metaphor to stimulate cross cultural relationships
DESCRIPTION
Brief overview of how metaphor can help stimulate understanding of different perspectives in cultural understanding. Facilitated conversation at RMIT University's Asia Forum on August 8, 2012.TRANSCRIPT
1© Arthur Shelley 2012 under Creative Commons License. Available for public use provided source is acknowledged. Permission of the author required for
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Metaphor use in Asia
Enhance awareness and increase understanding through metaphor
conversations
Arthur Shelley
RMIT Asia ForumAugust 8, 2012
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Metaphor Definitions and Examples
“A figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance.”
“A mighty fortress is our God.”
“Something used, or regarded as being used, to represent something else; emblem; symbol.”Dictionary.com
“Time is money” or “Argument is war” Lakoff and Johnston (1980)
“The Art of War” http://www.military-quotes.com/Sun-Tzu.htm
© Arthur Shelley 2012 under Creative Commons License. Available for public use provided source is acknowledged. Permission of the author required for
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Metaphor structure and purpose
“All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances”William Shakespeare, in As You Like It
Metaphor is an analogy to use something familiar (the Vehicle)
to develop understanding of something less familiar (the Tenor)
Metaphor is a figure of speech to aid knowledge transfer and learning through simplification and comparison.
© Arthur Shelley 2012 under Creative Commons License. Available for public use provided source is acknowledged. Permission of the author required for
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Tenor Vehicle
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Stories and Metaphor are embedded into our cultures
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Christianity and the Bible
Australian Aboriginal culture & metaphoric creation dance
Buddhist Jataka Tales
Arabic culture, Koran, Bedouin culture…
Hindu Panchatantra storiesJewish Talmud & Midrash
Chinese Cultural Teachings & Zodiac
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Lion
Aggressive
Command and Control
Territorial
Charismatic or ego-driven
Leads by fear
Zoo Leadership Styles
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Eagle
Inspirational
Above the mire
Great long range vision
Rapid action on opportunities
Great instinct
Strategic
Leads strategically with vision
Zoo Leadership Styles
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Choose your animal appropriately
Behaviour is YOUR choice
The more versatile you can be and the better you understand and relate to others, the more successful you will be.
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However…
Article addressing the effectiveness of metaphors that bridge the gap between a known concept and one that is new to the learner, found that students from the majority culture and those for whom English is a second language can misunderstand metaphors.
To communicate clearly pay special attention to the use of metaphors. One challenge to the nurse is effective communication, as the client may not yet have acquired the ability to understand common metaphors.
The student who has been educated to be sensitive to these concerns will provide better care for these clients.
Marilyn L. Weitzel, Effects of Metaphors for Asian and Majority-Culture Students. Home Health Care Management Practice December 2004 vol. 17 no. 1 14-21
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Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions
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http://geert-hofstede.com/national-culture.html
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Behavioural DNA perspectives
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Positive contribution Negative contribution
Asian Police?
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Cultural perceptions…
“East”
“Ultimate being”
Can mean “Death”
Reliability,persistence
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“West”
Evil icon to be slain
Usually Knowledge
Stupidity, stubborn
Highlight differences in cultural perceptions to increase richness of interactions
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Positively influencing outcomes through metaphor based interactions
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Metaphoric reflective conversations
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Reflective Impact Diary
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Conclusions
• Metaphor is a powerful tool to stimulate conversations about behaviour and behavioural differences and interactions
• Reflective conversations stimulated using animals metaphor can work well across cultures PROVIDED the facilitator is sensitive to different cultural perceptions and interpretations
• Discussing such differences enhances the richness of the interaction and the development of mutual understanding across participants
© Arthur Shelley 2012 under Creative Commons License. Available for public use provided source is acknowledged. Permission of the author required for
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15© Arthur Shelley 2011 under Creative Commons License. Available for public use provided source is acknowledged. Permission of the author required for commercial use.
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