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Week 3: The Power of History in Intercultural Communication

Historical Examination of Intercultural Communication

Renata Alexander

November 5, 2017

COM 40164 Intercultural/International Communication

Ottawa University
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Historical Examination of Intercultural Communication

Each day impacts the world. For some, the impact is small. For others, the impact is large.

Regardless, the impact is long-lasting. It is long-lasting because, the past is not really past

(Martin & Nakayama, 2018, p. 88). Therefore, we must be willing to face the history of today

and tomorrow with communication"the core of culture, knowledge and social behavior

(Miulescu, 2014, p. 694). This communication must occur interculturally in our own

neighborhood and worldwide. Before we can do so properly, we ought to take time to understand

the role of history, hidden histories, family and national histories, the LGBT community, and

negotiations in intercultural communication.

First, we ought to take time to understand the role of history in intercultural communication.

I think it would be important to examine the role of history in intercultural communication

because it helps us make better sense of the identity of a culture, nation, or person. History is

what often gives a culture meaning (Martin & Nakayama, 2018). On a similar note, these

histories are not confined in one location, due to individual or group migration. Along the way,

people will bring their own histories, customs, and practices with them (Martin & Nakayama,

2018).

Also, it is important to examine the role of history because decisions made in the past

continue to influence us today (Martin & Nakayama, 2018, p. 71). Therefore, people must be

willing to at least be aware of what has occurred to properly communicate. This does not

necessarily mean we ought to know everything, but it does mean putting forth at least some

effort to acknowledge it, no matter how difficult it may be to process (The power of history,

n.d.). For, when we do not acknowledge it, we send the notion that everyone is the same (Martin

& Nakayama, 2018).

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Second, we ought to take time to understand the role of hidden histories in intercultural

communication. Hidden histories are, The histories that are hidden from or forgotten by the

mainstream representations of past events (Martin & Nakayama, 2018, p. G-4). Or, in simpler

terms, Histories that typically are not conveyed in a widespread manner (Martin & Nakayama,

2018, p. 90). In other words, histories need people to tell stories, an essential human experience

(Martin & Nakayama, 2018, p. 77).

Hidden histories might affect intercultural interaction by causing people to harbor

incorrect beliefs about others, ultimately leading to stereotypes and prejudices. After all, most

nations tell the history they want people to hear in their textbooks. Furthermore, hidden histories

can cause others to lose their sense of identity (Martin & Nakayama, 2018). Telling stories

maintains and validates culture (The power of history, n.d.). Most importantly, hidden histories

may affect intercultural interaction by causing some to believe their experiences do not matter.

When, in fact, just because the mainstream may distort or neglect a story, does not mean it did

not happen or that it does not affect people (Martin & Nakayama, 2018). Even worse, not talking

about a history may cause it to perish altogether. Indeed, communication is a central dimension

of our cultural life; without it, any kind of culture dies (Miulescu, 2014, p. 694).

Third, we ought to take time to understand the role of family and national histories in

intercultural communication. Family histories occur simultaneously with all other histories. They

are not written down. Instead, they are passed down orally from one generation to the next. Most

importantly, they are more personal. For example, family history can help one understand their

part in a bigger event, such as a large migration or a war. Family histories make national

histories seem smaller or more unique. However, it may make dealing with a national history

more difficult if the family history brings heartache or pain (Martin & Nakayama, 2018).
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On the other hand, national histories are not as personal. Instead, they are important to the

nations overall history that helped make the country. They are passed down from student to

student via textbooks, often representing the good of the nation rather than the bad. There is an

expectation to know these histories in references of everyday discussion. This is mainly because

national histories create a sense of unity through country pride (Martin & Nakayama, 2018).

Fourth, we ought to take time to understand the role of the LGBT community in intercultural

communication. The history of the LGBT community is relevant to intercultural communication

because it is often overlooked and silenced. In fact, one could say, until recently it was a hidden

history as well (Martin & Nakayama, 2018). Also, the history of the LGBT community is

relevant to the intercultural communication because, although it may be difficult to prove, their

community has been a part of history long before the before the terms were defined and

mainstream. This is made evident by a statue in Amsterdam that helps ensure that we remember

that gays and lesbians were victims of the Nazi Holocaust as well (Martin & Nakayama, 2018,

p. 81). Most importantly, the history of the LGBT community is relevant to intercultural

communication because it is heavily tied to identity. It also speaks to the notion, The history

that we know and our feelings about that history are strongly influenced by our culture (Martin

& Nakayama, 2018, p. 70).

Also, it is relevant because it challenges people to see others beyond their own standard. For,

trying to know the other through ones self does injustice to the other because it is inaccurate to

reduce the other to our standards. With this mindset, one reduces the other to the familiar aspects

of their life and never accepts the strange (Ucok-Sayrak, 2016, p. 136). Or, in my case, even

though I do not agree with the LGBT way of life, I can still accept that the definition of a typical

American family is changing. The norm will no longer be a suburbia husband and wife with two
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children and two cars with a white picket fence. This shift can ultimately lead to shifting or

ridding of common stereotypes of the LGBT community and others as well (Martin &

Nakayama, 2018).

Fifth, we ought to take time to understand the role of negotiations in intercultural

communication. We can negotiate histories in interactions by first understanding what our own

positions and histories mean to us. This includes acknowledging and ridding of stereotypes that

may negatively impact interaction. Therefore, we must acknowledge that not everyone may have

the same definition for an identity, people group, culture, nation, etc. After all, every nation has

its own inner struggles, regardless of the bigger, worldwide issues (Martin & Nakayama, 2018).

Furthermore, these histories are part of every conversation, whether we are aware. Simply

put, we can negotiate histories by being open-minded. We can understand that some people

embrace their identities while others feel constrained by them. Most importantly, we can

negotiate histories in interactions by merely embracing the notion that, It is not always

immediately apparent what history has to do with culture, communication, or intercultural

communication (Martin & Nakayama, 2018, p. 70). As a result, true negotiation requires respect

and cultural humility, which simply means walking into an intercultural encounter ready to learn

from another person based on their terms, not ones own. Most importantly, we can negotiate

meanings by seeking to become citizens of the world (Ucok-Sayrak, 2016).

In conclusion, the world is filled with a myriad of cultures starting in our own

neighborhoods. These cultures have a history of their own. Those histories will not seem as

dauting the moment we choose to interculturally communicate about them. Even if we do not

choose to do so, we ought to understand the history of these cultures will continue to make long-

lasting impacts, no matter their role.

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References

Martin, J., & Nakayama, T. (2018). Experiencing intercultural communication: an introduction.

(6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Miulescu, V. (2014). Communication and culture: Cultural paradigms and

referentials. Contemporary Readings in Law & Social Justice, 6(1), 691-700.

The power of history in intercultural communication learning resources (n.d.). Ottawa

University. Retrieved from https://ottawau.blackboard.com/bbcswebdav/courses/COM

40164-Master-Online-Content

2017/Week%283%29/Week3_Learning%20Resources.html? target=blank

Ucok-Sayrak, O. (2016). Attending to the face of the other in intercultural communication:

Thinking and talking about difference, identity, and ethics. Journal of International &

Intercultural Communication, 9(2), 122-139. doi:10.1080/17513057.2016.1142600