““There is…no more noble There is…no more noble calling than to help the calling than to help the people of the world live people of the world live together in peace and together in peace and understanding with a fully understanding with a fully developed spirit of inquiry developed spirit of inquiry about other cultures and about other cultures and their ways.”their ways.”

--L. Robert Kohls (1994)L. Robert Kohls (1994)

Communicating Across Communicating Across Cultural BarriersCultural Barriers

Nancy G. Abney, MA-TESOLNancy G. Abney, MA-TESOL

The University of Alabama at BirminghamThe University of Alabama at Birminghamnabney@uab.edunabney@uab.edu

Graduate School Graduate School

Professional Development ProgramProfessional Development Program

Today’s GoalsToday’s Goals

Raise our awareness of culture(s)Raise our awareness of culture(s)

Identify some barriers to communicationIdentify some barriers to communication

Discuss ways to overcome these barriersDiscuss ways to overcome these barriers

Communicating Across Communicating Across Cultural BarriersCultural Barriers

DefinitionsDefinitionsWhat are the components of What are the components of

Communication?Communication?

What is Culture?What is Culture?

What are barriers?What are barriers?

What is Communication?What is Communication?

Communication is “…a process by which Communication is “…a process by which two individuals ‘try’ to exchange a set of two individuals ‘try’ to exchange a set of ideas, feelings, symbols…meanings.” ideas, feelings, symbols…meanings.” Pierre Casse Pierre Casse Teaching for the Cross-Cultural MindTeaching for the Cross-Cultural Mind

What is Cross-Cultural What is Cross-Cultural Communication?Communication?

Pause & make a short list of the groups to Pause & make a short list of the groups to which you belong:which you belong:OccupationOccupation TeacherTeacherStatusStatus homeownerhomeownerGenderGender femalefemaleHobbiesHobbies snowboardingsnowboarding

Components of Components of CommunicationCommunication

Language elementsLanguage elementsVerbalVerbalNon-verbal Non-verbal

External elementsExternal elementsCultural norms, relationships, contextCultural norms, relationships, context

Internal elementsInternal elementsPurpose, attitudePurpose, attitude

Who Am I?Who Am I?

A Cross-A Cross-Cultural Cultural

Guessing Guessing GameGame

Read the following descriptions & discuss with a partner to guess Read the following descriptions & discuss with a partner to guess which country you think each represents.which country you think each represents.

When I meet you, I may bow. You may ask my When I meet you, I may bow. You may ask my age, but I will be embarrassed if you ask me age, but I will be embarrassed if you ask me about my religion, and, as a result of my about my religion, and, as a result of my embarrassment, I may laugh. I will pause for embarrassment, I may laugh. I will pause for perhaps 20 seconds before answering, allowing perhaps 20 seconds before answering, allowing time for a shared communication without words. time for a shared communication without words. If you become uncomfortable with my silence If you become uncomfortable with my silence and say “I’m sorry,” I will apologize to show my and say “I’m sorry,” I will apologize to show my wish to cooperate, and will probably not look wish to cooperate, and will probably not look you in the eye when I answer. However, I would you in the eye when I answer. However, I would not complain to tell you that your question about not complain to tell you that your question about my religion is considered impolite. my religion is considered impolite.

I am from…I am from…

Who am I?Who am I?

My rapidly-growing country is ethnically My rapidly-growing country is ethnically diverse, with as many as 20 major languages diverse, with as many as 20 major languages being spoken, along with many local dialects. being spoken, along with many local dialects. In this constitutional monarchy, most people In this constitutional monarchy, most people live in rural areas, and 80% of the people are live in rural areas, and 80% of the people are farmers. When I greet you, I will put the palms farmers. When I greet you, I will put the palms of my hands together in front of my chest or of my hands together in front of my chest or chin or I may raise my right hand in a salute chin or I may raise my right hand in a salute (salaam), and will always call a professor by (salaam), and will always call a professor by title. Things I would never do: touch another’s title. Things I would never do: touch another’s head, wink at you, point the bottom of my foot head, wink at you, point the bottom of my foot at someone, eat with my left hand. at someone, eat with my left hand.

I am from . . . I am from . . .

