Intercultural communication and literature: Elif Shafak, The bastard of Istanbul

Abstract

I am more interested in showing things we havein common as fellow human beings, sharing sameplanet and ultimately, same sorrows and joys ratherthan adding yet another brick in imaginary wallserected between cultures/religions/ethnicities.Elif Shafak1 IntroductionThe role and place of intercultural communication in our world can be emphasized not only through specialized research and observation of target groups but also through literary works. I totally agree with Romanian historian Neagu Djuvara1 who once stated in an interview that sometimes literary works can render or explain a historical period in a much illustrative way than a scientific demonstration. Obviously, this confrontation depends upon encyclopaedic competence of person engaged in 'observation'.Marked by entanglement between her writing talent and her formation (she followed studies in International Relations), Elif Shafak offers to public novels capable to bridge gap between close or distant cultures and civilizations.The subjects of her novels, coming from past and present, as well as from different cultures may be particularly revealing in study of intercultural communication. For present analysis, from her ten books translated into more than thirty languages, I have chosen sixth, The Bastard of Istanbul, published in 2006 in Turkey and in 2007 in England although it was first written in English (in fact her second novel written in English)2.My analysis is based on iceberg's metaphor and intercultural values resulting from encounter between visible and invisible parts of three different cultures in an attempt to show that through this type of confrontation one can keep his/ her cultural identity without entering in conflict.2 Theoretical groundsThe present research is mainly forged on definitions and concepts taken from Stella Ting-Toomey's Communicating across cultures (1999), as well as from Florence Kuckhohn and Fred Strodtbeck's (1961) value orientation method.According to Ting-Toomey, intercultural communication represents the symbolic exchange process whereby individuals from two (or more) different cultural communities negotiate shared meanings in an interactive situation . The major characteristics of this definition include following concepts: symbolic exchange, process, different cultural communities, negotiate shared meanings, and an interactive situation. (1999: 16-17)In other words, constituent elements of this definition are: two persons (or two groups) of different cultures (a very broad definition of culture), in interaction, negotiating a common signifier (country, identity, family, language, spirituality). Stella Ting-Toomey defines culture as a complex frame of referencethat consists of patterns of traditions, beliefs, values, norms symbols, and meanings that are shared to varying degrees by interacting members of a community. [...]Culture is like an iceberg: deeper layers (e.g. traditions; beliefs, values) are hidden from our view; we only hear and see uppermost layers of cultural artefacts (e.g., fashion, trends, pop music) and of verbal and nonverbal symbols. However, to understand a culture with any depth, we have to match its underlying values accurately with its respective norms, meanings, and symbols. It is underlying set of beliefs and values that drives people's thinking, reacting, and behaving. Furthermore, to understand commonalities between individuals and groups, we have to dig deeper into level of universal human needs (such as safety; security, inclusion, dignity/respect, control, connection, meaning, creativity, and a sense of wellbeing). (Ting-Toomey 1999: 10)When two icebergs meet we are talking about intercultural communication. The question is how one of icebergs is perceiving perceives other. On which grounds is one founding his perceptions and interpretations since such an important part of other is invisible? …