Preface v

1 Defining Intercultural Communication 1

What Is Culture? 1

Culture Is Symbolic and Changeable 2

Culture Is a Social Construction 3

Culture Is Learned and Performed 4

Culture Is Reinforced and Generational 5

Culture Is Internalized 5

Culture Is Institutional 6

What Is Communication? 7

What Is Intercultural Communication? 7

Why Should We Study Intercultural Communication? 8

Intercultural Communication and the Global Village 8

Intercultural Communication and Self-Awareness 9

Awareness of Others and Intercultural Communication 10

2 Verbal and Nonverbal in Intercultural Communication 12

Verbal Communication and Culture 12

Words and Meaning 12

Grammar 13

Conversation 14

Argument 15

Nonverbal Communication and Culture 16

Accent 16

Eye Contact and Gestures 17

Proxemics 18

Chronemics 19

Haptics 20

3 Identities in Intercultural Communication 23

Defining Identity 23

The Looking Glass Theory 23

Our Multiple Identities 24

Identity Development 28

Avowal vs. Ascribed Identities 28

Minority Identity Development 28

Majority Identity Development 30

Multiracial and Multiethnic Identity Development 32

Stereotypes, Prejudice, Discrimination, and "Isms" 33

So-Who Are You? 34

4 Borders, Transitions, and Intercultural Communication 36

Types of Borders 36

Geographic Borders 36

Cultural Borders 37

Encountering Borders and Culture Shock 38

Colliding with Borders 38

Culture Shock 39

Cultural Others at Home 41

The Immigrant's Perspective 42

The Host Culture's Perspective 43

Border Culture 44

5 Intercultural Communication in Context: Relationships and Organizations 46

Intercultural Communication andRelationships 46

Bounded and Dominant Intercultural Relationships 46

Interracial Relationships 47

The Benefits and Challenges of Intercultural Relationships 48

Misunderstandings in Intercultural Relationships 49

Intercultural Communication and Organizations 50

Intercultural Communication, Organizations, and Identity 51

Organizations and Verbal Communication 52

Organizations and Nonverbal Communication 54

6 Intercultural Communication and Popular Culture 57

Defining Popular Culture 57

Popular Culture and Other Forms of Culture 58

Popular Culture and Intercultural Communication 59

Analyzing Popular Culture Media 61

Television 61

Film 63

Books 64

Toys 66

7 Wrapping It Up: Why Intercultural Communication Matters 69

Top-Five Things to Remember 70

1 Intercultural Communication Is Everywhere 71

2 Normal Isn't Normal at All 71

3 Borders Are Everywhere-Even at the Convenience Store 72

4 Barbie Is More Than Just a Pretty Face 72

5 Things Aren't Always What They Seem to Be 73

A Final Word 74

Glossary 75

Index 79