Local and Global

Communication in Multicultural
Settings
What is culture to communication?
‘Culture’ is a way of identifying groups of people
who share common characteristics such as language,
social practices, attitudes and values. We are all part of a
culture. It’s our language or ethnic group, or our
community, or even our workplaces (you’ve probably
heard of ‘workplace culture’).

It’s easy to point out the differences – the

language, hand gestures, way of dressing, way of
behaving, etc. Being aware of your own culture opens you
to understanding and being more sensitive to the cultures
of others.
What is ‘culturally appropriate’
communication?
• Communicating in a culturally appropriate way means
finding a way to communicate effectively that also respects
and accepts cultural differences.

• Communication is a two-way process, so all parties need to

work together to achieve culturally appropriate
communication.

• It is about discovering, recognising, understanding and

working effectively within the influences of each other’s
culture.
Culturally Sensitive and Bias-
Free Language
1. Race and Ethnicity
2. Gender and Sexual Orientation
3. Social Class
4. Age
 Gender and Sexual Orientation
• Sexism
• Avoid prejudice and discrimination based on sex or
gender
• Prefer using gender-neutral words/terms
• Avoid gender-biased pronouns
Gender sensitive rules in using pronouns
• Drop pronouns that signify gender and restate the sentence
• Change to plural construction
• Replace masculine or feminine pronouns with “one” or “you”

Use the preferred/politically correct terms

( always prefer to the societal groups in the way that
members of these groups prefer to be called)
 Gender-neutral
Avoid gender-bias in written materials when possible, gender-neutral terms should be used.
When appropriate, substitute non-gendered terms for those with masculine or feminine
markers.
e.g. firefighter, police officer, flight attendant, server
Not: fireman/firewoman, policeman/policewoman, steward/stewardess, waiter/waitress

Avoid substituting person for man.

e.g. chairperson
Not: chairman, chairwoman,
Exception: official titles including the terms chairman or chairwoman

When appropriate, write in the plural.

e.g. All students must meet with their professors.
Not: Each student must meet with his professor.
Never: Each student must meet with their professor.

When appropriate, write in the second person.

e.g. Students, you should bring your books to class.
Not: Each student should bring his books to class.
• Avoid the third-person singular, gendered pronouns.
e.g. Each applicant submitted a resume.
Not: Each applicant submitted his resume.

• Avoid slash constructions. If necessary, write he or she.

e.g. All performers played their instruments.
Not: Each performer played his/her instrument.

• AP style notes that a few terms are still used to provide gender
specificity. If desired, use of these terms may be avoided by
substituting a verb for a noun.
e.g. host/hostess; Mrs. Smith was the hostess.
Instead: Mrs. Smith hosted the party.

• Some proper terminology is gender specific.

e.g. alumna/alumnae/alumni/alumnus
• When using terms such as these generally,
the masculine/all plural form alumni is
preferred. When using one of these terms in
reference to one specific person, the gender
specific should be used.
e.g. All alumni were recognized.
Not: Each alumnus was recognized.
Exception: Dr. Mona Gardner is an
alumna of the University of Cincinnati.
 Sexuality
• The preferred term for someone who is either gay or
a lesbian is homosexual, it is acceptable to use either.
• Bisexual may be used for someone who is sexually attracted to
members of both sexes.
• Transgender should be used for an individual whose self-identified
gender diverges from his or her assigned gender. Transgender
individuals may identify themselves as heterosexual, homosexual,
bisexual, pansexual or asexual.
• Use transsexual only when referring to an individual who has
undergone a sex change operation.

Choice of terminology should be left to

individual or group preference.
Race and Ethnicity
• Racism
• Stereotypes imply that all people of a
particular race or ethnic group are the
same
Disabilities
• Be aware of the proper definitions of the following terms:
1. impairment – a physiological condition
2. disability – a consequence of an impairment
3. handicap – social implication of a disability; a
condition or barrier imposed by society, the environment or
oneself
• Adopt a “person-first” policy rather than “disability-first” when
referring to people with disabilities.
Social Class
• Classism
• Some social class terms have negative
connotation; care is advised in using these.
• Some derogatory terms in Philippine culture
(informal – conyo (connotes vanity and
consciousness of social status) and jologs (also
referred to as jejemon, meaning, idiosyncratic
spelling or writing style, used to describe persons
who look poor and out of style)
Age
• Ageism
• Only refer to a person’s age when it is
relevant/pertinent
Religions
• Use the term multi-denominational to describe a service that
covers all Christian denominations;
• The term non-denominational typically refers to Christian
religions that develop their own specific beliefs, which vary from
church to church.
• The term interfaith refers to services that include two or more
religions.

• Capitalize the names of religious orders and the terms applied to

their members.
e.g. They are members of the Roman Catholic Church; They
are Catholic
Do not capitalize terms such as church when used descriptively.
e.g. a Roman Catholic church
Terms such as rabbi or priest follow the same rules as other
titles.
Communicating Effectively in a Global Society
• Express ideas effectively in verbal, nonverbal, and written forms in either
digital or non-digital environment or both

• Use effective listening skills to evaluate arguments and rationalize

judgments, and improve job-effectiveness and work relationship.

• Communicate with purpose to a variety of audiences.

• Promote collaboration and cooperation with others.

• Understand the concept of diversity and promote respect all the time.

• Use technology and social media responsibly.