One of the best opportunities to promote intercultural communication is to learn about the culture of others. Rather than supporting stereotypes that may negatively affect our communication with others, we should seek knowledge about their background to better understand and indentify with them, thus becoming more accepting. Jandt (2010, p. 89) describes several ways that stereotypes can adversely impact communication. Some may actually choose to hide behind a stereotype, in an effort to become someone else. Exploring the virtual worlds provides a better opportunity to understand the use of stereotypes to promote intercultural communications.
Virtual Worlds as a Means to Promote Intercultural Communications
Can nonverbal communication be just as effective, or even more so, than traditional communication through the use of words? Jandt (2010) defines nonverbal communication as “using nonspoken symbol to communicate a specific message.” However, the impact of the nonverbal communication depends on the interpretation by the person receiving it, and what he already knows about that culture or subgroup. It is possible that virtual worlds may be able to create new channels of communication that bridge the divide between cultures. This paper will discuss the benefits and limitations of virtual worlds in improving intercultural communication.
The Imagination Age, as described by Fouts and King (2009) defines a new global culture which is created through the use of technology. The interesting video suggests that a group of people exist, from all cultural backgrounds, with the desire to define a new global culture. This new global culture is based on common interests and similar passions between individuals such as art, music and storytelling that promote peace, tolerance and acceptance of others. This global culture is being created through a new form of nonverbal communication – virtual worlds. Virtual worlds provide an opportunity for people of various cultural backgrounds to come together, on equal ground, without the stereotypes and preconceptions that may exist otherwise. By using technology this way, all various forms of communication can be used to enhance intercultural communication and lessen the impact of stereotypes.
Virtual worlds are a completely new environment allowing people from different cultures to blend without the preconceptions others have about their culture. “Symbols through this type nonverbal communication can be used to communicate across language barriers, (Jandt, 2010). One distinct advantage of the virtual world is that it gives someone an opportunity to create their own avatar and form the opinion of others based on the image projected. Although virtual worlds resemble real life in many cases, nonverbal communication through virtual worlds lessens the threat of being rejected because of a cultural stereotype. Many nonverbal symbols used to communicate messages are similar with other aspects of a culture, however, nonverbal communication affords the opportunity to send messages and verify the context of the message without embarrassing outcomes that might otherwise exist.
Of course, there are limits to improving intercultural communication through the use of virtual worlds. Nonverbal communication often exists through the use of symbols, and symbols do not always have the same meaning from culture to culture. For example, body language, expressions and hand signals do not necessarily have the same meaning between cultures. Without understanding a culture and its norms, nonverbal communication may be easily misinterpreted. The virtual world can mimic many of the common nonverbal types of communication such as the use of personal space, body movement, gestures, eye contact, use of time paralanguage, silence, touch, and appearance, but cannot duplicate the sense of smell with regard to its use in communication.
According to Fouts and King (2009), “culture is the quickest way to communicate.” It is fascinating to realize that culture is the thing that makes people so different, however, factors such as art, music and storytelling provide a basis for unification among cultures and the design of a new global culture, created through the use of technology and life in the virtual world.
Although additional research still needs to be done, it does seem possible that virtual worlds may produce a new channel of communication that has not existed before, that will improve intercultural communication and help to dismiss many of the former stereotypes, preconceptions and politics that have surrounded societal biases.
References:
Fouts, J.S., & King, R.J. (2009). "Understanding Islam through virtual worlds (2008–2009)" (Video). Retrieved from http://www.cceia.org/programs/archive/002/index.html
Jandt, F.E. (2010). An introduction to intercultural communication: Identities in a global community (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
