Verbal Issues in

Intercultural Communication

The Components of Language

Phonology: how words are pronounced.
Semantics: how words communicate the meaning we
intend.
Syntactics: the rules for combining words into
meaningful sentences.
Pragmatics: focuses on specific purpose of language use

Language and Perception

How do the labels we use to refer
to others and ourselves
impact perceptions?
Terrorist vs.
Freedom Fighter vs.
Patriot

BITCH
Targets and dehumanizes women, even if used
towards men including gay/queer men.
Devalues women and felinity.
Reinforces sexism.

GHETTO
Describes something or someone as cheap, worn out,
poor, dangerous, etc.
Reference to housing communities that are
impoverished and disproportionately impact people
of color.
Associates people of color with these negatives
characteristics.

ILLEGAL ALIEN
Reduces undocumented immigrants to something
less than human.
Fixates on legal status instead of people as
individuals.
Asserts that some people belong here more than
others do.
Ignores political, social, and economic factors that
negatively impact people of color.

NO HOMO
Stresses the speakers heterosexuality, masculinity,
and/or other traits to avoid being perceived as gay/
queer.
Goes to great lengths to avoid association with
anything queer.
Reinforces that to be queer is bad.

RETARDED
Targets mental emotional and physical disabilities as
objects for ridicule.
Used as synonyms for worthless, bad,
unintelligent, incapable, etc.

cont.

Power effects of labels

a. Feel trapped or misrepresented
b. Dislike the labels or feel inaccurately described
Use of labels depends on social position of speaker

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
Reality is embedded in cultures language

and language controls thoughts and norms.

Linguistic Relativism
Difference between language is not what

can be said but is relatively easy to say

Cultural Variations in Language

Is it better to be a good speaker or a good
listener?
Is it better to be direct and to the point or to
take some time getting to the point?
Different cultural groups have different
answers to these questions.

Communication Styles
High-Context:
info is either in the physical
context or internalized in
the person
Indirect:
harmony of
relationships has higher
priority than complete
honesty

Low-Context:
meaning and info is in the
verbal message

Direct:
verbal message reveal the
speakers true intentions,
needs, wants & desires

Communication Styles
Elaborated:
involves using rich,
expressive language in
everyday conversation

Formality

Understated:
simple assertions and
silence are valued

Informality

Variations in Contextual Rules

No group uses one style all the time
Styles may vary by context

Code Switching - People who live on the

border might switch as needed

Given all these differences in language use

and communication style, how can people
successfully communicate with people
from different cultures?

Communicating Across Differences

Third Culture Style
adapting to each other and constructing a

style that is not exactly like either styles

improvised performance.

Language and Power

Cocultural groups
Groups that are not dominant within societys social
structure
Societies are structured so individuals occupy social

positions (gender, race, class, age, sexuality)

How can Cocultural groups relate to the more

powerful dominant groups?

Strategies for Cocultural Groups

Strategies for Cocultural Groups

Tries to fit

into and be
accepted by
dominant
group

Self-monitors

to avoid
controversy

Blends w/

dominant group

Challenge

dominant
structure:
increase
visibility
dispel
stereotypes

avoids interaction
Regard

segregation as a
natural
phenomenon

Assimilation Strategies
Emphasize trying to fit into and be

accepted by the dominant group

Self-monitoring strategy to avoid

controversy

Accommodation Strategies

Emphasize blending in with the dominant

group

Challenge dominant structure to recognize

Cocultural practices by
1. increasing visibility
2. dispelling stereotypes

Separation Strategies
Emphasize avoiding interaction with

dominant group members

Regard segregation as a natural

phenomenon

Use subtle communication practices to

maintain separation from dominant

group

 Become more conscious of how you use language.

Become more aware of others verbal messages in

intercultural encounters.

Practice expanding your language repertoire in

intercultural situations.

Practice being flexible and adapting to others

language style in intercultural encounters.

Practice using labels that are preferred by group

members.