intercultural communication.sal july 2010
TRANSCRIPT
Intercultural Communication
Dr. Carol Reade
SJSU SAL Global Leaders Program for Keimyung University, South Korea
July 16, 2010
What do we mean by “intercultural communication”?
Learning Objectives
1. Examine the role of culture and perception in communicating across cultures
2. Identify and experience intercultural verbal communication styles and nonverbal behaviors
3. Consider ways to overcome intercultural communication challenges
The Basic Communication Process
Communication: The process of transferring meanings from
sender to receiver.
On the surface, the process of communication appears straightforward
However, there may be a failure to transfer meanings correctly
Communication Challenges Culture
Perception
Verbal communication styles and non-verbal behaviors
The Role of Culture Culture is acquired knowledge that people
use to interpret experience and generate social behavior Values, attitudes, behavior
Culture has several key dimensions (Hofstede) Individualist/Collectivist Uncertainty avoidance Power distance Masculinity/Femininity
Perceptual Barriers Perception: a person’s view of reality
How people see reality is shaped by their cultural experiences
Our cultural experience influences our judgment, our decision making, and the way we see ourselves and others How others see us may be different than we
think!
Perceptions
What do you see?
Culture, Context & CommunicationContext is information that surrounds a
communication and helps convey the message
High-context cultures Messages are often highly coded and implicit
Low-context cultures Messages are explicit and the speaker says
precisely what he or she means
Explicit and Implicit Communication
High-context/implicit communication
cultures
Low-context/explicit communication
cultures
Germans
Swiss Germans
Scandinavians
North Americans
French
English
Italians
Latin Americans
Arabs
Japanese
Adapted from Figure 7–1: Explicit/Implicit Communication: An International Comparison
Table 7–1Major Characteristics of Verbal Styles
Verbal Communication Styles
Adapted from Table 7–1: Major Characteristics of Verbal Styles
Indirect vs. direct
IndirectDirect
Implicit messagesExplicit messages
Collective, high contextIndividualistic, low context
Succinct vs. elaborate
Elaborate High quantity of talk
Moderate uncertainty avoidance, high context
Exacting Moderate amount of talk
Low uncertainty avoidance, low context
Succinct Low amount of talk
High uncertainty avoidance, high context
Cultures in WhichMajor Interaction Focus Characteristic It
Verbal Style Variation and Content Is Found
Table 7–1Major Characteristics of Verbal Styles
Verbal Communication Styles
Cultures in WhichMajor Interaction Focus Characteristic It
Verbal Style Variation and Content Is Found
Adapted from Table 7–1: Major Characteristics of Verbal Styles
Contextual vs. personal
Contextual Focus is on the speaker and role relationships
High power distance, collective, high context
Personal Focus is on the speaker and personal relationships
Low power distance, individualistic, low context
Affective vs. instrumental
Affective Language is process oriented and receiver focused
Collective, high context
Instrumental Language is goal oriented and sender focused
Individualistic, low context
Summary of Verbal Styles
Nonverbal CommunicationBody movement/facial expression (Kinesics) Eye contact, posture, gestures
Color (Chromatics) Color to communicate messages
Time (Chronemics) Schedule versus relationships
Physical space (Proxemics) Physical closeness
Personal Space in the U.S.
Intimate distance 18”
Personal distance 18” to 4’
Social distance 4’ to 8’
Public distance 8’ to 10’
Adapted from Figure 7–3: Personal Space Categories for Those in the United States
Intercultural communication in action Negotiation between a US seller and a
Japanese buyer of Mustang Jeans.
Can you identify the verbal communication styles?
Would you consider this a successful intercultural communication?
Suggestions for effective intercultural communicationBe aware that communication styles vary
across culturesUse common words and avoid slangLearn about other culture beforehandBe observant during communicationUse active listeningBe aware of own reaction Step into other’s shoesBe cooperative, respectful and open-
minded