An intercultural simulation game - Tsuda

Barnga:An intercultural simulation game

www.answers.com/topic/suit-cards

��

��

��

��

What is Barnga?…is an intercultural simulation, played with a

“trumps” card game. The card game is designed to give you the experience of moving

from a familiar culture to a foreign culture.


BARNGA is …

…the classic simulation game on cultural clashes. Participants experience the shock of realizing that despite their good intentions and the many similarities among them, people use different (often unspoken) rules and interpret things differently from one another in profound ways, especially people from differing cultures. Players learn that they must understand and reconcile these differences if they want to function effectively in a cross-cultural group.

I am the small red circle in the middle – the only Japanese person – surrounded by a sea of white faces…”

Japanese manager’s metaphor for moving from a familiar to a foreign culture:

“Arriving in Newcastle, UK for the first time was like… the Japanese flag.

Living in foreign culture is like playing a game you’ve never played before and for which the rules haven’t been explained very well. The challenge is to enjoy the game without missing too many plays, learning the rules and developing skills

as you go along.

Robert Kohls1927-2006

Former director of training, U.S. Information Agency &

Meridian International Center in Washington


Acculturation

• the way someone/group responds to moving from a familiar to a foreign culture; 2nd culture learning – Psychological (how much or little stress you have)– Socio-cultural (how much or little stress people

around you have)


Acculturation Strategies(Berry, 2005)

Assimilation

Integration

Marginalization

Separation

Berry’s Acculturation Model

KEY:

Home culture (Red): Your culture, the place you travel from.

Host culture (Blue):Local culture, in place you travel to.

Keep home cultureReject home culture

Adop

t hos

t cu

lture

Reje

ct h

ost

cultu

re

LET’s PLAYBarnga:An intercultural simulation game


��

��

��

��

Rules1. Dealer deals 5 cards each2. Players sort card by suit (hearts,

spades, diamonds, clubs)3. Player right of dealer plays any

card 4. Other players MUST follow the

same suit if they hold a card. 5. If the player does not have a

card of the same suit s/he discards any low card.

6. The next player follows the same suit and plays a higher card to win the round.

1. Dealer wa Go Mai no card.

2. Yotsu no Shurui ni Wakeru. Te

no naka de mie nai youni.

3. Dealer no Migi no player ga

SaiSho no Card wo dasu.

4. Hoka no player ga Onaji Shurui

no Card dasu. Heart datara

heart.

5. SaiSho no Card no Shurui (Heart)

ga nakattara, nandemo Hikui

Suuji no Card wo Dasu.

6. IchiBan Ooi Suuji no card

Moteiru Hito ga Kachi!

Trumps Rules

Read the new “trumps” rules and practice for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes we will start the simulation.You will not be allowed to talk.


No verbal language

NoWords:English

Japanese FrenchChineseGerman

Etc!


OKBody language:

GesturesFacial expressions

LaughingSighing

CoughingEtc.

Barnga:DEBRIEF


Debrief Questions:

Q1 If you could describe the game in one word, what would it be?��


Culture shockWhy do we feel acculturation stress?

Nicola Finkle, FEW Japan

Eustress��

Too high=BURNOUT��

Euphoric幸福感我慢がしやすい

Too Low=BOREDOM��

Enjoyment

Effort

Optimal level of Stress

Debrief Questions:

Q2 Which suit was trumps in your LAST game? Draw a PICTURE to show the suit.


Q3Was Ace high or low…?

Debrief Questions:

Q3 Did you expect different rules?What did you expect at the beginning of the game?

��

Q4 Did you notice different rules?When did you realize that something was wrong?

How did you deal with it? Did you help explain the difference?��


So why does entering into a new cultural environment increase our stress level?

“…throughout the past million years of human evolution, the prefrontal cortex coevolved with brain support systems—such as the cerebellum—to help store, implement, and smooth out tried and true routines and solutions [customs]…the increased cultural demands in only the past 10,000 years have put such an extraordinary burden on our working memory that it has driven an expansion of the cerebellum relative to the neocortex… our ability to simplify and automatize our immediate experiences, and access a deep knowledge [aka culture] base on demand, contributed to our extraordinarily intellectual and innovative accomplishments.”Scott Barry Kaufman on May 16, 2013)

http://www.scientificamerican.com/author/scott-barry-kaufman/

The brain science & culture shock:Evolution & the cerebellum

• The cerebellum “plays a crucial role in the learning of complex, well-rehearsed routines…. our ability to simplify and automatize our immediate experiences, and access a deep knowledge base on demand”

Brain science answer:“frontal-posterior integration”

Moving to a different culture takes us away from “familiar routines.” We can’t go on autopilot. This puts more demand on the prefrontal cortex … causes us stress.

Visible objects Noticeable behaviour

Intangible aspects of culture & communication

(unconscious 2nd nature)

http://defiant.corban.edu/gtipton/net-fun/iceberg.JPG

�� HyouZan no tatoe

Iceberg Metaphor

New sights, sounds and smells strike us when we go into a new culture for the first time. Write 5 examples above the water line. The biggest differences tend to be hidden from

sight. Write 5 aspects of intangible culture beneath the water line.

