INDIA Cross Cultural Intercultural Communicaton

Intercultural Communication
Cross-Cultural
Comparison
The Nature of Communication

in India
Historically, language has divided people in India

India is one of the most multilingual nations in
the world
1947 after independence, India divided its states
according to language
Then introduced Hindi as the official language.
English also now shares official language status.
India has over 1000 languages and dialects
Verbal Communication
1. Inequalities in wealth and power
Linked directly to the caste system, which

originates in Hinduism
Upward mobility is prevented, even
though this practice has been outlawed
Most Indians are aware of this social
order and the place where they sit within it
2. Inequalities between men and women
India is a very patriarchal society, with the

father the head of the household.
This social order must always be
maintained
3. Spirituality based on Karma
Every action has a consequence and

everything happens for a reason
What one does in this life affects the next
This has implications for communication
and decision making as well as their idea
of time
4. The Idea of collectivism is prevalent
Indians are more accepting of group

decisions and hierarchical settings
Indians often define their identity as their
group (or caste) rather than their
individual identity
5. Small personal space and lack of privacy
This is amplified by many people from the

extended family living in one home.
Relationships, rules, structures, trust and
mutual obligations are created.
6. Respectful mistrust in business dealings
It is assumed that a non family member in

a business dealing will be dishonest
This prevents the relationship being
damaged by one party trying to gain an
unfair advantage
7. Public Transport
Are very congested and personal space is

small
Many people are crammed into small
places and seats
8. Lack of privacy
Seeking personal information in India is

carried out in a very direct way. This can
lead to conflict as westerners find this
confronting
9. Indians are very hospitable
They will invite total strangers to tea
10. Avoiding conflict
Indians use indirect speech

Do Check for understanding page 104 question 3
HOMEWORK: Do Check for understanding page 104 question 1 and 4
Core Values in Indian Society

Compared to Australian Society
INDIA
Collectivist/group identity.
No privacy
Patriarchal Society- father is head of household.
Hospitable- accepting of strangers.
Easily offended when refused.
Indirect in their speech.
Hindi and English main languages.
Life based around the concept of karma.
Limited personal space.
Direct in their questioning/open about privacy.
Intercaste marriage forbidden.
Very trusting.
Inequalities between men and women.
Strict caste system still operates even though it is

illegal.
Aware of position in caste- no mobility.
Avoid conflict.
Arranged marriage
AUSTRALIA
Individualist
Egalitarian
Trust in business deals.
Fluid social hierarchy.
Strong sense of mateship.
Multicultural.
Looser family bonds.
Earn trust.
Large personal space.
Christianity- but not tied to religion.
Privacy is important.
Open to employment of non-family.
Both parents have equal roles.
Take offence at directness.
Confrontation when angry.
Non-Verbal Communication
There are two types of non-verbal communication
Illustrators which accompany words
Emblems which have meaning all their own
In India some main gestures are
Fight or flight
- explain
Suicide gesture
- explain
Facial Expressions and Body Gestures
Staring is more acceptable in India than in the

West
Greeting- Hands in prayer like fashion and
sometimes bowing
Left hand to clean oneself
Right hand for giving and receiving
come here
- explain
Sorry
- explain
Shoes
- explain
Patting on the head
- explain
Admiration
- explain
Eye Contact
Women may speak from behind the veil of their

sari
Lower status (or caste) will look to the ground
when addressing superiors
Direct eye contact with equals or in business is
significant
Time and Space
Men and women stay segregated in large social

gatherings
Touching is only allowed by family or someone
from the same caste
Vocal Tones
Indians speak loudly and fast with greater

enthusiasm than those from the west
Westerners may interpret this as rudeness
The Effectiveness of
Communication
Directness of response
- expand
Based on Religion
- expand
Titles
Hierarchical society
Naming
- expand
Meeting People
Cant say no
Conveys education, caste and/or profession
-expand
Gift giving
Relates to religious beliefs
- expand
Social Relationships
and Social Control
The caste system is the basis of class in India. It

is supported by Hinduism. It is illegal in Modern
India to practice the caste system
Name and explain the 4 main castes
The fifth caste is called the Untouchables.

They were considered the lowest and performed
menial unhygienic work
People were born into their caste and

where they were born was based on their
previous lives
The Indian government has implemented

positive discrimination laws to try and help
the lowest caste groups
READ page 109. India-Intecaste Relations
The remains of the caste system maintain

social relationships and social control.
Communicating between different groups

is seen as unacceptable
Do Check for understanding page 110 questions 1 and 4
Do Think it through page 110 question 4
Gender and Communication
All men and women cannot be grouped just

according to their gender
The variety of religions, regions, classes and
ages are going to affect the personal experience
of women especially
Modernisation has transformed India and
women as well as men peruse career paths
nowadays
However, even in modern India sons are seen

and the main economic source for the family. In
many parts of Northern India, wives move in
with their husbands families. They are still
segregated as communication between
spouses is a threat to the patrilinial nature of the
family
Describe how women are being given more
power in economic decision making
Provide an example of how traditional practice

still prohibits women from active communication
In the cities the traditional and modern gender

