Intercultural Communication immediate communication verbal non-verbal gestures, facial expression, tone etc. mediated communication media: film TV print media internet ….

Intercultural competence behavioural competence communicative competence (verbal, non-verbal) comprehensive competence:understanding and interpretation of symbols and signs  everyday rituals  dress codes  literature  …… affective dimension cognitive dimension ability to develop an understanding for foreign cultures and to deal sensitively with strange/unknown things whose reasons and backgrounds we don't understand. knowledge about cultural values and communication styles, e.g. also specific knowledge in business contexts

Intercultural communication pitfalls (Wahrnehmungsfallen) 1. different meanings of words/terms 2. divergence: conventions of speech  intention 3. communication styles 4. topics 5. register/tone 6. paraverbal factors 7. non-verbal factors 8. specific cultural standards 9. specific cultural conventions

1. Different meanings of words/terms e.g. frz. "famille"  extended family, relatives "nation"  in different cultures with positive or negative connotations 2. Divergence conventions of speech  intention acceptance/refusal is often not expressed clearly e.g.  invitation in France: "Est-ce que je peux vous inviter à déjeuner demain?" convention: "Oui, si vous voulez."  correct meaning: "Yes, thank you!"  sounds non-obligatory (unverbindlich)  business negotiations in Asia statement of the Asian partner: "I'll do the best I can."  correct meaning: break-off of negotiations without any solution

3. Communication styles greeting rituals, turn-taking (pausing/overlapping), small talk/"deep talk", direct/indirect  turn-taking pausing (silence) between turns  overlapping (start before the other finishes) can mean different things in different cultures:  - respect - cooperation - lack of interest - shyness can mean different things in different cultures:  - indication of respect - cooperation - aggressiveness - rudeness - passive aggressiveness - embarrassment Europe USA Asia Finland e.g.  greeting rituals  in European cultures: relatively little time devoted to greetings African cultures: daily greeting ritual includes enquiring after well-being, also the well-being of family members  France etc.: Wangenkuss  Japan: highly codified bowing

Americans don't contradict in this phase of conversation. Instead they are just quiet or say something like: "That's interesting!"  Small talk  deep talk GermanAmerican Small-talk Objective: Objective? Building up relationship, finding commonalities "Testing the waters" Friendliness Wavelength Deep talk Serious discussion Objective: Kennenlernen "Tiefe" Sachlichkeit e.g. "I have a grandmother in Germany!" Stereotypes "Americans are superficial" "Germans are too serious, demanding, arrogant!" Different opinions are also ok

 direct  indirect  degree of directness in which statements are made refers especially to: direct German way to express criticism, to contradict etc. is not appreciated everywhere - apologizing (Asian countries  fear of loss of face) - expression of individual opinions/attitudes - requests  typical British request if music is too loud: "I think the walls are rather thin here"  see also: Hall: high context vs. low context

4. topics e.g.  Japan: topics concerning 'money', 'taste', 'personality', 'body' are avoided  Frankreich: - no advertising for tampons or certain other medical products 5. register/tone (richtiger Ton) e.g. humor/irony/sarcasm  often used to find an additional common level of understanding but: may often be misinterpreted - conversational topics: politics, scandals  Spain/Italy: football, family matters  Turkey: family, job, football – avoid: politics

6. paraverbal factors  loudness, intonation, pitch, tone, rhythm, tempo etc. e.g.: - Asian intonation falls with polite questions  European interpretation:impolite 7. non-verbal factors gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, etiquette, dress codes etc. - German loudness is mostly considered impolite/rude 8. additional/specific cultural standards and attitudes in certain cultures - France: sense of honour, solidarity, rationalism (believe in progress/technology) - China: Confucian principles (strict hierarchy, group harmony, politeness, strong work ethic) 9. other specific cultural conventions - GB/USA: first names also for superiors - Britain: staring at other people is rudee.g.  danger: may be misinterpreted