inter cultural communication

Presentation on:Presentation on: InterInter--cultural Communicationcultural Communication

By:By: Syed Ahmed OwaisSyed Ahmed Owais

Presented To:Presented To: Mr. Khursheed Mohammed KhanMr. Khursheed Mohammed KhanSubject:Subject: Seminar in Business CommunicationSeminar in Business Communication

112007 20102007 2010 Dr.Syed Ahmed OwaisDr.Syed Ahmed Owais

Intercultural Communication:Intercultural Communication:

�� 1.Background to intercultural Communication.1.Background to intercultural Communication.

�� 2.National Cultural Variables.2.National Cultural Variables.

�� 3.Individual Cultural Variables.3.Individual Cultural Variables.



�� 1.Background to intercultural Communication.1.Background to intercultural Communication.

�� Culture:Culture:

�� Behavioral characteristics typical of a group is called a culture.Behavioral characteristics typical of a group is called a culture.



�� Barriers to Intercultural Communication:Barriers to Intercultural Communication:

�� 1.Ethnocentrism.1.Ethnocentrism.

�� 2.Stereotypes.2.Stereotypes.

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�� Control of Barriers to Intercultural Communication:Control of Barriers to Intercultural Communication:

�� 1.Tolerance.1.Tolerance.



�� Barriers to Intercultural Communication:Barriers to Intercultural Communication:

1.Ethnocentrism:1.Ethnocentrism:

�� Ethnocentrism is the belief in the superiority of one’s Ethnocentrism is the belief in the superiority of one’s

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�� Ethnocentrism is the belief in the superiority of one’s Ethnocentrism is the belief in the superiority of one’s own culture and group.own culture and group.

�� 2.Stereotypes:2.Stereotypes:

�� A Stereotype is an oversimplified behavioral pattern A Stereotype is an oversimplified behavioral pattern applied to entire group.applied to entire group.



�� Control of Barriers to Intercultural Communication:Control of Barriers to Intercultural Communication:

�� 1.Tolerance:1.Tolerance:

�� Developing intercultural Tolerance means practicing empathy Developing intercultural Tolerance means practicing empathy

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�� Developing intercultural Tolerance means practicing empathy Developing intercultural Tolerance means practicing empathy for and appreciating beliefs and practices different from ours.for and appreciating beliefs and practices different from ours.

�� 2.Empathy:2.Empathy:

�� Trying to see the world through another’s eyes.Trying to see the world through another’s eyes.



�� 2.National Cultural Variables:2.National Cultural Variables:

�� 1.Education.1.Education.

�� 2.Law & Regulation.2.Law & Regulation.

�� 3.Economics.3.Economics.

�� 4.Politics.4.Politics.

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�� 4.Politics.4.Politics.

�� 5.Religion.5.Religion.

�� 6.Social Norms.6.Social Norms.

�� 7.Language.7.Language.



�� 1.Education:1.Education:

�� Management education including training in business Management education including training in business communication is more prevalent in the united states than in other communication is more prevalent in the united states than in other countries.countries.

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–– Some countries have no academic courses in communication training.Some countries have no academic courses in communication training.

–– Many managers in foreign countries are not very well educated. Many managers in foreign countries are not very well educated.



�� 2.Law & Regulation:2.Law & Regulation:

�� In both the developed and developing nations, In both the developed and developing nations, various government regulations affect business communications and the various government regulations affect business communications and the sale of products.sale of products.

�� For e.g.,For e.g.,

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�� For e.g.,For e.g.,

�� 1.Advertisment directed at children is restricted in the US, Canada & 1.Advertisment directed at children is restricted in the US, Canada & Scandinavia.Scandinavia.

�� 2.Advertisment of Cigarettes is restricted in Europe.2.Advertisment of Cigarettes is restricted in Europe.

�� 3.Use of foreign language is restricted in France, Mexico and the Province 3.Use of foreign language is restricted in France, Mexico and the Province of Quebee.of Quebee.



�� 3.Economics:3.Economics:

�� Availability of capital and transportation and the standard Availability of capital and transportation and the standard of living per capita vary nation to nation.of living per capita vary nation to nation.

�� The opportunity to borrow money, the rate of inflation, and The opportunity to borrow money, the rate of inflation, and the exchange rates influence business and a country’s ability to the exchange rates influence business and a country’s ability to communicate concerning that business.communicate concerning that business.

