, a native speaker of a foreign language. But will the contact be organic, natural, absolute? Of course not, because for greater organicity it is necessary that the interlocutors tune in to the same wave, think in a similar way, share with each other what will endow communication with a touch of intimacy and unity. This is culture: that which is invisibly behind the people of each of the interlocutors and that which must be shared with the interlocutor in order to achieve a genuine, true contact of cultures.

"The main components of a foreign culture include the following elements that bear a national-specific coloring:

Traditions, as well as rituals that can be perceived as traditions;
- traditionally - everyday culture;
- daily behavior;
- national pictures of the world, which reflect the specifics of the perception of the surrounding world;
- artistic culture, which can also be attributed to the elements of ethnography and ethnology.

We believe that in order to improve intercultural communication, in addition to the above, it is necessary, first of all, to know your own language at such a high level in order to be able to explain to a representative of a foreign people and a native speaker of a foreign language what may seem incomprehensible, strange, and maybe even funny. For Americans, for example, it is very difficult to understand what our Russian "HALYAVA" and "AVOS" are. To explain to an American the meaning of these expressions, you will have to try hard, play with synonyms, the structure of sentences that will be explained, and this is a very difficult job for an insufficiently well-prepared person. In addition, it is important to know the history of the people of your interlocutor, especially those moments of this history that may be painful for him, because without this knowledge it will be easy to make a fatal mistake by commenting on this or that event in the wrong tone that would facilitate the process. interaction between two peoples alien to each other.

If a representative of a foreign nation, a native speaker of a foreign language understands that his interlocutor understands him or at least tries to understand him, it will be easier for him to relax, feel at ease, which means that the process of intercultural communication will be noticeably simplified, become more spiritual. Taking into account the fact that intercultural communication can be tied up with the aim of teaching a foreign language, this will only benefit, and, quite likely, not only the student, but also the teacher - the student, grateful to the teacher for such openness, may well meet the teacher halfway and give the process of teaching a foreign language is bilateral in nature, i.e. not only to take, but also to give something in return for the information offered to him.

Thus, summing up the above, we give a definition of intercultural communication, in which, in our opinion, the main criteria inherent in this phenomenon are quite clearly stated:

"Intercultural communication is communication carried out in conditions of such significant cultural differences in the communicative competence of its participants that these differences significantly affect the success or failure of a communicative event. This is most clearly manifested in business, where the success of negotiations sometimes depends on how deeply the parties are aware of each other's national characteristics, traditions and manners of doing business. Communicative competence is understood as knowledge of the symbolic systems used in communication and the rules for their functioning, as well as the principles of communicative interaction ".

General - the exchange of information using language or gestures, as well as other means of contact, as well as the communication interaction of people or social groups. In the process of communication between the participants of communication, there is an exchange of various kinds of information.

Traditionally, there are three functions of communication:

1) information function: the expression of ideas, concepts, thoughts and their communication to other communicants.

2) evaluative: expression of personal assessments and attitudes,

3) affective: the transfer of emotions and feelings.

Roger T. Bell relates three areas of the humanities to these functions:

1) linguistics and philosophy (cognitive function),

2) sociology and social psychology (evaluative function),

3) psychology and literary criticism (affective function).

K. Buhler (1879-1963) identified three language functions that are manifested in any act of speech: a) the expression function (expressive), correlated with the speaker; b) the function of address (appellative), correlated with the listener; c) the function of the message (representative), correlated with the subject of speech.

The main purpose of communication is to convey a message. The sender of the message expresses himself, appeals to the recipient and represents the subject of communication. There can be several purposes of communication. For example, a film may inform, entertain, warn, explain, and so on. The main reason for communication is the corresponding needs of an individual or a group of individuals. And then - the goals of communication serve the various needs of individuals.

A functional characteristic of a communicative act can be given depending on its orientation and its main communicative task. R. Dimbleby and G. Burton distinguish six functions of messages and communicative acts: warning, advice, information, persuasion, expression of opinion, entertainment. This classification of functions is pragmatic, that is, associated with the use of communicative means to achieve certain goals. Communication takes place not only in human social systems. A certain kind of communication is typical for animals (marriage dances of birds, the language of bees, etc.), and for mechanisms (pipelines, transport, telegraph and telephone signals, the interconnection of computers on the Internet, etc.). Communication can take place not only in the process of direct communication through words, but also with the help of road signs, teletext, books, films, etc.

There are the following forms of communication - written, oral, visual, etc. These forms differ from each other by special message encoding systems.