Who am I?Who am I? When people in my country greet, we say “hello” or When people in my country greet, we say “hello” or

“good afternoon” in English and are cheerful and “good afternoon” in English and are cheerful and courteous to show respect; neglecting to greet courteous to show respect; neglecting to greet someone is a sign of disrespect. With more than 250 someone is a sign of disrespect. With more than 250 ethnic groups, we have more than 250 languages, thus ethnic groups, we have more than 250 languages, thus English is our official language, though less than 50% English is our official language, though less than 50% of people speak English. We do not pass things with of people speak English. We do not pass things with our left hand alone, nor should we show the bottom of our left hand alone, nor should we show the bottom of our foot to someone; the most vulgar gesture to me, our foot to someone; the most vulgar gesture to me, however, would be to push the palm of the hand however, would be to push the palm of the hand forward with the fingers spread. We visit friends and forward with the fingers spread. We visit friends and relatives frequently, and welcome unannounced relatives frequently, and welcome unannounced guests. If we wish our children to leave the room guests. If we wish our children to leave the room while guests are visiting, we often wink at them.while guests are visiting, we often wink at them.

I am from . . . I am from . . .

Who am I?Who am I?

Answers:Answers:1. I am from Japan1. I am from Japan2. I am from Nepal2. I am from Nepal3. I am from Nigeria3. I am from Nigeria

Source: Source:

CultureGrams World Edition (2004) CultureGrams World Edition (2004)

Lindon, UT: Axiom PressLindon, UT: Axiom Press

Who am I? Who am I? CaveatCaveat

These are broad generalizations, which do These are broad generalizations, which do not necessarily represent individuals, but not necessarily represent individuals, but are meant only to introduce to you some are meant only to introduce to you some cultural practices of which you may be cultural practices of which you may be unaware. The goal is for you to understand unaware. The goal is for you to understand the culture of the the culture of the individual individual so that you so that you may better communicate with individualsmay better communicate with individuals ..

Communicating Across Cultural Communicating Across Cultural BarriersBarriers

DefinitionsDefinitions

What is Culture?What is Culture?

What are cultural barriers to successful What are cultural barriers to successful communication?communication?

What is Culture?What is Culture?

Culture is that which distinguishes one group Culture is that which distinguishes one group from another– Jan Hofstedefrom another– Jan Hofstede

Surface culture vs deep cultureSurface culture vs deep culture

Iceberg of CultureIceberg of Culture

Surface culture(tangible)

_____________________________________

Deep CultureValues

Attitudes & Belief systems

3 Cultural Value 3 Cultural Value DimensionsDimensions

IdentityIdentity

CollectivismCollectivism IndividualismIndividualism

HierarchyHierarchy

Large power distance Large power distance Small power distance Small power distance

GenderGender

Femininity Femininity MasculinityMasculinity

Misinterpreting BehaviorMisinterpreting BehaviorA listener who is A listener who is culturally more…culturally more…

……may misinterpret the may misinterpret the other’s behavior as…other’s behavior as…

CollectivistCollectivist Insulting, stressed, rudeInsulting, stressed, rude

IndividualistIndividualist Dishonest, corruptDishonest, corrupt

Large Power distanceLarge Power distance Disrespectful, improperDisrespectful, improper

Small Power distanceSmall Power distance Bossy, rigid (high-status)Bossy, rigid (high-status)

Cowardly (low-status)Cowardly (low-status)

FeminineFeminine Aggressive (men); Playing Aggressive (men); Playing “baby doll” (women)“baby doll” (women)

MasculineMasculine Weak (men); Weak (men);

Unfeminine (women)Unfeminine (women)

Awareness of Cultural Awareness of Cultural ValuesValues

Form small groups or pairsForm small groups or pairsRead the scenarios on the yellow handoutRead the scenarios on the yellow handoutIdentify words & phrases that indicate Identify words & phrases that indicate

cultural differences in the scenariocultural differences in the scenario

Activity from Hofestede, Pederson & Hofestede (Exploring Culture, 2002)Activity from Hofestede, Pederson & Hofestede (Exploring Culture, 2002)

What are the barriers?What are the barriers? LanguageLanguage Non-verbal communicationNon-verbal communication Beliefs/Values/attitudesBeliefs/Values/attitudes Misinterpretations & stereotypesMisinterpretations & stereotypes Stress of intercultural interactions Stress of intercultural interactions

Hofestede, Pederson & Hofestede (Exploring Culture, 2002)Hofestede, Pederson & Hofestede (Exploring Culture, 2002)

Which of these do you think would be Which of these do you think would be easiest to address/adjust?easiest to address/adjust?