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�� E.g.,E.g.,

�� Under the U.S freeUnder the U.S free--enterprise system, competitors usually set their own enterprise system, competitors usually set their own prices.prices.

�� In contrast, OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries), as a In contrast, OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries), as a cartel set oil prices.cartel set oil prices.



�� 4.Politics:4.Politics:

�� The concepts of democracy will vary as interpreted in Korea, the The concepts of democracy will vary as interpreted in Korea, the Philippines, or Great Britain.Philippines, or Great Britain.

�� The sweeping political changes and its altered concepts of government will The sweeping political changes and its altered concepts of government will

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�� The sweeping political changes and its altered concepts of government will The sweeping political changes and its altered concepts of government will affect future business relations.affect future business relations.

�� All such events effect communication, understanding of a country, and a All such events effect communication, understanding of a country, and a company’s willingness to do business in an unclear political environment.company’s willingness to do business in an unclear political environment.



�� 5.Religion:5.Religion:

�� In connection with religion there is great need for tolerance.In connection with religion there is great need for tolerance.

�� Religious holidays affect international communication, interrupting work Religious holidays affect international communication, interrupting work schedules or delaying responses to requests.schedules or delaying responses to requests.

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�� The International Herald Tribune The International Herald Tribune is the excellent international newspaper is the excellent international newspaper that lists the current and upcoming holidays around the world.that lists the current and upcoming holidays around the world.

�� Be aware too that religion can affect the status of women: their positions Be aware too that religion can affect the status of women: their positions within economy and even their buying patterns and habits of dress.within economy and even their buying patterns and habits of dress.



�� 6.Social Norms:6.Social Norms:

�� In many countries a male line of the family profoundly influences some In many countries a male line of the family profoundly influences some business decisions.business decisions.

�� Then the family and how its members relate to one another Then the family and how its members relate to one another –– decisions, decisions,

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�� Then the family and how its members relate to one another Then the family and how its members relate to one another –– decisions, decisions, buying, pooling of resources, special interest buying, pooling of resources, special interest –– affect behavior and business affect behavior and business communication.communication.

�� Be aware of a nation’s social norms.Be aware of a nation’s social norms.



�� 7.Language:7.Language:

�� Knowing the language of your host country is the most Knowing the language of your host country is the most significant contributor to improved communication, on a personal and a significant contributor to improved communication, on a personal and a business level.business level.



�� 3.Individual Cultural Variables:3.Individual Cultural Variables:

�� 1.Time (Chronemics).1.Time (Chronemics).

�� 2.Space (Proxemics).2.Space (Proxemics).

�� 3.Food.3.Food.

�� 4.Acceptable Dress.4.Acceptable Dress.

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�� 4.Acceptable Dress.4.Acceptable Dress.

�� 5.Manners.5.Manners.

�� 5.Decision Making.5.Decision Making.

�� 6.Verbal and Nonverbal Communication.6.Verbal and Nonverbal Communication.



�� 1.Time (Chronemics):1.Time (Chronemics):

�� --People in Latin America and the Middle East treat time more People in Latin America and the Middle East treat time more casually than do Americans, who usually prefer promptness.casually than do Americans, who usually prefer promptness.

�� --Germans are timeGermans are time--precise, rarely do you wait for an appointment precise, rarely do you wait for an appointment

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�� --Germans are timeGermans are time--precise, rarely do you wait for an appointment precise, rarely do you wait for an appointment in Germany.in Germany.

�� --In Latin America and in Buddhist cultures In Latin America and in Buddhist cultures –– you may wait an hour.you may wait an hour.

�� --In some cultures business people take afternoon naps, close In some cultures business people take afternoon naps, close shops, and postpone times for business meetings and dinner.shops, and postpone times for business meetings and dinner.



�� 2.Space (Proxemics):2.Space (Proxemics):

�� How close may strangers stand to you?How close may strangers stand to you?

�� What does it feels like when you are in a crowded elevator?What does it feels like when you are in a crowded elevator?

�� Most Americans feel uncomfortable if a stranger comes closer than Most Americans feel uncomfortable if a stranger comes closer than 18 inches.18 inches.

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18 inches.18 inches.

�� Americans demand more room.Americans demand more room.

�� To some cultures (Arabs, Latin Americans), Americans who do not To some cultures (Arabs, Latin Americans), Americans who do not stand close seem cold and aloof.stand close seem cold and aloof.

�� Concepts of office space differ.Concepts of office space differ.

