CROSS-CULTURAL

COMMUNICATION

Presented By:-
Anu Gupta
Anisha Sanghi
Shefali Bhagaaat
Ashish Sabbarwal
What is a culture?
 “The reasonable person adapts himself to the
world, while the unreasonable one persists in
trying to adapt the world to himself”
 "Culture is the arts elevated to a set of
beliefs."
– Tom Wolfe
 Culture is the "lens" through which you
view the world.
 It is central to what you see.
 What is Cross-Cultural Communication?

 Cross-cultural communication (also

frequently referred to as intercultural
communication, which is also used in a
different sense, though) is a field of study
that looks at how people from differing
cultural backgrounds communicate, in
similar and different ways among
themselves, and how they endeavour to
communicate across cultures.
Four Fundamental Patterns of Cultural Difference

What is different?
1. Communication Styles
2. Attitudes toward conflicts
3. Decision making style
4. Approaches to knowing

What is hidden below the surface?

1. Beliefs
2. Values
3. Expectations
4. Attitudes
What is effective communication?
 Effective communication with people of different cultures is
especially challenging.
 Cultures provide people with ways of thinking--ways of
seeing, hearing, and interpreting the world.
 Thus the same words can mean different things to people from
different cultures, even when they talk the "same" language.
 When the languages are different, and translation has to be
used to communicate, the potential for misunderstandings
increases.
 The study of cross-cultural communication is fast becoming a
global research area. As a result, cultural differences in the
study of cross-cultural communication can already be found.
Effective Speaking
Understanding people’s perception
 Why Cross Culture
Communication is important ?
Globalization: Cross border movement of people, goods and
data brings more and more cultures into contact with one
another and increases the potential of cross culture
communication.

Business Opportunities
Job Opportunities
Improves the contribution of employees in a diverse
workforce
Sharing of views and ideas
Talent improvisation
An understanding of diverse market
Aspects of Cross-Cultural
Communication
There are several parameters that may be
perceived differently by people of different
cultures.These may include:
 Perception of Time

 Perception of Space

 Non-verbal Communication
Blocks to Cultural
Communication

1. Ethnocentrism : Inability to accept another

culture's world view; "my way is the best."

2. Discrimination : Differential treatment of an

individual due to status; actual and perceived;
e.g., "we just aren't equipped to serve people like
that."

3. Stereotyping : Generalizing about a person

while ignoring presence of individual difference;
e.g., "she's like that because she's Asian – all
Asians are nonverbal."
 4.Cultural Blindness: Differences are ignored
and one proceeds as though differences did not
exist; e.g., "there's no need to worry about a
person's culture

5.Cultural Imposition: Belief that everyone should

conform to the majority; e.g., "we know what's
best for you, if you don't like it you can go
elsewhere."

6.Tone Difference : Formal tone change becomes

embarrassing and off-putting in some cultures.
 Skills To Overcome Differences

Understanding Body Language

Building Trust Across Cultural
Boundaries
Respecting Differences and Working
Together
TEN Pre-cautions in Cultural Communication

1. Slow Down
2. Separate Questions
3. Avoid Negative Questions
4. Take Turns
5. Write it down
6. Be Supportive
7. Check Meanings
8. Avoid Slangs
9. Watch the humour
10. Maintain Etiquette