Transcript CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 3 The Microcultural Context Terminology Microculture vs. Minority Group vs. Subculture A Contextual Model of Intercultural Communication Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 6e. © SAGE Publications, 2015. The Cultural Context Characteristics of Microcultures • • • • • Physical or cultural trait Membership is usually involuntary Practice endogamy Awareness of subordinate status Experience unequal treatment Muted Group Theory • Suggests that the speech and writing of microcultural groups are not valued by the dominant cultural group. • Not free to communicate like dominant group • Sometimes result of immigration or colonization • In response, microcultural group members: – Attempt to change the dominant mode of expression. – Create their own “private” language. Examples of Microcultures • Hispanic/Latino • African American • Asian Americans • The Amish • Hmong • LGBT Hispanic/Latino • About 17.4% of the U.S. population. Growing rapidly • Values: collectivism, la familia, faith. • Communication:—Spanish, Spanglish, Cubonics, Chicano English, nonverbally demonstrative • Stereotype: Machismo. • Concentrated in Texas and California African Americans • Size: approximately 13.2% of the U.S. population. Stable • Language/Dialect: Ebonics, “call-andresponse” communication pattern. • Cultural attitudes about Ebonics. Ebonics or “Black” Dialect • 80-90% use it • Acceptance is societal dilemma • Pronunciation and syntax follow systematic rules • Emotionally intense compared to EuroAmerican English Value of Black English • Sense of community • Expresses unique history • Bridges social and economic gaps Asian Americans • Size: nearly 5.4% of the U.S. population • Diversity as a microcultural group • Six dominant values held by most Asian Americans include: – collectivism – conforming to norms – emotional self-control – family recognition through achievement – filial piety – humility The Hmong • Size—approximately 150,000 in the U. S. • History of the “free people” or “mountain people” • Family—grouped into clans. – Patrilineal. – Value arranged marriages. • Dialects—Hmoob Dawb (White Hmong), Hmoob Ntsuab (Blue Hmong). • Nonverbal characteristics: paj ntaub, eye twitching. Hmong • First-generation immigrants • Chinese who settled in Vietnam and Laos – After Viet Nam war emigrated to U.S., Australia, France • Culture in conflict with mainstream • Clearly defined sex roles • Arranged marriages The Amish • Size—approximately 150,000 in the U.S. – Average of 7 children per family • Religion—Anabaptist • Isolation—do not serve in the military, pay Social Security taxes or serve on juries. – Do not receive social security, welfare or collect settlements. • Language—high German and low German (i.e. Pennsylvania Dutch) – “He went English” • Nonverbal communication through dress Amish Isolation • • • • Separate from mainstream America Simple, quiet, austere living Familistic entrepreneuring system Collectivistic Arab-Americans • 1.2 million Americans with Arab ancestry and growing • Focus on racial, ethnic, and religious hostility since 9/11 • Very diverse compared to other microcultural groups Arab Diversity • Many different national, ethnic, and religious origins. • Most Arab-Americans are Christian and not Muslim • Language of Islam is Arabic LGBT • Most difficult of the microculture examples to characterize and define. • Gayspeak—serves three functions: – Protects against detection of sexual status – Facilitates expression of roles within gay culture – Vehicle for political identity and activism