1. BECOME INTERCULTURAL
COMMUNICATION SAVVY
By Imaneh Ameli
6.9.2016

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intercultural communication
State of confusion in

3. Reprogram
yourmind
3

4. andcross-culturalunderstanding
ThedifferencebetweenInterculturalCommunication
Cross-Cultural: relating to different cultures or comparison
between them = cross-cultural understanding.
Happens for specific reason such as doing business , international
events, educational programs, etc.
Differences are understood and acknowledged
Changes happens for individuals and it is mostly one way
4

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Intercultural: taking place between cultures, or derived from
different cultures = intercultural communication.
Deeper than cross-cultural relations, and no one is usually left unchanged.
There is a mutual interest in interacting
It is ”communication” because it is bidirectional
(functioning in two directions)
Intercultural Communication

6. Dobusinessinternationallyand
workinaninternationalplace
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If you don’t aim to integrate, use your cross-
cultural understanding when doing business
internationally. (short term projects)
Depending on your objectives:

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Use your intercultural communication abilities while working and
living in another country or in your country in an international
atmosphere with people from different cultures altogether
interacting all the time.

8. Becomeacultural
dimensionsanalyst
8
Visible cultural
differences
Invisible cultural
differences
• Communication
styles
• Attitudes
towards conflict
• Decision
making style
• Beliefes
• Values
• Expectations
• Attitudes

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Becomeacultural
dimensionsanalyst
When two people talk together in another language
with different cultural mindset, they interpret things
based on their thinking frame.
The more different we think the more misunderstanding
happens
Different systems of interpretation

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Becomeacultural
dimensionsanalyst
Hofstede cultural dimensions
• Individualismvs.collectivism
• Highpowerdistancevs.lowpower
distance
• Shorttermorientationvs.longterm
orientation
• Masculinityvs.femininity
• Uncertainty avoidancevs.uncertainty
tolerance
• Indulgencevs.Restraint

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Becomeacultural
dimensionsanalyst
Hofstede cultural dimensions

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Becomeacultural
dimensionsanalyst
High context culture vs. low context culture (Hall)
• Less focus on verbal interactions
• More focus on non-verbal
interactions
• Using indirect style
• More reliant on hierarchies
• Context is more important
• Silence/long pauses are more valued
• More focus on verbal interactions
• Less focus on non verbal
interactins
• Mainly use direct style
• Value equal status
• Words are more important
• Silence is viewed uncomfortable

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Becomeacultural
dimensionsanalyst
The way different cultures manage time (Hall)
Monochronic vs. Polychronic Cultures
• Completing one task at a time
• There is a time to play and a time to work
• Value punctuality, completing tasks, and
keeping to schedules.
• See time in linear way
• Are low context and need information
• More flexible about time schedules
• Integrating task-oriented activities with
socio-emotional ones
• Maintaining relationships and socializing are
more important than accomplishing tasks.
• See time in a more holistic manner
• Multitasking and are not bothered by phone
calls or interruptions
• Are high context and already have
information

14. Ourattitude
matters
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What if we accept the host culture and retain the
home culture at the same time?
Integration would be the result
But if we accept the host culture and reject the
home culture, we will be assimilated
If we reject both we will be marginalized and if
we just stick to the home culture we will be
separated from the society.

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John berry model of acculturation
Accept Host
culture
Reject Host
culture
Reject Home
culture
Retain Home
culture
Assimilation
Marginalization
Integration
Separation

16. Practical
recommendations
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• Different generations have different attitudes so do not simplify
everything to the general characteristics of a certain culture
• Consider the personality of the people.
• When you feel that you are encountering racism, always give
benefits of the doubt. It might be due to poor communication
skills and language barriers.
• It’s always your attitudes and communication skills that matter!
and kindness is appreciated in all cultures 

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Resources:
• Lost In Translation: Cross Cultural Communication Strategies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKo-Y0DkhDM
• Geert Hofstede
https://geert-hofstede.com/national-culture.html
• Edward T. Hall, “Understanding cultural Differences: Germans, French, and Americans” (Yarmouth, ME: International Press,
1990)
• http://study.com/academy/lesson/high-context-culture-definition-examples-quiz.html
• Journal of Intercultural Communication http://www.immi.se/intercultural/
• http://www.ccsu.edu/ddesignation/files/acculturation_strategies_worksheet.pdf
CROSS-CULTURAL vs. INTERCULTURAL, Mari D. González

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Thank you!
Imaneh Ameli
Project assistant at Tredea Oy
imaneh.ameli@tredea.fi
040 635 8850