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Intercultural Communication

Intercultural Communication. October 28, 2002. Definition of Culture. A culture is a shared system of symbols, values, beliefs, attitudes, expectations and norms for behaviors. All members of a culture have similar assumptions about how people should think, behave, and communicate, and

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Intercultural Communication

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  1. Intercultural Communication October 28, 2002

  2. Definition of Culture A culture is a shared system of symbols, values, beliefs, attitudes, expectations and norms for behaviors. All members of a culture have similar assumptions about how people should think, behave, and communicate, and they all tend to act on those assumptions in much the same way.

  3. Differences in Culture • Stability • Dynamic or Consistent • Complexity • Body language vs. words • Social Structures (e.g., nuances or hierarchy) • Composition • Subcultures • Acceptance of others

  4. Importance of Intercultural Communication • Increasing workforce diversity • Increasing globalization of world markets • The world is shrinking • The world isn’t shrinking

  5. Stereotyping • Opinions held or expressed about a group • Imply a judgment of good or bad • Do not allow for individual exceptions to the rule Intercultural competence requires the ability to think about generalizations without stereotyping.

  6. Variables in Intercultural Communication (p. 1 of 3) • Time • Monochrome vs. Polychrome • Space • US and Canada • Germany and Japan • Arab and Latin • Roles and Status • Men vs. Women • Titles • Decision-Making Customs • US: quick decisions, little detail • Greece: Very detailed…a matter of trust

  7. Variables in Intercultural Communication (p. 2 of 3) • Social Values • Material wealth • Efficiency • Politeness • Legal and Ethical Behaviors • Bribes vs. Custom • Masculine vs. Feminine • Achievement, wealth, assertiveness • Relationship, quality of life • Achievement • Individual or Group

  8. Variables in Intercultural Communication (p. 3 of 3) • Tolerance of ambiguity • Comfort vs. Strict Rules and Codes of Conduct • Power • Centralized (hierarchy) or Decentralized

  9. Examples of Language Snafus • “There is no finer paper napkin for a dinner table” • Napkin = Diaper in Britain • “Body by Fisher” • “Corpse by Fisher” in Flemish • Toothpaste called “Cue” • Pornographic magazine in France • “Come Alive with Pepsi” • “Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave.” in Taiwan • “Jotter” pen • Jockstrap in some languages

  10. A Flavor of Cultural Differences • Saying No • Japan: move the right hand • Sicily: lift the chin • Bulgaria: shake heads up and down • Singapore: say yes • Gifts • Chinese Culture: clocks are bad luck • Japan: essential to bring gifts • US: expensive gifts are frowned upon • Handshake • Spain: long handshakes

  11. Dealing with Language Barriers • Learn the Language • Use a translator • Teach your language • Do not assume everyone knows English • Do not assume those who know English have the same definition for the same word

  12. Overcoming Written Communication Barriers • Use skills of bilingual employees or professional translators • Write short messages with short paragraphs • Keep wording clear and concise • Avoid slang • Learn about the culture you are working with

  13. Overcoming Verbal Communication Barriers • Use objective, accurate language • Let people finish what they have to say • Rephrase when necessary • Talk peer-to-peer • Try to eliminate noise • Look for feedback

  14. Intercultural Communications Exercise: In Teams • Each person discuss intercultural communications you have encountered • Describe experiences • Upside and Downside • Faux Pas • Fascinations • Challenged Assumptions • Describe experiences in team: • Another culture • Another subculture (engineering vs. social science) • Assumptions • Action Plans TIME:

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