Intercultural communication
The term “culture” refers to all the characteristics that are instructed and not given by nature to a common group of people. That the members of a group have two legs is thus not a cultural characteristic but a natural one, while a special but common way of talking and behaving would probably be cultural. (Allwood, 1985)
Definition of intercultural communication:
“Intercultural communication as the sharing of information on
different levels of awareness and control between people with different cultural
backgrounds, where different cultural backgrounds include both national cultural
differences and differences which are connected with participation in the different
activities that exist within a national unit.” (Allwood, 1985)
The term “culture” refers to all the characteristics that are instructed and not given by nature to a common group of people. That the members of a group have two legs is thus not a cultural characteristic but a natural one, while a special but common way of talking and behaving would probably be cultural. (Allwood, 1985)
Definition of intercultural communication:
“Intercultural communication as the sharing of information on
different levels of awareness and control between people with different cultural
backgrounds, where different cultural backgrounds include both national cultural
differences and differences which are connected with participation in the different
activities that exist within a national unit.” (Allwood, 1985)
Intercultural communication is has become a major tool in our fast paced environment. According to Saee John, the evolution of national economies has given rise to intercultural communication. International trade has brought diversity within corporation meaning that managers and employees within an organisation have to become more interculturally competent in order to maximise trade opportunities and benefit from the advantages of cultural diversity.
Here are the five keys that a business needs to know in order to become inter culturally competent (Saee, 2007):
Cultural awareness: Being able to understand the difference between different cultures. (Saee, 2007)
Communicating Competence: Being able to share information properly despite all the differences in languages. (Saee, 2007)
Valuing differences: Being able to take advantages of the differences in order to be more competitive. (Saee, 2007)
Cognitive Competence: Being able to remember all the differences between cultures. (Saee, 2007)
Non Judgemental: Showing respect, patience and sensitivity. (Saee, 2007)
Here are the five keys that a business needs to know in order to become inter culturally competent (Saee, 2007):
Cultural awareness: Being able to understand the difference between different cultures. (Saee, 2007)
Communicating Competence: Being able to share information properly despite all the differences in languages. (Saee, 2007)
Valuing differences: Being able to take advantages of the differences in order to be more competitive. (Saee, 2007)
Cognitive Competence: Being able to remember all the differences between cultures. (Saee, 2007)
Non Judgemental: Showing respect, patience and sensitivity. (Saee, 2007)
Intercultural Communication is complex and therefore there is a number of factors that should be taken into consideration in order to avoid misunderstanding between partners:
Verbal Behaviour:
Tone of our voice: The tone of our voice can mean different meaning in different cultures
For instance: For instance for Arabs, they will tend to lower their voice from time to time in order to show respect which is not the case for North American. (Eunson, 2012)
Moreover in North American Culture informality is not an issue. They tend to be informal however for in the Arabic culture hierarchy is important and being informal may show signs of disrespect. (Eunson, 2012)
Verbal Behaviour:
Tone of our voice: The tone of our voice can mean different meaning in different cultures
For instance: For instance for Arabs, they will tend to lower their voice from time to time in order to show respect which is not the case for North American. (Eunson, 2012)
Moreover in North American Culture informality is not an issue. They tend to be informal however for in the Arabic culture hierarchy is important and being informal may show signs of disrespect. (Eunson, 2012)
Non Behavioural:
Body Movements
When we speak, our speech is always accompanied with movements, facial expressions that describe what we are saying in different ways.
For instance: Gestures for such things: money, great, come here vary significantly between Sweden and Mediterranean countries. So it is important to take these factors into consideration so as not to show disrespect to the other person’s culture. (Allwood, 1985)
Object Language
In some cultures, object may carry different meaning.
For instance: in some cultures, being wealthy may show signs of vulgarity. (Australian Multicultural Foundation, 2010)
Tolerance of silence
Many Australians perceive silence in conversation as uncomfortable. Other cultures such as Chinese value silence as thoughtful and respectful.
(Australian Multicultural Foundation, 2010)
Values, Attitudes and prejudices.
Sometimes we tend to think that our way of perceiving is the only right way. However to be able to minimise misunderstanding we should bear in mind that we are surrounded by people from different background and we should be able to show respect and openness. (Eunson, 2012).
If a business is able to manage its intercultural communication properly there are several benefits that it could enjoy:
Cultural Self-Awareness: Increased knowledge and greater awareness of other people way of living and thinking. (Australian Multicultural Foundation, 2010)
Confidence: Show more professionalism and less stress in cross-cultural meeting.
(Australian Multicultural Foundation, 2010)
Interpersonal Skills: Better listening and communication ability. Improved ability to communicate and build relationships with other people from other background. (Australian Multicultural Foundation, 2010)
Better Health: Less stress and defensiveness. Better control of the situation and they can easily cope with change. (Australian Multicultural Foundation, 2010)
To conclude here is a video to illustrate how intercultural communication is important in our working environment:
Cultural Self-Awareness: Increased knowledge and greater awareness of other people way of living and thinking. (Australian Multicultural Foundation, 2010)
Confidence: Show more professionalism and less stress in cross-cultural meeting.
(Australian Multicultural Foundation, 2010)
Interpersonal Skills: Better listening and communication ability. Improved ability to communicate and build relationships with other people from other background. (Australian Multicultural Foundation, 2010)
Better Health: Less stress and defensiveness. Better control of the situation and they can easily cope with change. (Australian Multicultural Foundation, 2010)
To conclude here is a video to illustrate how intercultural communication is important in our working environment:
References
Allwood, J. (1985) Intercultural communication. Department of Linguistics: Göteborg University.
Australian Multicultural Foundation. (2010). Managing Cultural Diversity. Retrieved from http://amf.net.au/library/uploads/files/MCD_Training_Program_Resource_Manual.pdf
Eunson, B. (2012). Communicating in the 21st century. Milton:Willey
Lan, J. (2007). Research on intercultural business Communication. Canadian Social Science, 3(2), 87-89. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/208630817?accountid=39715
Ramlutchman, N., & Veerasamy, D. (2013). Intercultural communication and work integrated learning: A south african perspective. Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, 5(3), 148-156. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1356913434?accountid=39715
Saee, J. (2007). Intercultural awareness is the key to international business success. Global Focus, (1), 56-59. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/215476911?accountid=39715
Allwood, J. (1985) Intercultural communication. Department of Linguistics: Göteborg University.
Australian Multicultural Foundation. (2010). Managing Cultural Diversity. Retrieved from http://amf.net.au/library/uploads/files/MCD_Training_Program_Resource_Manual.pdf
Eunson, B. (2012). Communicating in the 21st century. Milton:Willey
Lan, J. (2007). Research on intercultural business Communication. Canadian Social Science, 3(2), 87-89. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/208630817?accountid=39715
Ramlutchman, N., & Veerasamy, D. (2013). Intercultural communication and work integrated learning: A south african perspective. Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, 5(3), 148-156. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1356913434?accountid=39715
Saee, J. (2007). Intercultural awareness is the key to international business success. Global Focus, (1), 56-59. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/215476911?accountid=39715