December, 2012

GROUP 3

AUSTRALIAN VERBAL COMMUNICATION STYLE

Intercultural Communication | Group Project

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Self-Assessment............................................................................................................................................ 2 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................ 3 Introduction about Australia..................................................................................................................... 3 Australia a low context culture .............................................................................................................. 3 DIRECTNESS .................................................................................................................................................. 5 What is directness? ................................................................................................................................... 5 Why be direct? .......................................................................................................................................... 5 How to be direct?...................................................................................................................................... 5 When does directness cause misunderstandings? ................................................................................... 6 MODESTY ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 What is modesty? ..................................................................................................................................... 7 Why be modest? ....................................................................................................................................... 7 How to be modest? ................................................................................................................................... 7 HUMOR ......................................................................................................................................................... 9 What is humor?......................................................................................................................................... 9 Why be humorous?................................................................................................................................... 9 How to be humorous? .............................................................................................................................. 9 INFORMALITY ............................................................................................................................................. 10 What is informality?................................................................................................................................ 10 Why be informal?.................................................................................................................................... 11 How to be informal? ............................................................................................................................... 11 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................... 12 REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................... 13 APPEDIX .......................................................................................................................................... 13 Hand-out ................................................................................................................................................. 13

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Self-Assessment
Name Nguyn c Dng Ng Kim Anh ng Phng Dung Nguyn Phng Linh Hong Thanh Mai Work Introduction Outline Slide Arrangement Directness Modesty Humor Informality Conclusion Report Self-Assessment 9 9 9 8 9.5 Group-Assessment 9 9 9 8 9.5

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INTRODUCTION
Introduction about Australia
Australia is a highly developed country located in Oceania, the continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean. Australia is the world's 12th-largest economy and has the world's fifth-highest per capita income. With the second-highest human development index globally, Australia ranks highly in many international comparisons of national performance, such as quality of life, health, education, economic freedom, and the protection of civil liberties and political rights. When talking about Australia, many people usually think about the two biggest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, its capital actually is Canberra. With a population of approximately 320,000 people and situated in the Australian Capital Territory, Canberra is roughly half way between Melbourne and Sydney. Facts Size : 7.7 million square kilometers Population : 22.7 million (Oct 2012) Capital : Canberra Biggest Cities : Sydney (3.7 m), Melbourne (3.1 m) Flag: A British flag with five small stars that show the Southern Cross. One large star represents the countrys six territories. Money : The Australian Dollar The country is divided into 6 states and two territories.

Australia is a young and diverse nation and Australian people come from many different cultural backgrounds. As you settle in and meet the locals you will find that there is no such thing as a 'typical' Australian. You will encounter a wide range of social customs, habits and perspectives on life that may be new and different from what you have experienced before. Although Australia is a polyglot nation, with over 100 languages being spoken by those sections of the population who have emigrated there from all over the world, English is the official and by far the most commonly spoken language.

Australia a low context culture

Cultures vary from very high to very low context along a continuum, and as Australian culture is relatively close to the low context, most international students came from a high context culture will find it a little bit strange and different in communicating with their Australian peers or faculty supervisors. Using the high-context and low-context classification, most Asian, Middle Eastern, African and

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South American countries can be grouped as high-context indirect cultures. Australia, the US, along with northern European countries to name a few, can be grouped as low-context direct cultures.

In high context cultures, the responsibility to understand the intended meaning of a verbal or written message rests on the listener or reader as opposed to the speaker or writer. Highcontext language are often more indirect and formal. These cultures are concerned with how the information is communicated. In low context cultures, it is the responsibility of the speaker or writer to make sure that the message is clear and understood. North American cultures are called low context cultures where people are usually more direct and more informal. These cultures are more concerned with what information needs to be communicated.

