Definition and Nature of Intercultural Communication

Intercultural Communication is the interaction between individuals of different cultures or nationalities.

In this process, people negotiate, share, and create meanings while bringing their varied cultural
backgrounds. (Ting Toomey, 1999).
Regulation/Control
Communication is a way of controlling behavior. We can persuade other people or impel them to act or
behave the way we want them to. We try to convince them to agree to our ideas or beliefs or get them to
action.
Counseling is a good example of communication that tries to regulate or control the behavior of an
individual.
Social Interaction
Communication serves a means of interaction between individuals. It allows us to express our needs
and wants to others, to request information, assistance or services from others. For instance, it would not
have been possible for you to enroll in the university or know your destination if you have not done this.
Conversation is a complex interaction among people to strengthen relationship and develop
understanding. It is a form of self-expression that provides opportunities for asserting our individuality. It
is a pleasurable and a value activity that aims to pool information, share interests, and bring together
ideas. Hence, skill in conversation is an asset in interpersonal relationships.
Using the Telephone
Making and receiving telephone calls is another art you have to master. It is considered indispensable in
the professional world as it makes communication quick and easy.
Motivation
Communication can help encourage other people to live better. We can also entertain, amuse, or satisfy
our audience or listeners. We can help ease the tension of others or make them more positive in their
outlook in life.
Information
Communication is the means by which we disseminate information to others. We share information to
others by describing, illustrating, giving directions or instructions, or explaining about an idea, object or
phenomena.
Emotional Expression
Communication facilitates expression of feelings and emotions. Through communication, we can express
our internal emotional state. We show our love, anger, hate, fear, grief, or happiness to others by using
words or gestures.
Aspects of Oral Communication
Oral communication involves several elements: (1) the speaker, (2) the speech, with its ideas, their
organization, and the language in which they are presented, (3) the communicative act itself (voice,
articulation of sound and bodily actions), (4) the audience (listeners and observers), and (5) the speaking
situation (location in time and place).

1. The Speaker
As a speaker, you demonstrate your abilities both in thinking out your ideas and in adjusting to your
listeners.
2. The Speech
The speech itself is made up of ideas, which are organized and embodied in language.
3. The Communicative Act
Delivery is the means by which you will effectively transmit your speech to others.
4. The Audience
Communication is basically a social process and involves a speaker and a listener.
5. The Speaking Situation
Speech making takes place at given time and place.

Types of speech context

Oral or speech communication entails the activation of the speech mechanisms. Likewise,
communication can happen at difference levels depending on the purpose. So before you can enhance
your oral communication skills, you should first understand the different contexts of oral communication.

1. Intrapersonal Communication
Intrapersonal Communication happens when a person talks to oneself or himself. It is made up o we
do this when we try to process some information or make reflections about the ideas we receive or
perceive.
2. Interpersonal Communication
Interpersonal Communication is a person-to-person or face-to-face communication. It could be a
dyadic or small group communication.
Dyadic or two-person communication is the basic form of oral communication. It involves the
sharing of ideas or information between two persons who alternate as speaker and listener.
Small-group communication is a collaborative and systematic sharing of ideas and information
among three to eight persons in order to reach a consensus or a common solution to a problem or to
obtain facts.
 3. Public communication
Public communication occurs when a person delivers a message in front of a large group or audience.
It requires thorough preparation on the part of the speaker.
THE INTERVIEW
One of the most important kinds of dyadic communication is the interview. It is a two-way interactive
process of obtaining information from another person through formal and systematic questioning or
interchange of ideas and opinions.
TYPES OF INTERVIEW
There are as a many types of interview as there are reasons for doing it. Listed below are the more
common type.
1. Job or employment interview is done to determine further an applicant’s fitness for a job.
2. Counseling interview is conducted to get the other person to change behavior in a perspective manner.
3. Research interview is done to gather data in connection with a study or research.
4. Diagnostic interview is done by specialists in certain fields to determine medical or psychological
problems so that appropriate intervention could be administer.
5. Exploratory or survey interview is primarily fact-finding as it aims to gather varied opinions or
viewpoints abut a problem or issue that is of public concern.
6. Press or informational interview is done by media practitioners to gather information about local,
national or international developments, issues, or concerns.
7. Sales interview is done to promote products or services.
8. Exit interview is done in certain companies before an employee retires nor resigns so that the company
knows the person’s reasons for leaving.

MAKING BUSINESS PRESENTATIONS

Speaking is the art of getting things done. A verbal presentation is a good way and potentially effective
method for some people gathered to understand your project or even yourself.
GUIDELINESS FOR BUSINESS PAPER PRESENTATION
As the intensity and complexity of our communication and interactions with others have increased, it has
become ever more essential that a person has the ability to present ideas which are clear, concise,
rigorous, and “accessible” to everyone.
Before the Presentation
Careful preparation would be very important. Such as for a 5 minute talk, no less than one hour should
be spent in preparation.

 Give a general introduction.

 The way to reach the objectives.
 Always have conclusion.
During the Presentation

 Talk to your Audience

 Talk, Don’t Read
 Keep on Schedule
 Use Visual Aids
GROUP COMMUNICATION
In this part, you will learn how to interact in a group of more than people. Being a part of a group is part
of active person’s life.
PANEL DISCUSSION
Participants follow a planned agenda under the direction of a leader. They may sit a table on a platform
before a group.
Symposium is a series of brief, prepared, and uninterrupted speeches on different aspects of a general
subject, usually of three to six speakers. They present a 15 to 20 minutes speech before an audience. A
symposium does not usually allow the invited speakers to freely interact with each other. It is led by a
chair or a moderator.
Debate is a contention by words or arguments or forma discussion of a motion before a deliberative body
according to the rules of parliamentary procedures.
Business meeting, everyone is a member of an organization. Who knows, you might find yourself
presiding over a meeting in the future. Hence, you should also be well-versed in the so-called order of
business (Montesa, 1999).
TYPES OF SPEECH STYLE
Communication happens in different contexts. For this reason, you need to vary your speech style to
match the needs of your audience and achieve your goal in communication. Joos (1959) identified several
types of speech that we use in communication.
Intimate
Intimate speech style is a non-public style as you use private vocabulary and non-verbal messages.
Casual
Casual speech style is common among friends and acquaintances that do not require background
information.
Consultative
Consultative speech style is the opposite of the intimate style because it is used when the people do not
share common experiences or meaning.
Formal
Formal speech style is used only when imparting information.
Frozen
Frozen is a formal style which is static or unchanged, ritualistic and may even be archaic,.