Understanding Diverse Communication Styles An Introduction to Intercultural

Understanding Diverse Communication Styles: An Introduction to Intercultural Communication Brought to you by the MForum Steering Committee Presenter: Caroline Guay International Student Development & Communications Manager International Student Services at Mc. Gill

Webinar Agenda What is culture? Cultural influences on communication What is language? Non-verbal communication Verbal & written communication features Communication styles How can we avoid misunderstandings?

What is culture? “Culture is the collective programming of the human mind that distinguishes the members of one human group from those of another. Culture in this sense is a system of collectively held values. ” Geert Hofstede “Culture is the deeper level of basic assumptions and beliefs that are shared by members of an organization, that operate unconsciously and define in a basic ‘taken for granted’ fashion in an organization’s view of its self and its environment. ” Edgar Schein

Cultural variations CULTURE AGE/ GENERATION In some cases, variations within cultures may be more significant than variations between cultures… EDUCATION ETHNICITY SEXUAL ORIENTATIO N GENDER RELIGION SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS INDIVIDUAL TEMPERAMENT

Cultural influences on Communication Hofstede, Geert (2001). Culture's Consequences: comparing values, behaviors, institutions, and organizations across nations (2 nd ed. ). Thousand Oaks, CA

What is “Language”? The system of communication used by a particular community or country (Google) The method of human communication, either spoken or written, consisting of the use of words in a structured and conventional way. (Oxford English dictionary) “A language is an arbitrary, symbolic system that names ideas, feelings, experiences, events, people, and other phenomena and that is governed by the multilayered rules developed by members of a particular speech community. ” (Ting. Toomey, 1999)

Cultural Influences on Language o Non-verbal (Body Language) o Verbal & Written o Communication Styles 'The Tower of Babel' by Pieter Brueghel the Elder, 1563

Non-Verbal Communication A. K. A. “Body Language” v. Gestures v. Eye contact v. Facial expressions v. Tone of voice v. Volume of voice v. Posture

These hand gestures can have several different meanings, depending on the country in which they’re used… How many different meanings can you identify for each one?

Verbal & Written Communication Phonology (verbal only): sounds of a language (including accents) Semantics: meaning we attach to words (includes denotation & connotation) “My name is Caroline and I have 3 brothers. ” e. g. crisp, double-double, pretty, WTF Morphology: word “chunks” (e. g. prefixes, suffixes, etc. ) English: “is running” vs. Swahili: “nlaw” Syntax: order of words (related to grammar) English: I lost my keys… Spanish: Se me perdieron las llaves… Pragmatics: situational rules that govern “how we say what to whom and under what situational conditions” (Ting-Toomey, 1999, p. 90) English: I admire you French: Je vous admire/ Je t’admire Spanish: Le admire/Te admiro

Communication Styles Low context Direct High context Indirect Person-Oriented Status-Oriented Self-Enhancement Self-Effacement Silence avoided Silence embraced Ting-Toomey, S. (1999). Communicating Across Cultures. New York, NY: The Guildford Press.

Communication Styles Low context Direct High context Indirect Person-Oriented Status-Oriented Self-Enhancement Self-Effacement Silence avoided Silence embraced Ting-Toomey, S. (1999). Communicating Across Cultures. New York, NY: The Guildford Press.

LOW CONTEXT USA Canada Australia UK Germany Switzerland Denmark Sweden Let’s ditch this joint and head to a terrasse for a cold one… Whaddaya say? HIGH CONTEXT Nigeria Mexico Kuwait Saudi Arabia Japan China Korea Vietnam

Communication Styles Low context Direct High context Indirect Person-Oriented Status-Oriented Self-Enhancement Self-Effacement Silence avoided Silence embraced Ting-Toomey, S. (1999). Communicating Across Cultures. New York, NY: The Guildford Press.

DIRECT USA Israel Germany French Canada? This system is not going to work at all - we need to create a new strategy. You might want to consider including a reference to this theorist in your introduction. What do you think? INDIRECT China Japan Korea Egypt India Mexico English Canada?

Communication Styles Low context Direct High context Indirect Person-Oriented Status-Oriented Self-Enhancement Self-Effacement Silence avoided Silence embraced Ting-Toomey, S. (1999). Communicating Across Cultures. New York, NY: The Guildford Press.

PERSONORIENTED USA Canada Australia You’ve got some great ideas Jim – let’s talk about how we can work together on this and even involve other members of the team. STATUSORIENTED Japan S. Korea Poland

Communication Styles Low context Direct High context Indirect Person-Oriented Status-Oriented Self-Enhancement Self-Effacement Silence avoided Silence embraced Ting-Toomey, S. (1999). Communicating Across Cultures. New York, NY: The Guildford Press.

SELF ENHANCEMENT SELF EFFACEMENT AMERICAS ARAB CULTURES ASIAN CULTURES

Communication Styles Low context Direct High context Indirect Person-Oriented Status-Oriented Self-Enhancement Self-Effacement Silence avoided Silence embraced Ting-Toomey, S. (1999). Communicating Across Cultures. New York, NY: The Guildford Press.

SILENCE AVOIDED SILENCE EMBRACED WESTERN CULTURES ASIAN CULTURES NORTHAMERICAN FIRSTNATIONS

How would you define YOUR communication style? Towards which end of each spectrum do YOU find yourself?

The Assumption of Positive Intent “Assuming positive intent is about interrupting our hard-wired patterns of judgement, expectation and comparison, by letting the other person just be where they are, and then discovering how they see the world. ” “If we are willing to listen deeply – past our own beliefs, values and standards – we will begin to see how their behavior makes sense to them. ” (Casey & Bown, 2003, p. 45) Casey, M. E. , & Bown, G. (2003). From Diversity to Unity: Creating the Energy of Connection. Lincoln, NE: i. Universe, Inc.

Avoiding Cultural Misunderstandings Recognize “languaculture” (Agar, 1994): the complex and interwoven relationship between language and culture. Consider your own cultural assumptions and how they might influence your interpretation of someone’s message, and their interpretation of yours. Practice mindful listening Check your understanding by paraphrasing, echoing, and asking for clarification.

References Agar, Michael 1994. Language Shock: Understanding the Culture of Conversation. New York: William Morrow. Casey, M. E. , & Bown, G. (2003). From Diversity to Unity: Creating the Energy of Connection. Lincoln, NE: i. Universe, Inc. Edgar H. Stein (1985). Organizational Culture and Leadership: A dynamic view. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. https: //geert-hofstede. com/research. html Jackson, J. (2014). Introducing Language and Intercultural Communication. New York: Routledge. Ting-Toomey, S. (1999). Communicating Across Cultures. New York, NY: The Guildford Press. http: //westsidetoastmasters. com/resources/book_of_body_language/chap 5. html