#5 – Breaking the barriers?

With the Internet, we are fast becoming exposed to various cultures around the globe. There is much to learn about every culture and how things are viewed differently. Culture is defined as, “a system of ideas, values, beliefs and customs that is communicated by one generation to the next and that sustains a particular way of life.” (Spencer, 1982)

No culture is exactly similar to another. Due to the differences in ideas, values, beliefs and customs, communication that transcends across culture should either be universally understood (example in this entry) or cater to specific culture. Recently, yet another controversy erupted due to cultural barriers.

Iran threatens to boycott the London Olympic 2012 games, due to its claims that the logo spells the word Zion, “the stronghold of King David of the Israelites, also known today as Jerusalem, and by extension, the Biblical land of Israel.” Being an Islamic state, Iran is sensitive towards the word that has a religious connotation being represented unintentionally (or intentionally) as the symbol of London Olympic 2012. There are also videos to illustrate the different views of the logo.

Being the host of a major international sporting event with people of various cultures participating in it, London should be more sensitive of the issue. With cultural diversity, London should practice understanding (aware of the differences in cultural teaching and practice cultural relativism) and respect (acknowledge differences yet remain anchored in the values of own culture).

Personally, I did not see the word Zion in the design of the Olympic logo. It was only until the article came to my attention that I ‘see’ the word. As much as the issue might be a major concern to Iran, threatening to not participate seems extreme. After all, it is just a logo and the Olympic symbolizes the convergence of athletes from the entire world together based on sports.

In my opinion, the best way to solve issues that involves culture is by resisting ethnocentric bias, which is to put our own ethnicity at the centre of the universe and regard ourselves as superior to other people and other ways of life. Even though, we unintentionally practice ethnocentric bias, we should always be respectful of another and have an open mind. That is the first step towards understanding problems across cultures.

So, how do you feel about the controversy? What is it like for you when communicating with someone from another culture?