Communication has always been a vital instrument used by society to create groups and individual identities. It gives as an insight how each action varies depending on a particular situation/event at a given period of time. Likewise, it provides us symbols and attributes as to what we perceive things to be. In the end, with the changes happening in the way people converse with each other either verbally or non-verbally has redefined the concept of communication as it pertains to society.
Looking back at my experiences in life, all these seem to point out important things on how it was made. I see to realize now that they are somehow motivated by social factors. If you pay closer attention, you can understand how each one becomes a determinant of how I interact and communicate with other people. It is in here that I build my social identity. However, this contact has in its way several rules and obligations that we need to follow. Due to this, it differentiates and categorizes the different groups into forming their unique roles and objectives
One example of this would be being part of the group or band. Since music has always been my passion since I was a child, I developed the need to associate my talents to other people. However, prior to being accepted, I must prove that I am worthy of the slot. I remember the first time I applied. I was so nervous then that the instrument that I was playing was out of tune. I can just feel the embarrassment during that time. After being accepted, the conversation in the group usually happens by pointing out musical jargons such as scale, flat, mellow, etc. People who do not have background in music can have a hard time understanding the flow of conversations. Due to this, my social identity as a musician revolves around the norms and rules surrounding the field.
On the other hand, my family has been an integral part in the formation of my personal identity. It is their values, principles and rules that enabled me to communicate differently among other people. In our home, I had to play various roles and continued to increase as I grew up. I feel that the way I communicate with my parents is different with the way I converse with my friends. Coming from a multicultural family, I was immersed with traditions and customs that I grew and became accustomed to. I treat my parents with more respect than that of my friends; a type that sets the balance between too formal or too lax.
I remember when I visited my friend for a particular project to be made. It was imparted to me by my mother that whenever I am a visitor of a home, I should always be courteous. Coming from a family that has deep foundations on religion and respect, I greeted my friend’s mother with a bow and a greeting. The mother was shocked to see that I was wearing a kimono and thought I was Japanese. However, she wasn’t informed that the kimono shall be used in the project. After I had left, my friend’s mom was asking who I was because I was too formal in our conversations. Though that may be the case, I cannot erase the fact that my friend and I talk on things that revolves around petty and lame stuff.
At the same time, I do feel that my cultural identity also contributes to the way I communicate with other people. Being raised in a different country (Italy), I became constantly aware of the different occurrences of diversity and customs among different cultures. I developed the understanding that norms, ethnicity and gender affect the way we interact with other people.
Focusing on gender, I do believe that women tend to communicate and talk more compared to men. In my experience, I have observed that female students at school engaged in conversation tend to be longer and louder compared to our male counterparts. Back in high school, I used to talk to my best friend over the phone and not realizing that more than three hours has passed since I first called her. It is in this way my ideas and opinions of how I feel and see things. This gender segregation is one alternative explanation as to why these actions remain to be differently portrayed by individuals.
Lastly, I tend to apply my ethnic identity towards my mother side (Japanese). This is because I try to communicate with other people discreetly and in a mild tone and manner. In here I realized the importance of honor, heritage and culture in the preservation of the Japanese traditions. This is applied in the way I do my tasks and correspond. On the other hand, given the opportunity to study five different languages namely (1) Spanish, (2) Italian, (3) Japanese, (4) Korean, and (5) English, I was able to comprehend and create meanings when I communicate with people of different race and class.
Now, another important determinant of my discourse behavior among others is the inter-group communication happening among members and non-members. My actions towards others are more considered to be passive wherein I try to talk to them only in dire need or a new idea that I cannot contain inside arises. One example to illustrate this was when I am participating in a meeting of teachers. Since I am relatively new and unaware of the issues, I just keep quiet and listen to the speakers as they try to point out the problems surrounding my profession.
Given the effects brought about by dialogue, it is important for me to consider what I say to others to attain the desired feedback from other people. One must responsibly use it to increase insight and ideas among others. Likewise, it can be used as a central element of a good conversation. Due to this, it is the responsibility of everyone to apply the situation according to the demand of that time. Now, since I am involved with students, I make sure that I give them the proper attitude in terms of communicating and I like to impart in them that I can serve as an inspiration and example towards them. The idea of group identity is then realized and achieved by the proper facilitation of objectives and functions.
Majority of times I am highly aware of practicing inter-group communication. This likely occurs when I am working or in a crucial meeting that needs my input and attention. Last time, I remembered presenting to the board where I am currently teaching. I had to justify why I had to teach a particular facet of music to students. As I conducted the reporting to the board, I used formal words and went straight to the point. Due to this, I was able to convince the members that such idea needs to be incorporated into the curriculum. In contrast, my communication among other people can also be shifted to autopilot. This usually happens when I am tasked to inform individuals of an idea or issue that I had repeated over and over again. I remember that during summer camp, I can hear the facilitators repeating instructions over and over again because some people are listening to other things or they just can’t understand what the speaker is trying to say.
Therefore, the language reflects my identity and serves as mirror of who I am. Since the way I converse with individuals vary greatly depending on the urgency and setting, I adjust it according to my individual perceptions, values and ideals. This communication and accommodation can help boost the way I can explain the relationships that I am not.
Likewise, like other individuals, I am prone to prejudice and bias. I have to agree that it is very difficult to bridge the challenges brought about by difference in culture and practices. An example of this would be when people will ask my nationality and I answer Half Asian. It just is funny when people judge the capabilities of an individual either because of his/her color or ethnicity. Moreover, this idea escalates when they realized that my first native language was Italian. My Ethnolinguistic identity and outer appearance do not really match and I have been having hard time with peoples prejudice to think that ` because she looks Asian, her first language will be Asian language
During one occasion, I had an argument with a fellow Italian because she somehow did not understand what I had to say. Since we are tasked to complete a project before the time expires. We are in conflict concerning an issue surrounding what customs/practices should be included in the process. There was a point in time that she is shouting already so as to get my attention. However, it did not change the way I view the person. It is just that we are both passionate to work and wanted a good output and production.
I believe that each one of us has our own individual outgroup. When we feel that we cannot join in a particular crowd, then we are considered to be such. Due tot his, I communicate with them like I do with the members of my group. Though it may be seldom facilitated, I do engage in actions. For example, I recall that when I was talking to non-music students, I was gesturing and using my hands and smiling to explain to the best I can what I have to offer. I feel that these are vital to the people I talk to because it emphasizes that I want to talk to them.
To conclude, I had undergone many changes while being part of several groups. Through many experiences, I was able to learn my own personal, social, and, cultural identities that will help me adapt and cope with my team members in this class. My contribution can provide added insights on relevant and vital understanding of how a particular group should operate. Moreover, I seldom enter into conflicts with other people. I tend to just let it go and think them over internally but do not engage in external conflict often. With this, I can effectively and efficiently build rapport, focus on important tasks and at the same time grow in the process.
