Communicating Interculturally

Intercultural Communication
Intercultural communication is the process of sending and receiving messages between
people whose cultural background leads them to interpret verbal and nonverbal signs
differently.
Intercultural communication: Send & receive messages among people from different
cultures.
Advantages of a Multicultural Workforce
- A broader range of views and ideas
- An understanding of diverse markets
- A broad pool of talent from which to recruit
- What you can get from diversity isn’t attainable in any other way
Influence of Culture on Communication
• Language
• Nonverbal signals
• Word meaning
• Time and space issues
• Rules of human relationships

Understanding the Concept of Culture

What is culture?
Culture is a shared system of symbols, beliefs, attitudes, values, expectations, and behavior
norms.
People learn about culture directly and indirectly from members of their group.
You belong to several cultures.
Cultures tend to be coherent and complete.

Ethnocentrism and Stereotyping

• Ethnocentrism is the tendency to judge all other groups according to the standards,
behaviors, and customs of one’s own group.
What is Xenophobia?
• Stereotyping is assigning generalized attributes to an individual on the basis of
membership in a particular group.
• Cultural pluralism is the practice of accepting multiple cultures on their own terms.
• To avoid ethnocentrism and stereotyping: avoid judgments, avoid assumptions and
acknowledge distinctions

Types of Cultural Differences

Contextual Differences
Cultural context is the pattern of physical cues, environmental stimuli, and implicit
understanding that conveys meaning between members of the same culture.
– Low-context culture
• Controlled access, Detail required, Information Centralised ,
objective, discrete relationships, competence valued, fixed meeting agendas
– High –context culture
– Open access, Detail not required, Information Shared, Subjective, Business
and social relationships overlap, Position and status valued, meetings on
short notice
Types of Cultural Differences
 Legal and Ethical Differences
 Social Differences
 Nonverbal Differences
 Age Differences
 Gender Differences

Improving Intercultural Communication Skills

• Studying Other Cultures
• Studying Other Languages
• Respecting Preferences for Communication Style
• Writing Clearly
• Speaking Clearly
• Using Interpreters, Translators, and Translation Software
• Helping Others Adapt to Your Culture