High context Indirect and formal Takes time to get to the point during meetings Relationship focus Circular logic Under explains More comfortable with silence than low context language

Low context Direct and informal Get to the point quickly during meetings Task focus Linear logic Over explains Less comfortable with silence than high context language

Since Australia is a low context culture, Australian usually communicates in the way that have all the characteristics such as directness, informality, task-focus and linear logic ... Below are
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some of the typical Australian communication characteristics that can illustrate low context language in Australia: 1. Directness 2. Modesty 3. Humor 4. Informality

DIRECTNESS
What is directness?
When communication is direct, a person means exactly what he/she says. The statements are all easily recognizable, and can be interpreted at face value. There is no implied meaning, insinuation, or mixed message.

Why be direct?
As mentioned in the previous section, Australia is one of the low context cultures, in which people tend to be more direct in the communication styles. Directness shows efficiency and effectiveness. The reason is that the dominant Australian style links back to a logical world-view and the linear thinking. Therefore, in Australia, directness can be seen as making a conversation more efficient and effective. In many instances, there is usually a straightforward beginning, middle and end to the conversational flow. Good communication does not digress nor embellish, but rather gets quickly to the point. Directness shows honesty. The Australians regard directness and honesty as being one and the same. Indirectness may be interpreted as evasiveness, dishonesty and an unwillingness to address and fix problem. Thus, people who prefer indirect communication style can be considered as being weak, irresponsible and spineless in Australia.

How to be direct?
The directness in Australian communication styles is demonstrated mainly in two aspects.

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The way people give acceptance/refusal: The Australians say yes or no very confidently and they refuse something if they dont want or like it. Most of them are very decisive and determined to give this kind of answer. In contrast, it is quite difficult for Vietnamese people to show the feeling I dont like it. They are afraid of making others disappointed and upset. Vietnamese people tend to please their new acquaintances by only saying good things. However, it will be very inappropriate communication style in Australian culture because the Australians will honestly say bad or good depending on what they think.

The way people get to the point: People who come from cultures that emphasize indirectness (e.g. Vietnamese, Koreans, Taiwanese and Japanese) may spend 20 or 30 minutes chatting or asking you about unrelated issues in order to get a sense of your attitude towards them or your willingness to help before asking for a favor. The Australians with their direct communication styles will come to the point within the first minute and then chat once you have granted their request. They come to the point in short, sharp sentences. The point of view is expressed directly and quickly without any message behind the verbal language, which seems to be totally different in the countries in high context culture.

When does directness cause misunderstandings?

The different between indirect cultures and direct cultures may cause some misunderstandings. Lead others to misjudge your personality:

Sometimes, the Australians tend to put directness before diplomacy and therefore can be considered quite blunt especially by people from those cultures in which the majority are wary of speaking plainly for fear of creating a negative emotional impact upon the people they are talking to. Lead others to misjudge your message: For example, a Vietnamese student may speak to an Australian professor about the fact that she is applying for jobs and hint at, but never actually say, that she really came to ask for a letter of recommendation. She assumes that if the professor is able to support her application form, he will offer to write a letter, and by not asking directly she does not put the professor in the uncomfortable position of having to say no. Australian faculty find indirectness frustrating, because the speaker is expected to directly spell out exactly what they mean to convey and he may
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have difficulty in interpreting the message behind verbal language. In conclusion, in Australian communication styles, directness can be seen as making the communication more efficient, effective and honest. Therefore, people tend to give acceptance/refusal honestly and get to the point quickly in order to demonstrate the directness in communication. However, there are some misunderstandings resulting from the difference between high context cultures and low context cultures, which people should notice in the communication.

MODESTY
What is modesty?
Modesty is the quality or state of being unassuming or moderate in the estimation of one's abilities. Modest people do not usually talk about or make obvious their abilities and achievements.

Why be modest?
History: In the past, ancestors of Australians were people who are criminals from Britain. They were forced to choose between being hung and moving another place. Then, they decided to go to an isolated land named Australia today. For many years this was a source of embarrassment of the Australian people. It is one of the reasons why they try to talk modestly about both their country and themselves in front of other people. Geography: Being isolated from the rest of the world, the Australian people sometimes feel that they are "more observers" than participants. Somehow, this isolation affects their psyche and they need to be careful in their way of communicating with others.

