Honorio Gonzalez

EDU 533
Intercultural Competence
Chapter 8 Notes
Explain nonverbal codes
Whereas nonverbal codes are language-based, nonverbal codes are not and nonverbal
codes encompass the ways that people communicate without words and they include all
forms of communication other than linguistic ones (p. 180). Additionally, nonverbal
behaviors can become part of the communication process when someone intentionally
tries to convey a message or when someone attributes meaning to her the nonverbal
behaviors of one another, whether or not the person intended to communicate a particular
meaning (p. 180). The communication of verbal and nonverbal messages are inseparably
linked together to form the code systems through which the members of a culture convey
their beliefs, values, thoughts, feelings, and intentions to one another (p. 180). Nonverbal
codes have several characteristics that make them different from verbal codes in that
unlike verbal communication, nonverbal communication us multichannel; this means that
nonverbal messages can occur in a wide variety of ways simultaneously (p. 180).
Nonverbal codes are also multifunctional, can fulfill several goals or communicative
functions simultaneously, and are typically enacted spontaneously and subconsciously,
and often time they convey their meanings in subtle and covert ways (p. 180). Finally,
unlike verbal communication systems, however, there are no dictionaries or formal sets
of rules to provide a systematic list of meanings of a cultures nonverbal code systems
and the meanings of nonverbal messages are usually less precise than are those of verbal
codes (p. 181).
List and explain cultural universals in nonverbal communication.
Certain nonverbal displays are universal and another universal aspect of nonverbal
communication is the need to be territorial (p. 181). Furthermore, Paul Ekmans research
on facial expressions demonstrates the universality of many nonverbal displays; Ekman
describes three separate sets of facial muscles that operate independently and can be
manipulated to form a variety of emotional expressions (p. 182). Therefore, the ability to
produce emotional displays is consistent across cultures and there is probably a biological
or genetic basis that allows these behaviors to be produced in a particular way (p. 182).
David Matsumotos research has found that, independent of culture, people use the same
facial cues when judging emotional expressions and these studies strongly indicate that
the expression and recognition of emotions are universally shared by all humans (p. 182).
Michael Argyle has summarized a number of characteristics of nonverbal communication
that are universal across al cultures: the same body parts are used for nonverbal
expressions; nonverbal channels are used to convey similar information, emotions,
values, norms, and self-disclosing messages; nonverbal messages accompany verbal
communication and are sued in art and ritual; the motives for using the nonverbal
channel, such as when speech is impossible, are similar across cultures; and nonverbal
messages are used to coordinate and control a range of contexts and relationships that are
similar across cultures (p. 182). These are all cultural universals that make nonverbal
communication across cultures possible.

Provide examples of nonverbal messages in intercultural communication.

Messages are transmitted between people over some sort of channel and unlike written or
spoken words nonverbal communication can occur in multiple channels simultaneously
(p. 187). Due to this, several types of nonverbal messages can be generated by a single
speaker or listener at any given instant and when you read or observe the nonverbal
behavior of theirs, you might notice how they appear, what they wear, where they look,
how they move, the characteristics of their voice, and how they orient themselves in
space and time (p. 187). All of these nonverbal codes use particular channels or means of
communicating messages, which are usually interpreted in a similar fashion by members
of a given culture (p. 187)
Describe/explain cultural meanings of touch, time, and voice.
Touch is probably the most basic component of human communication (p. 195). Touch is
often used to indicate affect, the expression of positive and negative feelings and
emotions and is also used as a sign of playfulness (p. 195). Touch is frequently used as a
means of control and touching for ritual purposes occurs mainly on occasions involving
introductions or departures (p. 195). Touching is also used in task-related activities (195).
Furthermore, cultures differ in the overall amount of touching they prefer and they also
differ in where people can be touched (p. 195). Finally, cultures vary in their expectations
about who touches whom and in the settings or occasions in which touch is acceptable (p.
196).
Nonverbal messages are often used to accent or underscore the verbal message by adding
emphasis to particular words or phrases (p. 196). The many qualities of the voice itself, in
addition to the actual meaning of the words, form the vocalic nonverbal communication
system and include many non-speech sounds (p. 196). Vocalic qualities include pitch
(high to low), rate of talking (fast to slow), conversational rhythm (smooth to staccato),
and volume (loud to soft) (p. 196). Therefore, because spoken (i.e., verbal) language
always has some vocal elements, it is difficult to separate the meaning conveyed by the
language from that conveyed by the vocalic components (p. 196). Additionally, there are
vast cultural differences in vocalic behaviors and the emotional meanings conveyed by
the voice are usually taken for granted by native language users, but they can be the cause
of considerable problems when they fail to conform to preconceived expectation (p. 197).
The study of time-how people use it, structure it, interpret it, and understand its passageis called chronemics and we consider chronemics from two perspectives: time
orientations and time systems (p. 197). Time orientation refers to the value or importance
the members of a culture place on the passage of time (p. 197). Past-oriented cultures
regard previous experiences and events as most important while present-oriented cultures
regard experiences as the most important (p. 197-198). Future-oriented cultures believe
that tomorrow-or some other moment in the future-is most important (p. 198). Time
systems are the implicit cultural rules that are used to arrange sets of experiences in some
meaningful way and there are three types of time systems: technical, formal, and informal
(p. 198).
Technical time systems are the precise, scientific measurements of time that are
calculated in such units as nanoseconds and formal time systems refer to the ways in
which members of a culture describe and comprehend time (p. 198-199). Informal time
systems refer to the assumptions cultures make about how time should be used or
experienced and to the degree to which it is monochromic or polychromic (p. 199-200). A

monochromic system means that things should be done one at a time, and time is
segmented into precise, small units while a polychromic time system means that several
things are being done at the same time (p. 200). Furthermore, cultures differ in their time
orientations and in the time systems they use to give order to experience s and also in the
formal and informal time systems they use to determine how long an event should take,
and even how long long is (p. 200). These are all the cultural meanings and explanation
of touch, time, and voice.
Application
The cultural meanings of touch, time, and voice in Japan are different than here in
America. When teaching in Japan, I will always have to be on time to work and no
excuse can be made at all unlike here when you can if you have a good reason for it. I
will also have to manage the way I speak to teachers and students because a
misunderstanding can occur. I will also have to mange how I use touch in task-related
activities since a completely harmless way of touching could be perceived the wrong
way. Overall, although the cultural meanings in Japan can be perceived as taxing, even
will worth it for the experience of living those experiences.
Biblical Links
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of time Colossians 4:5. The
verse is telling us to make the best of out time by making sure we spend it wisely. One
way to do that is participating in fellowship with not only fellow believers, but also those
who are not. By doing this, we are allowing for them to come though know Christ
through our own personal testimony of our actions and fellowship. This is especially true
with any future friends I might make in Japan.