Intercultural communication

Glossary Communication: A process involving one or more persons sending and receiving messages during some kind of social interaction. This process is not as simple as it first appears because the process has many layers.

How do people communicate? Verbal communication is language, spoken or written. However it only accounts for about 35% of actual communication. Non verbal cues make up about 50% of the message. The meaning of the message is also influenced by tone, volume, levels of formality, speed and pauses.

A Model of communication Message Verbal Non-verbal Cultural Context Sender Receiver Interference (Can be caused by intercultural misunderstanding) The response usually reveals whether the message has been understood

Verbal communication There are two types of verbal communication: The ‘verbal text’ is the actual words that are spoken. ‘Vocal paralanguage’ is the different ways in which the words can be said. E.g. “Come here,” could be spoken in a firm, loud voice by a teacher on playground duty or in a soft, friendly manner by a family member in your household.

Nonverbal communication Research suggests that nonverbal communication is more important in understanding human behaviour than the words people say.

Messages are communicated through many un-voiced means, including: Clothing & hairstyles Body language Gestures Eye contact Personal space Patterns of touch Observable cultural differences

Gestures and their meaning differ between cultures. For example, giving directions to someone by pointing is considered rude in parts of Asia.

Questions.. What are the norms/customs dictating body language in Australia? How might a person’s cultural background affect this? Is there room for individualism?

Glossary Customs: Socialisation: Established ways of thinking and acting. Socialisation: The process by which we learn to become members of society, by internalising the norms and values of society, and learning to perform social roles.

Styles of communication There are three main styles of communication that people use. These will effect the message being sent: Passive They often take a secondary position to other people and communicate this by stating that the receiver’s needs are of primary importance and that whatever the receiver of the message feels or wants is correct.

Aggressive The aggressive sender believes strongly in his/her own rights and does not feel that other people’s rights are as important as their own. Assertive The assertive person expresses his/her own needs while also effectively listening to the receiver’s responses.

Glossary Values: Those things, which a person feels are very important to them. Values often influence how we view the world

Contexts of Communication Communication always takes place within a context. Some cultures are regarded as high-context and others are low-context.

High-context cultures These place a high emphasis on non-verbal communication and implicit factors of the communication. E.G. Japan and India Characteristics: Indirect Emotionally controlled Implicit/Nonverbal Self-effacing/Modest Formal Goal oriented

Low-Context cultures These cultures put less emphasis on non-verbal communication and social hierarchies. E.G. US, Canada, Great Britain Characteristics: Explicit/Verbal Self-promoting/ Egocentric Informal Spontaneous Emotionally expressive

What about Australia? Self help is a valued attribute in Australia. Inherited privilege is viewed negatively Working in pairs think of 8 more characteristics/attitudes of Australian culture. Hint: Think about the values that our national songs, poems, myths and stereotypes perpetuate.

Why bother with intercultural communication? Living in a multicultural society, such as Australia, you are likely to be involved in intercultural communication. At school, work or in your local community you need to be able to communicate with people from a range of cultural backgrounds.

Glossary Globalisation: Describes the emergence of a global culture brought about by a variety of social and cultural developments. It involves a consciousness of the worlds as a single place. E.G. Transnational corporations, the spread of world tourism and the emergence of global sport.

Think about… Do you make changes to the way you communicate from situation to situation? Does this happen subconsciously or do you have to stop and think about what to do?

Intercultural misunderstandings We all have assumptions about the way people are supposed to behave. These assumptions are invariably challenged in an intercultural encounter. It is important to acknowledge that intercultural communication is a two-way process. Ideally, both communicators need to be making the effort to understand the other’s culture.

Glossary Cooperation: When individuals work together to produce a common effect

Reconsidering assumptions Situation Misunderstanding Understanding The person you’re talking to avoids looking you in the eye They’re lying or guilty They’re shy or intimidated In their culture it’s rude to look directly into someone’s eyes when talking to them You’re angry with someone, but her response is to laugh or smile They’re not taking you seriously or don’t care They’re making fun of you They’re embarrassed and don’t know how to respond. It might be unusual to show anger in their culture. You notice many men holding hands but no heterosexual couples doing the same Homosexuality must be dominant in this society In some cultures it is normal for people of the same gender to hold hands in public, but not for heterosexual couples to show their affection in public.

Glossary Stereotypes Mores Cultural Relativism Characteristics that people assign to particular groups of people whether or not the groups actually have those characteristics. Mores Moral rules or ways of behaving that most members of society believe are essential for maintaining standards of decency Cultural Relativism The idea that concepts are socially constructed and vary cross culturally. It implies that one must always view cultures objectively.

Continuity The idea that things stay the same over time. In Australia this is reflected through the celebration of Anzac Day every year and the continuation of Anzac Day parades. These cultural continuities influence the communication process within different cultures. Change When things within societies and cultures do not remain the same. This can be seen when we examine the way communication styles and mediums have changed over time.

Acculturation Enculturation Involves the process of contacts between different cultures and also the outcome of such contacts. It may involve direct social interaction or exposure to other cultures through mass media. Enculturation The idea that to be a full member of a culture or subculture, individuals have to learn to use, formally and informally, the patterns of behaviour prescribed by that culture.

Barriers to successful intercultural communication Some people’s enculturation experiences have included absorbing prejudices from other people or the media. The situation becomes worse if the person has little contact with other cultures, allowing stereotypes to influence decision making.

The key to effective intercultural communication is adopting a position of cultural relativism. This means that the way people from another society behave can only be understood in terms of their own values, beliefs and norms. When we come into contact with people from different cultures, some aspects of their way of life will be observable and some will not.

The ‘invisible’ aspects of a culture (unseen values, norms and beliefs, etc) will provide the foundation for their observable behaviour. In this way culture is similar to an iceberg.

The iceberg of culture What you need to know and can actually see Stereotypes Discrimination Food Environment Language Customs Rituals Behaviour Clothing Prejudice Continuity Roles Social structure Institutions Social change Acculturation Enculturation Attitudes Status Tradition Mores Values Religion Rules Organisations Government Collectivist/Individualist What you need to know but is less visible

Glossary Identity Cultural heritage Cultural diversity Refers to what makes someone a unique person. E.G. a person’s name, personality, family, cultural background, peers all contribute to one’s identity Cultural heritage Aspects of the past that we want to keep and pass on to other generations Cultural diversity The differences in race, ethnicity, language, nationality and/or groups within a society

Strategies to achieve intercultural understanding Cultural Relativism Overcome ethnocentric feelings Strive for empathy Be willing to communicate and enthusiastic to learn Listen and observe carefully Understand that you and the other person will each make mistakes, and so you will need to persevere Be aware that ‘culture shock’ may result in ill-considered decisions and misunderstandings Be willing to share your own culture with the other person Learn as much as you can about the culture with which you will be communicating, including values, customs and gestures Learn some useful words and phrases in the other person’s language. This opens doors and brings rapport and warmth.

Hybrid societies A hybrid society is one that comprises a variety of social and cultural influences and components, rather than one homogenous identity.

Individualist or collectivist Individualistic Collectivist The emphasis is on the individual The emphasis is on the group Achievements are mostly attributed to individuals Achievements are the result of people working together Sense of identity is focused on the individual Sense of identity is focused on the community There are few ties beyond the immediate family People belong to strong, cohesive groups The right to privacy and personal freedom are important The group’s interests override personal freedom and privacy Self-fulfilment is the main goal in life Group harmony and consensus are the main goals in life.