DAVAO CENTRAL COLLEGE, INC.

Juan dela Cruz Street, Toril, Davao City

Landline No. (082) 291 1882
Accredited by ACSCU-ACI

Week 2

Unit 1: Writing an Informative Speech

Topic: Communication and Globalization

Learning Outcomes:
1. Explain the role of culture diversity;
2. Evaluate the process of building human
relationships with people from different cultures;
and
3. Describe the registers of written and spoken language.

Concept Digest

Communication and Globalization

Answer the following questions. Limit your answer in 2-3

sentences.
1. What is your understanding about globalization?
2. How do you define cross-cultural interaction?

Communication skills development has always been an

important factor of success not only in our professional
life, but also in our personal life. However, the influence
of globalization and cross-cultural interaction in recent
decades has impacted the types of communication skills
needed in various ways. No longer can we afford to simply
communicate well within our own homogenous cultures. Today,
we need to understand the dynamics of long distance
collaboration, the impact of culture on manners of speaking
and body language, and how we use technology to communicate
with people on the other side of the globe.

Virtual Communication
Globalization has introduced virtual communication and
collaboration as a major part of workplace dynamics. This is
the reason for understanding the need to understand the
strengths and limitations of different communication media,
and how to use each medium in order to produce maximum
effect, For example, communicating via facebook into distant
team members requires a certain etiquette and nuance not
necessarily required in face to face interactions. Holding
virtual conversation in group chat requires a similar change

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 DAVAO CENTRAL COLLEGE, INC.
Juan dela Cruz Street, Toril, Davao City
Landline No. (082) 291 1882
Accredited by ACSCU-ACI

in approach, and people who are unaccustomed to

communicating in groups in virtual setting can find
themselves lost, confused or unable to share their inputs.

As our society becomes more culturally diverse, people in

the organizations understand the need to work with others in
organizations in order “turn up the sound”, so their voices
may be heard and their issues may also be addressed. We have
to realize that we need to come to grips with our
multicultural society, or we will get anything done. We also
have to realize that interpersonal communication can be
thought of as a constellation of behaviors.

Cultural Awareness in Speech

The need for cultural awareness is one of the major
impacts of globalization on the required skills provided by
effective communicators. Employees as well as teachers and
students the ability to catch subtle nuances of people’s
manner of speech when communicating across cultures. Even
when two people are speaking the same language, cultural
differences can affect vocabulary, colloquial expressions,
voice tone and taboo topics. In Japanese business culture,
for example, it can be considered rude to ask personal
questions in an initial business meeting. In the U.S., on
the other hand, asking personal questions and sharing
personal information can display warmth and openness.
American and Japanese who understand this about each other
can communicate in ways that resonate more effectively with
each other. In simple instruction among Filipinos, while we
are talking or explaining something, we do not want others
to interrupt us. They have to allow us to finish first
before they can interrupt us. Otherwise, we consider them
uncouth.

Cultural Awareness in Body Language

Awareness of cultural differences in body language can be
just as important as the nuance of speech. Our exposure to
different cultures may teach us to understand acceptable
speaking distances, conflict styles, eye contact and
posture, accepting that the physical expressions of other
people’s culture are not universally accepted.

Understanding Culture and Diversity

Our society is replete with different cultural, racial and
ethnic groups. In order to facilitate cooperation and
collaboration, we should learn from one another as we
develop our understanding of each other. The language we
speak, the

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 DAVAO CENTRAL COLLEGE, INC.
Juan dela Cruz Street, Toril, Davao City
Landline No. (082) 291 1882
Accredited by ACSCU-ACI

faith we have, the holidays we celebrate, the racial

identification, our ethnic identity and all others about us
point to what we call culture.