22

Uncertainty of ’invisible culture’ creates stress.

Which is the best strategy: Intergration or Assimilation?

1. [In Canada…] “Generally, those pursuing the integration strategy experience less stress, and achieve better adaptations than those pursuing marginalisation” (Berry, 2005)

2. [In Japan…] “Assimilation was found to be the most positive acculturation strategy, followed by Integration, Separation and Marginalization, respectively” (Komisarof, 2014)

3. Integration: Better psychological well-being. Assimilation: Better socio-cultural adjustment(Ward & Rana-Deuba, 1999)

Equivalence

• Equity….Balance

• [see-saw balanced in different ways]

• Natural sea defense =\= Great Wall of china

• Defense =\= Imperial offense

Do host & immigrant have the same approach to intercultural match?

1. If both host & immigrant expect assimilation, or if both host & immigrant expect integration then acculturation works for both sides.

2. If host culture and immigrants have different expectations there can be conflict between people and/or social problems.

Let’s see if we can find any patterns from our game…...

What were your AIMS? Which intercultural strategy did you use?

Assimilation = I used host’s rules

Integration = I used some home rules & some host’s rules

Marginalization= I used my rules (I didn’t notice their rules)

Separation= I didn’t want to play

Bargna: Share Journal Reflections

• If people know that their culture is different from newcomers’ and they have to learn and to get used to it, it’ll be very helpful for the newcomers. It’s so hard to know in advance all the differences from each country all over the world but if we know what are unique about our country, we can prepare something.

• When the game started in the new group, I was the first one to put a card down on the table and the others refused to play cards. I was at a loss, but K-san tried to explain without words. She showed other cards and pointed the same suit as mine and made X with her fingers, so I could learn that I cannot start with the cards in that suit. It was so helpful, so I chose another card and we could start game.

Which intercultural approach did these students’ use?

Student’s Reflections

I was the first one to leave the old group and entered the new group. I thought that in the other group the playing rule must be different from ours (it’s an international culture class!) so I

was nervous when I got there.

Emergent Learning 1. We can communicate without words. 2. Nonverbal communication is less specific than verbal communication.3. Different cultures play by different (unwritten) rules and so perceive

things differently. 4. We must understand and reconcile these differences if we want to

function as a group.5. Cultural differences can be fun and frustrating: Which, is up to you! 6. Use EQ to turn your negative into positive emotion. 7. Use your SQ to help others enjoy navigating the confusion with you!8. “Generally, those pursuing the integration strategy experience less

stress, and achieve better adaptations than those pursuing marginalisation” (Berry, 2005).

9. Integration leads to better psychological well-being. Assimilation leads to better socio-cultural adjustment (Ward & Rana-Deuba, 1999).

10. The most stressful experience comes when host and home cultures have different expectations (Komisaroff, 2014)

CHECK AGAINST Wkbk S

What did you learn?

1. We can communicate without words.

2. Nonverbal communication is less specific than verbal

communication.

3. Different cultures perceive things differently, and/or play

by different (unwritten) rules.

4. We must understand and reconcile these differences if

we want to function effectively as a group.

5. Assimilation, integration and creating a completely new

set of rule are different approaches to reconciling

different cultural rules in group.

www.

answ

ers.co

m/topi

c/suit-

cards

Bargna Part 2:Reconciling Differences

Creating Synergy

1. This time you can speak. ��

2. Agree shared rules.� ��

3. Play one last round of Bargna using your rules.��


Debrief Questions (2):

1. What changes did you make to the rules?

2. How did you agree this?

3. How did others in your group feel about the changes?

4. What is one word to describe playing this time?

Bargna: Student voices

References• Dr. Sivasailam "Thiagi" Thiagarajan president of the North

American Simulation and Gaming Associating (NASAGA), International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI), and Association for Special Education Technology (ASET)

• Andrea MacGregor http://socrates.acadiau.ca/courses/educ/reid/games/Game_descriptions/Barnga1.htm http://www.interculturalpress.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=30

• http://www.cirhomepage.org/speech/speeches/the_barnga.doc• http://www.lancs.ac.uk/users/interculture/pcat6.htm• http://www.amazon.com/Barnga-Simulation-Game-Cultural-

Clashes/dp/1877864048

http://www.interculturalpress.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=30

http://www.cirhomepage.org/speech/speeches/the_barnga.doc

http://www.lancs.ac.uk/users/interculture/pcat6.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Barnga-Simulation-Game-Cultural-Clashes/dp/1877864048

Trump = The strongest suit. Yon Shurui no Naka de ‘trump’

ga Ki-ri Fuda desu.

• A low Trump card beats a high card of any other suit.

• You can ONLY play a trump card if you do NOT have any cards from the starting suit.


1• Hearts are trumps��!� HEARTS ga Ki-ri Fuda desu.

