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Cross Cultural Communication

The document discusses cross-cultural communication, defining it as communication between people with different cultural backgrounds. It outlines four types of cultural communication and provides examples of cultural norms around communication styles, gestures, and etiquette. It emphasizes that understanding cultural differences is important for effective cross-cultural interaction.

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Minahil Fatima
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66 views

Cross Cultural Communication

The document discusses cross-cultural communication, defining it as communication between people with different cultural backgrounds. It outlines four types of cultural communication and provides examples of cultural norms around communication styles, gestures, and etiquette. It emphasizes that understanding cultural differences is important for effective cross-cultural interaction.

Uploaded by

Minahil Fatima
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Cross-Cultural Communication

Culture:
Culture can be defined as all the ways of life including arts, beliefs and institutions of a
population that are passed down from generation to generation. Culture has been called "the
way of life for an entire society." As such, it includes codes of manners, dress, language,
religion, rituals, art. norms of behavior, such as law and morality, and systems of belief.

What is Cross Culture Communication?


• Cross-cultural communication 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 endeavor to communicate across cultures. Intercultural
communication is a related field of study.

• Cross cultural communication thus refers to the communication between people who
have differences in any one of the following: styles of working, age, nationality,
ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. Cross cultural communication can also
refer to the attempts that are made to exchange, negotiate and mediate cultural
differences by means of language, gestures and body language. It is how people
belonging to different cultures communicate with each other.

Types of Cultural communication:


• Intercultural Communication

• Cross-Cultural Communication

• International Communication

• Multicultural Communication

1. Intercultural Communication:

Intercultural communication studies communication across different cultures and


social groups and describes the many communication processes and related issues among
groups of individuals from varied cultural backgrounds.
2. Cross-Cultural Communication:

Cross-cultural communication can be defined as a dialogue or any kind of interaction (both
verbal and non-verbal) between people of different nationalities. Applied to a business-oriented
context, cross-cultural communication refers to how well people from different cultures interact in a
business environment.

3. International Communication:

International communication (also referred to as the study of global


communication or transnational communication) is the communication practice that
occurs across international borders. The need for international communication was due
to the increasing effects and influences of globalization. As a field of study, international
communication is a branch of communication studies, concerned with the scope of
"government-to-government", "business-to-business", and "people-to-people"
interactions at a global level.

4. Multicultural Communication:

 The Multicultural Communication concentration focuses on the dynamics


of communication across cultures. It explores not only what happens
when people of two different cultures meet, but also what happens when
people from a variety of cultures and ethnicities come together in one
organization, community or country.
 This concentration will be of interest to those who work with
international and multiethnic corporations and to public service
personnel serving individuals from a variety of backgrounds and cultural
traditions.

Cross-Cultural Communication Examples:


• It is not considered polite to say 'no' in India. If a person does not like a proposal or
proposition, they would actually agree, but with a qualifier. They would say yes to an
unacceptable proposal, then counter with a more acceptable one.

• When speaking to a Japanese colleague who has closed their eyes, do not take offense!
They are listening intently, not nodding off. Closing their eyes shows respect for the
speaker's opinion or interest in what they are saying.
• In many cultures, for example, countries in Asia, it is considered impolite and aggressive
to hold eye contact with a person. This characteristic contrasts with Americans who hold
eye contact as an indication of engagement and respect.

• Natives of France may kiss a team member on the cheek upon introduction. Do not
misjudge that they are being overly familiar in their greeting; it is the norm in France to
greet even strangers with a kiss.

• A waiter or hairstylist in the United States should not expect to receive a tip from an
Australian tourist. It is not customary to tip for such services in their country.

Cross-Cultural Communication Importance:


• Cultivating cross-cultural communication in a business setting is a key factor in a
company's viability and revenue growth. Thus, it becomes essential for employees to
gain the necessary skills to interact with people of cultural backgrounds outside of their
own. Not possessing cross-cultural communication skills could lead to the loss of
reputation, profits, and the ability to attract and retain good talent among a diversified
pool of workers.

• The framework for developing these skills is grounded in respecting cultural differences.
Ignoring differences can lead to offensive behaviors. It matters what is said and done in
acknowledging and embracing cultural differences to foster good communication.

Strategies for Cross-Cultural Communication:


• Ask questions to develop cultural knowledge.

• Distinguish cultural perspectives.

• Build self-awareness.

• Recognize the complexity of cross-cultural communication.

• Avoid stereotyping.

• Respect cultural differences.

• Employ active listening skills.

• Avoid culturally insensitive language and behaviors.

• Be flexible in choosing communication strategies.

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