What is culture?
As we build communities, understanding culture is one
important aspect. No matter where we live, we are working
with and we are establishing, relationships with others, we
need to understand our and other people’s culture. Culture
is that which shapes our identity of who we are that
influences our behavior. Culture is the term that refers to
a group or community which shares common experiences that
shape the way its members understand the world. Culture
includes groups that we are born into, such as race,
national origin, gender, class or religion. It can also
include a group we join or become part of. For instance, it
is possible to acquire a new culture by moving to a new
culture and sub cultures at the same time.

But why is culture important? Culture is an important

element of people’s lives. It influences our views, values,
humor, hopes, visions and dreams, loyalties, including our
worries and fears. So, when we are working with people and
building relationships with them, it may help to have some
perspectives and understanding of other people’s cultures.
But as we explore culture, it is also important to remember
how much we have in common. As we view the world very
differently, we should also know what it is like to wake up
in the morning and look forward to the experiences ahead of
us because we are all human beings. All of us love deeply
and sincerely, we want to learn, have hopes and dreams, and
have hopes and dreams, and have experienced pain and fear.

People from different cultures have to be included in

decision-making processes in order for programs or policies
to be effective. The people affected by a decision have to
be involved in formulating solutions because such concern is
a basic democratic principle. Without the input and support
of all the groups involved, decision-making may fail.

Let’s explore!

Briefly answer the following questios. Construct your answer

in 2-3 sentences.
1. Describe the community in which you live right now.

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 DAVAO CENTRAL COLLEGE, INC.
Juan dela Cruz Street, Toril, Davao City
Landline No. (082) 291 1882
Accredited by ACSCU-ACI

2. What kind of diversity already exist?

3. What kind of relationship is established between

cultural groups?

4. What kind of struggle between cultures exists?

5. What issues do different cultural groups have in common?

Building Relationships with People from Different Cultures

Relationships are construed to be powerful. Our personal

connections with each other are the foundations for life.
And building relationships with people from different
cultures is crucial in building diverse communities that are
powerful enough to achieve significant goals.

Even if we do not know who our ancestors are, we have a

culture of our own. Even if we are mix of many cultures, say
Chinese, Japanese or Spanish, we have our own culture.
Culture evolves and changes all the time. It emanates from
our ancestor from many generations ago, and from our family
and community today. Additionally, the social groups we
belong to, which we identify ourselves with, such as being a
parent, a neighbor, a sister, a classmate, a business owner,
a student or a simple wage earner. These kinds of social
groups, although not exactly the same as culture, have
similarities to cultural groups. For example, being a parent
or a neighbor may have the world views them.

Ways to Build Cultural Relationships

There are many dimensions of culture –shared language,

traditions, norms and beliefs and customs. Regardless of
these cultural dimensions, successful interactions across
cultures are built on respect, trust and ability to
communicate effectively. The following building cultural
relationships may be of help:

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 DAVAO CENTRAL COLLEGE, INC.
Juan dela Cruz Street, Toril, Davao City
Landline No. (082) 291 1882
Accredited by ACSCU-ACI

 Do not make assumptions. We do not have to assume that

when we speak, others will understand us. Sometimes, we
need to use gestures or other forms of paralinguistic
techniques.
 Keep an open mind. We must avoid stereotypes. Expand our
base building a broad cross-section of relationships-
gender, race, sexual orientation, country of origin and
people who think differently from you.
 Start with “who we know”. The best place to start is
with others who we know inside and outside of our
organization, business and social organizations.
 Attend multicultural networking events. For example, if
we are attending professional organizations or cultural
events, normally during the first night, there is an
acquaintance party or get together.
 Get involved. Volunteer and partner with groups and
organizations where we can add value, while interacting
and getting to know others from different backgrounds.
 Keep our word. Establishing trust is the key to sustain
successful relationships. If we say we will give people
some of our calling cards, we do such.
 Be positive. At some point miscommunication is likely to
occur. When this happens, do not give up. Wear a smile
and be positive. Assume positive intent and continue on
the journey. Persistence is the key.

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DAVAO CENTRAL COLLEGE, INC.
Juan dela Cruz Street, Toril, Davao City