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Cultural Portraits, A Synoptic Guide, 3rd Edition

Cultural Portraits has been written for those who work with persons whose cultures differ from ours; it provides a framework for developing cultural proficiency, thus bridging the culture gap that exists today which often results in miscommunication and ineffective productivity.

Would you know that Chang Wu Jiang’s last name is Chang, not Jiang? Or that handing some-thing to an Arab with your left hand is an insult? Or that, at birth, a Korean is one year old? Cultural Portraits answers hundreds of such questions and empowers you with valuable information not only about cultural practices but with explanations about terms we hear daily (i.e., “jihad,” “Sunni”).

Cultural Portraits, a research-based reference and teaching tool, meets and exceeds expectations as it presents both overt and hidden aspects of culture that often create difficulties and misunderstandings among citizens of the world. It is an easy to use, easy to read, instant access reference and source of information. It encourages the reader to sharpen cultural skills in understanding interpersonal and intercultural relationships. It empowers the reader with the skills needed to succeed in a multicultural workplace by turning challenges into opportunities.

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Robert Marzano’s research for his publication of, What Works in Schools, links academic achievement to effective teachers who are able to relate to the students’ backgrounds in order to make connections with instruction. A Culturally Responsive curriculum also requires teachers to validate the cultural backgrounds of the students and their families, thus motivating students to share with other classmates as all students develop cultural proficiency. 

A review of the ratio of foreign-born to native-born students in the United States makes evident the need to heed Marzano’s conclusions:

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• In 1994, 1 in 20 foreign-students grades K-12 were attending US schools;
• In 2004, 1 in 10 foreign-born were attending our schools;
• In 2015, 1 in 5 are attending US schools;
• It is projected that in 2026, 1 in 3.5 students will be foreign-born; and
• by 2050, the number of native vs. foreign-born students will be 1 in 2!

Cultural Portraits is helping teachers to recognize the caveats and cultural patterns that shape perceptions that serve as relatively stable indicators of how students perceive (cognitive domain), interact with (affective domain) and respond to (physiologically) to their environment.

Cultural differences cover a wide range of values and behaviors. If we wish to get through conflicts or recognize possible misunderstandings and miscommunication, we must first seek to identify the differences that are causing the conflict and then decide the best solution for the situation.

Consider these two examples of the lack of cultural knowledge, reflective of diametrically opposed perceptions, that resulted in diplomatic embarrassment: during a meeting of the Big Eight a few years ago, President Carter addressed then German Chancellor, Helmut Schmidt, by his given name: “Helmut" (friendly or rude?), and at an encounter with the King of Saudi Arabia, President Obama, head of state, bowed (respectful or weak?) to King Abdullah.

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Cultural Portraits is a valuable resource for resolving challenging issues and addressing cultural questions to help you do your job with renewed confidence. Although population figures may experience gradual changes from year to year, culture requires many generations to change ever so slowly. The information contained in this publication will continue to be valid for years to come.

Cultural Portraits is divided into four parts: