Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

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Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Communication--Cross-cultural studies; American students--Russia; Russian students--United States; American students; Communication; Intercultural communication; Russian students; Russia; United States; Cross-cultural studies;

Abstract

The present study is devoted to cross-cultural communication between Russians and Americans. The objectives of the research are as follows: to collect linguistic and non-linguistic data on general communication conventions of Americans and Russians, that is, following Clyne (1983), to explore how aspects of culture and its institutions are encoded in symbolic meanings of 16 cultural themes. The influence of differences in these symbolic meanings on reported instances of Russian-American communication will be identified. The additional purpose of the research is to elicit and interpret national stereotypes which are hypothetically created by inadequate interpretations of the abovementioned themes. A qualitative conceptual ethnographic approach has been chosen to gather and interpret linguistic and non-linguistic data on cross-cultural differences in symbolic meanings of money, space, possessions, etc., as well as reported instances of personal communication and miscommunication. Written questionnaires were distributed to 18 American university exchange students studying at Hertzen State Pedagogical University of St. Petersburg, Russia and to 20 Russian university exchange students studying at the University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State University and Grinnell College, Iowa in conjunction with the American Council of Teachers of Russian exchange program. After the completion and analysis of the questionnaires, the American subjects were asked to comment on the typicality of instances of cultural differences observed by their Russian counterparts, and vice versa in order to test the relative validity of the findings. The length of stay of the subjects both in Russia and the U.S. varies from one month to two years. Other variables such as language proficiency, age and gender factors, the amount of communication breakdowns and their nature were also included into the questionnaires and described in Chapter 4. The findings show that there are indeed marked differences in the symbolic meanings of all the 16 themes. However, as reported by the subjects, an awareness and successful interpretation of these differences may reduce miscommunication. All the subjects presented at least four observations of cross-cultural differences in pragmatic behavior and symbolic meanings leading to miscommunication. The most frequently occurring topics revealing cross-cultural differences in symbolic meanings are as follows: money, food , work, possessions and courtesy. The different symbolic meanings of these themes reveal different attitudes of Russian and American subjects to independence, involvement, personal space, self-determination, emotionality. The Russian subjects value personal involvement in communication, whereas the American subjects place more emphasis on personal space and independence. The theme of courtesy varies with regard to gender roles and different symbolic meanings of "respect" for Russian and American females. The results of the study provide data for interpretation and highlight direction for further research in the area of cross-cultural communication.

Year of Submission

1995

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Department of English Language and Literature

First Advisor

Ardith J. Meier

Second Advisor

Timothy E. O'Connor

Third Advisor

Cheryl A. Roberts

Comments

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Date Original

1995

Object Description

1 PDF file (117 leaves)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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