| The concern of this dissertation is learning intercultural competence for the purpose of enhancing cross-cultural communication. The single case study mixed methods design of this study presents qualitative research on the process and factors in two missionary cultural outsiders learning to be culturally competent in a host culture. This is accomplished by uncovering the perspectives of both the cultural newcomers and the host culture. Precedent literature undergirding this study include that of the definition and dimensions of culture, social identity theory, intercultural communication, learning intercultural competence, transformative learning, the Northwest Coast potlatch, and contextualization of the gospel of Christ. The interview protocol is specifically designed to incorporate the philosophical underpinnings of appreciative inquiry. Research was guided by three questions.;The first research question investigated how the research participants describe the process of the missionary newcomers learning intercultural competence. The second research question focused on discovering changes in the newcomer social identity and the identification of contributory factors. The final research question sought to discover ministry opportunities which emerged because of social identity changes associated with the missionaries' learning intercultural competency.;The findings suggest that social identity as a cultural insider and demonstration of behaviors consistent with host cultural values is integral to acceptance. The factors of longevity in the community and the development of trust were also found to contribute to acceptance. Transformative learning was found to be a valuable framework to understand the process of affecting the deep world view changes integral in learning intercultural competence. |