Communication media - combine various forms of communication, often using some technology to fill the temporal and spatial distance between the sender and recipient of the message (for example, a book: words, fonts, pictures, graphics). Mass media (MSK) can also include various forms of communication. For example, television and cinema use spoken language words, pictures, music; newspaper - written language words, fonts, illustrations, etc.

The means of communication can be used both intentionally and unintentionally. Non-verbal signals (facial expressions) very often inform the recipient without much desire of the sender of the message. An outside listener can also be an involuntary recipient of an oral speech message.

The American researcher E. Sapir made a distinction between fundamental means, or primary processes, communicative in nature, and some secondary means that facilitate the process of communication. According to E. Sapir, the primary means of communication are the following: language, gesticulation, imitation of public behavior in the process of inclusion in the lifestyle of society, and "social hint" (implicit processes of new acts of communicative behavior).

Secondary means of communication are aimed at facilitating the primary communicative processes in society: language transformations, symbolism and the creation of physical conditions for the implementation of a communicative act.

Language transformations are associated with code substitution, symbolic "translation" (for example, oral language into writing, Morse code, etc.) and make communication possible in cases where it is difficult by circumstances (for example, time and distance).

Symbolic systems (flags-signals in the Navy, semaphore and traffic light, bugle in the army communicative environment, etc.) translate a possible verbal message not symbolically, but globally, in its entirety. This is required in cases where the speed of perception of the message is necessary, the speed of reaction, when the simplest yes / no answer is expected. In the military, for example, where “orders are not discussed,” or on the road, when there is not much time to turn at high speed, long text messages would be inappropriate.

The development of physical conditions that allow communication, according to E. Sapir, includes railways, an airplane (deliver a communicant), telegraph, telephone, radio (deliver a message or its reproduction). At the same time, the increase in the number of means expands the scope of communication.

Two opposite views on these processes belong to M. McLuhan and E. Sapir. McLuhan believed that the means largely determine the very content of the message. He believed that modern culture is visual in nature, as opposed to, for example, the culture of the 19th - early 20th centuries, predominantly written (printed). The globalization of communication, according to McLuhan, leads to the creation of a single communicative space - the "global village". E. Sapir, on the contrary, expressed "fear of being understood by too many". From his point of view, this jeopardizes the psychological reality of the image of the extended self, as opposed to the non-self. The impossibility of keeping the message within the limits for which it is designed was also recognized as a price for facilitating communication (examples: listening devices or a drop in the level of artistic values with an increase in demand and circulation). At the same time, he realized that it was rather the constraints on communication, such as the diversity of languages and the need for translation, that were seen as a threatening obstacle. He also positively assessed the globalization of the scientific community and the introduction of the language of international communication.

Some of the forms and means of communication are associated with technological limitations. For example, words are heard only at a distance of the power of the sender's voice and the hearing of the receiver. Printed materials are more resistant to time and space.

All forms and means of communication are "an extension of the human body", supplementing and strengthening the insufficient functions, especially of vision and hearing. For example, loudspeakers and audio transmissions amplify the voice, reducing the distance between communicants.

Types of communication are distinguished by the composition of communicants. This is due to the fact that the technology of the communicator in each case has its own specifics (even the volume of the voice in the case, for example, of talking with oneself, with one interlocutor or with a large group will differ).

There are the following types of communication:

Intrapersonal communication (talking to oneself);

Interpersonal communication (as a rule, two communicants participate, but there are options for an observer, an included observer and an outsider, communication against the background of witnesses present, in a crowd, in a restaurant, etc.);

Group communication (within the group, between groups, individual group);

Mass communication (if a message is received or used by a large number of people, often consisting of groups of different interests and communicative experience (television, radio, Internet, etc.).

Panfilova A.P. distinguishes five types of communication: cognitive, persuasive, expressive, suggestive, ritual. Each of them is characterized by its own goals and expected results, organization conditions, as well as communication forms and means.

Cognitive communication expands the partner's information fund, transmits the necessary information and information. Persuasive communication allows you to evoke certain feelings in a business partner and form value orientations and attitudes; convince of the legitimacy of interaction strategies; make it your ally. Expressive communication allows you to form a psycho-emotional mood in a partner, convey feelings, experiences, induce to the necessary action. Suggestive communication has an inspiring effect on a business partner to change motivation, value orientations and attitudes, behavior and attitudes. Ritual communication reinforces and maintains conventional relationships in the business world; preserves the ritual traditions of the company, enterprise, allows you to create new ones.

