Communicating Across Culture

The importance of interculturalcommunication

Globalization of Market

Technological Advancements

Multicultural Work Force

Understanding Culture Culture is complex system of values, traits,

morals, and customs shared by a society. Culture is a system for creating, sending,

storing, and processing information.

Characteristics of Culture Culture is learned

In western culture, too close

means violation. Cultures are inherently logical

In Japan, Barbie doll was a failure because of the toothy

smile.Culture combines the visible and invisible

In Japan, harmony with the environment is important Culture is dynamic

Culture change as a result of migration, disasters, and

wars

PrototypesMental representations based on general

characteristics that are not fixed and rigid, but

rather are open to new definition. Dynamic abed may change

Based on objective observations. Example Latin businesspeople often talk about their

families before getting down to business.

This prototype is generally accurate, but it may not

universally apply and it may change over time.

Dimensions of Culture

Context

Individualism

Communication style

Time orientation

ContextThe dependence to environment of a situationLow-context cultures depend less on the

environment of a situation to convey meaning

than do high-context cultures. Low-context cultures: North America, Western

EuropeHigh-context cultures: Japan, China, Arab. People in low-context cultures tend to be

logical, analytical, and action oriented

Explicit and Implicit CommunicationHigh-context/implicit

communication cultures

Low-context/explicit communication

cultures

Germans

Swiss Germans

Scandinavians

North Americans

French

English

Italians

Latin Americans

Arabs

Japanese

Individualism An attitude of independence and freedom

from control. Members of many low-context cultures value

independence and freedom from control. Tradition, ceremony, and social rules are more

important in high-context culture

IndividualismLow-Context Culture High-Context Culture

Individualism Individual action and

personal

responsibility

CollectivistMembership, group,

teamsGroup value, duties,

and decision Resist independence

Time OrientationNorth American tend to correlate time with

productivity, efficiency. In other cultures time may be perceived as an

unlimited resource.

Westerners value a direct, straightforward

communication style. Westerners: sound of words Asian: meaning of words

Communication Style

Achieving Intercultural SensitivityAvoiding Ethnocentrism:

The belief in the superiority of one’s owned race. Bridging the Gap

Empathy: trying to see the world through

another’s eyes.

Saving face: indirectly respect the feelings and

dignity of others

Patience: tolerance, patient, silent

Personal Space in the USA

Intimate distance 18”

Personal distance 18” to 4’

Social distance 4’ to 8’

The Barriers of Cross Cultural CommunicationsBody LanguageEtiquetteEstablishing trustReligious BeliefSocial habits

Improving Cross-Culture CommunicationImproving Intercultural Proficiency &Communication

Study your own culture first.

Learn about other culture.

Curb ethnocentrism

Seek common ground

Observe nonverbal cues in your culture

Use simple English

Adapt to local Preferences