The Cage Metaphor Analysis

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There are many ways in which the cage metaphor is applicable to communication in diverse and intercultural environments. I am able to make several applications in my own professional and personal life. While metaphors are a great tool for visualization, their meaning is deeply personal and therefore not understood in the same way by all people. I can identify with the limitations of the iceberg metaphor and the freedoms of the cage metaphor in both my professional and personal communications. I am also realizing the impact my understanding of my own cultural identity has on others in both my professional and personal communications. Due to the personal nature of metaphors, no one metaphor will ever encompass all meaning for all people. For …show more content…
In recent months, I have become more aware of my lack of cultural identity. As a result, I often speak in a way that is offensive to some around me. Because I don’t know my own culture, I assume others are just like me. This leads me to believe that when I am speaking, people should be able to understand all of my nuances. As indicated on page 9 of Third Place Learning, the first rule of communication is never blame the listener (Rimmington and Alagic, 2008). I am guilty of breaking this rule in both my professional and personal life on a daily basis. Sadly, my remedy has been to limit my professional and personal conversations. I am becoming a recluse. As a result of my recent studies, I am more aware of the need for my own cultural understanding and an understanding of other cultures. It is my hope that I will gain the skills to effectively communicate with others. I want to learn about others but am always fearful of saying the wrong thing.
I believe there are countless metaphors to choose from when describing intercultural communications; however, the cage metaphor is appropriate for the purpose laid out in Third Place Learning. Even with the cage metaphor limitations, there is a hope implied within the metaphor. If we can break through the bars of our own cultural bias, we might be able to break others out of their bars. This will ultimately lead to intercultural communications both in our our professional and personal