Communication across cultural barriers is a broad subject to delve into. To do it justice one must consider verbal and nonverbal communication, and all the messages that are given and received in an exchange between individuals. Proxemics (the study of the use of personal space), kinesics (the study of gestures, body movements, facial expressions, and eye contact) chronemics (the study of how we use our time), paralanguage (nonverbal elements of the voice), silence, haptics (study of our use of touch to communicate), and even our appearance, are all important aspects. (Jandt. P. 113 – 121.) We use these every day without even thinking. But there is a new form of communication that has introduced itself to us and that is virtual communication. It is very similar and yet very different to “real world” communication. It’s specific use in improving intercultural communication is being tested.
If we just take one of the above and talk about the difference in cultures it is amazing. For instance, Haptics, or the study of our use of touch to communicate, varies greatly. Some cultures use touch many times an hour in a simple social setting. Others us it rarely or never. Those of us in the U.S. only touch a little. We are neither in the very touchy category of the French or the very untouchable culture of the British. Age groups also vary with early to mid teens touching the least and preschool and kindergarten age children in the group that touches the most. (Jandt. P. 120.) So, depending on age, culture, personality, and life experiences (among many other factors) one might feel comfortable with touching a little or a lot.
The same kind of touch can mean different things depending on the person touching or being touched. Imagine an American woman working as a sous Chef to a male French Chef. He might think it is perfectly normal in the course of a day to frequently touch her on the hand, shoulder, and even brush against her as he walks past. In his culture this is normal. To an American woman, this might very likely be considered sexual harassment. Neither person has denied their cultural understanding of what is proper. However, they have come upon a cultural roadblock to effective communication.
The virtual world has come upon us. In the game “Second Life” people create an Avatar that may or may not look like them, and use that character to build a virtual world. This person can have a home, family, job, recreation, hobbies, and even take vacations in a virtual world. The different people interacting in this world are from all countries and cultural backgrounds. They speak different languages and understand the world very differently. They can be poorer or richer in their virtual world. They can make themselves look very beautiful and dress how they want to. Many women walking around in virtual worlds are extremely attractive with flowing hair, long thin legs and tiny waists. Men are muscular and tall. They can log onto this world as many or few times a day as they want. They can live in it continuously if desired. And when they are done, they can exit out and go back to the real world. This is extremely enticing to many people and the benefits as well as dangers exist in reality.
Some types of communication lose many of their barriers in the virtual world. Non verbal communication is difficult to mimic in the virtual world. Body language, eye movements, and facial expressions are very limited in the virtual world. Personal space is not necessarily “felt”. Vocal expressions are limited, and touch is nonexistent unless one does not need to really feel the touch to experience it. Some people don’t. Others would feel empty without real physical touch. So, communication is extremely limited in the virtual world of Avatars.
However, the virtual world has the ability to assist communication as it bypasses some forms of communication to enhance others. Language is not so much a barrier. Sites such as “Second Life” have handy tools where one can have their message translated so that if a person speaking German wants to communicate with a person speaking French, they need only have the program translate their words . The other person sees the words in a “chat” in their own language. This is very beneficial in enhancing cross-cultural communication. It can be very interesting and informative to communicate like this.
Another enhancement to communication in the virtual world is the ability to say what you want and feel without worry of harm. If the other person takes offense, you can stop communication. So, those communicating are free to say what they want. In the experiment Dancing Inc. Television, “Understanding Islam: The Imagination Age”, people are encouraged to express their cultural fears and feelings in an arena that is “safe”. The results of this are yet to be tallied but it gives those who might live in fear of expressing themselves and avenue to do so.
Many people have begun cross cultural relationships online, both friendship and romantic. Obviously, there are pitfalls to this. If a man were to begin a virtual relationship and have another “life” online, he might become disillusioned with his “real” life. However, virtual realities can be an avenue for those who have extreme barriers like physical handicaps and cultural oppression to express themselves and find greater fulfillment in life. As with all new advancements, this requires one to be responsible, sensible, and practical in their approach.
Resources
Jandt, F.E. An Introduction To Intercultural Communication. 2010. Sage Publications Inc. Los
Angeles.
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