Communicating Across Cultures-Ch4

Chapter 4

Communicating Across Cultures

Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 4eCopyright © 2003

Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 4e Ch. 4, Slide 2

Increasing Importance of Multicultural Communication

• Technological advancements

• General global interconnectivity

• Globalization of markets

• Multicultural workforce


Understanding Culture

How is culture like a computer program?

Society, gender, race, age, religion, and other factors control our reactions and behavior.


Characteristics of Culture

1. Culture is learned.

2. Cultures are inherently logical.

3. Culture forms our self-identity and

community.

4. Culture combines the visible and the

invisible.

5. Culture is dynamic.


Selected Dimensions of Culture

Context

• High-context cultures (in Japan, China, and Arab countries) tend to be relational, collectivist, intuitive, and contemplative.

• Low-context cultures (in North America, Scandinavia, and Germany) tend to be logical, linear, and action-oriented.


Individualism• High-context cultures prefer group values,

duties, and decisions.

• Low-context cultures tend to prefer individual initiative, self-assertion, personal achievement.



Formality

• Other cultures may prefer more formality.

• North Americans place less emphasis on tradition, ceremony, and social rules.



Communication Style

• High-context cultures rely on nonverbal cues and the total picture to communicate. Meanings are embedded at many social levels.

• Low-context cultures emphasize words, straightforwardness, openness. People tend to be informal, impatient, literal.



Time Orientation• Time is unlimited and never-ending in some

cultures. Relaxed attitude toward time.

• Time is precious to North Americans. It correlates with productivity, efficiency, and money.



High-Context and Low-Context Cultures

High

Low

JapaneseArabLatin AmericanSpanishEnglishItalianFrenchNorth AmericanScandinavianGermanSwiss


Improving Communication With Multicultural Audiences

• Learn foreign phrases.

• Use simple English.

• Speak slowly and enunciate clearly.

• Observe eye messages.

• Encourage accurate feedback.

• Check frequently for comprehension.

Oral Messages


• Accept blame.

• Listen without interrupting.

• Tell speakers if you don’t understand.

• Remember to smile!

• Follow up in writing.

Oral Messages



• Adapt to local formats.

• Use short sentences and short paragraphs.

• Avoid ambiguous expressions.

• Strive for clarity.

• Use correct grammar.

Written Messages



• Cite numbers carefully.

• Accommodate reader in organization, tone, and style.

Written Messages



Making Ethical DecisionsAcross Borders

• Broaden your view of other cultures.• Avoid reflex judgments.• Find alternatives.• Refuse business if options violate your basic

values.• Conduct all business openly.• Don’t rationalize shady decisions.• Resist lawful but unethical strategies.


Tips for Capitalizing onWorkforce Diversity

• Seek training.• Understand the value of differences.• Don’t expect conformity.• Create zero tolerance for bias and stereotypes.• Learn about your cultural self.• Make fewer assumptions.• Build on similarities.


Proverbs Reflect Culture

What do these proverbs tell us about this culture and its values?

U.S. ProverbsWaste not, want not.

He who holds the gold makes the rules.

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

The early bird gets the worm.


What do these proverbs tell us about this culture and its values?

Chinese ProverbsA man who waits for a roast duck to fly into his mouth must wait a very, very long time.A man who says it cannot be done should not interrupt a man doing it.Give a man a fish, and he will live a day; give him a net, and he will live a lifetime.



Other Proverbs

No one is either rich or poor who has not helped himself to be so. (German)

Words do not make flour. (Italian)

Wealth that comes in at the door unjustly, goes out at the windows. (Egyptian)



Comparing U.S. and Foreign Views

How Many U.S. Persons View Themselves

Informal, friendly, casual

Egalitarian

Direct, aggressive

Efficient

Goal- and achievement-oriented

Profit-oriented

Resourceful, ingenious

Individualistic, progressive

Dynamic, identify with work

Enthusiastic, prefer hard sell

Open

How Many Foreigners View U.S. Persons

Undisciplined, too personal

Insensitive to status

Blunt, rude, oppressive

Opportunistic, obsessed with time

Promise more than they deliver

Materialistic

Deals more important than people

Self-absorbed

Driven

Deceptive, fearsome

Weak, untrustworthy


Diversity Demographics Quiz

1. By 2050, what percent of the U.S. population will be made up of Asians, Hispanics, African-Americans, and other nonwhite groups?

a. 47 percent c. 67 percent

b. 57 percent d. 77 percent


1. By 2050, what percent of the U.S. population will be made up of Asians, Hispanics, African-Americans, and other nonwhite groups?





2. The most dramatic workforce change since the 1960s is the growing number of _______ in the workforce.

a. Hispanics c. African Americans

b. seniors (65+) d. women



3. Of the 43 million Americans who have disabilities, 20 million are of working age (16 to 64). How many of this group are unemployed?

a. 10 million c. 14 million

b. 12 million d. 16 million



4. By the year 2050, what percent of the workforce will be 55 years of age or older?





5. What percent of the total U.S. population speaks a language other than English at home?





6. What are the two most racially and ethnically diverse states in the U.S.?

a. Florida, New York c. New York, California

b. Florida, California d. New Mexico, California



7. What are the two least ethnically and racially diverse states?

a. North, South Dakota c. Maine, Vermont

b. Wyoming, Nevada d. Arkansas, Illinois



8. What percent of U.S. working-age women are in the labor market?





End

Communicating Across Cultures-Ch4

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