CULTURE SHOCKS EXPERIENCED BY IAN MILLER IN “MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING” FILM

CULTURE SHOCKS EXPERIENCED BY IAN MILLER IN “MY

BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING” FILM

THESIS

By

SRI NOVI HARIYANTI

07360156

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG

CULTURE SHOCKS EXPERIE

NCED BY IAN MILLER IN “MY

BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING” FILM

THESIS

By

SRI NOVI HARIYANTI

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG

i

CULTURE SHOCKS EXPERIENCED BY IAN MILLER IN “MY

BIG

FAT GREEK WEDDING” FILM

THESIS

This thesis is submitted to meet one of the requirements to Achieve Sarjana Degree in English Education

By

SRI NOVI HARIYANTI

07360156

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG

This thesis written by Sri Novi Hariyanti was approved on October 29, 2012.

By:

Advisor II , Advisor I,

This Thesis was defended in front of the examiners of Faculty of Teacher Training and Education of University of Muhammadiyah Malang

and accepted as one of the requirements to achieve Sarjana Degree in English Education

on October 29, 2012.

Approved by:

Faculty of Teacher Training and Education University of Muhammadiyah Malang

Dean,

Dr. M. Syaifuddin, M.M.

Examiners: Signatures:

1. Dra. Thathit Manon Andini, M. Hum. 1. ………

2. Santi Prastiyowati, S.Pd. 2. ………

3. Drs. Estu Widodo, M. Hum. 3. ………

MOTTO AND DEDICATION

MOTTO

HAI ORANG-ORANG YANG BERIMAN, JADIKANLAH SABAR DAN SHALAT SEBAGAI PENOLONGMU, SESUNGGUHNYA ALLAH

BESERTA ORANG-ORANG YANG SABAR (AL- BAQARAH 153)

Special dedicated for:

-My beloved parents (Ibu Anjarwati and Bapak Mujiono)

-My beloved young brother (Dek Agus) -My beloved ‘mate’

- My Lecturers of English Department at University of Muhammadiyah Malang

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

In the name of Allah the beneficent, the merciful, praise is just to Allah, the creator the world and protector of all of creatures. By Allah’s guidance the, researcher can finish this thesis. Peace and blessing always be on our prophet Muhammad SAW.

The researcher would like to express deepest gratitude to Drs. Estu Widodo, M. Hum, as the first advisor and Drs. Mas’udi, M. Ed as the second advisor whose patience, suggestion, correction, and advice during the consultation period complete this thesis. The researcher feels that words will be never enough to acknowledge them.

The researcher’s gratitude and appreciation goes to dearest parents (Anjarwati and Mujiono) who always give motivation, spirit, support to finish this thesis. Her thanks also go to the young brother (Dek Agus), thanks for his attention, pray and support. Thanks so much for A’an, her best friend who always gives me advices, support and gives her inspirations. Youri, Ayu, Ika, Nitnoet, all of her friends in the Griya Aster community, Inun, Ria, Chaca, Vita, mas A’ang, Mahfud, Arif Moertopo, Shodiq and all of her friend who cannot be mentioned one by one.

Malang, October, 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

APPROVAL ………. i

LEGALIZATION ……….. .. ii

MOTTO AND DEDICATION ………... iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS …..………... iv

ABSTRACT ………. v

TABLE OF CONTENTS ……….………..……….. vi

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study ... 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem ... 3

1.3 The Purpose of the Study ... 3

1.4 Significant of the Study ... 3

1.5 Scope and Limitation ... 4

1.6 Definition of Key Terms ... 4

CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 2.1 Culture ... 5

2.1.1Cultural Awareness………. 6

2.1.2 Culture and Nonverbal Communication……… 7

2.1.2.1 Classification of Nonverbal Behaviors 8

2.1.3 Culture and Perception……….. 9

2.1.4 Culture Conflicts……… 11

2.1.4.1 Misinterpretations……….. 12

2.1.4.2 Ethnocentrism……… 12 2.1.4.3 Stereotypes and Prejudice………. 13

2.1.5 Culture Shocks………... 14

2.1.6 Cultural Adjustment……….. 16

2.2 Phases of the Act ... 19

2.3 Film as Literary Work ... 20

CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1 Research Design ... 21

3.2 Object of Study ... 21

3.3 Approach ... 22

3.4 Research Instrument ... 23

3.5 Data Collection ... 23

3.6 Data Analysis ... 24

CHAPTER IV RESEARCH FINDING AND DISCUSSION 4.1 Research Finding ... 21

4.1.1 Ian Miller’s Experienced of Culture Shocks ... 25

4.1.2 Ian Miller’s Reactions in a new culture... 29

4.2 Discussion ... 31

4.3 Lessons ... 31

CHAPTER V CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION 5.1 Conclusion ... 33

5.2 Suggestions ... 33 REFERENCES

REFERENCES

Ary, Donald. 2002. Introduction to Research in Education. New York. San Fransisco: Addisoweastley to research.