�� In third world countries, several people occupy the same office, In third world countries, several people occupy the same office, even the same desk.even the same desk.



�� 3.Food:3.Food:

�� Your plate must adapt as well as your view of time and space.Your plate must adapt as well as your view of time and space.

�� How do you react to what food is served? Or How food is served?How do you react to what food is served? Or How food is served?

�� One must be aware that food and its preparation will vary.One must be aware that food and its preparation will vary.

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�� Pork is forbidden in middle eastern countries.Pork is forbidden in middle eastern countries.

�� Beef is hard to find in India.Beef is hard to find in India.

�� Rice is ever present in Hong Kong and China.Rice is ever present in Hong Kong and China.

�� for Buddhist, muslims.for Buddhist, muslims.



�� 4.Acceptable Dress:4.Acceptable Dress:

�� It is better to ask about the mode of dress for an occasion in your It is better to ask about the mode of dress for an occasion in your host country than to risk making an embarrassing mistake.host country than to risk making an embarrassing mistake.

�� Most American Businesses males wear the business suit whereas Most American Businesses males wear the business suit whereas

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�� Most American Businesses males wear the business suit whereas Most American Businesses males wear the business suit whereas women wear dresses or tailored suits.women wear dresses or tailored suits.

�� Uniform is common in Eastern Europe.Uniform is common in Eastern Europe.

�� In India a Nehru Jacket.In India a Nehru Jacket.

�� In Singapore a long sleeved shirt with a tie.In Singapore a long sleeved shirt with a tie.

�� In the middle East long cotton coats are acceptable.In the middle East long cotton coats are acceptable.

�� The Japanese Kimono.The Japanese Kimono.

�� The Iranian Chador.The Iranian Chador.

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�� 5.Manners:5.Manners:

�� Some anthropologist suggest that you observe children in foreign Some anthropologist suggest that you observe children in foreign cultures because by watching them you learn the behavioral habits cultures because by watching them you learn the behavioral habits of elders.of elders.

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�� Children shake you hand in Germany,Children shake you hand in Germany,

�� Hug you in Italy,Hug you in Italy,

�� And often stay in the background in India.And often stay in the background in India.



�� 5.Decision Making:5.Decision Making:

�� Patience Patience –– above all above all -- is needed in intercultural communication, in is needed in intercultural communication, in doing business with other countries.doing business with other countries.

�� Americans are accused of being brusk; they wish to get to the Americans are accused of being brusk; they wish to get to the

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�� Americans are accused of being brusk; they wish to get to the Americans are accused of being brusk; they wish to get to the pointpoint-- fast.fast.

�� When on e reaches Japan, decision time is held back as group When on e reaches Japan, decision time is held back as group consensus moves toward a decision.consensus moves toward a decision.

�� Thus patienceThus patience-- and your understanding of the decision process and your understanding of the decision process ––add to your success in dealing with a foreign enviroment.add to your success in dealing with a foreign enviroment.



�� 6.Verbal and Nonverbal Communication:6.Verbal and Nonverbal Communication:

�� Verbal:Verbal:

�� We judge people to a great extent by their voice.We judge people to a great extent by their voice.

�� Some native languages demand many variations, giving the Some native languages demand many variations, giving the

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�� Some native languages demand many variations, giving the Some native languages demand many variations, giving the impression to a nonimpression to a non--native of loudness, even arrogance.native of loudness, even arrogance.



�� 6.Verbal and Nonverbal Communication:6.Verbal and Nonverbal Communication:

�� Nonverbal Communication:Nonverbal Communication:

�� Knowing the major desirable and undesirable cues helps knowing Knowing the major desirable and undesirable cues helps knowing both intended and unintended communication errors.both intended and unintended communication errors.

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both intended and unintended communication errors.both intended and unintended communication errors.

�� A A HandshakeHandshake is a traditional form of greeting in the west.is a traditional form of greeting in the west.

�� In Polynesia, the traditional greeting is embracing and rubbing In Polynesia, the traditional greeting is embracing and rubbing each others back.each others back.

�� Eskimos rub noses as a form of greeting.Eskimos rub noses as a form of greeting.



�� References:References:

�� 1.Essentials of Business Communication, by Guffey, 5 th edition.1.Essentials of Business Communication, by Guffey, 5 th edition.

�� 2.Effective Business Communication, by Murphy, 7 th edition.2.Effective Business Communication, by Murphy, 7 th edition.
