What Role Does Facework Play In Intercultural Communication Essay

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1. Discuss the concept of face. What role does facework play in intercultural communication?

The concept of face is referring to the socially approved self-image. It is about honor and shame belief and value systems. Facework is the verbal and nonverbal interactions we use in regards to our own social self-image and the social image of others.

2. How are stereotypes formed? Why do we stereotype whole cultures? What role does popular culture play in this process?

Stereotypes are formed when a person sees a certain race, religious group or ethnic group behaving a certain way enough that they form an impression of that group as being that certain way. And it is considered a stereotype because they apply their impression to the group as a whole …show more content…

Things like hand signals are different culturally for example in the United States the sign for ok is exactly as described meaning something is ok. But in Brazil the sign for OK is looked as an equivalent to someone giving you the middle finger in the United States. One last example would be personal space is different in different cultures. Here in the United States most people have a personal space bubble that is about maybe two feet away and someone getting in your space to talk to you can be uncomfortable. In other cultures though the personal space bubble doesn’t exist so much. Some come could be a few inches from your face and it would be completely acceptable in their culture to have a conversation that way. The examples of nonverbal communication difficulties could be endless because there are so many diverse cultures and communicating may be acceptable one way in a certain culture but not acceptable in the

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