Assimilating to a New Culture

Arriving in a new country or culture is something that all experience differently. Some it is all excitement at the new experiences and opportunities afforded by the change, for others it is largely fear at the changes they must under­take, learning different ways to function in their new environment, but for most it is a combination of the two, sitting somewhere between fear and excitement, expectation and trepidation. As we become a more globalized society one would think that it would be easier to accept or even become a part of a different culture. Even with the current mainstream melting pot theory where all immigrants were expected to assimilate into the American mainstream while fighting for one country (immigrant assimilaiton, 1998) it is still a challenge to be completely assimilated to one culture. A few challenges are communication, customs and rituals, and interpersonal culture. There is a common connection between communication and culture. They are termed the monolithic force and reflexive force.(J.Hall, 2005) Monolithic force states that casual force dictates how we will interact or communicate. Sherman Alexie mentioned he “grew up in a monoculture” where everyone knew each other. (Alexie, 2013) By living in a culture where everyone is interacts with each other daily one can predict how others will interact with you. Reflexive force has two different assumptions; sense making and situational. Now even though they are different they have a common denominator in that reaction is the form of communication. No matter what term you use these theories prove that communication plays an integral role in culture. Customs and rituals if not properly researched or understood can lead into misunderstanding. Take the scene from Dances with Wolves (Costner, 1990) While crossing the prairie to the Indian Village Dunbar comes across an Indian women under a lone tree and the only tree Dunbar has seen since Fort Hayes. She is hurt and bleeding. Dunbar didn't