Exploration into Co-Cultural Communication between Manjo and Donjo in Sheka
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Date
2016-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
A hierarchy of power exists in each society whereby certain groups of people have greater access to power than others do. The dominating group members use this power to create and maintain societal structures that intrinsically benefits them. On the other bottom side of the hierarchy reside co-cultural group members. The impact of the dominating group over the co-cultural group is prevalent, yet there exists inextricably linked relation within and across the groups. In such unbalanced relation, interaction with each other is inescapable. Thus, co-cultural group members will be more aware of the importance of strategically adopting communication behaviors that help them negotiate dominant societal structures. In view this argument, this study explores co-cultural communication between Manjo and Donjo people. To this end, the study employed an eclectic theory called co-cultural communication theory as a theoretical frame work. This theory helps to understand how traditionally marginalized groups communicate in dominant societal structures.
The study employed qualitative research method. From plethora of qualitative method, phenomenological research methodology is used to explore through the lived experience of the Manjo people. Accordingly, the researcher interviewed purposely selected 10 Manjo co-researcher using unstructured in-depth interview techniques. Besides, observation and filed notes were applied in gathering the Capta.
The study revealed that Manjo people use ridiculing-self, manipulating Donjo, overcompensating, avoidance, attack, disassociating and censoring self as their communicative practices in their interaction with Donjo. Yet, these communicative practices are subject to different influential factors. The sudy found that Manjo people consider what outcome they should gain, what cost and reward their communication would bring, their field of experience, their ability to use different communicative practices, the situational context they are dealing in and the communication approach and style they chose when interacting with Donjo member. The study also identified what co-cultural communication orientation Manjo and found that their co-cultural orientation emanates from the communicative practices they use and the preferred outcome they preconceive beforehand.
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Co-Cultural Communication