INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION one of the worlds most significant

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION “…one of the world’s most significant problems: intercultural relations…” Edward T. Hall

OUTLINE OF TODAY’S LECTURE 1. The Nature of Intercultural Communication 2. Dominant Cultural Orientations 3. Domains of Cultural Differences 4. Steps Towards Effective Communication

PART I THE NATURE OF INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

DEFINITION Intercultural communication is: communication between at least two people from different cultures.

WHY STUDY INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION? Increasing interaction between people due to globalization Increasing diversity in workplaces Increasing need to develop caring, responsible and ethical business leaders

DEFINITION OF CULTURE What is ‘culture’ in intercultural communication?

FUNDAMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CULTURE Learned Shared Shapes attitudes Prescribes behavior Dynamic Plural

INTERCULTURAL DOMAINS § § § National cultures Social groups Ethnic groups Genders Age or generational groups (and more…)

IMPLICATIONS If intercultural communication is communication between at least two people from different cultures… ◦ ALL communication between people is essentially intercultural. ◦ Different types of cultures shape communication. ◦ Caring, responsible and ethical business leaders must be effective intercultural communicators.

PART II DOMINANT CULTURAL ORIENTATIONS

CULTURAL ORIENTATIONS 1. How contexting affects communication High Context Low Context

CULTURAL ORIENTATIONS 2) How face-saving affects communication

CULTURAL ORIENTATIONS 3) How the individual is viewed in relation to the group Individualist Collectivist

CULTURAL ORIENTATIONS 4) How time is perceived Monochronic Polychronic

CULTURAL ORIENTATIONS 5) How power is distributed Flat Hierarchical

CULTURAL ORIENTATIONS 6) How decisions are made Top-down Through consensus

CULTURAL ORIENTATIONS Reminder: cultural orientations are NOT dichotomies; they are tendencies.

PART III DOMAINS OF CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

DOMAINS: Verbal Choice of words Organization of messages

DOMAINS: Non-verbal Body language Eye contact Laughter Touch Tone, volume and speed Turn-taking and silence

PART IV STEP TOWARDS EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

STEPS TOWARDS EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION Develop a sense of cultural awareness Do not be ethnocentric Listen genuinely when others speak

STEPS TOWARDS EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION Do not lapse into your own language while in the presence of others who do not speak it Take responsibility for the communication (e. g. , if miscommunication happens, it is not always the other person’s fault) DO NOT STEREOTYPE

CONCLUSION Intercultural communication: Ø respects people as part of a group AND as individuals. Ø is not about interaction between national cultures only.

CONCLUSION Intercultural competence: Ø helps you deliver your messages clearly, appropriately and persuasively. Ø enables you, as a business leader, to contribute to a just and equitable world.

THANK YOU! Q&A