Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Intercultural Effectiveness Developmental Plan
Intercultural Effectiveness Developmental Plan
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Intercultural effectiveness is the state of being able to work and live comfortably within an
able to communicate with individuals from a different culture in a style that will provoke respect
and trust. These individuals are also flexible enough to make their professional skills in line with
the local strains and conditions. Finally, such individuals are able to adjust to the new host
culture without any trouble. This essay will give a vivid description of my cultural effectiveness,
My weakness for instance is language barrier since I come from a different cultural background.
second language. Being the minority in a country that does not use my language has been
extremely difficult especially when it comes to instances of making a phone call order, asking for
directions or even making emergency phone calls. Most of the local residents expect me to be
able to communicate using English which is highly expected given I live in Australia. It therefore
takes a while to make it clear that I may actually be foreigner and a bit slow in my English which
plan.
Language barrier is very common with individuals who live with hosts who are of different
cultural backgrounds from theirs. It is important to note that “for efficient communication there
should be a language” (Krishnan et al. 2017, p.5). However, when an individual is inadequate in
the language, some form of miscommunication occurs and that is what I experience most of the
time. After thorough observation I have come to learn that instances of language barrier occur
due to insufficient vocabulary in my diction. Other instances are as a result of direct translation
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from my first language which then results in a statement that communicates a completely
different message. The reaction of the audience most of the time after realizing that I am from a
different cultural background would be to use the context of the situation to decode what I could
be trying to say. There are varying reasons why I experience this weakness in communication but
most of the time it is because of bad translation. Much of the time the translation is made by me
to solve this language barrier so as to ensure the diverse cultural presence does not hinder us
from making an effective team. Three components are necessary to make a team and good
relations is one among individual gain and completion of a task (Vegh, J. and Luu, L.A.N. 2019).
The other factor that result in language barrier is failure to manage diversity by anticipating the
difference in language, lack of coordination while undertaking responsibility, not taking up equal
power to be the change and most importantly lack of respect. Furthermore, Regional accents and
use of words differ with people and places and this may result in language barrier. People may
speak English but the accent and dialect may sound different resulting in miscommunication.
Also, there may be some simplified versions of English which simplifies the language making it
completely different from the original English language. Another cause of language barrier is an
instance where someone speaks in a small tone that is hard to understand. This individual may be
speaking English but do to the difficulty in hearing the message may be completely
misunderstood. Different fields have different jargon therefore communication may be made
hard when people from different field like doctors and lawyers try to communicate (He et al.
2017). Similarly, the use of slang highly affects communication since slang is subject to time and
may differ according to time and age. Word choice is another major cause of language barrier
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and careful considerations should be made before using homonyms. Language barrier is
Based on the above stated causes of language barrier it is evident that there is urgency in
mitigating it. Guven, C. and Islam A. (2015, p. 513-542) argue that “understanding that we are
the people in the components of a team is key in solving the language barrier weakness”. Since
that can be achieved by formulating mechanisms that will counter that weakness. It is key to use
plain language during discussions or any form of communication to avoid word misuse or
avoided by all means (Hall, J. and Krummrich, P. 2017). Another action plan would be to find a
translation service that can be trusted. This is highly useful when it comes to written
communication in the work place. Documents that are of high value should not be wrongly
translated hence the trusted and vetted translation service should be put to use. In addition, since
words are the main cause of language barrier, visuals can be used for communication. A diagram
that demonstrates picturized steps for instance is easier to understand than using words instead.
Applying repetition during communication is also useful since the human mind grasps words that
are regularly repeated (Yu et al. 2016). Language barrier can further be regulated through
diversity management. This is made possible by understanding that people are diverse by
recognizing the cultural difference and being prepared. Employers should take up responsibility
in ensuring diversity by coordinating the work place to ensure that each individual despite the
cultural difference, gets a chance to actively contribute to the common goal of the work place.
Applying the above stated action plan reduce if not prevent instances of language barrier.
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Reference list
Krishnan, L.A., Masters, C., Holgate, H., Wang, C. and Calahan, C.A., 2017. Structured study
He, Y., Lundgren, K. and Pynes, P., 2017. Impact of short-term study abroad program: Inservice
Guven, C. and Islam, A., 2015. Age at migration, language proficiency, and socioeconomic
Yu, B. and Wright, E., 2016. Socio-cultural adaptation, academic adaptation and satisfaction of
Management, 22(1), pp.49-64.
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