Kinesics (Jandt 119)

     Communication doesn't just stop with oral language, there are many other ways to communicate with others using both verbal and nonverbal forms. One of these forms is called kinesics. Kinesics are things such as gestures, body movements, facial expressions, and eye contact. Some of these gestures are universal but some others aren't and sometimes pose misinterpretations. The example given in An Introduction to Intercultural Communication Identities in a Global Community talks about eye contact between American culture versus Asian culture. In America eye contact is deemed a sign of respect and attentiveness yet in Asian culture it is deemed as being disrespectful, this goes to show you that one must be conscious and wary when doing something. 

    While traveling, which I tend to do at least once a year, I have to be careful how I come across to strangers. Although sometimes modes of communication I'm so used to doing is portrayed subconsciously without my knowing. For example back home in Hawaii when you meet someone you greet them with a hug, and possibly a kiss on the check, not a firm handshake. So when i moved to Oregon for college I had the awkward movement of pushing my body back and sticking out my  hand in hello while meeting others. Of course I got used to it over time but the funny part is when I came back home to the islands. I was awkwardly surprised and comforted when I received a hug  and kiss that was once to normal to me. 

     This illustration shows some common kinesics, can you  notice what emotion each picture displays without looking? I even had a hard time which shows that from culture to culture there's bound to be some misinterpretation.

 

    

Passing (Fong and Chuang 55)

     While some people are comfortable with their culture others undergo drastic changes in order to fit accordingly to their wants and needs. Passing can be done for many different reasons such as to become more accepted, personal benefits and even to avoid personal persecution. This act is seen more frequently with biracial children who have a "muddled (Fong and Chuang 56)" sense of cultural identity.

     Passing comes in many forms. It could be a simple change of outer attire, or even an extreme of undergoing plastic surgery. I find it hard to imagine a life where I wanted to change, but maybe I'm just fortunate. Even though I wouldn't undergo change I have no hard feelings towards those who feel the need to. 

      Another example of passing is drag queens, who are men who dress up like women. I find it fascinating while acceptance is getting better there is still a huge group who still aren't comfortable with it. This fascination is with the consideration that not too long ago there were only male actors and therefore they had to play all roles including that of females, and they weren't regarded as hideous, degrading, or any other sort of prejudice.The cartoons below are examples of jokes that are used towards drags, and they may be funny to some people, I even caught myself silently giggling, but in actuality these people aren't dressing differently to be ridiculed. This act is for a higher purpose and we therefore should honor it and let them do there thing while we do ours, for its not harming anyone.

  

Cultural Pluralism ( Fong and Chuang 144)

     Today with globalization at its height, it is rare when you are not faced with the interaction of cultures different from your own. Although not all people are not keen with the mix of cultures some are and it's called cultural pluralism. Cultural Pluralism is when there's a mixture of ethnic, racial, religious, groups who have a peaceful connection when existing together, all the while recognizing their differences with  no negativity. An example from the textbook, Communicating Ethnic and Cultural Identity, was that of a wedding invitation card between an American and Asian couple. While designing the wedding invitations they decided to incorporate both cultures by using the standard American idea of love and connection as well as Chinese characters and colors that symbolize luck. This way it portrayed that they can co-exist acknowledging each others differences and be comfortable and receptive.
     I believe that cultural pluralism is the ultimate key to making globalization a success. It's an obvious adjustment yet people are not keen to the idea. Ethnocentrism is a problem. I am thankful that I was raised in a place that was for the most part was accepting to many cultures. It only became a problem when someone was being disrespectful. Everyone around me participated in multiple cultural activities from celebrating Chinese New Year, Fourth of July, Japanese Bon Dance, Chicken fighting (which is now illegal) and that's just to name a few.
     Every year the Big Island of Hawaii celebrates hula with a huge competition called the Merrie Monarch Festival. Not only is there the competition but also arts and crafts and fun activities to participate in to immerse oneself in the Hawaiian culture. Halau's (schools of dance) from neighboring islands, all over the mainland U.S. even Mexico. Of course the dances differ and each incorporates their own cultural flare but it's all about recognizing each other. I believe the video of the Halau from Mexico  is a prime example of cultural pluralism at its best, because they're not only accepting but sharing and respecting it as well.

