Intercultural communication

Intercultural communication

Introduction

Even at this very competitive technological age, inter-cultural communication has been facing a lot of challenges. Globally languages remain to be the major drawback to effective and efficient communication.one can easily prove this if you have ever conversed with a foreigner or a person whose English happen to be is second language. Speaking to non -native speaker your will realize that some patterns of the speech do not translate correctly. However intercultural communication has been often taken for granted but is very important. It’s very essential to comprehend the certain factors associated with the intercultural communication with individuals from different ethnic backgrounds.

A good intercultural communication system entails communication across people of different cultures, ethnicities, or different nationalities, social economic backgrounds, age gender and religion and other aspects that define people’s culture. Sometime intercultural communication occurs between individuals within the same geographic locality

Intercultural Communication Barriers

Eliminating stereo types

An effective intercultural communication involves first realizing any stereo type you might be assuming on and trying to eliminating them. People tend to assume that the methods of language and communication you grew up are the most effective. Other people may grow up with diverse methods of communication. Conflicts may arise when of the parties feels that one party has communicated unethically against the other. The party assumed to be communicating unethically may be following the steps taught when growing up. Instead of assuming that out methods of communication are right, we should learn from each other’s style of communication. If you maybe unsure about your style of communication to the fellow individual it’s advisable to confirm from the person before communicating further (samovar, pg .45).

Avoiding the use of slang

One of the biggest barriers to effective inter cultural communication is usage of slang.in order to prevent language barrier it’s advisable to reduce and avoid frequent usage of slang words when talking. Cultural references should be minimally used as well. While conversing to an individual of different ethnic background it’s good to avoid referring to examples related to your cultural backgrounds. For instance you should not refer to pieces of art related to your ethnic background such as movies and songs because you will be confusing the other person. The intercultural communication should not be very stiff but easy to follow.

Listening and observing the other person’s body gestures

Listening methods vary from one ethnic group to the other. For instance for the Americans they love protecting their personal space and they always feel insecure when one stares to their eyes or gets close. Although in some other cultures, moving close and maintaining an eye contact is sign that one is listening carefully and attentively. The other cultural groups with close personal boundary are the Latinos and the ethnic groups from the Eastern Europe. Observing body gestures of the other person is method used by therapists. This method forms a rapport by making the other individual feel satisfied and at easy .however it’s important to be very careful when used this method. You should not appear if you are making fun of the other partner (Ting, stella,&tenzin,pg.43).

Observing the non-verbal cues

Non -verbal intercultural communication as a lot of challenges. Some ethnic groups have some ethical code of conduct and social norms which regulate and control how non-verbal intercultural communication is conducted(Ting,stella,&tenzin,pg.43).. The Asian intercultural communication is controlled by visualization of respect. Before conversing with an individual from another cultural background it’s better to learn the person’s culture and their social norms. Observation of time varies within different cultures. Being late for 5 minutes by is prohibited while to others is just normal. This prepares you to appreciate individual’s observation on time as per cultural settings.

In business organizations gender differences causes a lot of problem in communication to new women recruiting into these organizations. Men and women communication conflicts are so extensive especially in single gendered group. Some studies from well-known scientists have revealed out that women love discussing ideas up to the nitty-gritty details while men like discussing just shallowly and then jumping to the next topic without exhausting the previous topic. Ladies seem to stand close to the other ladies when conversing but men don’t stand close to each other while debating. Men like arguing out lengthy while ladies tend to agree after just short argument.

Feelings and emotions

To effectively communicate with people from different culture it’s advisable to learn how people from different cultures respond to feeling and emotions. People from United Kingdom and japans hardly show their emotions and feelings but tightly hold them. Talking in a loud voice is a sign of shame to the English Men but a sign of joy to the Italian people. Difference in ethnicity and may instill some fear in individuals of different cultures and pull back from any type of intercultural communication and cease from communicating anymore

Effects of intercultural communication

Inter-cultural communication influence the recipient or the sender of the message in both political, traditionally and social wise. The receiver is obliged to answer to the everything in the question in the same has been presented. Attempting to answer in different mode creates some variance which later leads to loss of communication

Inter-racial communications has some noticeable impacts on the setting. Setting here describes the mode on which the communication is relevant to the past present and the future. Communication setting also describes how the inter cultural communication is compatible to the relative context of some influences such as authority, geographic separation, individualism and groups, feminism and chauvinism, and also gender ethnicity (piller, pg. 54).

Conclusion

Intercultural comprehension boosts both sending and receiving capabilities, making communication between individuals with different linguistic and ethnic originality as effective as possible. With broader experience, the attentiveness and care you visualize will not just perfect intercultural communication but will facilitate more communication efforts as well. Culture is the rapid transforming habits, practices, societal and political relations, and global perspective formed and shared by a group of individuals connected together by a combination of factors such as common history, geographic location, language, social class, and faith affiliations