Silence as a communication strategy of people in the culture of poverty

Abstract

The article presents the results of research on the way of communication in the culture of poverty, which are included in the statements of extremely poor people, which characterize everyday interactions with others. The analyzed communication processes are limited to interactions within the family. The main sources of the analysis presented in this article are the works of O. Lewis, which constitute the theoretical basis for the concept of the culture of poverty proposed by the author, as well as Diaries of the Unemployed, the publication of which in the 1930s and 2003-2006 was a response to the written diary competitions. The aim of this article is to show similar methods of interaction and communication that are characterized by social isolation in the culture of poverty. It is manifested by abandoning communication and choosing silence strategies in relations with others. One of the issues of the article is the description of discourse, making attempts to communicate with those who present an advantage over the weaker people who are in the position of subjection.