Good Morning

Everyone...
Ram Narayan
 UNIT-3
 Gateways of communication:
• Gateways for each of these barriers.

 Non-verbal Communication:
• Kinesics – Occulesics- Paralanguage- Proxemics-Haptics- Chronemics
• Improving non-verbal communication
 Intercultural Communication
• Concepts of culture, culture centric behaviors and the ways to avoid them.
• Factors of differences in intercultural communication
• Features of low-context and high-context cultures.
• Improving intercultural communication skills.
 "Semantics" is the science of meaning. It is contrasted with phonetics, the
1. Semantic science of sounds. It is related to the process of coding and decoding the
Barriers message. E.g : multiple meanings having similar pronunciation, badly
expressed msg, wrong interpretation, unqualified assumption, technical lg.

2. Organizational It happens due to the problems with physical distance between members
Barriers with respect to their functional specialization of tasks, power, authority and
status relationship, values held, and ownership of information

3. Interpersonal These barriers also develop in the process of communication. They are
Types of Barriers based upon the relationships, values held, and attitudes of the participants in
the process of communication
Barriers
4. Individual/psych- It arises due to differences in individual competencies to think and act, which
sociological Barriers would include physical aliments or handicaps. It is also because of individual
skills in receiving and transmitting information, which would include poor
listening and improper reading skills and adverse psychological conditions.

5. Cross - Cultural/ It is a shared set of values and attributes of a group. The communication
Geographic Barriers barriers are also seen because of time, geographic locations, and the effects
of time upon reception of the message and other cross cultural factors

It is also affected by the physical barriers like distance, noise or channel and
6. Physical Barriers/ the media used in the process. In this category, problems that confront the
Channel and Media media used in the process. In this category, problems that confront the issue
Barriers of how best to communicate a message are included.
 Gateways for Different Communication
Barriers

1. To overcome 2. To overcome 3. To overcome

Semantic Barriers Organizational Barriers Interpersonal Barriers

 Use familiar words during the  Use simple words/language.

communication.  Use phrases such as ‘in my opinion’
 Create a Culture Of Listening
 Don’t practise wrong or ‘evidence suggests’ to interpret
 Have open & transparent
interpretation facts that have not been established
evaluation
 Avoid unqualified yet
 Make communication a necessity
assumptions  Don’t jump to conclusions or make
 Put systems in place
 Use short phrases. hasty assumptions
 Unite the vision
 Use positive connotations  Stick to the subject
 Encourage conflict resolution
 Be concise, clear, plain lg  Learn the art of listening.
 Consider a flatter hierarchy
 Find a reliable translation  Keep calm while communicating.
 Using proper language
service.  Provide constructive criticism.
 Communication through actions
 Provide classes for your  Nurture a broader, unbiased
 Improving interpersonal relations
employees. perspective
 Empathetic listening
 Use visual methods of  Practice empathy whenever possible
 Accept feedback
communication.  Identify the other person’s
 Gateways for Different Communication
Barriers

4. To overcome 5. To overcome Cross - 6. To overcome Physical

Individual/psych- Cultural/ Geographic Barriers/ Channel and Media
sociological Barriers Barriers Barriers

a. Use mutual language and signs.  Avoid outdated closed workspaces

 Try to be as broad-minded as
b. Ask questions when in doubt.  Try to communicate personally as
possible.
c. Provide space for mutual respect.
 Develop your social skills to get much as possible.
d. Open to new ideas.
a healthy rapport with your
e. Accepting & adapting the different  Resort to video calls and conferences
fellows.
culture.
 Participate in constructive in the absence of personal
f. Understand the context of
training like meditation,
communication. communication.
thinking pauses and open-ended
g. Ensure clear and polite
conversations  Construct precise msg when time is
communication.
 Try to create a working
h. Learn about different cultures. limited.
environment where everyone
i. Work towards accommodating
has an equal opportunity to  Communicate personally if possible.
cultural difference.
express their point of view and
j. Share knowledge.  Construct precise messages when
get their message across
k. Employ diversity training.
 Gesture,
Physique, hair, posture, body Orientation,
skin, cloth, movement proximity, position,
adornment distance

