The problematic of "Ethnic differences, identity and ideology" within the scope of intercultural communication: A study on Iğdır province

Intercultural communication includes the creation, sharing and negotiation of a meaning between individuals with different ethnic and cultural characteristics. Thus, different societies transfer their cultural characteristics to other societies and enable societies to coexist and live in peace. The presence of intercultural communication necessarily brings acculturation and harmony, and its absence results in introversion as a state of non-contact. Here, the focus is on the communication processes between two dominant cultures with different "ethnic-identity-ideological" characteristics in Iğdır, where intercultural communication and borders can be observed. Qualitative research techniques "in-depth interview, participatory observation and focus group interview" were used, and it was aimed to reveal social problems in the context of intercultural encounters, space sharing and communication practices of individuals in both ethnic groups. In the study, while explaining the experience of intercultural communication between ethnic differences, the concepts of identity and ideology were evaluated together. In order to reveal the role of local media in the intercultural communication processes of Azerbaijan Turks and Kurdish ethnic groups in Iğdır, newspaper articles in Igdir local press were tested by content analysis. In the in-depth interview with 20 people and the focus group interview with 18 people in three groups, the data revealed were categorized under certain themes. According to the findings obtained from the research, it has been found that there are problems in the way of defining the identities, communication practices, intercultural encounters and relationship qualities of the individuals belonging to the two dominant ethnic groups in the context of intercultural communication. There is a dominant discourse that this situation stems from ideological and political discourses. Finally, it was seen that eccentricity in terms of social identity and eccentricity between Azerbaijan Turks and Kurdish ethnic groups came to the fore. It has been determined that there are very few articles about cultural integration and a positive image and representation in the local press of Iğdır. As a result, based on the basic elements and the theoretical framework and the result obtained from the study, the following suggestions were shared: The intercultural communication system emphasized the emphasis on 'tolerance to tolerance, from struggle to brotherhood', kinship ties such as 'kirvelik, marriage' and cultural rituals carried out with both ethnic groups. dissemination throughout society. With such an approach, it is thought that social relations can be further strengthened by establishing a virtual kinship bond. Moreover, It is seen that the fact that Iğdır, which is located at the farthest point of Turkey and has a single land border to three countries, is often referred to in the national media with negative representations such as fighting, murder, etc., causes a prejudice against this city. It is suggested that media contents reflecting cultural integration should be included more in cities where different ethnic groups live, such as Iğdır, which requires social sensitivity. This situation is thought to contribute positively to the city image of Iğdır.