Syrian Identity

In any given society, identity plays a major role in how communication and culture interact with each other. In fact, Martin and Nakayama (2013) argue that identity acts as a bridge between the two, facilitating the development of both communication and culture. Intercultural Communications in Contexts further expands this notion with three different perspectives from which to observe the role identity plays between culture and communication: social science, interpretive and critical. The social science perspective argues that identity is created by the self as one relates and aligns themselves with other groups. Furthermore, the cross cultural perspectives focus on individualized identity, seeing oneself as independent, the familial identity, the connectedness one feels to family members, and spiritual identity, essentially ones relationships to higher meanings. The interpretive perspective argues that identity is created by the continuous conflict between ones self image, otherwise known as avowal, and how others view them, known as ascription. Lastly, the critical perspective argues that identity is often dynamic in nature and seeks to define the contextual influences that influenced specific identities. It is also important to note the wide range of identities an individual can ascribe themselves to, as there is sexual, age, racial and religious identities, just to name a few.

The recent conflict in Syria pertains directly to these theories because the various and diverse identities of everyone involved directly influences the ways in which these cultures are communicating. Specifically referring to the groups involved directly in the Syrian civil war, Max Fisher notes that invisible boundaries were erected to divide the nation, "forcing together an amalgam of diverse religious and ethnic groups," (Fisher, 2013). These groups, form the broadly ascribed identities of the rebels and the regime. The country itself is in the process of defining its own identity as various different minority identities are trying to claim leadership. Meanwhile, Russia remains Syria's closest ally, cause many Americans to ascribe them the identity of assisting the Asaad regime. On the other hand, America, through the avowal process, has taken on the identity of a world police in order to intervene in the Syria conflict, while Syria and Russia ascribe America the identity of an imperialistic power.
As outlined above, many of the identities revolving around the Syrian crisis often end up on opposing ends, making the communication between these cultures difficult. The Syrian rebels align themselves with a specific identity that is at odds with the identity of the regime, therefore causing violence and inhibiting communication. Similarly, the United States and Russia are at odds with one another over the identities they ascribe to both themselves and each other, creating a similar, yet not so violent, rift in communication. Just as Fisher points out that violence will not end any time soon, one can hope that through this constant struggle Syria will, over time, question and challenge the conflicting identities at odds with one another and somehow come to a peaceful, if not at least toned down, resolution.


Fisher, M.  (2013).  9 Questions About Syria you were too Embarrassed to Ask.  The Washington Post.  Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/08/29/9-questions-about-syria-you-were-too-embarrassed-to-ask/

Martin, J.N., & Nakayama, T.K. (2013). Intercultural communication in contexts (6th ed.) New York, NY: McGraw Hill.