Talking past points of culture

Press, 22 February 1978, Page 18

Talking past points of culture

PA Wellington Cultural differences cause communication blocks between pukehas and Polynesians in New Zealand, an international education conference in Palmerston »ortb was told. Maoris and Samoans use more bodv 'anguage than pakehas who -oncentrate on talking, Professor Joan Metge and Dr Patricia Kinloch said in a paper entitled “Talking Past Each Other ” The authors. Kith of Wellington, presented their paper at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s conference on early childhood care -nd education. They said that people absorbing their own culture acquired understandings which thev assumed to be the cnlv conceivable wav of doing and looking at things. “Unless the evidence to the contrary is particularly striking w’e never stop to think that others may have different ideas. "When Polynesians and Pakehas assume that thev share understandings when in

fact they do not, they misread each others’ words and actions, respond inappropriately, and judge each other as stupid, odd or rude in the light of their own standards.” Saying that New Zealand was a multi-cultural society did not mean that most New Zealand citizens were knowledgeable about cultures other than their own. Professor Metge and Dr Kinloch said. As an example, they said that Maoris and Samoans emphasised body language more, and speaking less, than did pakehas. “Pakehas who find Maoris and Samoans unresponsive and ‘hard to talk to’ are missing much of the communication directed their way. “To Maoris and Samoans, pakehas are ‘for ever talking’ and the stream of often unfamiliar words, many of which seem unnecessary, is so tiring that they ‘cut out’ and miss much of the message.” Among other blocks to communication the authors cited the following differences: In public situations pakehas

take silence to mean agreement, whereas Maoris and Samoans use silence to show disagreement. At meetings when pakehas leave out or curtail greetings in order to “get down to the real business,” Maoris and Samoans misread the message as rejection or lack of interest. Maoris typically express gratitude in action, not words. Pakehas, who expect to be thanked in words, are often hurt or offended when Maoris do not say “Thank you” and fail to recognise the reciprocating action as an expression of gratitude. “In writing this paper we have quite practical aims.” Professor Metge and Dr Kinloch said. “We hope that increased awareness of the possibility of differences will help improve communication between all parties involved in early childhood care, and duce the conflict between communication codes presented to the children,” they said.