When I was in primary school (about 11 or 12 years of age), my family hosted a bible study meeting involving several Singaporean families from my church. This meeting was held in my house. In that meeting, there was a family from Africa who joined us as they were visiting my church. After the bible study, the Singaporean kids started to play video games using the Playstation One which I owned. One of the young kids from that African family, who was around 10 years of age, wanted to join us in our gaming session. Hence, my friends and I decided to extend our hand of friendship to him.
In order to make him feel welcome, we decided to ask him questions about himself to get to know him better. However, we soon encountered a very big problem, He spoke with such a thick accent, that it was IMPOSSIBLE to understand him. Many times, after he said something, we resorted to repeating the word “Huh?” many times, thus making the poor guy repeat his sentences again and again. It was only after multiple repetitions that my friends and I could understand a little of what he said. Most of what he said still escaped our comprehension. I could see a clearly evident look of confusion on my friend’s face as we tried (and failed) to achieve effective interpersonal communication with that African kid. As for me, I felt quite frustrated at my inability to understand the kid’s English. After playing with us for awhile, the African boy left us to join his parents. Maybe he too was frustrated at our inability to effectively communicate with one other, that he gave up trying to hang out with us?
I guess this situation is clearly a case of ineffective intercultural communication. Do any of you have any suggestions on how this situation could have been improved so that effective communication could have taken place instead? Thanks for your comments =)
Perhaps writing it down would help. I bring Japanese students around Singapore as a part-time job and more often than not, they do not understand my English while I do not understand their Japanese, resulting in exasperating times. Usually, I would type what I would want to say in my handphone and they would use their handphone to translate it into Japanese.
ReplyDeleteIn your case, it is only the difference in accent that is the problem. So communicating in the written medium should solve the problem.
Hey Jonathan,
ReplyDeleteNice post, I like it! You guys were having a prayer meeting right? Haha! We also have that!!
But I think your account was more sociolinguistics than socio-cultural or intercultural. It's only a matter of accent like what Michelle says, not a matter of culture.
But it was a pleasant account nonetheless and how I wish I could take Japanese students around Singapore like Michelle also!! Sounds cool!
Cheers
Jon..
ReplyDeletehaha.. sometimes the best communication requires no words. When a bunch of guys get together to LAN game or play basketball, sometimes even without understanding each others' language, communication takes place.
The pat on the back after a teammate scores, or the scream of exhilaration when you take down a zombie holding your friend IS the communication that can make someone feel at home.
That said, I understand that you could have been trying to get to know him at a deeper level, and that definitely requires mutual understanding of each other's language. In that case, the truth is, we can't really do much about it. Stop talking, and start playing. haha!
Thanks, Jonathan, for this post. It is a clear, concise description of a situation that demonstrates just how fundamental language is for conveying our thoughts. I like the way you have framed the "problem situation" in the form of a question for your readers to answer. As a reply to that, Michelle has given sound advice. Of course, as is said, hindsight is 20-20 (as in vision).
ReplyDeleteCan I assume the visitors to your house were from an African nation which had a different dialect of English, or was the family from a country where English was not typically spoken?
Hi Jon. Your experience reminds me of my younger days too. I use to play soccer and most of the time, my group would play with another group that we totally not know but the ball just became the ‘speech’. I agree with Edwin, talk less and play more will help in the initial stages of friendship building.
ReplyDeleteIf I were you, I would have started with something both the African boy and your group have in common. Perhaps a common game that you all play would help. I would only ask more about him when he is already enjoying the game and our company and that would lower his mental hurdle.
@Brad: I can't remember the background of that African family, but I think its fair to assume that their native country was a place where English was not typically spoken
ReplyDelete