Intercultural Comm. Companion
Teaching Assistant to Asst. Prof. Dr. Janpha Thadphoothon
Sawasdee krub! Welcome to your digital study companion.
I am here to guide you through the fundamental concepts of cross-cultural communication as taught by Dr. Janpha Thadphoothon.
How to use this tool:
- Go to the Study Topics tab.
- Click on any of the 10 topics to reveal the details.
- Once you have studied, try the Practice Quiz to test your understanding.
Click a topic below to expand.
This is a key theory in Dr. Janpha’s curriculum. It suggests that the language we speak influences or determines the way we think and perceive the world.
As Alan W. Watts noted, we think in terms of languages given to us by our society.
Culture is defined as a "way of life of a group of people". It includes what and how people eat, their language, and their beliefs.
It is dynamic (not static) and passed down generations. In Thailand, "Thai culture" is an umbrella term for various sub-cultures like Mon, Tai Lue, and Karen.
Language is not just signs and symbols; it is a means to construct identity and reflects a group's values.
Example: Thai proverbs like "As you sow, so you shall reap" reflect deep-seated cultural beliefs.
Thai is the national language and lingua franca.
Dr. Janpha notes relationships between regional languages, such as similarities between Thai and Lao scripts, and syntax differences between Thai (S+V+O) and Burmese (O+V).
Dr. Janpha categorizes culture into eight essential components:
- Social Organization (Family, Schools)
- Customs and Traditions
- Language
- Arts and Literature
- Religions and Belief Systems
- Forms of Government
- Economic Systems
- Environment and Geography
This refers to the exchange of information between people from different cultures.
Success requires Cross-cultural Communication Competence (CCCC): Knowledge, Skills, and Positive Attitudes.
High-context (e.g., Thailand, Japan): Meaning is in non-verbal cues, silence, and "unwritten rules". Relationships are long-term.
Low-context (e.g., USA, Germany): Meaning is explicitly stated in words to avoid misunderstanding.
Individualism (e.g., USA): Focus on personal achievement, rights, and privacy.
Collectivism (e.g., Thailand, China): Focus on group harmony. Decision-making is often a collective duty.
Habitus refers to a "feel for the game".
It is a set of acquired patterns of thought and behavior (embodied) that allow individuals to improvise, such as body language or how one crosses the street.
Culture has two parts:
- Visible (Above water): Food, dress, language.
- Invisible (Below water): The larger portion. Deep-seated values, beliefs, and worldviews.
Test your understanding of the 10 topics above.
1. Which theory compares culture to an object with visible and invisible parts?
2. According to Dr. Janpha, how many elements of culture are there?
3. "Thai Culture" is best described as:
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