Introduction
Opportunities for this writer to teach a seminar or course on the Victorious Christian Life (especially related to Romans 6-8) in various countries appear to be growing. The writer would like to integrate principles and concepts of Intercultural Studies to enhance and improve his teaching overseas in the many different cultural contexts. The experience described here would help others also to redesign their ministry goals and actual conduct of teaching.
Communication Theory & Processes
Even though this speaker's culture provides him with communication processes and a system of knowledge that allow him to know how to communicate with others and how to interpret others' behavior, there are still many challenges to face in the communication process. How can an international speaker relate a message of holiness in an effective way to Christians in Africa, Asia and Latin America where the culture is different from his own?
A. The Influence of Language
Language is a product of culture, and culture is a product of language. The language one speaks influences what he or she sees and thinks, and what she sees and thinks, in part, influences her culture. Besides that, non-verbal encoding of messages, like language, also varies from culture to culture. Language is mostly a conscious activity, while nonverbal behavior, such as gestures, facial expressions or tones of voice, is mostly an unconscious action.
B. Three Cultures
Culture is "a pattern of learned, group-related perception-including both verbal and nonverbal language, attitudes, values, belief systems, disbelief systems, and behaviors--that is accepted and expected by an identity group" (Singer 1987:34).
At least three cultures (representing the Source, the Receptor and the Messenger) present a complex cultural matrix that must be untangled for the Scriptural message to be effectively communicated.
Receptors decode the message, not on the basis of what the source intends, but rather with respect to their own context and experience. The speaker, therefore, must be concerned with "reality" from the people's perspective and the meanings, both explicit and implicit, they attach to it. Preconceived notions about the nature of communication and about other cultures will hinder effective interaction.
Interacting with people from other cultures can cause uncertainty since the speaker can't predict how others will react to the message. Such interaction can also cause anxiety since it is possible that people will not accept him and/or the message.
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Edward E. Dudek, M.A.
Bethany College of Missions
6820 Auto Club Road
Bloomington, MN 55438, USA
ed.dudek@bethanyinternational.org
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