Cultural variation in dialogue capacity
Many families in my neighbourhood in Melbourne are of Slavic Macedonian decent. Between my home and the local shops is a small park where Macedonian men gather on warm evenings to talk. I rarely see any alcohol consumption. Every time I walk by one of the men is literally bellowing at the others, who listen earnestly until the apparent diatribe is complete. Then another will rebut with the same vociferousness.
On the way home we pass many houses where women of Greek decent, many born locally, sit in chairs in front of their houses. Even though they may sit right next to each other, their conversation is boisterous and insistent.
The outstanding meat and produce market at nearby Footscray is dominated by Vietnamese immigrants and their families. Again, the discourse in the aisles is often animated and angry, again at significant volume.
Of course, I don't know what any of these conversations are about as I don't speak enough of their languages. I can't judge whether the topics of these conversations would drive me to extreme earnestness too. But considering the frequency that I observe members of these ethnic groups communicate in what appears to be a hard-nosed manner, it begs a big question about the cultural variation in the capacity for dialogue and deliberation (D&D).
Is D&D a notion that generally makes sense more to people of western European heritage? Has western culture included the education and behavioural norms that allow its members to recognise D&D and even gravitate to it as a matter of family and workplace civility?
I realise I am treading on dangerous ground. I cannot condone any insinuation that there are communicative deficiencies intrinsic to some ethnic groups. Instead, we should be vigilant against a certain cultural elitism, even arrogance, that expects everyone to positively value and desire the kind of collaborative experience that is dialogue and deliberation.
On the way home we pass many houses where women of Greek decent, many born locally, sit in chairs in front of their houses. Even though they may sit right next to each other, their conversation is boisterous and insistent.
The outstanding meat and produce market at nearby Footscray is dominated by Vietnamese immigrants and their families. Again, the discourse in the aisles is often animated and angry, again at significant volume.
Of course, I don't know what any of these conversations are about as I don't speak enough of their languages. I can't judge whether the topics of these conversations would drive me to extreme earnestness too. But considering the frequency that I observe members of these ethnic groups communicate in what appears to be a hard-nosed manner, it begs a big question about the cultural variation in the capacity for dialogue and deliberation (D&D).
Is D&D a notion that generally makes sense more to people of western European heritage? Has western culture included the education and behavioural norms that allow its members to recognise D&D and even gravitate to it as a matter of family and workplace civility?
I realise I am treading on dangerous ground. I cannot condone any insinuation that there are communicative deficiencies intrinsic to some ethnic groups. Instead, we should be vigilant against a certain cultural elitism, even arrogance, that expects everyone to positively value and desire the kind of collaborative experience that is dialogue and deliberation.
Are you implying that conducting a discussion with energy and passion precludes dialog and deliberation. They might think, that since you speak at normal volumes, what you're talking about is not important to you and the positions you take only theoretical, maybe you don't even believe them, just exploring them. While they indicate clearly that things are important and they aren't just trying you on for size.
But, I'm raised in the same (or at least similar) cultural tradition as you. If people get agitated, I shut down since I feel threatened. I don't think this is a matter of suggesting that one is superior to another, just different with no doubt strengths and weaknesses (just like different programming languages :-)
Posted by
stonybankerj |
17 February, 2007 00:39
No, I'm not questioning the passion of discourse. I am wondering whether there is a cultural determinant toward polarised argument rather than cooperative dialogue.
Posted by
rlubensky |
17 February, 2007 19:49
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