Download Tools for Cross-Cultural Communication Seminar Handout

Tools for Cross-Cultural Communication
Reaching Japanese for Christ Conference
1:15 – 2:15 PM * February 19, 2011
Purpose of this Seminar:
 To look at Japanese/Asian culture through a Communication lens so that the
Living Word may be more clearly understood and accepted
 To identify the BARRIERS and BRIDGES to Cross-Cultural Communication
 To take away some TOOLS for effective ministry
Colossians 4:5-6:
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every
opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have
the right response for everyone. (NLT)
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Jesus Christ, the Living Word, successfully crossed from heaven to earth culture and
from divine to human culture according to Philippians 2, and communicated both
through word and deed the Father’s love and plan for redemption of mankind. He is
our ultimate model of effective cross-cultural communication.
CULTURE:
“Culture refers to a group or community with which we share common experiences
that shape the way we understand the world. Culture is…the definitions by which
people order their lives, interpret their experience, and evaluate the behavior of
others.”1
Culture is the backbone of our worldview. It’s the context through which we
process data.
COMMUNICATION:
“Communication is a process whereby meaning is defined and shared between
living organisms. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended
recipient….Communication requires that the communicating parties share an area
of communicative commonality. The communication process is complete once the
receiver has understood the sender.2
1
Lingenfelter, Sherwood G., and Mayers, Marvin K. (1986) Ministering Cross-Culturally, An
Incarnational Model for Personal Relationships. Grand Rapids, MI:Baker Book House
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http://www.ask.com/wiki/Communication
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Shannon and Weaver Model of Communication
Cross-cultural communication is the facet of relationship that allows understanding
and relationships to foster between people who think and live in similar and
different ways from each other.
“The key to effective cross-cultural communication is knowledge. First, it is
essential that people understand the potential problems of cross-cultural
communication, and make a conscious effort to overcome these problems. Second, it
is important to assume that one’s efforts will not always be successful, and adjust
one’s behavior appropriately.”3
1. The Barrier of Assumptions –
The Bridges of Gentle Inquisitiveness & Humble Acceptance
An assumption is a statement or belief that is accepted or supposed true without
proof or demonstration. Taking something for granted. Presumption or arrogance.
BRIDGES: “Two baskets” approach to communication and relationship
(Idea 1): Language Partners – Exchange casual language development (30 min
English free conversation for 30 min Japanese)
(Idea 2): Culture & Cuisine – exchanging ethnic food & friendship events

Ask questions before making a judgment

Strive for humble acceptance
“Cross-Cultural Communication Strategies”, Conflict Research Consortium, U of CO;
http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/treatment/xcolcomm.htm
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
Learn to identify Process issues: What you heard may not be what I meant.
o “Differing assumptions are the root of all miscommunication.”4
o Dave Barry in Dave Barry Does Japan has this to say about Japanese
communication process/patterns:
“The Japanese are not big on saying things directly. Another way of putting this:
Compared with the Japanese, the average American displays in communication all
the subtlety of Harpo hitting Zeppo with a dead chicken. The Japanese tend to
communicate via nuance and euphemism, often leaving important things unsaid;
whereas Americans tend to think they're being subtle when they refrain from
grabbing the listener by the shirt.
This difference in approach often leads to misunderstandings between the two
cultures. One of the biggest problems -- all the guidebooks warn you about this -- is
that the Japanese are extremely reluctant to come right out and say "no", a word
they generally regard as impolite.
Barry goes on to provide the following helpful chart translating Japanese phrases to
American English:
ENGLISH STATEMENT
MADE BY JAPANESE PERSON
ACTUAL MEANING
IN AMERICAN
I see.
No.
Ah.
No.
Ah-hah.
No.
Yes.
No.
That is difficult.
That is completely impossible.
That is very interesting.
That is the stupidest thing I ever heard.
We will study your proposal.
We will feed your proposal to a goat.
The use of indirection is part of a more general style of communication known as
"high context" communication. Different cultures vary on the degree to which they
use high context or low context communication.
Multiple messages are actually inferred from any communication. For example, if
you call me and invite me to dinner at your house, I get the message that you want
me to show up, but I also get a message that you like me. Most communications
simultaneously includes information about the status of the relationship.
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Bobb Biehl: www.masterplanninggroup.com
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One of the problems with cultural differences is that these underlying messages
about the relationship are likely to be misunderstood. For example, the loud, direct
style of Americans is often seen by Asians as rude and disrespectful. Yet the
Americans are not trying to be rude. Similarly, the Japanese reluctance to say "no" is
seen by Americans as shifty and dishonest.”5
Tool: Western vs. Asian Worldview Visual Description6
Questions:



In your opinion, which 3 visual comparisons are the most influential in
showing the differences between Western and Asian culture in relation to
effective x-cl com? Why?
How might those 3 differing values affect communication?
What might be some bridges to create effective x-cl com in these examples?
“Issues in Cross Cultural Communication”,
http://www.analytictech.com/mb119/crosscultural_communication.htm
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“Western vs. Asian Worldview”, International Student Ministry, Inc,
http://www.isminc.org/Resources/tabid/631/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1740/Western-vs-AsianWorldview.aspx
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2. The Barriers of Fear –
The Bridges of Genuine Caring and Intentional Knowledge
BARRIER:

Fear
o
o
Capacity issue: insufficient vocabulary, not enough context to understand
the communication
Fear of failure (communication breakdown, cultural mistakes)
BRIDGES:

Genuine Caring
“People don’t care about how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Nicky Gumble


Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “Many people are looking for an ear that will listen.
They do not find it among Christians because these Christians are talking
where they should be listening.”

Nicky Gumble “People aren’t ready to listen until they’ve been heard.”

“Answering before listening is both stupid and rude.” Proverbs 18:13 (The
Message)
Intentional Knowledge
Tool: Summary of Normative Communication Styles and Values7
1. Circle Anglo and Asian values in different colors if possible
2. Are there any overlapping values in this study?
3. What are the ramifications of the differing values related to communication
of the Gospel in an Asian context?
4. What “take-aways” from this hand-out will help you be a better
communicator across the Western/Asian communication barriers
Elliot, C.E. (1999). “Cross-cultural Communication Styles” (adapted),
http://www.awesomelibrary.org/multiculturaltoolkit-patterns.html
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TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR
CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
1. Be genuinely interested in the whole person as a friend and potential Family
member, not a project.
2. Adopt a learning, open attitude that encourages him/her to share their culture
and worldview without judgment.
3. Do not make any assumptions about their culture or your commonality.
4. Do not consider your own culture to be superior to theirs. Recognize that the
strengths of every culture can also be its weaknesses, and vice versa.
5. Understand the difference between American culture and biblical Christianity.
IE: Corporate Worship should happen at 11:00 AM on Sunday mornings and
last no longer than 1.5 hours.
6. Validate each culture as a means of revealing different facets of our multi-cultural
God.
7. Practice listening from their point of view rather than processing communication
through yours.
8. Honor their silence, misunderstandings, hesitancies and insecurities with
patience and both verbal and non-verbal acceptance.
9. Pray continually for genuine love, grace, spiritual discernment and Spirit-led
communication.
10. Don’t give up! (Aren’t you grateful God didn’t give up on you?)
~ Sylvia Ramquist ~
Minister to Internationals
Westminster Chapel
425-747-1461 ext 141
[email protected]
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