Blog #3

          No matter what culture you are engaging with in communication, it is important to have intercultural competence. Intercultural communication cannot be successful unless you are competent. According to Martin and Nakayama (2010), “Scholars taking a social science perspective have identified four basic components, or building blocks, of intercultural competence: motivation, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (Wiseman, 2002)” (p. 465). In this blog, I will explain how you can apply cultural competency when interacting with Ugandans, as well as summarize my previous blogs.

The building block that I would like to focus on to help facilitate cultural competency in relation to Ugandans is knowledge. Again according to Martin and Nakayama (2010), “The knowledge component comprises various cognitive aspects of communication competence; it involves what we know about ourselves and others and about various aspects of communication” (p. 468). As I discussed in my previous blog, Ugandans style of communication is indirect. I think it is important to have knowledge on what style of communication you use as well as what style of communication others utilize. It is also beneficial to understand the characteristics of both styles of communication. In knowing that Ugandans communicate indirectly and how they do so, you will be able to tailor your style of communication to fit theirs, and communication will be made easier.           

Also in my previous blog, I mentioned the Lord’s Resistance Army that is occurring in Uganda and the Invisible Children organization. “The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), led by Joseph Kony, operated in the north from bases in southern Sudan. The LRA committed numerous abuses and atrocities, including the abduction, rape, maiming, and killing of civilians, including children” (Global Security, n.d.) The Lord’s Resistance Army is still operating in Uganda, but there is help. “Invisible Children uses film, creativity and social action to end the use of child soldiers in Joseph Kony's rebel war and restore LRA-affected communities in central Africa to peace and prosperity” (Invisible Children, n.d.). There are other organizations working against the Lord’s Resistance Army, but Invisible Children is the most popular. This video will show you more about Invisible Children.

            

         I have learned a lot through my blogs and research on Uganda. My first blog covered why Uganda is a culture, the cultural heritage in Uganda, and the languages spoken there. My second blog discussed Ugandans indirect style of communication, how it impacts their communication, and advice on how to communicate with Ugandans. I am glad I had the opportunity to learn about this unique and interesting culture. 

References

Globalsecurity.org. (n.d.). The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Retrieved on December 2, 2011

from globalsecurity.org.

Invisiblechildren.com. (n.d.). Invisible Children. Retrieved on December 2, 2011 from

invisiblechildren.com.

Martin, J. N., & Nakayama, T. K. (2010). Intercultural Communication in Contexts. New York,

NY: McGraw Hill.

Blog #2

An intercultural communication concept that I chose to explore in regard to Ugandans is direct versus indirect style of communication. According to Martin and Nakayama (2010), “A direct communication style is one in which verbal messages reveal the speaker’s true intentions, needs, wants, and desires” (p. 228). Martin and Nakayama also state, “An indirect style is one in which the verbal message is often designed to camouflage the speaker’s true intentions, needs, wants, and desires” (p. 228). In indirect communication, the truth is mainly revealed through nonverbal signals. Communicating indirectly is often considered as “beating around the bush.”

“Ugandans tend to communicate more indirectly than directly” (Culture Crossing, n.d.). For example, in Uganda, the listener is expected to have an implicit knowledge of what the speaker is talking about, as they often communicate through stories and proverbs (Culture Crossing, n.d.). In the United States, which contains a direct style of communication, it would most likely be seen as strange if someone tried to communicate with you using a story or proverb. Another example of how Ugandans communicate indirectly is the way they conduct business. “Greetings and a good amount of small talk always occur before talking about business” (Culture Crossing, n.d.). I am in a couple of business communication courses, and I have been learning that business communication in the United States is typically expected to be brief and to the point. Small talk before giving a presentation would not be looked upon kindly.

When engaging in future interactions with Ugandans, it is important to remember that they prefer indirect communication. For example, never ask a Ugandan something up front, such as directions, but instead begin with a greeting (Kabiza, 2011). Doing something as simple as beginning a conversation with a greeting will help outsiders create a more positive impression. It is also important to remember to remain patient. Because Americans are used to direct communication, it can be easy for us to get impatient with indirect communication. Just remember that with Ugandans, most signs of direct communication are taken as disrespectful. Keeping the qualities of indirect communication in mind when engaging in communication with Ugandans will help facilitate future intercultural interactions. 

References

Culturecrossing.com. (n.d.). Uganda. Retrieved on October 24, 2011 from culturecrossing.com.

Martin, J. N., & Nakayama, T. K. (2010). Intercultural Communication in Contexts. New York, NY: McGraw Hill.

Kabiza.com (2011). Conversation Uganda Style. Retrieved on October 24, 2011 from kabiza.com.

Blog #1

For the cultural reporter project, I have decided to study Africans. Africa has long been a continent of high interest to me. I have never been there, but it is someplace I for sure want to visit. My roommate went there this past summer and is going back again next summer, so I may have the opportunity to go with her for a couple of weeks. Specifically, she went to Uganda, so that is the country I would like to focus on.

According to AboutUganda.com, “Uganda has a very strong culture heritage” (2010). From hearing my roommate’s stories, Uganda sounds like a place that is rich in culture and heritage. I hope from doing this project I can better grasp some of the elements that compose such a strong cultural tradition.

Ugandans are a part of a culture because they share learned patterns of behavior and attitudes. According to Dictonary.com, culture is “behaviors and beliefs of a particular social, ethnic, or age group” (2011). I am not too familiar with their culture at this point, but I'm sure they have different rituals and languages that also compose their culture. As stated by EveryCulture.com, “Lake Kyoga serves as a rough boundary between Bantu speakers in the south and Nilotic and Central Sudanic language speakers in the north” (2011). Different languages is just one of many elements of culture.

My primary plan for studying Ugandans is to speak with my roommate about her experience and also to gather some contacts from her, so I can e-mail a few Ugandans and talk to them directly. I also plan on using internet resources to gather some information. I don't think there is a large Uganda population in Lincoln, so I unfortunately probably won't be able to participate in face to face communication, but hopefully conversing over e-mail will be sufficient.

References

Unknown author. “Uganda Culture.” Aboutuganda.com. 2010. Web. September 25 2011.

Unknown author. “Culture.” Dictonary.com. Web. 2011. September 25 2011.

Unknown author. “Uganda.” Everyculture.com. Web. 2011. September 25 2011.