Intercultural Communication

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how many different languages are spoken within the United States' borders. The paper examines whether this makes communication and hence understanding between these cultures difficult. The paper investigates racial overtones in the Rodney King beating, the O.J. Simpson trial and the U.S. Patriot Act. The paper shows how language is not at the root of the cultural divide in the country; rather the problem is one of deep-seated communication and understanding. The paper contends that the funds and effort should be channelled into events and legislation that would encourage different cultures to truly communicate with each other, regardless of the language they use to do so.

From the Paper:

" The United States of America has been home to an increasingly multitude of cultures since the first immigrants came to its shores during the 1600's. The pursuit of the "American Dream" concept has furthermore made the country attractive for immigrants from many diverse countries. The result is that many different languages are spoken within the country's borders. This often makes communication and hence understanding between these cultures difficult. Phenomena such as racism and hate crimes are often blamed upon this lack of understanding. It is true that racism often arises in criminal and other cases heard in American courts."

Sample of Sources Used:

• American Civil Liberties Union (2003, Oct. 5). Stop the New Patriot Act. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/17138res20030510.html
• Cannon, Lou. (1999, Aug. 30). American Travesty : How justice failed the Rodney King cops. National Review. Online Database: FindArticles.com
• Galernter, David. (1995, Oct. 9). The real story of Orenthal James - O.J. Simpson murder trial. National Review. Online Database: FindArticles.com
• Linder, Douglas. (2000). The O.J. Simpson Verdict, 10 years later: the impact and the aftermath. The Jurist. http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/trials10.htm
• O'Beirne, Kate (1996, July 1). Bread & circuses - English as the official language of the US and bilingual education. National Review. Online Database: FindArticles.com

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