roles are in conflict as well. For example
university educated women work in menial jobs,
just to earn a living
Socialising with the opposite sex outside work
hours used to be taboo, this is now changing
Gender roles in India are reflected in language
Mothers duty
- expand
Tamil language
- expand
Women remain silent while males express their
opinion
- expand
The way men and women speak to each other
- expand
Intercultural Understanding
Multiculturalism refers to an attitude about the

acceptance of a number of different cultures
living together in one society.
Usually there is one dominant culture that
supports the mix of other cultures
An example is in Australia explain
Multiculturalism has only been introduced in
Modern India. Its constitution emphasis intergroup equality
The concept of intra-group equality is not

recognised in India. That is within specific
groups, inequality, domination and
patriarchy still exist
Read section on Mumbai. Page 113
1. List the various places of worship in Mumbai. Page 113

2. Define Hybrid Society. Page 114
3. Explain how this relates to India
Aspects of Society and Culture that are

similar and different between
India and Australia (PAGE 114-115)
CULTURAL
FEATURES
AUSTRALIA
INDIA
LANGUAGE
RELIGIOUS
BELIEFS
MISUNDERSTANDINGS
CULTURAL
FEATURES
AUSTRALIA
INDIA
SOCIAL
STRUCTURES
CULTURAL
COMPLEXITIES
MUSUNDERSTANDINGS
The effect of gender roles and values

on behaviour
All societies assign specific traits to males and

females. Traditional societies tend to focus on
this more (read page 115-116)
In India males are viewed as being superior and
therefore demand more respect
This is evident in the birth of a new baby. A male
child is sought after to look after the family and
property
The role of acculturation in the

acquisition of cultural perception
1. Read page 116-117
2. Do check for understanding question 1 and 2 page 117
3. Do think it through question 1 page 117
The existence of group identity and

commitment to cultural continuity
1. Read page 117-118
2. Define Cultural continuity
3. Define Group Identity
Australia's group identity and cultural continuity

consists of:
The belief of a fair go

The values of mateship, freedom and safety
The customs of commemorating Anzac day and
Australia day
The behaviours of participating in outdoor activities

(especially the beach)
Being direct in our communication and informal in our
language
Indias group identity and cultural continuity

consists of:
The belief of self determination and some form of

nationalism
The values of multiculturalism and family
The customs of women wearing a sari and a bindi and
Hindu traditions
The behaviours associated with the caste system in
social, family and business interactions
Intercultural Misunderstanding
Role play activity (page 119-120)
4 scenarios with 3 different outcomes
Strategies to deal with

intercultural misunderstanding
It is important to be aware and to acknowledge causes of
misunderstandings:
Different communication styles
Importance of non-verbal communication (e.g.: facial
expressions, personal distance, tone, volume and sense
of time)
Attitudes towards opinions and conflict
Decision making related to roles and status
Different attitudes towards personal information
Gender roles and expectations
Strategies to deal with intercultural

misunderstanding because of intercultural
differences
Know the language explain
Demonstrate social and cultural literacy
explain
Be patient
explain
Language expertise explain
Be self reflective
explain
Speak with natives explain
Use multiple forms of communication explain

INDIA Cross Cultural Intercultural Communicaton

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Intercultural Communication

The Nature of Communication

Historically, language has divided people in India

Linked directly to the caste system, which

2. Inequalities between men and women

India is a very patriarchal society, with the

3. Spirituality based on Karma

Every action has a consequence and

4. The Idea of collectivism is prevalent

Indians are more accepting of group

5. Small personal space and lack of privacy

This is amplified by many people from the

6. Respectful mistrust in business dealings

It is assumed that a non family member in

Are very congested and personal space is

Seeking personal information in India is

9. Indians are very hospitable

They will invite total strangers to tea

10. Avoiding conflict

Indians use indirect speech

HOMEWORK: Do Check for understanding page 104 question 1 and 4

Core Values in Indian Society

Patriarchal Society- father is head of household.

Hospitable- accepting of strangers.

Easily offended when refused.

Indirect in their speech.

Hindi and English main languages.

Life based around the concept of karma.

Limited personal space.

Direct in their questioning/open about privacy.

Intercaste marriage forbidden.

Inequalities between men and women.

Strict caste system still operates even though it is

Aware of position in caste- no mobility.

Trust in business deals.

Fluid social hierarchy.

Strong sense of mateship.

Looser family bonds.

Large personal space.

Christianity- but not tied to religion.

Open to employment of non-family.

Both parents have equal roles.

Take offence at directness.

Confrontation when angry.

Facial Expressions and Body Gestures

Staring is more acceptable in India than in the

Women may speak from behind the veil of their

Time and Space

Men and women stay segregated in large social

Indians speak loudly and fast with greater

Conveys education, caste and/or profession

Relates to religious beliefs

The caste system is the basis of class in India. It

The fifth caste is called the Untouchables.

People were born into their caste and

The Indian government has implemented

The remains of the caste system maintain

Communicating between different groups

Gender and Communication

All men and women cannot be grouped just

However, even in modern India sons are seen

Provide an example of how traditional practice

In the cities the traditional and modern gender