How to be modest?
Not boasting about achievements: They appreciate the authenticity and sincerity. However, they will not try to pretend that they cannot do anything and will be confident to tell about their true abilities. The distance between modesty and pretentiousness is very small; therefore, it is important to show your words in a modest way so that people do not misunderstand that you are showing off. To emphasize the point, we analyze the conversations below: In Vietnam: Person A: Do you frequently take part in extracurricular activities at your university?

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Person B: Yes. I have joined many voluntary works and also am proud of organizing many universitys events. I also got some certificates for what I have attributed Or, some Vietnamese would say: Actually I did nothing, so it is not worth mentioning. In the fact, they performed very well at their school. In Australia: Person A: Do you frequently take part in extracurricular activities at your university? Person B: Yes. I have made efforts in those activities and do the best that I can. In Vietnamese culture, many people think that it is better to list as many things as you achieve, even what you actually do not have to make impressions with others. Otherwise, in Australia, it is more important to show your actual abilities and others can realize your sincerity. Australians are not likely to be impressed by titles and do not necessarily believe that someone is outstanding based on the title. They do not care whether someone is evaluated to be good but prefer those who are normal and can do the work well in reality. In the second way of answering, Vietnamese people think that it is modest, but in Australia, it shows your lack of confidence or your pretentiousness. Downplaying success (which may make them appear not to be achievement-oriented). Australians do not want to make people feel that they are better than others. Australians rarely show their pride of their success or achievement. Their success seems to not worth talking about when they are complimented. Person A: Your daughters voice is so beautiful! Person B: Thank you but shes not very good at all. Person A: Dont be modest! I have never heard such great voice before. Person B: Well. Its very nice of you to say so but there are many better singers than her for sure. In Vietnam, something known as Benh thanh tich is quite popular. At many schools, studying results are often exaggerated. Famous people like singers, actors and actresses are not exception of immodesty. When they buy a new car, a new house or something valuable, they boast about their richness on the mass media. When other people see that, they also imitate to brag about how rich they are because they do not
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want to be inferior to others. Even though all these things are bought by the money they earn, it feels like they always look at someone with envious eyes. However, it does not mean that everyone in Vietnam is immodest and vice versa, not all Australians is modest but the Australian people are using a better way or words when talking with other people, so most of Australians are thought to have a modest communication style.

HUMOR
What is humor?
Humor is the tendency of particular cognitive experiences to provoke laughter and provide amusement, control human health and emotion. Decided by personal taste, the extent to which a person will find something humorous depends upon a host of variables, including geographical location, culture, maturity, level of education, intelligence and context.

Why be humorous?
Australians use humor in their daily life in order to reduce the pressures. Since the past, the life of Australian face many dangers, even affecting their lives, such as: shark bitting while surfing, the house burned to the ground by the fire ... Look at the difficult side to make witty jokes can raise their optimistic, and be happy to accept their life. This called "Black sense humor" - An unique style of humor in Australia. Australia also uses humor to reflect the reality of life. These things have been brought laughter often exposed, naked, not good on a certain face in life. Their humor is often aimed at their country, habits or even themselves out to make jokes, contain subtle message. From these jokes, the Australian look into that mirror of reality, to live better, to overcome their bad things - or otherwise, continue to do those things in life to improve the unique identity of Australian culture.

How to be humorous?
Here are some examples about Aussie Humor Jokes about the differences between Aussies, Brits, Americans and Canadians Aussies: Believe you should look out for your mates. Brits: Believe that you should look out for those people who belong to your club. Americans: Believe that people should look out for and take care of themselves. Canadians: Believe that that is the government's job. This story shows the difference between 4 countries; obviously, Aussie are very friendly and caring.
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Americans: Seem to think that poverty and failure are morally suspect. Canadians: Seem to believe that wealth and success are morally suspect. Brits: Seem to believe that wealth, poverty, success, and failure are inherited. Aussies: Seem to think that none of this matters after several beers. This story tells me about Australian love of beer. Aussie think that they can have good head after pour a beer. Therefore, the story is also tell us a part of beverage culture in Australia. Beware of US tourists An American tourist pulls over the Hertz car in the middle of nowhere for a pee. Suddenly a man jumps out from behind a tree, pointing a shotgun at him. Pull yourself off, he orders. What? Masturb. Right now! Nervously, the tourist obliges. No, do it again. I cant do it again DO it again! So the tourist do it for a second time. Okay, once more I couldnt do it once more, no matter what. You may as well shoot me. No, thats fine. Now you can give my sister a lift to the next town. In Australia, the use of offensive words and rude situations to make fun are quite common. Whatever can also turn into a funny story. Even Australian marketers also use offensive comedy to build brand identity and awareness. There is no shame of refer to sensual things for make laugh in Aussie show, comedy, picture. This story demonstrates this way of Aussie Humor style.

