Page 20 - Communication across Cultures

Communication across Cultures

and can include values, beliefs, and traditions that are passed down from generation to
generation.
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, culture can refer to “the totality of so-
cially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of
human work and thought”. This includes things like language, customs, religion, art,
and technology. Culture is often considered to be a defining characteristic of a particular
group or society and can be influenced by a wide range of factors, including history, ge-
ography, politics, economics, and technology. Ultimately, culture is a complex and mul-
tifaceted concept that encompasses many different aspects of human life and society.
Culture refers to the beliefs, customs, traditions, behaviors, and values shared by a
group of people. It encompasses various aspects of human life, including language, art,
music, religion, social norms, and practices. Culture is passed down from generation
to generation through communication and interaction within a community or society. It
plays a significant role in shaping individuals’ identities, influencing their perspectives,
and guiding their behavior.

1.3 Functions of Culture

What does culture do for human beings? Why do we need culture? As an essential
component of the effort of human beings to survive and thrive in their particular envi-
ronment, culture serves multiple functions. Of all these functions, we identify five here:
identity meaning, group inclusion, intergroup boundary regulation, ecological adapta-
tion, and cultural communication.

1.3.1 Identity Meaning Function

Culture provides the frame of reference to answer the most fundamental question of
each human being: Who am I? Cultural beliefs, values, and norms provide the anchor-
ing points in which we attribute meanings and significance to our identities. For exam-
ple, in the larger U.S. culture, middle-class U.S. values emphasize individual initiative
and achievement. A person is considered “competent” or “successful” when he or she
takes the personal initiative to realize his or her full potential. The translation of this
potential means tangible achievements and rewards (e.g., an enviable career, a good
salary, a coveted car, or a dream house). A person who can realize his or her dreams de-
spite sometimes difficult circumstances is considered to be a “successful” individual in

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