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 Khan
Subject: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’sEthnocentrism is the belief in the superiority of one’s
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Ethnocentrism is the belief in the superiority of one’sEthnocentrism 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 patternA 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 empathyDeveloping intercultural Tolerance means practicing empathy
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Developing intercultural Tolerance means practicing empathyDeveloping 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 businessManagement education including training in business
communication is more prevalent in the united states than in othercommunication 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 thevarious 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 Province3.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 standardAvailability 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, andThe opportunity to borrow money, the rate of inflation, and
the exchange rates influence business and a country’s ability tothe 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 ownenterprise system, competitors usually set their own
prices.prices.
In contrast, OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries), as aIn 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, theThe 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 willThe sweeping political changes and its altered concepts of government will
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The sweeping political changes and its altered concepts of government willThe 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 aAll 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 workReligious 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 TribuneThe International Herald Tribune is the excellent international newspaperis 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 positionsBe 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 someIn 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 anotherThen 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 anotherThen the family and how its members relate to one another –– decisions,decisions,
buying, pooling of resources, special interestbuying, pooling of resources, special interest –– affect behavior and businessaffect 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 mostKnowing the language of your host country is the most
significant contributor to improved communication, on a personal and asignificant 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 morePeople 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 appointmentprecise, rarely do you wait for an appointment
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--Germans are timeGermans are time--precise, rarely do you wait for an appointmentprecise, rarely do you wait for an appointment
in Germany.in Germany.
--In Latin America and in Buddhist culturesIn Latin America and in Buddhist cultures –– you may wait an hour.you may wait an hour.
--In some cultures business people take afternoon naps, closeIn 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 thanMost 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 notTo 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 yourIt 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 whereasMost American Businesses males wear the business suit whereas
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Most American Businesses males wear the business suit whereasMost 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.

5.Manners:5.Manners:
Some anthropologist suggest that you observe children in foreignSome anthropologist suggest that you observe children in foreign
cultures because by watching them you learn the behavioral habitscultures 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:
PatiencePatience –– above allabove all -- is needed in intercultural communication, inis 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 theAmericans 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 theAmericans 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 groupWhen 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 processand 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 theSome native languages demand many variations, giving the
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Some native languages demand many variations, giving theSome 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 knowingKnowing 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.
AA 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 rubbingIn 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.

Inter Cultural Communication.

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