QUESTIONS TO SHARPEN YOUR FOCUS

1		Most of speech code theory is concerned with cross-cultural rather than intercultural communication. What is the difference? Which incidents described in the chapter are examples of intercultural encounters?
2		Which three propositions of the theory suggest a scientific approach to the study of speech codes?
3		Most scholars still think of Philipsen's work as the ethnography of communication. Why do you (or don't you) think speech codes theory is a better name? Why might social identity theory be a valid option?
4		Philipsen says that the Nacirema way of talking is the prevailing speech code in the United States. What research cited in this chapter supports his claim?