These types of communication allow you to determine the specifics,

competently use the genre, communication tools and technologies, get the planned result, prepare more effectively for a particular communication activity, develop scenarios for verbal and non-verbal behavior in a specific situation of business communication and take into account the characteristics of a business partner.

The prominent American researcher Edward Sapir distinguishes the following types of communication:

Intercultural (communication both between peoples who speak different languages and communicative cultures, or between states,

Interpersonal - between individual representatives of these peoples or states),

Organizational (communication in the business and industrial sphere, including interpersonal, group and personal-group communication).

These varieties are associated not only with the characteristics of the communicative environment in the area where communicative activity is carried out, but also with the composition of communicants (one communicator or a community of communicators, or some combination of both).

Among the various types of communications, in addition to personal, interpersonal, mass and specialized (business, professional, political, etc.), visual, mythological and performance communications deserve special attention. This is because the public relations specialist works in a highly organized environment.

Visual communication is the transfer of information through gestures, facial expressions, body movements. According to experts, about 65% of information is transmitted by non-verbal means. Often, in order to make a person understand our attitude towards him, we do not say anything, but only look at him with a certain facial expression. The advantage of visual communication is that it is understandable to the majority.

Mythological communication is based on myths. The use of mythological structures allows the communicator to exercise an obviously unconscious influence on the audience. Due to the unconsciousness and autonomy of the existence of these structures, the audience cannot resist them. In mass political psychology, for example, real social problems are replaced by a simplified idea of the eternal struggle of two mythologized communities: reds - whites, communists - capitalists, East - West, etc. The attitude towards these groups is based on the principle "we - they": we are good, they are bad. M. Eliade, considering the psychotherapeutic function of myth, says that each hero repeats archetypal actions, each war resumes the struggle between Good and Evil, injustice is identified with the suffering of the Savior. Thanks to this approach, millions of people could endure the powerful pressure of history for centuries without falling into despair, without committing suicide and without falling into a state of spiritual withering, which is inextricably linked with the nihilistic vision of history.

The main difference between the system of interpersonal relations and mass communication is that within the framework of interpersonal communication direct contact is established between individuals using interpersonal means of communication, while in mass communication the exchange of information is mediated by technical means of communication.

Intercultural communication - communication between representatives of different human cultures (personal contacts between people, less often - indirect forms of communication (such as writing) and mass communication). This concept was introduced in the 1950s by the American cultural anthropologist Edward T. Hall as part of a program he developed for the US State Department to adapt American diplomats and businessmen in other countries.

Features of intercultural communication are studied at the interdisciplinary level and within the framework of such sciences as cultural studies, psychology, linguistics, ethnology, anthropology, sociology, each of which uses its own approaches to their study.

Initially, to describe intercultural communication, the classical understanding of culture was used as a more or less stable system of conscious and unconscious rules, norms, values, structures, artifacts - national or ethnic culture.

At present, the so-called. dynamic understanding of culture as a way of life and a system of behavior, norms, values, etc. any social group (e.g. urban culture, generational culture, organizational culture). The dynamic concept of culture does not imply a strict stability of the cultural system; to a certain extent, it can change and be modified depending on the social situation.

As a scientific discipline, intercultural communication is in its infancy and is distinguished by two characteristic features: applied nature (the goal is to facilitate communication between representatives of different cultures, reduce conflict potential) and interdisciplinarity.

Research on intercultural communication has recently become increasingly important due to the processes of globalization and intensive migration. In a more scientific aspect, we should talk about communication - as a unidirectional process of encoding and transmitting information from the source to receiving information by the recipient of the message. Communication can also be understood as a certain kind of joint activity of communication participants (communicators), during which a common (up to a certain limit) view of things is developed.

Interpersonal communication is based on various motives, goals and objectives of its participants. The determinants of this type of communication can be the transfer or receipt of any information, the inducement of a partner to take actions, the intention to change his views, the desire to provide emotional support, etc.

Depending on these factors, it is customary to distinguish several models of interpersonal communication: linear, transactional, circular model of interpersonal communication. We will dwell on the circular model in more detail. It is not just a process of transmitting a message from the sender to the recipient, during which the first encodes and the second decodes information. An important element of this model is feedback. This is the recipient's reaction to the message, which is expressed in a response message sent to the sender.

The introduction of feedback clearly demonstrates the circular nature of communication: the sender and recipient of the message sequentially change places.

The circular model, like the linear one, depicts communication as a series of discrete acts that have a beginning and an end, and the key figure in them is the sender of the message, since the reaction of the recipient of information depends on him.

