Download Intercultural communication is the process of sending and receiving

COMUNICATING INTERCULTURALLY
Understanding the opportunities and challenges of intercultural communication
Intercultural communication is the process of sending and receiving messages between
people whose cultural background could lead them to interpret verbal and nonverbal
signs differently. Only two of the top ten markets for US products speak English as their
official language (Canada and Great Britain).
Diverse workforce bring broader range of viewpoints and ideas, help companies
understand and identify with diverse markets and enable companies to tap into the
broadest possible pool of talent.
Enhancing your intercultural sensitivity
Understanding the concept of culture
Culture can be defined as a shared system of symbols, beliefs, attitudes, values,
expectations and norms for behavior. People learn about culture directly or indirectly
form members of their group, culture tend to be coherent and complete, because it gives
you common sense and gives you many answers to life’s big questions based on your
cultural background.
Overcoming ethnocentrism and stereotyping
Ethnocentrism is the tendency to judge all other groups according to your own group’s
standards, behaviors, and customs. Xenophobia, a fear of strangers and foreigners.
Stereotyping, assigning a wide range of generalized attributes to an individual on the
basis of membership in a particular group, stereotyping is more a matter of
oversimplifying and of failing to acknowledge people.
Cultural pluralism is the practice of accepting multiple cultures on their own terms. There
three recommendations to overcome ethnocentrism and stereotyping: avoid assumptions,
avoid judgments and acknowledge distinctions.
Recognizing cultural variations
You can begin to learn how people on other cultures want to be treated by recognizing
and accommodating six main types of cultural differences:
 Contextual differences: High contextual cultures such Korea or Taiwan, people
rely less on verbal communication and more on the context of nonverbal actions
and environmental setting convey meaning.
Low context culture such USA and Germany, people rely more on verbal
communication and less on circumstances and cues to convey meaning. Main
differences could be seen in situations like: decision making practices, problemsolving techniques and negotiating styles.
 Legal and ethical: Cultural context also influences legal and ethical behavior. Low
context cultures put less emphasis on the written word, they consider written
agreements binding. But high context cultures put less emphasis on written and
consider personal pledges more important than contracts.
There are four basic principles to keep your messages ethical in a cross cultural
communication:
1. Actively seek mutual ground
2. Send and receive messages without judgment
3. Send messages that are honest




4. Show respect for cultural differences
Social: In the social differences field we could see that formal rules of etiquette
are explicit and well defined, but informal rules are learned trough observation
and imitation. Social differences are commonly seen in: attitudes toward work and
success (Japan much more than France), roles and status (Mr, Mrs, Dr, President),
use of manners, concepts of time.
Nonverbal: Nonverbal differences are expressed in: greetings, personal space,
touching, facial expressions, eye contact, posture, formality.
Age: Many differences between high and low context cultures about youth
managerial positions, seniority and longevity. In Japan only the oldest employees
hold the most impressive tittles and positions.
Gender: Even in U.S.A. is not common to see many women in managerial
positions like CEO of the fortune 500’s companies, only 5% of that ones. But it’s
important to have in mind that communication styles of men and women differ on
several points: workplace hierarchy influences communication, decision making
styles, and problem-solving styles.
Improving intercultural communications
Studying other cultures
Just a little research can help you grasp the basics of other cultures. Mistakes will happen
in a intercultural relation, and when they do, apologize, ask about the accepted way, and
move on.
Studying other languages
It’s a mistake to assume that everyone understands English, if you have a long-term
business relationship with people of another culture, it is helpful to learn their language.
Even if the same language is spoken in another country, don’t assume that is spoken in
the same way.
Respecting preferences for communicating styles
Communication styles vary from culture to culture. A wider range of differences could
appear in written communication, international correspondence is often more formal than
what US businesspeople are used to.
Writing clearly
Use simple and clear language, be brief, use transitional elements to follow train of
thought (Ex: first, second, in addition), address international correspondence properly
(salutations, tittles), cite numbers and dates carefully (12/05/06 means different in US
than Latin America), avoid slang and business jargons, avoid humor and other references
to popular culture.
Speaking clearly
To speak more clearly in intercultural conversations, follow six guidelines: speak slowly
and clear, don’t rephrase until it’s necessary, look for and ask for feedback, don’t talk
down to the other person, learn foreign phrases, and clarify what will happen next.
Listen carefully
To listen more effectively in intercultural situations, accept what you hear without
judgment and let people finish what they have to say.
Using interpreters, translators an translation software
Certain documents and situations require the use of interpreter, translator or translation
software like: advertising, warranties, repair and maintenances manual, product labels.
Don’t rely on machine translation for important messages.
Back-translations having a second translator to the origin language could be need in a
technical seminar or conference.
Helping other to adapt to your culture
It could be easier for people from other cultures to establish written communications than
oral, because you have the opportunity to reread and rewrite.