published over 3 years ago (07.11.2008 13:02)
patterns of communication in various cultures, and the perception of time
The following is excerpted from Communication Patterns and Assumptions at the awsomelibrary.org. It’s eye-opening in that people don’t just look different, they communicate very differently, expect different things from their conversation partners, and have a different attitude towards time.
Understanding the difference in the dealing with time is one of the keys to being happy with a latin girlfriend :-)
African American Communication Patterns
- Time: Linear time is not internalized to the extent it is in the dominant society. Being a more relationship-oriented culture, African Americans tend to be more relaxed in this regard—”The right time is when we get there.” Anger from others at being late is often met with puzzlement—”I’m here now, let’s get started” is a common response to this kind of situation (Nichols 1986).
Native American Communication Patterns
- Time: For Native people raised in a traditional environment, “clock” time is not internalized to the same degree as it is in the dominant culture. The “right time” for something is when everything and everyone comes together; then the appropriate activity will ensue. Time is felt to be more a matter of season, general time of day, or when the person is internally ready for a particular activity.
Anglo or European American Communication Patterns
- Gestures: European Americans tend to use a “medium” range of gestures in usual conversation—not so large or frequent as Arabs or Southern Italians but not as restrained as the English or Japanese
- Time: In European American culture, time is thought of as linear and monochronic — that is, one thing or one person at a time should be given full attention.
- Vocal patterns: [...] Someone who is expressing himself or herself in a very passionate way may be suspected of irrationality (Kochman, 1981).
- Thought patterns and Rhetorical style: Directness in stating the point, purpose, or conclusion of a communication is the preferred style (Kaplan, 1967). Kaplan describes the English language style graphically as an arrow: This style of communication may be viewed by other cultural groups, with quite different styles, as abrupt or inappropriate. It is in strong contrast to the Asian style, portrayed by Kaplan as a spiral. It is also quite different from the Romance style (including Hispanic), which is portrayed as an arrow with sharp turns in the shaft.
Asian American Communication Patterns
- Animation/emotion: The control of emotional display is highly valued. An overt display of strong emotion could result in a loss of face for both the speaker and the listener.
- Identity orientation: Japan is usually characterized as a group-oriented collateral society, similar to Latin American or Arab cultures. This means a person’s identity and status are intimately tied to the identity and status of their family, and this persists throughout the individual’s life span.
- Time: Traditionally, time is seen as cyclical and ever-returning. Asian cultures are masters of waiting till “the time is right.” They excel in long-term planning and the initiation and maintenance of long-term relationships.
Hispanic American Communication Patterns
- Time: Latinos tend to operate in a polychronic fashion—that is, many activities may be going on at once, and priority is given to the immediate needs of people, especially those involved in one’s collateral network. Time is a fluid and malleable concept (Condon, 1997).