Bogarad, C.R, Crocket, L and Schmidth, J.Z. Legacies: Fiction, Poetry, Drama,

Nonfiction 3rd Edition. USA: Wadsworth Publishing Company

Bogdan, R.C and Biklen, S.K. 2007. Qualitative Research for Education: An Introduction to Theories and Methods 4th Edition. New York: Pearson Education Group.

Brislin, Richard. 2000. Understanding Culture’s Influence on Behaviour 2 nd Edition. United State: Earl McPeek.

Bryjak,George J. and Soroka, Michael P. 2001. Sociology: Changing Societies in a Diverse World 4rd Edition. USA: Allyn and Bacon.

El Raisy, Latifah. 2011. Cross Cultural Understanding. (Online), take from (http://vhaelraisy.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html, Accessed on October 25, 2011: 02.21)

Hewitt, John P. 2003. Self and Society 9th Edition: A Symbolic Interactionist Social

Psychology. USA: Allyn and Bacon.

Kenedy, William. 1966. How to Analyze Fiction. New York: Monarch Press.

Kottak, Conrad Phillip. 1991. Cultural Anthropology 5th Edition. US: Mc Graw-Hill, inc.

LeVine, Robert A. 1973. Culture, Behaviour, and Personality: An Introduction to

The Comparative Study on Psychosocial. Chicago: Aldine Publishing

Company.

Maley, Alan (Ed). 1993. Cultural Awareness. New York: Oxford University Press Matsumoto, David. 1996. Culture and Psychology. USA: Brooks/Cole Publishing

Company.

Nanda, Serena and Warms, Richard L. 2007. Cultural Anthropology. USA: Wadsworth.

Samovar, Larry A. and Porter, Richard E. 2001. Communication between Cultures 4rd

Sebastian. 2010. Wedding in Greece. (Online), take from

(http://seabastian.hubpages.com/hub/Wedding-Traditions-in-Greece, Accessed on November 5, 2012: 21.47)

Shiota, Michelle N. 2007. Emotion. Canada: Thomson Wadsworth, inc. Shulman, Myra. 2001. Culture in Contrast. The University of Michigan Press. Usamah, Ahmad. 2008. Culture Shocks in Chitrabanerjee Divakaruni’s Short Story

“Mrs. Dutta Writes a Letter”. Unpublished Thesis. The English Department of University Muhammadiyah of Malang.

Ward, C, Bochner, S and Furnham, A. 2001. The Psychology of Culture Shock 2nd Edition. USA: Taylor and Francis Group. from (http:

//avaxsearch.com/avaxhome_search?q=the+psychology+of+culture+shock&co mmit=Go, Accessed on September 23, 2011: 13.37)

Wildavsky, Michael Thomson, Richard Ellis, Aaron. 1990. Cultural Theory.USA: Westview Press, inc

1

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

The introductory chapter presents the background of study, statement of problem, purpose of study, significance of study, scope and limitation, and definition of key terms.

1.1Background of Study

Everyone knows that culture is part of human life and it cannot be separated each other. Culture may be defined as the people’s way of life or social heritage and includes values, norms, institutions, and artifacts that are passed from generation to generation by learning alone. Culture encompasses the patterns of daily life and the life styles of people, as well as the values and attitudes that underline their behavior (Hoult in Bryjak and Soroka, 2001).

Every country has its own culture that might be different from one country to another. According to Brislin (2000: 4):

Culture refers to shared values and concepts among people who most often speak the same language and live in proximity to each other. These values and concept are transmitted for generations, and they provide guidance for everyday behaviors.

Sometimes this behavior is too strange for another people who come from another culture and it can make misunderstanding and misinterpretation. The cultures not only influence behavior but also involve assumption, ideals and values in people’s minds.

2

Newcomers may be anxious because they do not know the custom or understand people’s behavior in daily life. It is very important for someone who will be in a new environment to know well about their new culture. That is why self adjustment is very important to them.

A research by Ahmad Usamah (2008) about Culture Shocks in Chitrabanerjee Divakaruni’s Short Story “Mrs. Dutta Writes a Letter” found seven culture shocks faced by the main character. They are; 1) The habit of not waking up in the morning. 2) The habit of letting Sagar’s children to close their room’s door. 3) The habit of sending Mother day’s gift. 4) The way of washing clothes. 5) The way Shymoli addressed her husband. 6) The job description between man and woman. 7) Introducing herself to the people around her home.

Based on the research above, there are many cultures that we can find in different society. Basically, cross culture can be learned widely through any media such as, novel, short story, especially film that would be researched by the writer.

