My experience in intercultural communication can include my primary and high school years, as well as to this day. The fact that Australia is increasingly multicultural nation and I, born from another country, I move to Australia when I was 7yrs old. Coming from the Philippines, even though English is officially the second language , the literacy of English is integrated in schools but, it is rarely spoken by the common people, that’s why when I first started school in Bowen primary I totally did not understand anyone that talked to me. It is how they speak, the slang that was used and probably the accent that boggled me. The irony was I could write and read English at a higher level than anyone because where I went to school in the Philippines; we were force to do so at young age, as swell other things. Looking back I can see how different Australia at the time, but when I learnt the history of Australia and even the history of other western nation, I quickly concluded that they weren’t so different to the present Philippines or at the time. I can relate to older generations when they talk about “back in my days we us to get smacked or whipped by teachers and forced manual labour such and such they were slave drivers blah blah you know.”.
In my early stage of learning the new language and culture, understanding
the slang/informal, grammar and context was one big obstacle to overcome, but
the thing is when I was taught English in the Philippines I only learn't how to
write and read the text (formal language). Needless to say I did not learn the
meaning or context of the words I assume that was for later stage. It is no different
to when teaching any child the native language you teach it how to sound it out
and how to decipher it, and then naturally they will practice it because it is
the native language and eventually learn the context. So I had a lot to catch up.
Many people don’t realize, English is the most difficult and complex language. When
it comes to slang there is a variety of context within the English speaking nation.
The best way I learn slang, whenever I hear a new slang, I don’t try to
comprehend it right away instead I make a mental note for future reference, so
when that slang is used again, then I try to find the common context and
eventually I compile the meaning.
I cannot recall my transition from not understanding anything,
to be able to proficiently communicate, I believe it was mainly the interaction
and intercultural communication I had with the other kids which played a big
role in my assimilation of the new culture. Like most young first generation
people when exposed to a new culture, or dominant culture to that new
environment. I naturally adapt, absorb the new culture making it my own. Not
that I disregard my own culture, Sure In some cases by choosing to belong in something,
the truth is you automatically don’t belong to another but that’s not in my
case.
I quickly inherit my friend’s favourite football team and
many other cultural driven things. My first teacher in Bowen was German and she
wilfully taught us German, to this day I can still remember a few German
phrases.
In my experience you have to apply yourself, in
understanding new cultures and environments, for me I felt obligated to
understand and learn the norms of the culture, as much as the people or the
friends whom felt obligated to teach or
share them..
