Ethnic Group

 An ethnicity is a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, with common languages, common culture, and religion. Ethnic groups also share a common and distinctive culture that is passed through generations. Ethnic groups can exhibit such distinguishing features as language or accent, physical features, and family names(pg.21). Growing up I split my time between latin, black and white ethnic groups. As I learned more about their cultures It only mattered when I was around their parents or in their homes. But I never saw any of them different when we hung out. I learned to identify with their customs and them with mine. Like the pictures below it show where you are from, but in the end we are all one. 

All these pictures represent ethnicity by the style of clothing, jewelry, color, and physical features. Ethnic groups my be a minority or majority, but these picture like the bottom left show that  color, nor language have to be in common to be the same.

Globalization

Globalization has been the process by which regional economies, societies, and cultures have become integrated through a global network of political ideas through communication, transportation, and trade. The 20th century has brought worldwide spread of markets  and democracy. Free trade and private property has made the world come together  to create a thriving economy. Globalization has exported new businesses abroad and imported new ideas here to the U.S. Globalization has also take business like McDonalds, Starbucks, and Pepsi to another level. Opponents have argued that these corporations are taking away from local cultures and undermining business. Whether you agree or disagree free market and democracy has financially boosted the over all economy.

These videos show the monopoly or take over of business and corporations that have been thriving all over the world. And the argument of whether there should be limit or stop to this dominance. 

These pictures symbolize the business and advances of globalization around the world and where they are located. The top left show how America is the biggest contributor to the spread of globalization. 

Intercultural Communications

Intercultural Communication generally refers to face-to-face interaction among people of diverse cultures. It is used to describe global communication with individuals from different religious, social, ethnic, and educational backgrounds. It deals with understanding different cultures, languages and customs of people from other countries. When I travel to other counties, I am involved with their customs, communication, and mannerisms. Intercultural is to recognize others, to learn different ways, try new things, and to co-exist with deferent people. 


This video deals more with a communication barrier, but is very funny. I think it show the importance of traveling out side of ones country to understand customs and to learn other languages besides ones own. 

Some of the world events that expose people to intercultural communication is the Summer Olympics, World Cup, Winter Olympics, and Political Summits with in some way force people to learn more about each other.

Tweeter and other social media communication technologies have enable people to interact with Intercultural communication. Sharing their ideas, feelings, and customs has evolved our horizon, as well as to see past our color and nationalities. 

Kinesics

Kinesics is the interpretation of body language such as facial expressions, eye contact, gestures or more formally, non-verbal behavior related to movement. "Desmond Morris (1979) wrote that communication depends heavily on the actions, postures, movements, and expressions of our body"(pg.113). This nonverbal form of communication can be expressed intentionally or unconsciously. 

As in the picture to the left you can see gestures that can be interpreted as happy, mad, confused, and or unsure.  

The picture with George Bush show a gesture of boredom.

On the bottom, the gentleman expresses his feelings with body movement of his fist. 

There are variable universal signs such as, thumbs-up, middle finger, peace sign, and the OK sign. I have used all these signs to express myself with hand movement. Also, a wink, a hard stare, smile, are facial gestures that I used to show humor, anger, happiness, and attractiveness. This are all some common Kinesics used here in US, but can mean something differently some were else. 

Culture Shock

Culture shock is best understood and felt when you experience anxiety and disorientation. Also the difficulty of adjusting to a new and different costume other then what you are use to. Fore example: being in a foreign country, living with someone with different customs, new work environment, language barrier, types of food. According to the book in chapter 12, "Studies show that from 30% to 60% of expatriates suffer serious culture shock, whereas about 20% have no difficulty and enjoy the challenge"(pg. 292). There is also Reverse Culture Shock, which occurs when one comes back home and then has to re-adjust to ones original country.

This video shows how different cultures and communication barriers can confuse someone with different customs. Although it is very humors the message of culture shock definitely gets across. 

This picture shows how aliens can even be shocked by something that is out-side of the norm. 

  Another type is Third-Culture Kids, which refers to children in expatriate families who reside outside of their home culture for years at a time. Other terms used are global nomads, transnationals, and internationally mobile children.(Gerner, Perry, Moselle, & Archbold), (pg.294).