INFLUENCE OF CULTURE ON

THE DIMENSIONS OF
COMMUNICATION
LESSON 5
What is Culture?
◦ Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, encompassing
language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts.
◦ It is shared patterns of behaviors and interactions, cognitive constructs and understanding that are learned
by socialization.
◦ Can be seen as the growth of a group identity fostered by social patterns unique to the group. 
◦ "Culture encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage, music,
what we believe is right or wrong, how we sit at the table, how we greet visitors, how we behave with
loved ones, and a million other things,” - Cristina De Rossi
List of Countries according to Culture
◦ WESTERN CULTURE ◦ EASTERN CULTURE

-  New Zealand - Saudi Arabia

- Australia - Kuwait
- Yemen
- United States
- Oman
- Canada
- Bahrain
- Israel
- Qatar
- To some extent Uruguay, Argentina, Chile,
- United Arab Emirates
Japan, South Korea and South Africa
- Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran & Iraq
List of Countries according to Culture
◦ LATIN CULTURE
- Caribbean
(Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic)
- South America
(Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, etc.)
- Central America
(Honduras, Costa Rica, etc.)
◦ AFRICAN CULTURE
- Central or Middle African countries 
Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic,
Chad, Congo Republic - Brazzaville, Democratic
Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and
São Tomé & Principe.
- Southern Africa countries
Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and
Swaziland.
Click icon to add picture
A. VERBAL/NONVERBAL DIMENSIONS

 Courtesy in the Philippine society is expressed when talking to someone,

especially someone in authority, by looking down. Looking straight at them is
considered rude and frowned upon.

 In western society, avoiding looking at people in the eye or looking down or

around while talking to them often means that one is not telling the truth or is
hiding something.

 In another setting, in Thailand, no one sits higher than the King does.
Teacher’s chairs are also higher than the students. This is to show their
authority and to command respect.
Click icon to add picture
B. ORAL/WRITTEN DIMENSIONS

 Misunderstanding occurs when oral and written messages are not in

agreement, such as when you say you are grateful to someone but you
Facebook post says otherwise.

 Culturally, Filipinos are fond of being very wordy in written communication,

oftentimes beating around the bush, even in formal letters and sometimes in
email.

 Westerners are more direst in speaking and they write simple letters because
they find longwinded letters and circuitous speeches tedious and boring.
 C. FORMAL/INFORMAL DIMENSIONS

 It is used to be among Filipinos, a speech still depends on whether one views

the Communicative Situation as formal or informal.

 Speakers at a program may be casually dressed and speak to an Audience as

though they are having a conversation between friends in a coffee shop.

 When a student is speaking with the principal, calling him by his first name is
not likely to be appreciated neither speaking with him as though he is of the
same age as the student.

 Some professors give permission to be called by their first name and they
encourage people to talk to them as though they are their friends.
Click icon to add picture
D. INTENTIONAL/UNINTENTIONAL DIMENSIONS

 Can happen in certain scenarios such as this one:

- Burning up with fever and hardly able to stand, you take the last seat in the
MRT, even as an old woman was trying to take the seat, too. The woman and
other passengers look at you sharply.

 In the Philippines (even in other countries), you act discourtesy that reflects
badly on you 9and your parents) But you only intended to sit down because
you are not feeling well.

 What do you do? Do you give up your seat? Or explain that you are sick? Or
do you intentionally look out the window, pretend not to notice the woman or
the others.
- END
ACTIVITY # 4
• MS Word

- font size: 12

- font style: Arial

• Send it to my fb page:

- Your Nuestra Collection

• File name must be like this:

- (OCAct#4/Surname)
1. How does cultural differences affect good communication?
2. How does culture influence communication in the
workplace?
3. How does culture influence nonverbal communication?
4. How values and beliefs affect communication?
5. How does culture influence your life?