On Cross-cultural Orientation Techniques
Trifonovitch, Gregory J (August 1973). On Cross-cultural Orientation Techniques. Topics in Cultural Learning (Report). Honolulu, HI: East-West Center. p. 11.
- Has attachment: File:76HBUH5V.pdf
Abstract: This paper will deal specifically with cross-cultural orientation techniques used by the author in the last eight years with American personnel who were preparing to assume duties and responsibilities in Micronesia. Basic Assumptions The first basic assumption was that the orientation was not an end in itself, that is, personnel were encouraged to not feel that once the orientation was over, then enough would be known about Micronesia. It was merely the beginning of a process which would continue throughout the duration of a person's overseas sojourn as well as a beginning of a process of continuing to learn how to learn about one's own culture and the other cultures which the person would encounter. It is so often the case that a person who attends a rather extensive orientation program is misled to believe that as a result of this orientation he has received all the knowledge and skills needed to cope with a new environment. Thus, he proceeds to the new area full of cor.fidence in his newly acquired ability and knowledge and begins immediately to "assist" those islanders, who, in his belief, have long awaited his arrival. The second assumption is that there are natural linguistic and cultural barriers built around different cultural groups, but that many people who have lived in only one culture do not recognize this fact. The purpose of the orientation was not to tear down or circumvent these barriers but to create an attitude within the person to accept his own barriers as well as to learn to recognize the barriers of the other cultvre and develop a healthy attitude towards these boundaries. Those of us who have lived in Hawaii know many Hawaiian loan words which we have incorporated in our own English language. One of these words which is frequently used is "kuliana," mean: Ng one's own private domain or "turf." The old Hawaiians divided their land and households by building short lava rock walls separating the different households. These enclosures were called kulianas. They served the purpose of identifying one household from the other as well as establishing the identities of the different groups involved. It is interesting to note drat the battles, wars and conflicts which the Hawaiians fought were not between households which were separated from each other by thl " kulianas" but between islands and between neighboring villages that had no man-built barriers between them. The custom would support the old proverb which we have used for so long: "good fenc-:.s build good neighbors."
Extra details:
MAG: 422423163 OpenAlex: W422423163 CorpusID: 142148017
