Extend You Reach: Intercultural

Communication

A. Analyze the comic strip above. Monina is the daughter of a diplomat in the
Middle East. She attends an international school where she became
classmates with Amira. Amira invited Monina to her house and Amira
obliged. When the bell rang, Amira opened the door and invited Monina
into the house. What should Monina do next?

o After Amira opened the door and invited her into the house, as a nature of people,
Monina should greet Amira with a good day and thank her for the invite.

B. Watch the video on Intercultural Communication uploaded in your virtual

classroom and answer the following questions.

1. What is cross-cultural communication?

Cross-cultural communication is any interaction of people with diverse
cultures. It determines how people with particular cultural backgrounds
communicate and how culture affects communication.

2. What types of things must be accounted for in cross-cultural

communication?
The types of things that must be considered for in cross-cultural
communication are the things that appear naturally in individuals from distinctive
religious, social, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.

3. What are the hallmarks of low-context cultures? Of high-context

cultures?
The hallmarks of low-context cultures rely on explicit verbal communication.
Its information is in a logical and linear sequence and is very straightforward and
unambiguous. Low-context culture's goal is self-realization, focusing on the
speaker, and often misses non-verbal cues. On the other hand, the distinguishing
characteristics of high-context cultures are non-verbal communication. It is
mutually dependent on groups and is relationship-oriented. Its meaning is in
context and not words. It communicates in implicit ways and relies heavily on
context.

4. What are some examples of non-verbal communication? What are cross-

cultural concerns with non-verbal communication?
Some examples of non-verbal communication are touch, glace, eye
contact, volume, vocal nuance, proximity, gestures, facial expression, variation in
speech, posture, dress, smell, and sounds. The cross-cultural concern with non-
verbal communication is that this type of communication does not translate across
cultures easily; thus, it can lead to serious misunderstanding. Also, some non-
verbal cues that are seen to be polite behavior in one culture may be seen as
 unusual or impolite in another. For instance, in United States, patting someone’s
head, especially that of a little kid can be a sweet and loving gesture. However, in
most parts of Asia, touching a person’s head is regarded as impolite gesture,
especially since they view the head as a sacred portion of the body.

5. What is power distance? Why is it important to account for power

distance in cross-cultural communication?
Some people have more power than others. We are aware of this. The
extent that people within a society accept unequal distribution of power is an idea
called power distance. From the word distance, it has a range or gap between the
amount of control distributed to authority and subordinate figures in their respective
cultures. For example, you are confronting a boss about a specific issue, or having
to be passive and indirect with a person in a high authority position. Superiors have
more power to voice out everything unlike the subordinates that have less voice in
catering to feelings and thoughts. It might lead to inefficient and ineffective
communication. Simply knowing the different power distances in cultures will help
one form and maintain intercultural knowledge and understanding. Confusion,
frustration, and even anger may occur without knowledge. Recognizing and
respecting helps the power distance of a culture, transition of adapting, and
acclimating to the new culture will be much easier, more efficient, and
understandable. Thus, cultural communication will be more effective.

6. How do we develop intercultural competence?

By utilizing the concepts of cross-cultural communication that we have
learned, we may develop our intercultural competence. Gender, race, nationality,
age, acculturation/assimilation, socio-economic situation, employment, and other
aspects must be considered in order to acquire intercultural competence.

1 BSCE – A

 Abellanosa, Beyonce E.
 Dabbay, Danielle Lorainne
 Espeso, Phoebe
 Magsico, Reuel
 Mendoza, Jandreive