So, people have to adjust themselves to new culture and environment in order to avoid misunderstanding and misinterpretation. They should have the cross culture awareness before they enter a new culture. That is why the writer is interested in using different media to study more about culture. This research will explore more about culture shocks in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” film, how someone named Ian Miller, an American, get confused and shocked in entering a new culture, Greek culture’s family.

3 1.1Statement of Problem

Dealing with the background, the research problems are:

1. What are the culture shocks experienced by Ian Miller in entering new culture and environment in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” film?

2. How are Ian Miller’s reactions in facing culture shocks in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” film?

2.2Purpose of Study

The purpose of this study will be expressed as follows:

1. To know the culture shocks experienced by Ian Miller in entering a new culture and environment in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” film.

2. To know how Ian Miller reacts in facing culture shocks in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” film.

2.3Significance of Study

This study is expected to give contribution to the English Department students who want to conduct a research in the same subject but different object of investigation. The writer hopes it can enrich and enlarge the knowledge of the students about the cross culture understanding and motivating students to analyze cross culture phenomenon which happens at the time we enter a new culture and environment. For the teacher, the researcher wishes it can give more information and new point of view about culture shock reaction on daily life. So, the teacher can handle culture shocks and conflict that happen in his/her class appropriately. And for further researcher, the writer hopes this study will make awareness to culture shocks that it can be studied more specifically to be thesis.

4 2.4Scope and Limitation

The scope of this study is the culture shocks in entering a new culture and environment. Meanwhile, the limitation of this study is only on culture shocks experienced by Ian Miller in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” film.

2.5Definition of Key Terms

There are several key terms that must be clarified in order to avoid misunderstanding and misinterpretation. The writer defines the key terms as follows:

1. Culture _{is the set of attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors shared by a}

group of people, but different for each individual, communicated from one generation to the next (David Matsumoto,1996: 16). It is usually called tradition and custom by people. Culture is descended by learning in particular society’s environment that has many values and beliefs. 2. Culture Shock _{is a sense of confusion and uncertainty that may affect}

people exposed to an alien culture or environment without adequate preparation (Myra Sulman, 2001). It happens to people that have no experience about a new culture and they will confuse with the culture. 3. Film _{is a story that is recorded as set of moving pictures to be shown on}

television or at the cinema (Oxford dictionary fifth edition, 1995) 4. Ian Milleris the actor of “My Big Fat Greek

REFERENCES

Ary, Donald. 2002. Introduction to Research in Education. New York. San Fransisco: Addisoweastley to research.

Bogarad, C.R, Crocket, L and Schmidth, J.Z. Legacies: Fiction, Poetry, Drama, Nonfiction 3rd Edition. USA: Wadsworth Publishing Company Bogdan, R.C and Biklen, S.K. 2007. Qualitative Research for Education: An

Introduction to Theories and Methods 4th Edition. New York: Pearson Education Group.

Brislin, Richard. 2000. Understanding Culture’s Influence on Behaviour 2 nd Edition. United State: Earl McPeek.

Bryjak,George J. and Soroka, Michael P. 2001. Sociology: Changing Societies in a Diverse World 4rd Edition. USA: Allyn and Bacon.

El Raisy, Latifah. 2011. Cross Cultural Understanding. (Online), take from (http://vhaelraisy.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html, Accessed on October 25, 2011: 02.21)

Hewitt, John P. 2003. Self and Society 9th Edition: A Symbolic Interactionist Social Psychology. USA: Allyn and Bacon.

Kenedy, William. 1966. How to Analyze Fiction. New York: Monarch Press.

Kottak, Conrad Phillip. 1991. Cultural Anthropology 5th Edition. US: Mc Graw-Hill, inc.

LeVine, Robert A. 1973. Culture, Behaviour, and Personality: An Introduction to The Comparative Study on Psychosocial. Chicago: Aldine Publishing Company.

Maley, Alan (Ed). 1993. Cultural Awareness. New York: Oxford University Press Matsumoto, David. 1996. Culture and Psychology. USA: Brooks/Cole Publishing

Company.

Nanda, Serena and Warms, Richard L. 2007. Cultural Anthropology. USA: Wadsworth.

Samovar, Larry A. and Porter, Richard E. 2001. Communication between Cultures 4rd Edition. USA: Wadsworth/ Thomson Learning, inc.

Sebastian. 2010. Wedding in Greece. (Online), take from

(http://seabastian.hubpages.com/hub/Wedding-Traditions-in-Greece, Accessed on November 5, 2012: 21.47)

Shiota, Michelle N. 2007. Emotion. Canada: Thomson Wadsworth, inc. Shulman, Myra. 2001. Culture in Contrast. The University of Michigan Press. Usamah, Ahmad. 2008. Culture Shocks in Chitrabanerjee Divakaruni’s Short Story

“Mrs. Dutta Writes a Letter”. Unpublished Thesis. The English Department of University Muhammadiyah of Malang.

