Books in Communication Analysis - Annotated Bibliography Example

Make sure it links the content to other readings, to the material, and your developing thinking, showing critical insight and an ability to synthesize material. Moreover, you should provide the development of your ideas, personal reflections, and ideas on how the course and your reading and writing are contributing to building bridges in your cultural world. Bibliographic Journal Ting-Toomey, S. 1999. Communicating Across Cultures. New York, NY: Guilford Press. The first few chapters of this book cover the issue of the importance of studying and understanding other cultures. One of the reasons given why people should study other cultures is the current global trends which bring people from all walks of life together. According to the author of this book, it is important to study cross cultural communication so as to acquire those competencies that are needed for global interrelationships. These sentiments are echoed by Cushman and Cahn (1985) and Zhou (2009) below who point out understanding cross cultural differences is an important step in the cross cultural communication process. International interactions are the norm in this day and age. It is therefore of utmost importance for organizations operating on the international scene to enhance cross cultural communication so that they can be successful. Many global companies and institutions have formulated cross cultural policies in their organizations with a view to ensure that employees from different cultural backgrounds interact gainfully with each other. I have seen companies trying to connect with their target markets by adopting cultural practices that the people can identify with. Cushman, D.P. and Cahn, D.D. 1985. Communication in Interpersonal Relationships. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press. In chapter nine which is titled “Cross Cultural Communication and Interpersonal Relationships”, Cushman and Cahn state that different cultures have different ways of communicating and they can only be understood if people from the different cultural groups try to understand each other. The authors argue that the level at which communication between members of two different cultures is affected by culture is determined by how dissimilar the two cultures are. They go on to state that a link can be built between what is perceived with what is communicated by bringing into consciousness and defining the conventions of one’s cultural assumptions and those of other people. I have had the experience of interacting with people from different cultures, but there are many times when we fail to understand each other well enough. This is normally the case especially if the two interacting cultures have very few things in common, as Cushman and Cahn point out. The more the dissimilarities, the harder it is to communicate effectively. I have come to realize that language in communication is very important and understanding it makes everything else easier. It is important to understand the cultural meaning sin certain words and phrases so as to avoid miscommunication. When one enters a new culture, he should try to learn as much of the new things as he possibly can so that he can note differences between that culture and his original one. This way, it will be easy to understand the culture and communicate in it without any problem, as Zhou (2009) argues below. Zhou, Y. 2009. The Impact of Cultural Transfer on Cross-Cultural Communication. Asian Social Science 4(7), 142-146. This article covers the issue of the impact of cross cultural transfer on cross cultural communication. In this extensive research, Zhou maintains that communication competencies across cultures must include and be related to “language and gestures, social linguistic competence and acclimation rules, relevant communicative knowledge, motivates of the communication and social cultural knowledge” (146). The researcher, just like Prince and Hoppe (2011), concludes that understanding cross cultural communication and the impact of cross cultural transfer is important in dealing with cultural conflicts that come about as a result of cultural differences. The increase in global communication has meant that cross cultural transfers are inevitable. Today, a lot of the western culture has been transferred to the orient and vice versa. I have some friends from outside China and Japan who are learning the main languages in the two countries so that they can better understand the cultures. There are very many differences between the western and oriental cultures. However, as people strive to get to know about each of the cultures, they are able to understand and appreciate each other. This minimizes the likelihood of conflicts that may arise out of any misunderstandings between the two cultures. Prince and Hoppe (2011) are in agreement with this statement as evidenced in their argument that understanding other cultures is important in harmonious living. Prince, D.W and Hoppe, M.H. 2011. Communicating Across Cultures. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. This book covers the topic of how people who work in multicultural environments. The writers emphasize on the importance of recognizing and understanding differences in other cultures so as to be able to survive in them. These views are similar to those presented by Cushman and Cahn above who highlight the fact that the dissimilarities between cultures determine how effective communication is. Most of my reading materials in class also emphasize the need to accept and understand other people cultures in order to enhance peaceful coexistence. People working in multicultural environments should always try and live in harmony with each other. This is very important especially in organizations where cross cultural interaction determine how well an organization performs. Understanding other people’s cultures requires patience and selflessness. One has to put himself in the other person’s shoes so as to understand why he does what he does. Recognizing and accepting the dissimilarities between cultures allows individuals to communicate effectively. I have come across literature that highlights how managers in organizations are trying to encourage their employees to learn and understand each other’s culture, something that Berry (2005) below also encourages. Berry, John W. 2005. Acculturation: Living Successfully in Two Cultures. International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 35(5), 658-669. In this article, Berry addresses the issue of conflict and negotiation from a cross cultural perspective. In doing so, the author touches on how individuals choose to get acculturated and to what extent they choose to keep their cultural identities. Berry classifies four different ways of acculturation: assimilation, separation, integration and marginalization. According to this article, each method of acculturation determines one’s adaptation to a certain culture. This means that depending on the manner and mode of acculturation one goes through, there are different ways that one can approach the issue of conflict and negotiation in the context of a new culture. Whenever two different cultures come together it is likely that some form of conflict may arise mainly due to misunderstandings during communication. The manner in which one adapts to his new culture determines the level at which he is able to understand cross cultural communication. This means that if there is ample cross cultural communication, it is easy for people from different cultures to understand each other, enabling them to negotiate if any conflicts should arise. Neulip (2003) below is in agreement with Berry’s views especially when he emphasizes the need for cultural understanding as a way of avoiding conflicts. Neulip, J. 2003. Acculturation and Culture Shock: Intercultural Communication, 2nd Ed. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin. In the eleventh chapter of this book, Neulip focuses on the issues of acculturation and culture shock as they relate to cross cultural communication. Like Berry (2005), Neulip addresses the issue of acculturation from a conflicts and negotiations point of view. The author incorporates different research findings to conclude that the mode of acculturation as well as the similarities and dissimilarities between cultures are crucial in positive intercultural communication. Another issue that the author looks into is culture shock and how it can influence one’s acceptance or rejection of a new culture. The author identifies different stages of culture shock with the last one being the adaption or acculturation stage. This is where one accepts the new culture and learns to live harmoniously with people from that culture. Most people who enter new cultures normally have different ways of dealing with their new experiences. While some take a very short time to get used to new ways of doing things, there are others who find it hard to understand the new cultures in which they find themselves in. how one accepts of fails to accept their adopted culture all depends on attitude. For those who are able to reach the acculturation stage, they normally have an easy time communicating with people in the new culture and the issue of culture shock is never such a big deal. Read More