Communication of subculture groups with the dominant culture as part of interculturel communication: Circassian case

Intercultural communication examines the interaction among the members of different cultures. In this study, communication of subcultural or ethnic groups with dominant culture, also conceptualized as intercultural communication. The current study aims to explore the communication practices of Circassians, one of the ethnic groups in Eskişehir, with the dominant culture as part of intercultural communication. For the purposes of the study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 individuals of Circassian origin living in the center of Eskişehir and the findings were discussed on the basis of the data obtained. The results of the study revealed that individuals with Circassian origin have continued to interact with the dominant culture while trying to preserve their own culture. The study deals with culture as a system that passes down symbols, the meanings created by these symbols and the norms involving the rules regulating social and individual behaviors throughout history. Also, it is claimed that the presence of different cultures leads to different sense of the world. The results showed that these differences, which are due to cultural doctrine influenced the communication of Circassian groups with the dominant culture.