Mouth shape,
Bodily nostril size,
contacts eyebrow position,
eye shape

Odours,
scents
Eye movement
and contact,
visual
orientation
punctuality,
pauses
willingness to
wait, and a) Paradigmatic-
interactions voice quality, pitch,
Artifact, physical disturbances, tempo
setting b) Prosodic-timing,
loudness, pitch
 Improving non-verbal communication

1. Pay Attention to Nonverbal Signals.

2. Look for Incongruent Behaviors.
3. Focus on Tone of Voice.
4. Use Good Eye Contact.
5. Ask Questions.
6. Use Signals to Add Meaning.
7. Look at Signals as a Whole.
8. Consider the Context.
9. Be Aware That Signals Can be Misread.
10. Do practice more.
Contd…

Man smiling and

1. Pay Attention to shaking hands with
a woman at a
Nonverbal Signals conference table

2. Look for Woman smiling

and talking with
Incongruent Behaviors. her hands
Contd…

Two women
3. Focus on Tone of talking and
smiling
Voice.

Two
businesswo
men talking
4. Use Good Eye and making
Contact eye contact
Contd…

Ask
Questions
5. Ask Questions when you’re
in confusion

Woman writing
notes on a
6. Use Signals to whiteboard
while giving a
add Meaning presentation
Contd….

7. Look at Signals as Man talking

with his hands
a Whole

Man and
woman having
8. Consider the a conversation
Context in an office
Contd….

9. Be Aware That
Signals Can be Men shaking
hands
Misread.

Man holding up
photos of
himself with
10. Do practice more different facial
expressions
 Intercultural communication
 Intercultural communication refers to the communication between people from two
different cultures.

 Intercultural communication is a symbolic, interpretive, transactional, contextual process,

in which people from different cultures create shared meanings. (Lustig & Koester)

 Intercultural communication is a discipline that studies communication across

different cultures and social groups, or how culture affects communication. It describes the
wide range of communication processes and problems that naturally appear within an
organization or social context made up of individuals from different religious, social,
ethnic, and educational backgrounds.
 Understanding the Concept of Culture

What is culture?

Culture is a shared system of symbols, beliefs, attitudes, values, expectations,

and norms for behavior. Your cultural background influences the way you

prioritize what is important in life, helps define your attitude toward what is

appropriate in a situation, and establishes rules of behavior.

 Ethnocentrism and Stereotyping
Culture-centric behaviors: Ethnocentrism

 Ethnocentrism is the tendency to judge other groups according to the standards, behaviors, and
customs of one's own group. People conclude that their culture is superior to other cultures.

 More extreme form is XENOPHOBIA.... It is a fear of strangers and foreigners.

Stereotyping

 Stereotyping is assigning a wide range of generalized attributes to an individual on the basis of

membership in a particular culture or social group.

Example: A younger colleague cannot be an inspiring leader are examples of stereotyping age
groups.
 How to Avoid Ethnocentrism

1. Avoiding assumptions:

Don't assume that others will act the same way you do.

2. Avoiding Judgments:

When people act differently, don't conclude that they are in error or that their
way is invalid or inferior.

3. Acknowledging distinctions:

Don't ignore the differences between another person's culture and your own.
 Factors of Differences in Intercultural Communication

