WHAT IS INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION?

- Intercultural = among cultures

- Intercultural communication refers to the study across different cultures and social
groups and describes the many communication processes and related issues among
groups of individuals from varied cultural backgrounds.
- refers to the interactions that occur between people whose cultures are so different that
the communication between them is altered (Samovar, Porter, & McDaniel, 2009)
- Intercultural communication pertains to the communication among people from different
nationalities (Gudykunst, 2003)
CULTURE
- Culture can be defined as all the ways of life including arts, beliefs and institutions of a
population that are passed down from generation to generation.
- is both transmitted and modified through communication
- EXAMPLE: In Western cultures, people use spoons and forks to eat. In Eastern cultures,
people use chopsticks and sometimes their bare hands to eat

CULTURE SHOCK
- disruption of one’s familiar customs, norms, and values.
- one most likely feels culture shock when thrust into an unfamiliar culture through travel,
business, or studying abroad.
- can also happen when interacting with others within the same country (e.g. a person
traveling from a small town to a large city)

COMMUNICATION
- the mechanism through which culture is modified- both the means by which culture is
transmitted and the way a culture is changed
- EXAMPLE: Several generations ago, American children were taught to call adults with a
title and last names to show respect. Today, however, children address adults only by
their first names

DOMINANT CULTURES, CO-CULTURES, AND CULTURAL IDENTITY

DOMINANT CULTURE
- refers to the learned system of norms held by the majority group of empowered
people in a society
CO-CULTURE
- it is a group comprised of a smaller number of people who hold common values,
beliefs, attitudes, and customs that differ from those of the dominant culture
CULTURAL IDENTITY
- the part of people’s self-concept that is based on how closely people associate
with both the dominant and various co-cultures (Ting Toomey et al., 2000)
WHY DO WE HAVE TO BE INTERCULTURALLY COMPETENT PERSON?
- Intercultural competence is an essential set of skills needed in the modern workplace. By
learning how to interact better with people from different backgrounds you'll also learn
valuable communication skills, effective time management, conflict management and
teamwork, both virtually and in-person. (Chloe Lane, 2021)

CHARACTERISTICS OF AN INTERCULTURALLY COMPETENT PERSON

1. Flexible and able to tolerate high levels of uncertainty. We must improve our flexibility in
dealing with unexpected events/situations to prevent further conflicts especially in other
countries.
2. Reflective and mindful. We must be able to reflect on the things we did wrong in the past and
be mindful of the things that we do and shouldn’t do.
3. Open minded. We must have the willingness to receive and accept ideas from other people.
We don’t have to agree with them, but we can at least respect their views or beliefs.
4. Sensitive. We should always be cautious with the words we use for we might unintentionally
offend people who might interpret our message differently.
5. Able to adapt. It is an ability to change your manner of communication across other cultures.