13
Communication Across Cultures What is communication? Cultural Influence on the Communication Process High & Low Context Cultures Communication Styles Nonverbal communication Protocols Governing Formalities & Behaviors Communication Barriers Suggestions for Communication Effectiveness

Communication Across Cultures

Embed Size (px)

DESCRIPTION

In international business management, cultural differences play a crucial role. One of the key element here is communication and each culture has its own style of communication. This presentation gives a snapshot of what it means to communicate across cultures.

Citation preview

Page 1: Communication Across Cultures

Communication Across Cultures

• What is communication?• Cultural Influence on the Communication Process• High & Low Context Cultures• Communication Styles• Nonverbal communication• Protocols Governing Formalities & Behaviors• Communication Barriers• Suggestions for Communication Effectiveness

Page 2: Communication Across Cultures

What is communication?

The word communication comes from the

communis (Latin) meaning “common”.

Communication is the process of transmitting

information & knowledge from the sender to

the receive with a purpose to bring about

mutual understanding, confidence and good

human relations”.

Communication is like oxygen and inherent to all

living beings.

Page 3: Communication Across Cultures

High & Low Context Cultures

Low Context• Business relationships are complicated, hence language should

be frank and direct• Nonverbal cures are often not important• Message is typically more important than the medium

High Context• Business relationships are complicated, hence, language

should be diplomatic and indirect• Nonverbal cures are often important• Medium is often more important than message

Middle Context (most countries fall here)• Business relationships are complicated, but language can be

frank as far as possible.• Both, non-verbal & verbal cues are important• Medium & message, both are important

Page 4: Communication Across Cultures

Communication Styles

Direct & Indirect

Indirect Common in HC cultures Messages are implicit &

indirect, mainly because

social orientation is high

Direct Common in LC cultures Messages are explicit &

direct, mainly because

social orientation is low

Elaborate, Exact & Succinct

Elaborate Used in HC

cultures with

moderate UA A great deal of

talking with many

repetitions

Exact Used in LC

cultures with low

UA Focus on

precision Least repetitions

Succinct Used in HC

cultures with

high UA Use fewer words Medium

repetitions

Page 5: Communication Across Cultures

Communication Styles

Contextual & Personal StyleContextual Common in HC & collective

cultures Focus on speaker’s title &

relations with parties Use of words that reflect

the role & hierarchical relationship

Personal Common in LC &

individualistic cultures Focus on speaker as an

individual & not on relations with parties

Use of first name & addressing others directly

Affective & InstrumentalAffective Common in HC cultures More relationship oriented Need to understand the

meaning based on

nonverbal clues

Instrumental Common in LC cultures More goal oriented More use of direct language

and less of nonverbal cues

Page 6: Communication Across Cultures

Communication Styles - Examples

CountryIndirect vs.

Direct

Elaborate vs. Exact vs. Succint

Contextual vs. Personal

Affective vs. Instrumental

Australia Direct Exact Personal Instrumental

Canada Direct Exact Personal Instrumental

Denmark Direct Exact Personal Instrumental

Egypt Indirect Elaborate Contextual Affective

England Direct Exact Personal Instrumental

Japan Indirect Succinct Contextual Affective

Korea Indirect Succint Contextual Affective

Saudi Arabia

Indirect Elaborate Contextual Affective

Sweden Direct Exact Personal Instrumental

USA Direct Exact Personal Instrumental

India ??? ???  ???  ???

Page 7: Communication Across Cultures

Nonverbal Communication

Haptics (communication through body contact) - Hand

gestures (intended & unintended), embracing,

hugging, kissing

Interpersonal distance (Proxemics) – 18” is intimate

distance, 18” to 4’ is personal, 4’ to 8’ is social & >

8’ is public distance

Facial expressions - Smiles, frowns, yawns

Standing and sitting postures

Clothing

Eye contact, gazing, movement of eyelid, shedding tears

Use of colors

Page 8: Communication Across Cultures

Nonverbal Communication

Hair style

Artifacts - tiepins, jewelry

Paralanguage - speech rate, pitch, volume

Habits - drink sipping, smoking, tobacco chewing,

alcohol

Cosmetics - powder, fragrance

Time symbolism - what is the right time to call, to

start, to finish

Pause and timing while speaking

Walking

Page 9: Communication Across Cultures

Proverbs & Cultural Values

Proverb Cultural Value

A penny saved is a penny earned Thriftiness

Time is money Importance of time

Don’t cry over spilt milk Be practical

Early to bed, early to rise, makes one healthy, wealthy and wise

Diligence, work ethic

A stitch in time saves nine Action in time

Take care of today, and tomorrow will take care of itself

Preparation for future

Page 10: Communication Across Cultures

Communication Barriers

Language

Knowing the language (vocabulary & grammar) &

speaking the language are two different aspects

Difference between spoken & written language

Translation can often lead to misunderstanding (brief

exercise on translation backwards)

Cultural

Nonnative speakers use exaggerated politeness & provide

unnecessary information

Directness vs. indirectness of communication is affected

by the culture (HC vs. LC)

Page 11: Communication Across Cultures

Communication Barriers

Perceptual / stereotyping Advertizing message (example of launching “Fiera” truck

by Ford in Spain)

Being direct can also be perceived as being rude

Business cards (no of cards, bi-lingual & presentation

style)

Greeting (Namaste, Handshake, Bowing, Embracing,

Kissing)

Attire (Formal, semi-formal, business casuals, casuals)

Page 12: Communication Across Cultures

Suggestions for Communication Effectiveness

Gather relevant information on the business culture of

the country

Develop language appreciation or take language training

Neutralize accents (“whose” & “hose”, “Canara” &

“Kanara”, “Yeah”)

Listen and do proper lip reading

Paraphrase, cross-check and seek feedback

Page 13: Communication Across Cultures

Suggestions for Communication Effectiveness

Use straight forward language, speak clearly & slowly

Be sensitive to non-verbal communication

Recognize the time zone sensitivities

Check spelling and grammar before sending the

communication

Use only universally accepted abbreviations

Use suitable & preferred technology / methods