This document discusses cross-cultural communication. It defines cross-cultural communication as how people from different cultural backgrounds communicate with each other and across cultures. It explores differences in verbal and non-verbal communication such as high-context vs low-context cultures, gestures, eye contact, and greetings. It also discusses potential problems in cross-cultural communication at work, such as cultural conflicts that can arise from differences in values and behaviors between cultures. Finally, it provides tips for improving cross-cultural communication.
Capacity2 - Briefing and Facilitation training slides
Cross culture communication
1. Cross-cultural Communication
Team: Dark Cookies
Vo Hoang Chuong
Le Quang Dao
Tran Le Quoc
Ho Ba Trung
Le Duc Minh Tuan
15ECE - CE Technical Communication 1 / 28
2. 15ECE - CE Technical Communication 2 / 28
Outline
1
• DEFINITION
2
• VERBAL-NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
3
• PROBLEMS OF CROSS-CULTURAL
COMMUNICATION
3. DEFINITION
• 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.
15ECE - CE Technical Communication 3 / 28
5. • Important to companies due to the international
partnership, technology, and the Internet.
• Understanding of how people from different
cultures speak, communicate, and perceive the
world around them.
• Language differences, High-Context vs. Low-
Context cultures, Non-Verbal differences, and
power distance are major factors affect cross-
cultural communication.
15ECE - CE Technical Communication 5/ 28
DEFINITION
6. • Business Opportunities
• Career Opportunities
• Globalization
• Sharing of perceptions
• Talent Improvisation
• Comprehension of Diverse Market
15ECE - CE Technical Communication 6 / 28
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
7. • High-Context Cultures : Cultures that rely heavily
on non-verbal & subtle situational cues in
communication.
• Low-Context Cultures : Cultures that rely heavily on
words to convey meaning in communication.
15ECE - CE Technical Communication 7 / 28
High Vs Low-Context Cultures
10. • Verbal communication is the use of words to share
information with other people. It can therefore
include both spoken and written communication.
• Examples:
Face-Face Communication
Telephone Communication
Radio / TV
15ECE - CE Technical Communication 10 / 28
VERBAL COMMUNICATION
11. • Communication through sending and receiving
wordless clues.
• Examples:
Eye-contact
Gestures
Touch
Voice (paralanguage)
NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
15ECE - CE Technical Communication 11 / 28
12. • Eye contact occurs when two people look at each
other's eyes at the same time. In human beings,
eye contact is a form of nonverbal communication
and is thought to have a large influence on social
behavior.
15ECE - CE Technical Communication 12 / 28
EYE-CONTACT
13. • A gesture is a form of non-verbal communication or
non-vocal communication in which visible bodily
actions communicate particular messages, either in
place of, or in conjunction with, speech.
15ECE - CE Technical Communication 13 / 28
GESTURES
14. • Islam & Hinduism : Touching with left hand is
insulting
15ECE - CE Technical Communication 14 / 28
TOUCH
15. • A single color can have many different meanings in
different cultures.
• Green is a symbol of Ireland; green is a strong trend
in the Irish holiday St. Patrick’s Day.
• Purple refers to royality in Britain.
COLORS
15ECE - CE Technical Communication 15 / 28
16. • Traditional clothing is an important part of a
region’s history and identity.
• Men tend not to wear suit jackets and ties in
Colombia and the Middle East.
• The traditional dress for an Indian woman is a Sari.
• Vietnamese’s traditional dress is Ao Dai.
CLOTHING
15ECE - CE Technical Communication 16 / 28
18. GREETING
• Bow is the customary greeting in Japan.
• Westerner’s always start with a handshake.
• Most Latinos are more accustomed to physical
contact. Even people who know each other only
slightly may embrace when greeting.
• People from France, Spain, Italy, and Portugal greet
friends by kissing on both cheeks.
• Indian’s usually collide their hands for greeting
others.
15ECE - CE Technical Communication 18 / 28
21. • It arises because of the difference in value and
norms of behavior from different cultures.
• So this situation create misunderstanding and lead
to conflict.
15ECE - CE Technical Communication 21 / 28
CULTURAL CONFLICTS IN WORKPLACE
22. Different situations
• Misunderstanding or conflict between different
nationalities, religious or ethnic groups.
• Cultural ignorance and insensitivity.
• Lack of awareness of social lifestyle practices.
• Miscommunication and misinterpretation.
• Perception of illness and treatment.
15ECE - CE Technical Communication 22 / 28
23. BLOCKS TO CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
1. Ethnocentrism: Inability to accept another
cultures world view. Ex: “my way is the best way”.
2. Discrimination: Treatment to an individual due to
minority status, actual & perceived. Ex: “we just
aren’t equipped to serve people like that”.
3. Stereotyping: Generalizing about a person. Ex:
“she’s like that … because she is Asian”.
4. Cultural Imposition: Belief that everyone should
conform to majority. Ex: “we know what’s best
for you, if you don’t like it you can go elsewhere”.
15ECE - CE Technical Communication 23 / 28
24. 5. Cultural Blindness: Differences are ignored &
proceeds though differences did not exist.
6. Tone Difference: Formal tone change becomes
embarrassing & off-putting in some culture.
15ECE - CE Technical Communication 24 / 28
BLOCKS TO CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
25. IMPROVING CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
• Overcome Ethnocentrism
• Recognize Cultural Variation
• Learn about Cultures
• Remove Language Barrier
• Help others adapt to our culture
• Write & speak clearly
• Improve Communication Skill
• Listen Carefully
• Respect Style Preferences
15ECE - CE Technical Communication 25 / 28
26. TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
1. Slow Down
2. Avoid Negative Questions
3. Separate Questions
4. Take Turns
5. Write It Downs
6. Be Supportive
7. Check Meanings
8. Avoid Slang
9. Maintain Etiquette
10. Watch The Humor
15ECE - CE Technical Communication 26 / 28