Pidgin (Jandt 136)

     Pidgin is a distinct form of language that derives from the combo of two or more different languages. This accumulation of different languages originally was restricted to the usage of trade. Many people believe that pidgin is a sign of ignorance and/or uneducated but pidgin has spread from traders, laborers, to usage in National Parliament, and even Prince Charles of Great Britain used it in speech. I don't peg pidgin as less noted comparatively to American English or any other basic form of  language, I do however believe that it should be used wisely and appropriately. It has it's benefits of being able to communicate more efficiently with others but there are times when you must be aware of those around you and act accordingly. 

     Although not addressed in the textbook I'd categorize Hawaii's form of pidgin to be Melanesian Pidgin English, which means it was based on the English language. I'm from Hawaii and I know hoe to speak pidgin but I only use it when I'm back home or talking to certain individuals, for in most cases up here in the mainland U.S. its unnecessary and it would only cause confusion which could easily be avoided if I just spoke English. This video is of a comedian who shares a brief example of the pidgin local to Hawaii. I of course find it amusing and  know it to be true, see if you can share the humor too. Keep in mind she's talking about old school pidgin because remember like everything, things evolve and have subtle changes over time. 

Rituals (Jandt 7)

     In An Introduction to Intercultural Communication Identities in a Global Community, Fred E. Jandt defines culture as "A community or population sufficiently large enough to be self-sustaining, that is, large enough to produce new generation of members without relying on outside people (Jandt 7)." Each culture is different but all have are rooted from the same foreground. Hofstede classified cultures common roots into four categories: symbols, values, heroes, and the topic focused on, rituals. 

     Rituals are a collective activity that are socially essential within a culture. Rituals can vary greatly from a certain style of a handshake among fellow members or to something more complex as a ritual dance. The combination of Hofstede's four categories form a sense of cultural identity that is shared and respected. Although Hofstede noted that heroes are expressed from a cultures myths, I believe that a cultures rituals also derive from its myths. A great example of this is hula, a dance that is unique to the Hawaiian Islands, the place I feel honored to call home. There are many myths about the origin of hula, all involving the actions of goddesses believed to be true in the Hawaiian culture. One rendition of the origin of hula that I find quite amusing is that Pele, the goddess of  Fire, asked Laka, the goddess of Hula to amuse her because she was bored, so Laka began to move gracefully and silently acting out events only the tow of them knew about. Pele thought this to be fascinating and thus Hula was born. Which ever story is true there is no doubt that hula is a ritual deeply rooted in the Hawaiian culture. 

     Although hula isn't done by everyone and has changed greatly throughout time, from religious ceremonies at heiau (temples) to being banned while Hawaii was under captivity and now public performances all around the world, it's no doubt an essential collective activity.

     The YouTube video above captures one part of the aspect of hula and what the dancers of the form are really doing. Kekuhi Kanahele-Frias (the women in the video) is a kumu hula (teacher of Hula) at Halau O' Kekuhi (school of dance), as well as a recording artist.

     A problem that a culture faces when dealing with another is the discrepancy of truly understanding the meaning of its rituals. Hula is looked upon as entertainment but it's much, much more. I have danced hula for 15 years, 6 of those years I have been taught traditional Hula at Halau O' Kekuhi. Hula is a part of me even if I no longer reside in Hawaii. To dance hula you live  your culture. I have put my blood, sweat and tears into dance and that's without exaggeration.The YouTube video below expresses how dancers and kumu hula wish that the ritual of hula to not be forgotten and to remember that hula isn't just a form of entertainment.

(By Katrina Ortiz-Chavez)