Ward, C, Bochner, S and Furnham, A. 2001. The Psychology of Culture Shock 2nd Edition. USA: Taylor and Francis Group. from (http:

//avaxsearch.com/avaxhome_search?q=the+psychology+of+culture+shock&co mmit=Go, Accessed on September 23, 2011: 13.37)

Wildavsky, Michael Thomson, Richard Ellis, Aaron. 1990. Cultural Theory.USA: Westview Press, inc

1

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

The introductory chapter presents the background of study, statement of problem, purpose of study, significance of study, scope and limitation, and definition of key terms.

1.1Background of Study

Everyone knows that culture is part of human life and it cannot be separated

each other. Culture may be defined as the people’s way of life or social heritage

and includes values, norms, institutions, and artifacts that are passed from generation to generation by learning alone. Culture encompasses the patterns of daily life and the life styles of people, as well as the values and attitudes that underline their behavior (Hoult in Bryjak and Soroka, 2001).

Every country has its own culture that might be different from one country to another. According to Brislin (2000: 4):

Culture refers to shared values and concepts among people who most often speak the same language and live in proximity to each other. These values and concept are transmitted for generations, and they provide guidance for everyday behaviors.

Sometimes this behavior is too strange for another people who come from another culture and it can make misunderstanding and misinterpretation. The cultures not only influence behavior but also involve assumption, ideals and values in people’s minds.

2

Newcomers may be anxious because they do not know the custom or

understand people’s behavior in daily life. It is very important for someone who

will be in a new environment to know well about their new culture. That is why self adjustment is very important to them.

A research by Ahmad Usamah (2008) about Culture Shocks in Chitrabanerjee Divakaruni’s Short Story “Mrs. Dutta Writes a Letter” found seven culture shocks faced by the main character. They are; 1) The habit of not waking up in the morning. 2) The habit of letting Sagar’s children to close

their room’s door. 3) The habit of sending Mother day’s gift. 4) The way of

washing clothes. 5) The way Shymoli addressed her husband. 6) The job description between man and woman. 7) Introducing herself to the people around her home.

Based on the research above, there are many cultures that we can find in different society. Basically, cross culture can be learned widely through any media such as, novel, short story, especially film that would be researched by the writer.

So, people have to adjust themselves to new culture and environment in order to avoid misunderstanding and misinterpretation. They should have the cross culture awareness before they enter a new culture. That is why the writer is interested in using different media to study more about culture. This research will

explore more about culture shocks in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” film, how

someone named Ian Miller, an American, get confused and shocked in entering a new culture, Greek culture’s family.

3 1.1Statement of Problem

Dealing with the background, the research problems are:

1. What are the culture shocks experienced by Ian Miller in entering new

culture and environment in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” film?

2. How are Ian Miller’s reactions in facing culture shocks in “My Big Fat

Greek Wedding” film?

2.2Purpose of Study

The purpose of this study will be expressed as follows:

1. To know the culture shocks experienced by Ian Miller in entering a new

culture and environment in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” film.

2. To know how Ian Miller reacts in facing culture shocks in “My Big Fat

Greek Wedding” film.

2.3Significance of Study

This study is expected to give contribution to the English Department students who want to conduct a research in the same subject but different object of investigation. The writer hopes it can enrich and enlarge the knowledge of the students about the cross culture understanding and motivating students to analyze cross culture phenomenon which happens at the time we enter a new culture and environment. For the teacher, the researcher wishes it can give more information and new point of view about culture shock reaction on daily life. So, the teacher can handle culture shocks and conflict that happen in his/her class appropriately. And for further researcher, the writer hopes this study will make awareness to culture shocks that it can be studied more specifically to be thesis.

4 2.4Scope and Limitation

The scope of this study is the culture shocks in entering a new culture and environment. Meanwhile, the limitation of this study is only on culture shocks

experienced by Ian Miller in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” film.

2.5Definition of Key Terms

There are several key terms that must be clarified in order to avoid misunderstanding and misinterpretation. The writer defines the key terms as follows:

1. Culture _{is the set of attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors shared by a}

group of people, but different for each individual, communicated from one generation to the next (David Matsumoto,1996: 16). It is usually called tradition and custom by people. Culture is descended by learning

in particular society’s environment that has many values and beliefs.

2. Culture Shock _{is a sense of confusion and uncertainty that may affect}

people exposed to an alien culture or environment without adequate preparation (Myra Sulman, 2001). It happens to people that have no experience about a new culture and they will confuse with the culture. 3. Film _{is a story that is recorded as set of moving pictures to be shown on}

television or at the cinema (Oxford dictionary fifth edition, 1995) 4. Ian Milleris the actor of “My Big Fat Greek