World View Essay

1332 Words6 Pages
Trudgen argues that world view is as important as language when communicating in an intercultural context. Discuss this claim in relation to beginning students adjusting to learning in a university culture. In your answer, refer to relevant SSK12 readings. World views are as important as language when communicating in an intercultural environment. World views are as important as the spoken language itself when communicating in an intercultural environment. Intercultural communication can break down if the participants are not aware, understanding and at times sympathetic to a person’s world views. This is especially relevant for new students starting at university, an understanding of their world view along with the university culture, views and indeed what is expected of them is all essential to be a successful university student. This essay will look at world views, culture and how a successful student needs more than just a good grasp of the English language, they must have an understanding their own world views, the university’s world view and the cultures that exist. To explore the fact that world view is as important as language, first we must understand what is meant by world view. Hobson (1996, 30) describes world view as ‘a set of beliefs that we hold and through which we organise our understanding of ourselves and our understanding of others’, ‘it shapes everything we receive’. Throughout history people’s world views have changed for example Hobson (1996) tells of the medieval view as ‘an organic world ‘with God as the boundary for all and the postmodern world view where ‘we can choose who we are (and) everyone is different’. As a generalisation this is where we are today but an individual’s world view can also be influenced by their upbringing and the society in which they live. A person’s background, beliefs and standing within
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