Language Personality in the Conditions of Cross-Cultural Communication: Case-Study Experience

Nitza Davidovitch,Kateryna Khyzhniak

doi:10.5539/ies.v11n2p13

Abstract

The article is devoted to the problem of identification of a language personality’s traits under conditions of cross-cultural communication. It is shown that effective cross-cultural communication is revised under globalization and increasingly intensive social interactions. The results of the authors’ research prove that it is possible to develop a new perspective on the heuristic possibilities of the concept of language personality to ensure the effectiveness of cross-cultural communications.This applies above all to the understanding of culture, cultural codes, verbal, non-verbal communication and preverbal, development of value measurement and understanding, and behavior adoption patterns. We propose to identify a language personality as a nationally specific communicant type that has a culturally caused worldview and value system and is capable of cross-cultural transformation. We identified transitions from a “mono” language personality to a “multi” language personality. We offer communicative training as a way of resolving cultural gaps in communication.We insist that only a new type of a language personality can effectively integrate and communicate while taking into account cultural peculiarities. Language personality currently acquires multicultural traits resulting from two main types of mobility: virtual and physical. Empirical research shows that two types of mobility are widespread, with typical high demands for the study of an international communication language (English) and local culture (Hebrew).

Highlights

1.1 Language and CommunicationTraits of a New PersonalityLanguage is a communicative process in its pure form in every society expressed by means of communication, it helps communication, and it is the most important, the most explicit, and the most formal and socially recognized form of communicative behavior
We propose specialized communicative training as an addition to the existing ulpan, in order to facilitate the rapid acquisition of specific cultural codes while practicing the Hebrew language
Hebrew is still difficult to use for the majority and Arabic is totally “terra incognita” for all participants. Such a situation shows that the language personality of MASA-participants has international features, but they might have problems understanding the culture and worldview of local inhabitants

Summary

Introduction

1.1 Language and CommunicationTraits of a New PersonalityLanguage is a communicative process in its pure form in every society expressed by means of communication, it helps communication, and it is the most important, the most explicit, and the most formal and socially recognized form of communicative behavior. According to Veltkamp, Recio, Jacobs, and Conrad (2013), language pays the biggest role in modulating the personality. Language personality is emerging, due to its socio-cultural environment. Vorozhbitova and Issina (2014) argue that from the standpoint of linguistic and rhetorical paradigm a hierarchically dominant monoposition of category “linguistic personality” is substantiated, while such concepts as “speech personality”, “communicative personality,” etc. Personality is involved in the different types of mobility (physical, virtual, etc.) and faces numerous socio-cultural challenges that cause different changes in types and forms of communication.

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Conclusion