Culture and communication Culture and communication are inseparable, because culture not only dictates who talks

to whom, about what, and how the communication proceeds, it also helps to determine how people encode messages, the meanings they have for messages, and the conditions and circumstances under which various messages may or may not be sent, noticed, or interpreted. In fact, our entire repertory of communicative behaviors is dependent largely on the culture in which we have been raised. Culture, consequently, is the foundation of communication. And when cultures vary, communication practices also vary. (Samovar et al, 1981:24).

Communication Barriers

A. Language Barriers 1. Fallacy of English as a universal language. 2. The problem of translation:Big Bus. Blunders B. Cultural Barriers -Appropriacy: Who/to whom/what/how/when/where C. Perceptual Barriers 1. Perception is selective 2. Perceptual patterns are learned. 3. Perception is culturally determined. 4. Perception tends to remain constant. We therefore see things that do not exist and do not see things that do exist. D. Nonverbal communication E. Lack of cultural self-awareness

CC communication in an organizational context A. Social composition-Citibank B. Organization structure -number of levels /hierarchy -organizational complexity -specialization/division of labor -Complexity: number of product lines C. Goal orientation D. Formalization -Number of reports: is more necessarily better? -Can be informative but also frustrating. E. Shared experience -generally more personal contact---better communication

Achieving cross-cultural communication effectiveness

A. Provide cultural training -about other cultures -about our own culture B. Provide language training C Improve feedback systems -within organizations -structure -processes -new technologies D. Increase flexibility and cooperation E. Focus on individual attitudes and skill building

What do I do if they do not speak my language?

A. Verbal behavior 1. Clear, slow speech 2. Repetition 3. Simple sentences 4. Active words B. Nonverbal behavior 1. Visual restatements 2. Gestures 3. Demonstration 4. Pauses 5. Summaries C. Accurate interpretation 1. Silence 2. Intelligence 3. Differences D. Comprehension 1. Understanding (assume they dont) 2. Checking comprehension D. Design 1. Breaks 2. Small modules 3. Longer time frame E. Motivation 1. Encouragement 2. Drawing out 3. Reinforcement from: Adler, N.J. (1997) International Dimensions of Organizational Behavior Cincinnati: Southwestern. P. 97.

Cross cultural communication effectiveness 1. Correct balance between task and relational behavior. 2. Minimize self-oriented behaviors. *3. The capacity to be non-judgmental. *4. The tolerance for ambiguity. *5. The display of respect. 6. Personalizing knowledge and perceptions. *7. Displaying empathy. 8. Taking turns

From: Ruben, Brent. Guidelines for cross-cultural communication effectiveness. Group and Organization Studies, December 1977, 2(4): 470-479.

Cultural Noise in the Communication Process Attribution problems due to cultural variables in the communication process 1. Attitudes--e.g. the problem of stereotyping 2. Social organization 3. Thought patterns 4. Roles 5. Language 6. Nonverbal communication -