INFORMALITY
What is informality?
Informality is a term for speech or writing marked by a casual, familiar and generally colloquial use of language. It is the opposite of formality and usually used when in face to face conversation with a friend or relative- a personally known person. Informal communication is also used in e-mail, texts and telephone conversations.
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Why be informal?
Show friendliness: Informal communication is personal, which imbues it with the enthusiasm and zeal of the participants rather than dry, bureaucratic logic. Create an open conversation: Informality can be a convenient way allowing both parties to discuss and explore more about each other, which is an advantage in a two-way communication pattern.

How to be informal?
Reduce formal words and phrases Formal words and phrases such as Excuse me, Pardon me, I would like to introduce you to, How do you do? and Its a pleasure to meet you. should be reduced to make a conversation less official and more natural. For example, somebody wants to request information. Formal Excuse me, may I ask you a question? Pardon me, may I interrupt you for a moment to ask you a question? Excuse me, would you mind closing the window (e.g. in a bus)? Informal Can you give me directions to the city library, please? Where is the cafeteria, please? Use shorter sentences and be very direct Since it has reduction of formal words and phrases, the sentences are now shorter. However, they have to get directly to the point. That makes the flow fit well with the linear thinking of Australia. For example, somebody wants to ask for a favor. Formal May I please have a few extra days to complete my term paper? Would you mind giving me that information? Would you be kind enough to direct me to the university library? Informal Can I borrow your pen?
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Would you lend me your library card? Reduce status differences (by using first names) Even though there are situations that formality is appropriate, Australians tend to use informal language, which doesnt involve status differences, as illustrated in the second and third introductions below. [1] PROFESSOR: Mr. Lustig, I would like to introduce you to Dr. Johns, director of the language institute. Dr. Johns, this is Mr. Lustig, the academic adviser from Barnum College. MR. LUSTIG: How do you do, Dr. Johns? DR. JOHNS: It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lustig. I'm glad that we finally have the occasion to meet. [2] FRIEND: I'd like you to meet my friend, Nancy Pipkin. Nancy, this is my brother, Jack. NANCY: Hi, Jack. Nice to meet you. JACK: Hi, Nancy. [3] FRIEND: Hi, George, have you met Bill? GEORGE. No, I haven't. Hi, Bill. BILL: Hi! How ya doing?

CONCLUSION
All in all, understanding Australian communication style when you are coming to Australia is very important to help you adapt with new environment as well as new culture. Some general ideas concluded below are the most significant of all. Australians tend to put directness before diplomacy and therefore can be considered quite blunt on occasions especially by people from those cultures in which the majority are wary of speaking plainly for fear of creating a negative emotional impact upon the people they are talking to. Directness is cherished in Australia and failure to say what you mean and mean what you say can be mistaken for evasiveness and even hypocrisy. It is important not to be too self-promotional when presenting to Australians. A hard sell approach can often be misconstrued as bragging and can provoke a very negative response. Remember that people do not like to make out that they are better than others the same

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probably applies to products and services. A factual description of issues will be far better received than a more hyperbolic approach. Australia is one of the very few cultures in which humor is all pervasive in many situations. Not only is humor acceptable in all situations, it is expected in all situations. Never underestimate an Australian senior manager because he or she uses humor at what you might feel to be an inappropriate time. First names are invariably used in almost all situations in Australia. It would be very unusual to call a business contact by their surname. Similarly, educational titles play relatively little part in conversations (other than in the medical or academic worlds.)

