Cultural Awareness and Cross-cultural Communication

by Lisa A. HimaUS Language Advisor

Ministry of Defense, Slovak Republic

Culture

“The totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought which are considered as the expression of a particular period, class, community, or population and with respect to a particular category, such as a field, subject, or mode of expression.”

American Heritage Dictionary

Culture

“Culture provides the code that tells people how to behave predictably and acceptably, the cipher that allows them to derive meaning from language and other symbols, the map that supplies the behavioral options for satisfying human needs.”

Seeley, H. Ned (1997)

Culture

Gary R. Weaver (2000)

“Culture is a system of values and beliefs which we share with others. It can be discussed in terms of ways in which people pertaining to a group, society or organisation behave, communicate, think and perceive reality. Each culture exhibits differing value and belief systems, which affect how people perceive reality and react to it.”

Cultural Awareness

Someone who speaks a foreign language well, but doesn’t understand the social philosophical content of the language is a “fluent fool.”

Milton J. Bennett

Intercultural Communication

• Make students aware of how their native language is related to the basic values, beliefs, thought patterns and social actions of their cultures.

• Provide examples comparing their native language-culture with the new language-culture--specifically concepts and structures in the new language that do not exist in their language.

• Assess the linguistic achievement not only in terms of vocabulary, but also in pragmatic dimensions of culturally appropriate social judgement and decision making.

Milton J. Bennett

Ways to avoid becoming a fluent fool:

“Who I am” Poem

• Objectives:

Increase awareness and encourage self- development.Provide opportun it ies to make connect ions across and within cultural lines.Provide a non - th reatening start ing poin t for encouraging self- reflect ive thought and introspect ion .

Intercultural Communication

Seeley states that in order to have accurate intercultural communication one must have fluency in the target language, knowledge as to what people are “imaging” when they speak and the ability to interpret the gestures and icons associated to it.

Cultural Awareness

5. Minority members of any population should conform to the customs and values of the majority.

4. New immigrants should check local laws before engaging in home-country rituals.

3. Ethnic groups all perceive gender roles in the same way. They all encourage equality of the sexes.

2. The welfare of the community is always more important than the welfare of the individual.

1. You should always maintain eye contact when conversing with an authority figure—teacher, employer, parent, etc.

DisagreeAgreeStatements

Nonverbal communicationSuccessful intercultural or cross-cultural communication stems from the knowledge and importance of nonverbal communication. It is important to be familiar with the uses of:

• eye contact,• facial expressions,• hand gestures

• body positions,• physical space,

• silenceNonverbal Communication

(Dresser, N. 2003 p. 16)

Reynolds and Valentine, 2004

Cross-Cultural Communication

Cross-cultural communication is about dealing with people from other cultures in a way that minimizes misunderstandings and maximizes your potential to create strong cross-cultural relationships.

© Kwintessential Ltd.

Tips to Improve Cross-cultural Communication

• Slow down • Be supportive

© Kwintessential Ltd.

• Separate questions

• Avoid negative questions

• Take turns• Write it down

• Check meanings

• Avoid slang• Watch the

humor• Maintain

etiquette