Honorio Gonzalez EDU 533 Intercultural Competence Chapter Notes- Chapter 1 Explain the purpose of this book- p. 2.

The purpose of this book is to provide the readers with conceptual tools for understanding how cultural differences can affect the readers own interpersonal communication. Some practical suggestions are offered to the readers concerning the adjustments necessary to achieve competence when dealing with these cultural differences. This is accomplished by examining the forces that create the need for increased attention to intercultural communication competence. (p. 2) List and explain the five imperatives for intercultural competence. Demographic- Recent census figures provide a glimpse into the shape of the changing demographics of the U.S. population (p. 3). People are also becoming more comfortable with multiple racial and cultural identities (p. 3). Census figures indicate that cultural diversity is a nationwide phenomenon (p. 3). This means that people are becoming more intercultural competent due to the changing demographic in the U.S. The demographic landscape is also allowing for bilingualism to become more commonplace in the U.S. and therefore, allowing intercultural competence to do the same. Technological- Today, the global village is an image that is used to describe the worldwide of interconnections that modern technologies have created (p. 6). Technology allows and facilitates human interactions across the globe and in real time (p. 7). These had increased the urgency for intercultural competence because of the widespread availability of technologies and long distance transportations, intercultural competence is now as important as it ever has been (p. 8). This means that as the world becomes smaller and more connected, we have to become intercultural competent because this is needed in order to operate in a more connected world. Economic- Globalization-the integration of capital, technology, and information across national borders-is creating a global marketplace (p. 8). Therefore, U.S. economic relationships require global interdependence and intercultural competence, since economic growth or retrenchment in one part of the world now reverberates and affects many others (p. 8). One example of this would be the U.S. banking crisis that occurred in 2008 and led the country into a recession. This affected the economies and currencies of countries worldwide. Which is why economic competence is as important as intercultural competence since the two are linked and what affects one affects the other and viceversa. Peace- The vision of interdependence among cultural groups throughout the world and the United States had led Robert Shuter to declare that culture is the single most important global communication issue that humans face (p. 10). The need to understand and appreciate those who differ from ourselves has never been more important (p. 10). The importance of this can be seen today in the wars that rage not only in Africa and the Middle East but around the world also due in part to there no being any intercultural communication present. The need to be able to understand different cultures can pave the way for these conflicts to be resolved faster if intercultural communication can be applied and understood. Furthermore, the peace imperative for intercultural communications is exemplified by the goals and experiences of the athletes and fans of the Olympics (p. 10).

Interpersonal- The demographics, technological, economic, and peace imperatives all combine to create a world in which human interactions are dominated by culture, cultural differences, and the ability of humans to understand and interact within multiple cultural frameworks (p. 10). Furthermore, the challenge of communicating in an intercultural world occurs in our families, homes, work setting, schools, and neighborhoods (p. 11). Which is why learning intercultural communication in interpersonal relationships is of great importance. It allows us to participate in our communities and societies in an intercultural world. The challenge of the 21st century and this book are to understand and to appreciate cultural differences and to translate that understanding into competent interpersonal communication (p. 12). Define communication Communication can be defined and interpreted in many various ways. The book states that communication is a symbolic, interpretive, transactional, contextual process in which people create shared meanings (p. 12). Communication is symbolic because symbols are central to the communication process because they represent the shared meanings that are communicated (p. 12). Communication is interpretive because whenever people communicate, they must interpret symbolic behaviors of others and assign significance to some of those behaviors in order to create as meaningful account of others actions (p. 14). Communication is transactional because it implies that all participants in the communication process work together to create and sustain the meanings that develop (p. 15). Communication is contextual because it takes place within a setting or situation (p. 17). The physical context, or where the actual location takes place and the social context, or what is expected of the participants varies in interactions (p. 17). The interpersonal context refers to the expectations people have about the behaviors of others as a result of differences in the relationships between them (p. 18). Communication is a process because people, relationships, activities, objects and experiences can be describes in static terms (p. 18). Furthermore, communication involves shared meanings because the interpretive and transactional nature of communication suggests that correct meanings are not just out there to be discovered (p. 18). Applications Since I am planning to go to Japan in the future, there are many applications that can be applied to how I will address the teachers and students and how I will be address by them in return. As I have found, honorifics not only play a big part in Japan, but also in Asia as a whole, I would have to know how to address my fellow teachers and students. I would also have to know how to address them in a formal and informal setting. This can determine how I would be perceived in Japan once I got there. It would also determine how others treated me and how long I would stay in Japan due to the experience I would have there. This is what is it important to know how to address people in Japan, it will determine how one is perceived and treated, all which I have now learned in time. This is why intercultural competence and intercultural communication are of great importance to me and will be once I am in Japan. Biblical Links Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another love. Ephesians 4:2.

This verse comes to minds when I think of going overseas. I would have to be patient because not only is it a virtue from God but also because it is part of Intercultural competence. I would have to go overseas completely humble, gentle, and with love. This is because this would help not only with my host culture but also in my personal relationship with God and also future interpersonal relationships with people of different cultures.