Some simple strategiesSome simple strategies

LanguageLanguageAlways ask for clarificationAlways ask for clarification

Non-verbal communicationNon-verbal communicationDon’t take it personallyDon’t take it personally

Attitudes/Beliefs/ValuesAttitudes/Beliefs/ValuesEducate yourselfEducate yourself

More simple strategiesMore simple strategies

Stereotypes/misinterpretationsStereotypes/misinterpretationsRecognize that you cannot change the culture Recognize that you cannot change the culture

or yourself overnightor yourself overnightTry not to judge others by your own cultural Try not to judge others by your own cultural

valuesvalues

StressStressAccept some ambiguityAccept some ambiguityBe patient and forgivingBe patient and forgiving

7 Pieces of Practical Advice7 Pieces of Practical Advice

1.1. Don’t assume sameness.Don’t assume sameness.

2.2. ““Normal” behavior is not universal.Normal” behavior is not universal.

3.3. ““yes” can mean many things.yes” can mean many things.

4.4. Don’t assume you were understood.Don’t assume you were understood.

5.5. Don’t assume that you understand.Don’t assume that you understand.

6.6. You don’t have to like “different” behavior, but You don’t have to like “different” behavior, but try to understand where it comes from.try to understand where it comes from.

7.7. Most people do behave rationally; you just have Most people do behave rationally; you just have to discover the rationale. to discover the rationale.

ReferencesReferences CultureGramsCultureGrams, World Edition (2004) Lindon, UT: Axiom Press. (available , World Edition (2004) Lindon, UT: Axiom Press. (available

at at www.culturegrams.comwww.culturegrams.com).). Fantini, EFantini, E., Ed. (1997) ., Ed. (1997) New Ways in Teaching Culture: TESOL Series II New Ways in Teaching Culture: TESOL Series II

Innoavative Classroom TechniquesInnoavative Classroom Techniques. Alexandria, VA: TESOL.. Alexandria, VA: TESOL. Flaitz, JFlaitz, J., Ed. (2003) ., Ed. (2003) Understanding your International Students: An Understanding your International Students: An

Educational, Cutltural, and Linguistic GuideEducational, Cutltural, and Linguistic Guide . Ann Arbor: University of . Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.Michigan Press.

Hofstede, G. J., Pederson, P. B., & HofstedeHofstede, G. J., Pederson, P. B., & Hofstede, G. (2002) , G. (2002) Exploring Culture: Exploring Culture: Exercises, Stories and Synthetic Cultures.Exercises, Stories and Synthetic Cultures. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.Press.

Kohls, L. R., and Knight, J. M.Kohls, L. R., and Knight, J. M. (1994) (1994) Developing Intercultural Developing Intercultural Awareness: A Cross-Cultural Training Handbook (2nd ed)Awareness: A Cross-Cultural Training Handbook (2nd ed). Yarmouth, ME: . Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural PressIntercultural Press

Lewis, R. DLewis, R. D. (1999) . (1999) Cross Cultural Communication: A Visual Approach.Cross Cultural Communication: A Visual Approach. Riverside, Warnford Hampshire, UK: Transcreen Publications.Riverside, Warnford Hampshire, UK: Transcreen Publications.

Storti, C.Storti, C. (1994) (1994) Cross-Cultural Dialogs.Cross-Cultural Dialogs. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press. Press.

““There is…no more noble There is…no more noble calling than to help the calling than to help the people of the world live people of the world live together in peace and together in peace and understanding with a fully understanding with a fully developed spirit of inquiry developed spirit of inquiry about other cultures and about other cultures and their ways.”their ways.”

--L. Robert Kohls (1994)L. Robert Kohls (1994)