Journal of Intercultural Communication
2012

Communication experiences of ugandan immigrants during acculturation to the United States: A preliminary study (Article)

Muwanguzi S. , Musambira G.W.
  • a Department of Library and Information Sciences, College of Information, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle P.O. Box 311068, Denton, TX 76203, United States
  • b Nicholson School of Communication, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd, P.O. Box 161344, Orlando, FL 32816-1344, United States

Abstract

This study examined the communication experiences of a section of Ugandan immigrants during their acculturation process to the U.S. Kim's theory of communication cultural adaptation was applied to identify the communication challenges and strategies used in the acculturation process. Ten women and twelve men were interviewed for the study. Four themes emerged: language, superiority and discrimination, self-promotion and aggressiveness, and adaptation and cultural change. The findings indicated that Ugandans have pursued a strategy of cultural integration as opposed to marginalization, assimilation, or separation. The findings can be used to aid both the immigrants and members of the U.S. host culture to better prepare for intercultural communication involving the two cultures. Also, the research breaks the ground for future studies on a wider array of Ugandan and other African immigrant communities whose unique communication experiences during their acculturation in U.S. have been overlooked.

Author Keywords

Immigrants in the United States Communication cultural adaptation Ugandan immigrants Acculturation

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84878066317&partnerID=40&md5=60567b544d13e4afa218ecdb994463fe

ISSN: 14041634
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English