1. Contextual Differences

2. Legal and Ethical Differences

3. Social Differences

4. Nonverbal Differences

5. Age Differences

6. Gender Differences

7. Religious Differences

8. Ability Differences
 1. Contextual Differences

Cultural context is a pattern of physical cues, environmental stimuli, and implicit understanding that
conveys meaning members of same culture. But cultures around the world vary widely in the role that
context plays in communication.
High-context culture:
People rely less on verbal communication and more on the context of nonverbal communication and
environmental setting to convey meaning. Rules of everyday life are rarely explicit; instead, as
individuals grow up, they learn how to recognize situational cues (such as gestures and tone of voice)
and how to respond as expected. The primary role of communication is building relationships, not
exchanging information. Italian, Spanish, Greek, Arab, Chinese, Japanese (Nonverbal communication)
Low-context culture:
People rely more on verbal communication and less on circumstances and cues to convey meaning. In
such cultures, rules and expectations are usually spelled out through explicit statements such as "Please
wait until I'm finished" or "You're welcome to browse." The primary task of communication in low-
context cultures is exchanging information. Swiss German, German, Scandinavian, American, French,
British (Verbal communication)
 2. Legal and Ethical Differences

 Low-context cultures adhere to the law strictly, whereas high-context cultures tend
to take a more flexible approach regarding adherence to the law.

 You can keep your messages ethical by applying four basic principles:
• Actively seek mutual ground: flexible, avoid insisting that an interaction take place
strictly in terms of one culture or another.

• Send and receive messages without judgement: trust

• Send messages that are honest: Fully aware of cultural biases.

• Show respect for cultural differences: accept needs of people from other cultures.
 3. Social Differences

The nature of social behavior varies among cultures, sometimes dramatically. Social norms can vary
from culture to culture in the following areas:
 Attitudes toward work and success
In the USA, material comfort gained by individual effort is a sign of superiority and working are
better than others.
 Roles and status:
In the US, people show respect by addressing top managers as "Mr. Roberts" or Ms. Gutierrez". But
in China, people are addressed according to their official titles, such a President" or "Manager".
 Use of manners:
The rules of polite behavior vary from country to country.
 Concepts of time:
Future orientation some companies orient toward future, but some only to the present.
 Openness and inclusiveness:
Asian women, Hispanic American, bisexual, lesbian,...
 4. Nonverbal Differences

 Greetings: Shaking hands? Kissing? Doing Namaste?

 Personal space: closer or maintaining distance while conversing?

 Touching: Tapping or getting blessings by a touch of the on their heads?

 Facial expressions: Shaking heads to say no; and nodding heads to say yes in the United
States.

 Eye contact: frequent eye contact is the symbol of honesty in the US and but in other
cultures, it is the symbol of aggression.

 Posture: Slouch or relax? Sit up or stand up ?

 Formality: Does the culture seem more or less formal than yours?
 5. Age Difference

A culture's views on youth and aging affect how people communicate with one another.

• In US culture, youth is associated with strength, energy, possibilities, and freedom. Age is

often associated with declining powers and a loss of respect and authority.

• In contrast, in cultures that value age and seniority, longevity earns respect and increasing

power and freedom. Asian countries....

 6. Gender Differences

The perception of men and women in business varies from culture to culture, and these

differences can affect communication efforts.

 In some cultures, men hold most or all positions of authority, and women are expected to

play a more subservient role. Female executives who visit these culture may not be taken

seriously. Many women are entering the workforce these days...

 Broadly speaking, men tend to emphasize contents on their communication efforts,

whereas women place a higher premium on relationship maintenance.

 7. Religious Differences

Sometimes, differences in religion will bring contention.

• Many companies are being inclusive in terms of religion.

• Some companies do not allow organized religious activities at their

facilities.
 8. Ability Differences

 Colleagues and customers with disabilities that affect communication represent an

important aspect of the diversity picture.

 People whose hearing, vision, cognitive ability, or physical ability to operate computers is

impaired can be at a significant disadvantages in today's workplace.

Employers can also invest in a variety of assistive technologies that help people with

disabilities.
 Improving Intercultural Communication Skills

1. Studying Other Cultures

2. Studying Other Languages

3. Respecting Preferences for Communication Style

4. Writing Clearly

5. Speaking and Listening Carefully

6. Using Interpreters, Translators, and Translation software

7. Helping Others Adapt to Your Culture