I Say Tomato, You Say Tomahto...I Say Potato, You Say Potahto

Today's society is filled with such a diversity of different languages, customs, traditions and beliefs. The issue of communication throughout the world is something that has been a sociological barrier, left unbroken. Unless all these elements of individual culture conform to become one universal way of life, this barrier will always exist. A communication barrier also exists within a society where the same language is used, but people from around the country speak differently. This is true in such countries such as the United States, where people from the northern states have a very different way of talking then those of the southern U.S. states.
Another example is Canada. Canada is known for the diversity of culture, people and language. This element of Canadian society has many different benefits, but also adds some difficulties. A great example of this is illustrated in the article that I chose to focus on for this blog; Speaking French in anglo 'hoods, by Andy Riga. This article is a written account of an experiment he conducted in the French-speaking population of Quebec. He went around the area for a period of time talking only in French to see how the people of Quebec would respond. He found that if he responded to an English “hello” in French, while some either refused to switch or respond at all, the majority of those tested would quickly switch over to French to accommodate him.
This article directly relates to the element of communication, Perception and Culture. In the text, it discusses how perceptual differences can make communication between people from the same culture difficult. The culture that an individual lives in has a direct influence on the way in which we interpret something said, done or experienced (Adler, Rodman & Sevigny 46). Dr. Sevigny discussed in lecture the concept of Perception and Culture, and used the very same example of the differences between English and French speaking Canadians. Even though both live in the same country, words said in one language are taken or said differently in the other.
Communication is something that is essential for the world to function. Every person is different and comes from a different background, which means we all may communicate and interact with others in a different way then some may not be used to. It is also something that continues to develop and evolve our way of thinking throughout our own society, as well as others.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTiifk7gwHo

Adler, Rodman and Alexandre Sevigny. Understanding Human Communication. Canadian Edition: Oxford University Press(2008).