– 2, 3, 4, etc. of hearts beats King of all other suits. �� #�$�%�� Tato-eba HEARTS no 2,3,4 toka demo, Hoka no dono MARK no KING nimo Ka-te masu.

• Ace is high ��"��ACE ha Taka-i desu.– Ace beats King ��

Tato-eba ACE ha KING nimo Ka-te masu.


ga Ki-ri Fuda desu.




2• Spades are trumps�� "� SPADES ga Ki-ri Fuda desu.

– 2, 3, 4, etc. of spades beats King of all other suits. �� #�$�%�� !��Tato-eba SPADES no 2, 3, 4, tokademo, Hoka no dono MARK no KING nimo Ka-te masu.

• Ace is low ��ACE ha Hiku-i desu.– 2, 3, 4 etc. beats Ace ��2, 3, 4 ��!��Tato-eba 2, 3, 4, toka, ACE nimo Ka-te masu.


ga Ki-ri Fuda desu.




3• Diamonds are trumps��"�$� DIAMONDS ga Ki-ri Fuda desu.

– 2, 3, 4, etc. of diamonds beats King of all other suits. !�� &�'�(�� #��Tato-eba DIAMONDS no 2, 3, 4, toka demo, Hoka no dono MARK no KING nimo Ka-temasu.

• Ace is high ��%��ACE ha Taka-i desu.– Ace beats King !��#��

Tato-eba ACE ha KING nimo Ka-te masu.


ga Ki-ri Fuda desu.




4• Clubs are trumps�� "� KURO–BA– ga Ki-ri Fuda desu.

– 2, 3, 4, etc. of clubs beats King of all other suits. �� #�$�%�� !��Tato-eba KURO–BA– no 2, 3, 4, toka demo, Hoka no dono MARK no KING nimo Ka-temasu.

• Ace is low ��ACE ha Hiku-i desu.– 2, 3, 4 etc. beats Ace ��2, 3, 4 ��!��Tato-eba 2, 3, 4, toka, ACE nimo Ka-te masu.

Card game talk:Check the meaning of these expressions in pairs

1. Let’s play cards!2. Hearts, spades, diamonds, clubs3. Which is the strongest suit? 4. Who wants to be the dealer?5. Do you want to shuffle?6. Cut the deck7. Play a trick/hand8. Win a trick9. Move counter-clockwise


Card game talk:Check the meaning of these expressions in pairs

12345678910


Bargna Rules1. sf�~�A��Uj�ud� 7aYH. sf�~�W��Q[!>YIe<l�{Wsf�~�V �V�@`WGZYH<

2. j�ud�ZUH�Wv�t;k��w; og};YLWnz�u;ScdFP[@Y>YIe<i�nd��RFYH<t~{yV'9F^b>UB_?G\C��W=aYIe<

3. +>Pj�udH�W�G'9F^b>Vj�udFP�E><[F;��'9Vj�uAT>��W;SV'9Vj�uQ[@Y>YIe<LMF��U� Vj�uMDF@MIYIe<

4. l�{Wj�u�V��A�%:>�V�NRFYH<5. l�{V�)�.W�OL��A�%�>�RFYH<�//V�OL��d(U�>P�E><

6. �F_?X��5W��RFYH<JV�8�QQBbMD�CVl�{dF;�CVj�udlqtFP�E><

7. JcKcVr�x�Q�%�OL�W�3�aU"Vr�x�U&�FP�E><8. JcKcVr�x�Q�%5DL�W�3�aRW6U"Vr�x�U&�FP�E><9. JV�V�WJVYYr�x�d�@T>Q�E><10. �$V��WJcKcG\eDeQ#ZPCME><11. ,-V�;��d1La;�V�R4F=OLaFPW>DYIe<mhnp|�]*W@Y>YIeA;20UFLa;�d@>LaFPW>DYIe<

1�


Bargna Rules2

1. Players are dealt 5 cards each. The dealer can be anyone at the table, the person who plays first will be to the right of the dealer

2. Whoever wins the most tricks will move clockwise to the next table 3. Whoever loses the most tricks will move counter-clockwise to the next

table 4. Everyone else stays at the same table 5. Ties are resolved by paper rock scissors 6. Each round will be about 3-5 minutes long. Try to play as many games as

you can in the time to get the most tricks.7. After the practice round, players will not be allowed to see the rules or

speak to each other. Gestures and pictures are allowed, but players are not allowed to speak or write words.

8. The game “winner” will be the person who has won the most tricks in total. Each player keeps track of his/her own scores on a piece of paper.

9. The trick is won by the person with the HIGHEST card of the ORIGINAL suit.

10. The first player for each trick may play ANY suit. Ace is low (=1). Diamonds trump other cards (e.g. ace of diamonds beats king of hearts).

11. All other players must play a card of the same suit. If a player does not have that suit, any card of another suit must be played. For each round, each player plays one card.


• Integration policy: Minorities’ adaptation (MORF & ��)

Documents

An intercultural simulation game - Tsuda