Historical Examination

Why would it be important to examine the role of history in Intercultural Communication?

History plays an extremely important role in fully understanding intercultural communication. (Martin and Nakayama, 2011, pg 68). With all the different cultures in the world, it is imperative to respect that everyone’s culture differs from person to person or country to country. One’s personal history speaks volumes of information about why they are the way they are, as well as helpful indicators about their personality and proper ways of communicating with them.

Working with people everyday in my job (assistant manager for a U.S. Cellular store), it is always a good idea to try to relate to the history of the people I’m speaking to or trying to help. If I have a better understanding of my customers history, I can better help the customer in many ways. It allows me to see what it is that they are trying to say. I couldn’t tell you how many people I’ve helped that use cell phone terminology interchangeably. For instance, customers will refer to their plan and contract interchangeably. It is up to me to interpret what it is that they are trying to tell me. I also service many Hispanic customers through both body language and listening carefully to what they are telling me. Many times words in Spanish are very similar to, if not exactly the same as, words in English.

What are hidden histories and how might hidden histories affect intercultural interactions?

Hidden histories are events of the past that are not common knowledge or, in most cases, people are not taught about them. In a lot of cases, these histories do not reflect well upon the group that is suppressing the story. In other cases, it is a product of pop culture influencing people’s perception of history. For example, everyone knows the story of how Christopher Columbus sought out the new world to prove the world was round. The problem is that this story is simply not true. It was invented by Washington Irving for a novel he wrote in the early 1800’s. It has been suggested that if the legend is more interesting than the truth, print the legend (Wuhl, 2008).

The downside of hidden histories are that there are more of them than we will probably ever discover. All history is based upon what the people who survived said happened. In most cases, they are not written down, but are passed along orally from one generation the next (Martin and Nakayama, 2011, pg. 70). It is extremely important to be aware of these hidden histories so that we can learn from our mistakes and open the communication lines between our cultures to help finally get by our differences, whether they be racial or directly cultural differences.

Compare and contrast family histories with national histories.

A person is exposed to many different cultures throughout their life. With each of these cultures, they bring their history along with them. Family histories have much in common with national histories as they both rely on the use of communication. In most cases, they are not written down, but are passed along orally from one generation the next (Martin and Nakayama, 2011, pg. 70). If one generation did not pass on their specific tales of traditions and events, then many of these histories would be lost to time and forgotten altogether. Each national and family history is unique to the cultural members of their environment and may differ from one country or family to another.

Some people would look at the histories of families and nations without seeing the many differences between the two. For one thing, a national history is generally taught in schools and text books much more broadly than a family history is (one exception might be the Kennedy family or the royal family of England). It is comprised of events and endeavors of varying importance. Many people, within the nation, learn of their national history through school books and historical narratives. On the flip side, family histories are interwoven with the national histories. People are able to connect with family history in a deep and profound way.

How is the history of gays and lesbians relevant to intercultural communication?

“Sexual orientation histories emphasize the significance of sexuality in understanding the past and the present, yet these histories are often overlooked or silenced” (Martin and Nakayama, 2011, pg 77). I would tend to agree with this sentiment. Actor Rock Hudson was shocked the world by coming out of the closet, as he was widely perceived to be a “mans man.” (Monroe, 1995, pg. 97.)

It was only fairly recent in history that members of the gay and lesbian culture have been able to live out loud so to speak. For example, the show Glee with its racy plot lines and thought provoking topics would have never made the air in the 1970’s. (Stoner, 2011, pg 13). Within intercultural communication, a person is very likely to work with someone of a differing sexual orientation on a regular basis. I feel the more a person knows about a culture, including gay and lesbian culture, the more accepting and understanding can be found for the people. Understanding a group of people does not mean one has to agree with the people.

How can we negotiate histories in interactions?

We give ourselves the opportunity to understand the world and its people by striving to learn about other cultures histories. For example: I have taken several trips to Mexico on cruises. Now, while I realize the areas I visit are designed to cater to traveling Americans, I’ve also been given the opportunity to travel away from these ports, deeper into Mexico, to experience the true Mexico first hand. I have always had the assumption that, until I have seen it with my own two eyes, I shouldn’t just take for granted that the picture of a country presented to me by the media is correct.

It is impossible to fully take in an entire country and its many facets in the space of time that a television program can provide for it. I was able to communicate with the native people and had many good conversations about life and the ideals that they have where they come from. “The desire to escape history is significant in what it tells us about how our own culture negotiates its relation to the past and how we view the relation of other nations and cultures to their pasts” (Martin and Nakayama, 2011, pg. 75).
My blog can be found at: http://interculturalcommpage.blogspot.com/.

References
Martin, J. N. and Nakayama, T. K. (2011) Experiencing Intercultural Communication. 4th. New York: McGraw-Hill
Monroe, Q. (1995) Like a Rock. Free Press
Stoner, K. (2011) Gleeful. Miami News Record.
Wuhl, R. (2007) Assume the Position with Mr. Wuhl. NYU