Cultural Experience

The term “culture” refers to the complex collection of knowledge, folklore, language, rules, rituals,
habits, lifestyles, attitudes, beliefs, and give a common identity to a particular groups of people at a
specific point of time.

All social units develop a culture. Even in two-person relationships, a culture develops over time, it
might be a friendship or romantic relationships. Groups also develop cultures as well as organization.

The relationship between culture experience and communication is a very complex and intimate one.
First, cultures are created through communication; that is, communications is the means of human
interaction though which cultural characteristics- whether customs, roles, rules, rituals, laws, or
patterns are created and shared. It is not so much that individual set out to create a culture when they
interact in relationships, groups, organizations or social-interactions. In a sense, cultures are “residue”
of social communication. Without communication and communication media, it would be impossible
to preserve and pass along cultural characteristics from one place and time to another.

One can say, therefore, that culture is created, shaped, transmitted, and learned through
communication. The reverse is also the case; that is, communication practices are largely created,
shaped, and transmitted by culture.

To understand the implications of this communication-culture relationship, it is necessary to think in

terms of ongoing communication processes rather than a single communication event. For example,
when a three-person group first meets, the members bring with them individual thought and
behavioural patterns from previous communication experiences and from other cultures experiences
of which they are, or have been, a part. As individuals start to engage in communication with the
other members of this new group, they begin to create a set of shared experiences and ways of talking
about them. If the group continues to interact, a set of distinguishing history, patterns, customs, and
rituals will evolve. Some of these cultural characteristics would be quite obvious and tangible, such
that a new person joining the group would encounter ongoing cultural “rules” to which they would
learn to conform through communication.

Understanding the nature of culture in relationship to communication is helpful in a number of ways.

First, it helps to explain the origin of differences between the practices, beliefs, values, and customs of
various groups and societies, and it provides a reminder of the communication process by which these
differences came into being. This knowledge can and should heighten people’s tolerance for cultural
differences. Second, it helps to explain the process that individuals go through in adapting to new
relationships, groups, organizations, and societies and the cultures of each. Third, it underscores the
importance of communication as a bridge between cultures and as a force behind cultural change .
To make communication easier across different cultures, these are the basic
steps must do:

 UNDERSTANDING CULTURAL DIVERSITY

In such cases, an effective communication strategy begins with the understanding that the
sender of the message and the receiver of the message are from different cultures and
backgrounds. Of course, this introduces a certain account of uncertainty, making
communication even more complex.

 DEVELOPING AWARENESS OF INDIVIDUAL CULTURES

However, learning the basics about the culture and at least something about the language of
communication in different countries is important. This is necessary even for the basic level
of understanding required to engage in appropriate greeting and physical contact, which
can be a tricky area inter-culturally.

 KEEP IT SIMPLE
When you communicate cross-culturally, make particular efforts to keep your
communication clear, simple and unambiguous.

 AND GET HELP IF YOU NEED IT

Finally, if language barriers present themselves, it may be in everyone’s best to get help or
ask for help in someone who is an expert.

GENERAL LANGUAGE
 Deals with language in a broad sense and with English in
particular. It helps people to use language more effectively, to
express thought more clearly and to read and interpret more
accurately.