Intercultural Communication Competence
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- Date Submitted: 01/02/2014 01:27 AM
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But what exactly is intercultural competence? Although this term is in wide use today, there is no clear consensus about what it is. Some researchers stress global knowledge, others emphasize sensitivity, and still others point to certain skills. The characterization of ICC presented below.
A Brief Definition
The definition of ICC (3C): it is the complex of abilities needed to perform effectively and appropriately when interacting with others who are linguistically and culturally different from oneself.
Whereas “effective” usually reflects one’s own view of one’s performance in the LC2 (i.e., an “etic” or outsider’s view of the host culture); “appropriate” relates to how one’s performance is perceived by one’s hosts (i.e., an “emic” or insider’s view).
The components of ICC
the knowledge
motivation
skills
The knowledge component of competence is conceptualized as the information necessary to interact appropriately and effectively, and the requisite cognitive orientation to facilitate the acquisition of such information. In terms of the necessary information, research has found positive associations between ICC competence and awareness of the other culture (Wiseman, Hammer, & Nishida, 1989), self-awareness (Gudykunst, Yang, & Nishida, 1987), and host language fluency (Giles, 1977). Proficiency in the Host Language – The ability to communicate in the host language greatly enhances ICC development in both quantitative and qualitative ways. Grappling with another language confronts how one perceives, conceptualizes, and expresses oneself; and, in the process, fosters the development of alternative communication strategies on someone else's terms. This humbling and challenging process often facilitates transcending and transforming how one understands the world. Lack of a second language – even at a minimal level – constrains one to continue to think about the world and act within it, only in one's native system, and deprives the...
A Brief Definition
The definition of ICC (3C): it is the complex of abilities needed to perform effectively and appropriately when interacting with others who are linguistically and culturally different from oneself.
Whereas “effective” usually reflects one’s own view of one’s performance in the LC2 (i.e., an “etic” or outsider’s view of the host culture); “appropriate” relates to how one’s performance is perceived by one’s hosts (i.e., an “emic” or insider’s view).
The components of ICC
the knowledge
motivation
skills
The knowledge component of competence is conceptualized as the information necessary to interact appropriately and effectively, and the requisite cognitive orientation to facilitate the acquisition of such information. In terms of the necessary information, research has found positive associations between ICC competence and awareness of the other culture (Wiseman, Hammer, & Nishida, 1989), self-awareness (Gudykunst, Yang, & Nishida, 1987), and host language fluency (Giles, 1977). Proficiency in the Host Language – The ability to communicate in the host language greatly enhances ICC development in both quantitative and qualitative ways. Grappling with another language confronts how one perceives, conceptualizes, and expresses oneself; and, in the process, fosters the development of alternative communication strategies on someone else's terms. This humbling and challenging process often facilitates transcending and transforming how one understands the world. Lack of a second language – even at a minimal level – constrains one to continue to think about the world and act within it, only in one's native system, and deprives the...