Intercultural Communication - Essay Example

30 March Intercultural Communication: Myriad cultural differences can be found between the globally popular American television show named Revenge and its Turkish version called Intikam. Both shows are very good examples of cultural artefacts. Intercultural communication mediated by such powerful cultural artefacts creates opportunities for additional language and cultural learning. The Turkish version of Revenge employs the same core theme on which the original show is based. However, it stands in contrast to the original show in respect to some key cultural differences. Comparing Turkey and America side by side in context of cultural differences, this essay aims to illustrate the reality of this claim that “there is not as much independence to be seen in Turkey as in America because Turkish people are more pressurized to conform to their social conventions than Americans.” Both Revenge and Intikam are very solid cultural artefacts because both provide such an interesting insight into two different cultures. The US version of the show reveals that one of the main villains in Revenge, Tyler Barrol, has sexual liaisons with another male character in the show, Nolan Ross. Such depiction of homosexuality or same-sex relationships has become increasingly common in the US shows over passing years. The western media represents same-sex relationships in a positive light which is because of the way the west and the US have undergone cultural transitions over the years. Such transitions in cultural have served to motivate people to embrace homosexual behaviour and they have also created new opportunities for gay representation in Hollywood (McGovern). This means that people in America enjoy complete freedom to voice their individual opinions. Not any conservative or homophobic group can impose its ideals on the rest of the society. People do not have a paralyzing fear of social rejection. This is why in contrast to the US version of the show, the makers of Intikam replaced the character of Tyler with a female actress, Selen. Selen is the female counterpart of Tyler Barrol in Intikam. This step was taken to get rid of a same-sex relationship and to align the show with the ideals of Turkish society. This step taken by Intekam’s producers has served to construct a fear regarding homosexuals within the minds of Turkish people. Such fear is described in research as “a broadcasted ‘moral panic’” (Potter and Kappeler cited in McGovern). First, Turkish people fear social rejection more than Americans. This is why the makers of Intikam modified the cast of their show because they found it safe to conform in contrast to Americans who place freedom of expression over everything else in life. Intikam depicts sexual restrictions in contrast to Revenge because Turkish culture does not have an open and free approach to sexuality. This suggests that in Turkish culture, people think less of themselves as individual beings. When people try to change external situations according to individual desires, they have primary control (Van de Vijver et al. 127). In contrast, when people think it better to simply adjust or conform to existing conditions, they have secondary control. The US culture emphasizes primary control. Research also claims that “primary control is more important in everyday life in the United States” (Van de Vijver et al. 127). For example, America is known around the world for hosting LGBT campaigns, while the number of such campaigns seen in Turkey is little to non-existent. Second, this artefact demonstrates that conformity is valued to a higher degree in Turkey than in America. Conformity is as big a philosophy in Turkish culture as is personal freedom in America. The character of Tyler is played by a woman in Turkish version in hopes to conform to society. It should not be forgotten that Turkish culture despite contemporary representation of everyday relationships still remains quite restricted and portrayal of relationships between same genders is one of those ideas which is still not acceptable. The show tells us how homophobia prevails in Turkey in contrast to the US where people enjoy an open culture which gives people more opportunity to grow. Aldridge interestingly comments on the basis of American culture in her work. It is claimed that the idea of self-government forms the core value on which the US culture spins. People in America have always been “quick to rise up against any condition which prevented self-government from dominating their lives, even taxation” (Aldridge). This idea suggests that people have free will in America. They have agency and power to affect their lives their way. This is the value which forms the bedrock of American society and culture. Revenge is just one example of many cultural artefacts which demonstrate that the US culture spins on the value of self-government. In contrast, Intikam is another example of a strong cultural artefact which tells us that the culture of Turkey spins on the core cultural value of conformity. The replacement of a same-sex relationship in Intikam shows that people are not free to operate in their lives free from external authority. Rather, it is the notion of external authority which directs their affairs. They are not their own governors, rather it is external variables like culture and society which govern them. Self-government or liberty promotes rights of the individual (Aldridge). Revenge and Intikam prove difference in core values between the two cultures. The Turkish version suggests that people in Turkish culture do not enjoy complete liberty, the kind of which stands separate from “despotic or arbitrary government or any other rule of law that is not grounded in self-government” (Aldridge). Concluding, Revenge and its Turkish version suggest that in contrast to Turkish people who attach undue importance to conformity and obedience, Americans endorse personal freedom and self-governance. Here, intercultural communication mediated by cultural artefacts occurs because we learn about two different cultures through exchange of information. It is learned that Americans have primary control, while Turkish culture promotes and protects secondary control. It can be deduced from above discussion that primary control which translates into less conformism is more valued in American culture than in Turkish culture due to difference in core values of the two cultures. Works cited: Aldridge, M. Gene. “What is the basis of American culture?” Intercultural Communication, a Global Reader. Ed. Fred Jandt. London: Sage, 2004. 84-98. Print. McGovern, Michele. The Media’s Influence on Public Perception of Homosexuality. Ju.edu, 05 Dec. 2011. Web. 30 Mar. 2015. Van de Vijver, Fons J.R. et al. Multilevel Analysis of Individuals and Cultures. Psychology Press, 2015. Print. Read More