That is why they are considered obsolete compared to the transactional model.

But for describing the processes of intercultural communication and understanding its specifics, it is the circular model that is more suitable, which we will use in the future.

The circular model consists of the following elements: sender (source) - encoding - message - channel - decoding - recipient - feedback.

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The sender (source) is the creator of messages, it can be either a person or an organization (although in any organization messages are people).

Encoding is the transformation of a message into a symbolic form.

Message - information, idea, for the sake of which communication is carried out. It consists of symbols and can be oral, written or visual.

Channel - the path of physical transmission of a message, the means by which a message is transmitted. It can be interpersonal and mass.

Decoding is the decoding of a message, which, as a result of various interferences, may be more or less adequate.

The recipient is the object to which the message is sent. It can also be an individual or an organization.

Feedback - the received message causes some kind of reaction in the recipient, since as a result of communication he has undergone changes in knowledge, attitudes, behavior.

In this process, various interferences, “noises” are created that prevent effective communication. The effectiveness of communication is characterized by the fact that the transmitted information must be understood in accordance with its original meaning. Therefore, communication is not only the transfer, but also the understanding of information.

Communication is one of the most essential elements of human life. The main purpose of communication is to convey a message. Intercultural communication is communication between representatives of different human cultures.

The concept and essence of the ICC. Types of MCC. cultural distance. The theory of uncertainty reduction. Basic theories of the ICC. Axioms of the IWC

Features of interpersonal communication in intercultural communication. The concept of intercultural communication

The desire to understand foreign cultures or their representatives, to understand cultural differences and similarities has existed for as long as the cultural and ethnic diversity of mankind has existed. As ancient as the desire to understand other cultures is the desire to disregard other cultures or view them as unworthy, while regarding the bearers of these cultures as second-class people, considering them barbarians who have neither culture nor personal qualities. and in general any kind of human dignity. This kind of polarity towards other cultures has existed throughout human history. In a transformed form, this dilemma persists today and is expressed in the fact that the very concept of intercultural communication causes a lot of controversy and discussion in the scientific literature and among practitioners. This concept was born as a result of a compromise. Its synonyms are cross-cultural, interethnic communication, as well as the concept of intercultural interaction.

Most experts believe that it is possible to talk about intercultural communication (interaction) only if people represent different cultures and are aware of everything that does not belong to their culture as someone else's. Relations are intercultural if their participants do not resort to their own traditions, customs, ideas and ways of behaving, but get acquainted with other people's rules and norms of everyday communication. At the same time, both characteristic and unfamiliar properties are constantly revealed, both identity and dissent, both familiar and new in relationships, ideas and feelings that arise in people.

As we have already noted, the concept of “intercultural communication” was first formulated in 1954 in the work of G. Treiger and E. Hall “Culture and Communication. Analysis Model". In this work, intercultural communication was understood as the ideal goal that a person should strive for in his desire to adapt to the world around him as best and as efficiently as possible. Since then, researchers have advanced quite far in the theoretical development of this phenomenon. As a result of numerous studies, the most characteristic features of intercultural communication have been identified. Thus, it was noted that for intercultural communication, the sender and recipient of the message must belong to different cultures. It also requires the participants in communication to be aware of each other's cultural differences. In its essence, intercultural communication is always interpersonal communication in a special context, when one participant discovers the cultural difference of another.

Indeed, there is no doubt that communication will be intercultural if it occurs between carriers of different cultures, and differences between these cultures lead to any difficulties in communication. These difficulties are related to the difference in expectations and prejudices inherent in each person, and, naturally, differ in different cultures. Representatives of different cultures have different ways of deciphering received messages. All this becomes meaningful only in the act of communication and leads to misunderstanding and tension, difficulty and impossibility of communication.

And finally, intercultural communication is based on the process of symbolic interaction between individuals and groups whose cultural differences can be recognized. Perception and attitude to these differences affect the type, form and result of contact. Each participant in cultural contact has his own system of rules that function in such a way that messages sent and received can be encoded and decoded. Signs of intercultural differences can be interpreted as differences in verbal and non-verbal codes in a specific context of communication. The process of interpretation, in addition to cultural differences, is influenced by the age, gender, profession, and social status of the communicant. Therefore, the degree of interculturality of each specific act of communication depends on tolerance, enterprise, and personal experience of its participants.

Based on the foregoing, intercultural communication should be considered as a set of various forms of relations and communication between individuals and groups belonging to different cultures.

