Identity and its types. Plurality of identity
What does culture include?
Culture includes values, beliefs, behaviour, language, and traditions shared by a group of people.
What is identity and how can we understand it?
Identity is how a person sees himself or herself and how other people see that person.
We understand identity by looking at how a person presents themselves (avowal) and how others describe them (ascription).
What three things does language reflect in culture?
Way of thinking, values, and traditions.
Why do people have more than one identity in everyday life?
Because they have different roles and social relationships. A person can be a student, a friend, and a family member at the same time. Identities develop through communication with other people.
What are the main elements of cultural identity?
Cultural identity includes symbols, names, labels, and norms.
• Symbols show common ideas and beliefs.
• Names and labels help people feel they belong to a group.
• Norms show what behavior is right or wrong in society.
What factors influence communication within a speech community?
Age, gender, social status, relationship, and generation.
What is the difference between racial identity and ethnic identity?
Racial identity is based on physical features like skin colour or face shape and is a social construction. Ethnic identity is about shared culture, language, traditions, religion, and history.
What are the three types of identity and how are they different?
The three types of identity are:
1. Individual identity – from personal experiences and feelings.
2. Relational identity – from relationships with family, friends, and colleagues.
3. Communal identity – from traditions, holidays, rituals, and group activities.
Each type shows identity in different ways.
How can individual differences appear in a speech community even though there are language norms?
While norms guide what and how to speak, each person may have their own speaking style, tone, or manner of expression.
How can cultural identity change because of globalization and social, political, and historical factors?
Cultural identity can change because people from different cultures communicate more. Globalization connects countries and societies. Social, political, economic, and historical factors influence how people think, live, and interact. Because of this, people and cultures adapt and change over time.
What other factors affect identity in today’s world?
Identity can change because of society, culture, media, globalization, and technology.
Other important parts of identity are:
• Gender (male, female, or androgynous)
• Age (young or old)
• Spiritual beliefs
• Social class
• National or regional identity
These factors influence how a person thinks, behaves, and communicates.
What verbal or nonverbal differences can cause misunderstandings in intercultural communication, and how?
Differences in eye contact, gestures, silence, turn-taking, and use of time can lead to confusion, tension, or misinterpretation between people from different cultures.