Historical Examination

Historical Examination
Holly Castillo
Intercultural International Communication
OA 40164
Instructor Michael Henry
May 19, 2015

Historical Examination
1. Why would it be important to examine the role of history in Intercultural Communication?
It would be important to examine the role of history in Intercultural Communication to
better understand people and where they come from. History provides the context in which we
communicate, in politics, intellectually, socially, with family, nationally and culturally in groups
(Martin & Nakayama, 2014, p. 70) .When we understand the history of people, it gives us a
frame of reference that can lead to better intercultural communication. When people from
differing cultural backgrounds encounter one another, these differences can form hidden barriers
to communication (Martin & Nakayama, 2014, p. 69).
History is intertwined with various identities, based on gender, sexual orientation,
ethnicity, race, and more. Our identities are so closely tied to our histories (Martin & Nakayama,
2014, p. 70). This may determine and effect how someone communicates with others. Different
genders, races, ethnicities and cultures may communicate differently based on their how their

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history. Some races and cultures speak different languages when communication with others.
Experience, reflection, and training can reinforce the process of cultural learning. Intercultural
learning not only provides information but also develops skills and encourages attitudes to
progress along the cultural learning curve (Salmeri, 2014, p. 82).
2. What are hidden histories and how might hidden histories affect intercultural interactions?
Hidden histories are those events not conveyed in a widespread manner (Martin &
Nakayama, 2014, p. 89). Hidden histories may include religion histories, gender histories,
sexual orientation histories, racial or ethnic histories, diasporic histories, colonial and
socioeconomic class histories. When trying to escape history, tragic events, people who no one
wants to remember, etc... Sometimes these may become hidden histories. No one speaks of the
events, the people that took part in these events, and after a while, as generations go on, the
history of them is almost forgotten, and it is hidden away.
Not all hidden histories will be hidden out of shame, or because of wanting to forget a
tragedy. There was not always technology around to record our history like there is today. Some
of our earliest history was recorded by drawlings on cave walls, rocks, fossils and done with
clay. However, we do not know what our history was before we discovered these items. Many of
these history records could have been destroyed before they were discovered and now they have
become hidden histories.
3. Compare and contrast family histories with national histories.
National history gives us a shared notion of who we are and solidifies our sense of
nationhood (Martin & Nakayama, 2014, p. 71). ). Men and women, individuals and groups who
have done important things, impacted the history around the world, are a part of National history.
National history may be recorded, or documented by the individual or groups themselves who
have impacted history or it may be done by an outside source who records it from a third person
point of view.

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Family history is our own ethnic, religion, cultural or traditions that are passed down
through our family. Family history may also include where our ancestors may have come from,
who married into other family histories and so on. Family history may be recorded or
documented by the family members and past on or it may be done by people outside the family
who document it for them and pass it on to others. Family history may also be passed down to
generations by storytelling, this may be a part of their traditions, or culture. I have learned a lot
about my familys history through storytelling, not by documentation.
4. How is the history of gays and lesbians relevant to intercultural communication?
Being gay or lesbian may determine how one communicates with others, however this
communication style may also be determined by their history. The LGBT community is as
diverse as the nation and includes members of every race, ethnicity, religion, mental capacity,
physical ability/disability, age, and socioeconomic group 1 (Tschurtz & Burke, 2011, p. 1)
Different cultures, races and ethnicities all have different ways of communicating with others,
speaking different languages, using body movements and gestures, and by the way they dress.
The history of everyone, including gay and lesbians, would be relevant to their
intercultural communication. I have many friends who are gay or lesbian and I know that for
them, their personal history has affected the way they communicate with some people. Our
history is a part of what makes us who we are, how we dress, how we talk, our education, choose
who are partners are, if we marry, how to raise our children and live our lives. Our history
impacts almost every aspect of our lives, whether you are straight, gay, lesbian, transgender, or
bisexual.
5. How can we negotiate histories in interactions?
History is a part of who we are personally, as a society, a nation, how we are a part of the
world and human race. There are and will be debates on certain events that have happened in our
history, depending on who you ask. Everyone may have a different view, their own side of what
happened during a certain event. Different genders, races, religions and cultures may all see the

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same even in our history differently. There are two sides to every story is a famous saying that
fits perfectly into history. Even when history is documented, there may be some that want to
negotiate, argue and change the account of what others believe happened.
We all read, listen, get inspired, and hopefully learn from our history. With all of our
technology, it is much easier to look up events, and people in our history, whether in your family
or our world history. It also make it easier for anyone to record and document events that are
happening at the moment to keep for our future generations to have a record or our history.

Posted on my webpage - http://hollycjc.weebly.com/

References
Martin, J. N., & Nakayama, T. K. (2014). Experiencing Intercultural Communication:
An Introduction (5th ed) . New York: McGraw-Hill.
Salmeri, C. (2014). The translator as an Intercultural Mediator. Translation and
Cultural Influences. Lebende Sprachen, 7886.

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Tschurtz, B., & Burke, A. (2011). Advancing Effective Communication, Cultural
Competence, and Patient- and Family-Centered Care for the Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Community. The Joint Commission, 1-92.