LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 14:10 October 2014
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         S. M. Ravichandran, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
         C. Subburaman, Ph.D. (Economics)
Assistant Managing Editor: Swarna Thirumalai, M.A.

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M. S. Thirumalai
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Learning All About Other Communities

Steve Eliason

Abstract

Key words

Knowledge of Cultural Anthropology

Howell and Paris (2011: Introducing Anthropology - A Christian Perspective, Baker Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI.) suggest: “Anthropology develops the abilities to ask the right questions, observe more critically, and think more deeply about the differences and similarities we will encounter …” (p.21)

As I consider my own personal life, I feel happy that during a major part of life and my wife’s life we have been engaged in cross-cultural service. We know for sure that the importance of understanding the lessons of cultural anthropology cannot be underestimated. Yet, it is not that easy.

Ask Right Questions

To truly understand how we want to communicate our message in another culture it would require that we have to ask questions we wouldn’t normally need to ask when working among those who are similar to us. I think the key skill any cross-cultural worker needs to nurture is the ability to ask “the right questions,” questions which will enable one to grasp the significance of words and behavior. This will also prevent one from unintended consequences, since being unfamiliar with the implications of words and behavior can be devastating to the intended message. We must be careful not to miscommunicate our intended message.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Steve Eliason
Faculty
Bethany Global University
Bloomington, MN 55438
USA
stevenjeliason@gmail.com
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