REFERENCES
Lonely Planet and Barry Blake, 2007, Australia Language & Culture (Language Reference) Barry Penny, 2006, Australia: A Quick Guide to Customs & Etiquette (Culture Smart!) Kerrin P. Rowe, 2006, Wordbook of Australian Idiom Aussie Slang: No Worries! Shes Apples! Judith Martin and Thomas Nakayama, 2009, Intercultural Communication in Contexts http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/Australian-Business-Communication-Style.html http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/australia.html http://www.ialf.edu/dpdf/march04page3.html http://www.iorworld.com/australia-cultural-insights---worldview---cultural-assumptions--communication-style---business-practices-pages-474.php

APPEDIX
Hand-out
Presentation outline Introduction about Australia Australia is a young and diverse nation and Australian people come from many different cultural backgrounds. Although Australia is a polyglot nation, with over 100 languages being spoken by those sections of the population who have emigrated there from all over the world, English is the official and by far the most commonly spoken language. Different between low context vs high context language
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Characteristics of Australian communication style 1. Directness (People say what they mean; no need to read between the lines) 2. Modesty (Australians prefer people who are modest, humble, selfdeprecating) 3. Humour (Australia is one of the very few cultures in which humour is all pervasive in all situations) 4. Informality (Status/hierarchy not important or considered when speaking)

Exercises 1. Decide whether phrases below are formal or informal: Phrases A name given in an introduction is not understood or is forgotten Excuse me, I didnt catch your name I'm sorry, what is your name again? Could you spell your first name? That will help me pronounce it better. May I please have your name again? Would you please repeat your name? Requesting information Can you give me directions to the city library, please? Where is the cafeteria, please? Excuse me, may I ask you a question? Pardon me, may I interrupt you for a moment to ask you a question? Formal or Informal

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Excuse me, would you mind closing the window (e.g. in a bus)? Request for a favor Can I borrow your pen? Would you lend me your library card? May I please have a few extra days to complete my term paper? Would you mind giving me that information? Would you be kind enough to direct me to the university library? Ending conversations OK. Good talking to you. Yeah. I hope to see you around. Take care. See you later. It was very nice talking to you. I hope we'll meet again soon. I do too. That would be nice. Good-bye. Expressions of farewell Have a nice day. Enjoy your weekend. See ya around. So long. Bye-bye. Good-bye It was nice meeting you. Have a nice evening (day, week, etc.).

2. Matching Australian idioms Idiom 1. Flat out like a lizard drinking 2. Talk the legs off an iron pot 3. On the wallaby track 4. Blood is worth bottling Meaning Even if you go as far as you can, the black stump is still a little further Compliment or praise somebody for doing something or being someone very special Criticise people who stand out from the crowd Coded language appears to mean one thing to the general population but has a different or more specific meaning for a targeted subgroup of the audience. Very dry area or very thirsty Extremely busy, which is a word play which humorously mixes two meanings of the term flat out Somebody who has lost all sense of reason, is crazy, out of control Do something immediately or promptly Unemployed
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a. b. c. d.

5. Dog-whistle politics 6. She'll be apples 7. Dry as a wooden god 8. Beyond the black stump 9. Cut down the tall poppies

e. f. g. h. i.

10. Up a gum tree 11. On the knocker 12. Mad as a cut snake 13. See which way the cat jumps 3. Lets play cross-word

j.

Postpone making a decision or acting until you have seen how things are developing k. Everything will be alright. l. Somebody who is excessively talkative or is especially convincing m. Being in trouble or a big mess

1 2 3 4 5 6 Clue: 1. (noun) a large mammal with short front legs and long powerful back legs on which it moves by jumping 2. (noun) the state of feeling funny or when people see that some things are funny 3. (noun) the way to aim in a particular direction 4. (noun) show a moderate estimation of one's own talents, abilities, and value 5. (noun) status/hierarchy not important or considered when speaking 6. Capital of Australia

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