As in cultural anthropology, the spheres of macroculture and microculture are distinguished in intercultural communication.

In the current historical situation, it is obvious that there are vast territories on our planet that are structurally and organically united into one social system with their own cultural traditions. For example, you can talk about American culture, Latin American culture, African culture, European culture, Asian culture, and so on. Most often, these types of culture are distinguished on a continental basis and, due to their scale, are called macrocultures. It is quite natural that a significant number of subcultural differences are found within these macrocultures, but similarities are also found, which allow us to speak about the presence of this kind of macrocultures, and consider the population of the respective regions to be representatives of one culture. There are global differences between macrocultures, which are reflected in their communication with each other. In this case, intercultural communication takes place regardless of the status of its participants, in a horizontal plane.

At the same time, voluntarily or not, many people are members of certain social groups with their own cultural characteristics. From a structural point of view, these are microcultures (subcultures) within a macroculture. Each microculture has both similarities and differences with its parent culture, which provides their representatives with the same perception of the world. Maternal culture differs from microculture by different ethnic, religious affiliation, geographical location, economic condition, gender and age characteristics, marital status and social status of their members. In other words, cultures of different social groups and strata within the same society are called subcultures. Therefore, the connection between subcultures flows within this society and is vertical.

Within each sphere, intercultural communication occurs at different levels. There are several types of intercultural communication at the micro level.

* Interethnic communication is communication between persons representing different peoples (ethnic groups). Most often, society consists of ethnic groups of various sizes that create and share their own subcultures. Ethnic groups pass on their cultural heritage from generation to generation and thanks to this they retain their identity among the dominant culture. Joint existence within the same society naturally leads to mutual communication of these ethnic groups and the exchange of cultural achievements.
* Countercultural communication - occurs between representatives of the mother culture and the child subculture and is expressed in the disagreement of the child subculture with the values and ideals of the mother. A characteristic feature of this level of communication is the refusal of subcultural groups from the values of the dominant culture and the promotion of their own norms and rules that oppose them to the values of the majority.
* Communication among social classes and groups - is based on the differences between social groups and classes of a particular society. There is not a single socially homogeneous society in the world. All differences between people arise as a result of their origin, education, profession, social status, and so on. In all countries of the world, the distance between the elite and the majority of the population, between the rich and the poor, is quite large. It is expressed in opposing views, customs, traditions, etc. Despite the fact that all these people belong to the same culture, such differences divide them into subcultures and affect the communication between them.
* Communication between representatives of different demographic groups: religious (for example, between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland), gender and age (between men and women, between representatives of different generations). Communication between people in this case is determined by their belonging to a particular group and, consequently, by the peculiarities of the culture of this group.
* Communication between urban and rural residents is based on the differences between the city and the countryside in the style and pace of life, the general level of education, a different type of interpersonal relations, different “philosophy of life”, which directly affect the process of communication between these population groups.
* Regional communication - occurs between residents of different regions (localities), whose behavior in the same situation can differ significantly. So, for example, residents of one US state experience significant difficulties in communicating with representatives of another state. The New Englander is repelled by the sugary-sweet style of communication of the inhabitants of the southern states, which they consider insincere. And a resident of the southern states perceives the dry style of communication of his northern friend as rude.
* Communication in business culture - arises from the fact that each organization (firm) has a number of specific customs and rules associated with corporate culture, and when representatives of different enterprises come into contact, misunderstanding may arise.

A common feature of all levels and types of intercultural communication is the unawareness of cultural differences by its participants. The fact is that most people in their perception of the world adhere to naive realism. It seems to them that their style and way of life is the only possible and correct one, that the values they are guided by are equally understandable and accessible to all people. And only when faced with representatives of other cultures, discovering that the usual patterns of behavior stop working, the average person begins to think about the reasons for his failure.

When representatives of different cultures enter into communication, then different cultural-specific views of the world collide. At the same time, each of the partners is not aware of these differences, considers his own image of the world to be normal, and as a result, something taken for granted on one side meets something taken for granted on the other side. First, both parties notice that something is wrong here. Trying to explain this situation, each side does not question its "something for granted", rather thinks about the stupidity, ignorance or malice of their partner. This is where the idea of “alien” arises, which becomes the key concept for understanding intercultural communication. "Alien" is understood as alien, foreign, still unfamiliar and unusual. Indeed, when faced with a foreign culture, we see in it a lot of unusual and strange things. Only by understanding this, we will gradually be able to come to an understanding of the reasons for our inadequacy in the situation of communication.