TOPIC 2.

2
DIVERSITY
 Diversity is Important

WHAT Cross-Cultural Communication

KNOWLEDG Principles

E WILL WE Cross-Cultural Communication

Differences
LEARN?
Cross-Cultural Communication
Barriers
WHAT SKILLS WILL WE LEARN?

How to understand
How to use Cross-
the connection
Cultural
between
Communication
Communication and
Competence?
Technology?
Diversity is
Important
• Includes multiple characteristics
• Gender, race, language, etc.
• Likelihood of interaction
• Increasing global
interdependence
• Oil, nuclear emissions, drugs,
viruses
• Many domestic jobs rely on
foreign trade
• Increasing ethnic/language minority
• One in three are an ethnic
minority
Read: BC. Topic 2.2. Cheesebro. Chap 3. Page 54-57
Cross-Cultural Communication
Principles

STAGE 1 - The greater the difference, the greater the

likelihood of a breakdown

STAGE 2- Breakdowns are usually because of cultural

differences

STAGE 3 - People tend to be more conscious about their own

communication
 STAGE Do’s and taboos vary across cultures
4

Cross-Cultural
STAGE
Communication 5
Learning about norms/variations helps
increase understanding

Principles
STAGE If you see others as friendly/cooperative,
6 barriers will be easier to overcome

Read: BC. Topic 2.2. Cheesebro. Chap 3. Page 60-61

 Cross-Cultural
Communication Differences
1ST ORIENTATION VALUE: Task-oriented vs. Relationship-oriented
• What a person does/accomplishes

2ND ORIENTATION VALUE: Individualism vs. Collectivism

• Self-improvement/individual achievement
• Focus on the group, not individual

3RD ORITENTATION VALUE: Power/Status Distance

• In some groups all are treated equally
• First names used
• In some groups relationships are hierarchical
 Cross-Cultural
Communication
Barriers
Walking
on Eggs Certain topics create tension

Those topics can be difficult

to ascertain
Ethnic, racist, sexist, political
jokes
 Cross-Cultural
Communication
Barriers
How to avoid this barrier
• Think like this: What if you
were the target?
• Develop empathy
• Ask people to share their
perceptions, or
• Wait until you have
developed a relationship
 Cross-Cultural
Communication
Barriers

Hot Words that evoke

Bottons an emotional
response

Profanity, derogatory
Cross-Cultural
Communication Barriers
How to avoid this barrier
• Control your emotional response
• Talk to the other person
 Cross-Cultural
Communication Barriers
Stereotyping
• Apply what you’ve learned to all members of a group

How to avoid this barrier

• Social groups change
• Individuals have their own personalities
• Individuals belong to multiple groups
 Cross-Cultural
Communication Barriers
Language, All language communicate all thoughts
Vernacular
and Accent
Bias Vernacular: specific language used in
particular communities
Accent bias

Read: BC. Topic 2.2. Cheesebro. Chap 3. Page 62-63

 How to use Cross-Cultural
Communication Competence?
• Overcome Personal Biases
• Prejudice Homophobia
• Stereotype Ethnocentrism
• Discrimination Scapegoating
• Sexism Institutional Racism
• Racism

Read: BC. Topic 2.2. Cheesebro. Chap 3. Page 64-65. Table 3.1
 Hard to know language w/o culture
Relate Culture to Nonverbal communication is
impacted by culture-specific
Communication meanings

How to use
Learning a new language is
Cross-Cultural Empathize with Those difficult
for Whom English is Empathizing helps minimize

Communication Not Their First

Language
stress
Use visuals

Competence?
Recognize Your Own
Privileges Certain social groups are
privileged
How to understand the connection between Diversity
and Technology?
• Global village (TV, computer)
• Internet (You Tube, Facebook)
• Don’t assume anything by a name
• Apply all guidelines from this chapter
• Recognize and appreciate others’ efforts
• Don’t pass on offensive communication