GROUP 1
- Communication in
Multicultural
Settings -
MEMBERS: Reporter: Nuke
SANSAN, JESSICA I.
JUSAYAN, JONARD
SALVADOR, KYLLE
1
- SETTING GOALS -
At the end of the lesson, you should
be able to:
1, distinguish the various contexts in which communication
occurs;
2. explain the relationship between culture and
communication;
3. compare and contrast culturally related terms to increase
intercultural awareness and sensitivity in communicating
ideas;
4. evaluate messages and images and/or types of texts
reflecting different cultures and write a critique about them;
and
5. demonstrate how to communicate effectively with different
kinds of people in multicultural settings and contexts.
02
- Communication
Contexts -
Communication Contexts
Human interaction does not exist in a vacuum. It
operates within a certain context. Communication context
pertains to the personal, physical, social, psychological, and
cultural circumstances, among others in which
communication occurs.
It influences the expectations from the participants, the
meaning derived from the exchange of utterances, and the
subsequent actions in communication.
- personal context
-
The personal context involves the background of both
the sender and the receiver of the message. It includes their
education, religion, sociocconomic status, marital status, and
beliefs that greatly influence what and how they
communicate. It is important that there is awareness of these
kinds of information on both parties, so misunderstanding can
be avoided and respect can be maintained.
- physical context -
• The physical context pertains to the environment where
communication takes place. It involves tangible factors which
can be easily perceived by the senses such as temperature.
humidity, odor, lighting, and noise level, among others. For
instance, people conversing in a very humid location may fee!
uncomfortable and thus might not be able to concentrate on
each other's messages.
• Further, the physical context includes proximity, how far
from or how close the participants are to each other, as well
as the medium used in sending the message. Over the years,
most of communication occurs in a virtual environment (e.g.,
email, Skype, Facebook, Messenger etc.) consequently
influencing the way messages are sent, received, and
perceived.
- social context
-
• The social context refers to the kind of relationship that
exists between the sender and the receiver. For example, the
way you talk to your parents differs from the way you talk to
your friends, younger siblings, and more so with your
classmates. Ideally, you easily communicate with people who
are closer to you and as such, you easily gain their respect
and understanding.
- psychological context -
The psychological context includes the emotions and
feelings of the participants in the communication process.
It involves their opinions, judgments, prejudices, attitudes,
and perception toward each other which can play part in
the transmission of messages.
- cultural context -
The cultural context is one of the vital considerations in
communication. It includes the sets of beliefs, value systems,
guiding principles, and assumptions based on one's race.
ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and
religion within which communication opens. The content ( what
is said ) and the delivery ( how it is said ) vary from one culture
to another
03
- Communication and
Culture -
• A more holistic understanding of communication necessitates
knowledge of culture and appreciating cultural diversities. As defined,
culture is a set of unique and shared beliefs, values, and norms that
guide a certain group of people on how to think, behave, and act.
Hence, Filipino culture pertains to the beliefs, values, and practices
unique to Filipinos, shared by Filipinos, and exhibited by Filipinos. An
example is the value system of respect as manifested by the use of po
and opo and the act or gesture of pagmamano (the kissing of elder's
hands). Other countries might have their own way of expressing
politeness and showing respect but the examples mentioned seem to be
distinct among Filipinos. Can you think of other countries which might
have a counterpart for po and
оро?
• Communication and culture are intertwined. In fact, they are
inseparable. Culture influences what and how you
communicate. Americans are more direct or straightforward
when they deliver their messages. Filipinos, on the other hand,
are non-confrontational. They try to euphemize or use polite
words or expressions in place of ideas that may come across as
offensive, rude, or harsh. A very common example is when a
Filipino gets invited to a party or any occasion; he or she would
normally respond with "I will try" instead of saying an outright
"No, I will not attend." More often than not, when one says "I
will try." he or she is uncertain whether to come or not.
• The use of such expression can be a subtle way of rejecting
invitation. To some extent, this stems from the Filipino culture of
saving face"--avoiding possible offense or harm which one
may inflict on others. These behaviors are based on cultures
which are taught and transmitted from one generation to
another through communication.
• To increase awareness and to develop competence in
communicating in a multicultural setting, it is essential to
unlock some cultural dimensions, provide examples, and
explain how they affect communication as adapted by
Verderber et al. (2015) from the early works of Edward T. Hall,
and more recently, by Gerard Hendrik (Geert) Hofstede.
THANK YOU
