Techniques of CrossCultural Communication

Chapter -16

Cross-Cultural Communication
Business has become more global. Communicating across cultures effectively
improves your productivity and efficiency and promotes harmonious work environments. Cross-cultural communication involves understanding cultural differences and overcoming language problems.

PROBLEMS OF CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

Two qualifying statements begin this study of
culture: (1) It is improperly blamed for some miscommunication.

(2) It is easy to overgeneralize cultural practices. Culture is shared ways groups of people view the world. Two major kinds of cultural differences affect communication.

Body Positions and Movements

Body positions and movements differ among
cultures. For example, in some cultures, people sit; in other cultures, they squat. Manners of walking differ among cultures Communication with body parts (hands, arms, head, etc.) varies by culture. Hand gestures differ by culture. So do eye movements Touching, and handshaking

Culture Americans Germans

Handshakes Firm Brusque, firm, repeated upon arrival and departure Light, quick, not offered to superiors, repeated upon arrival and departure Soft

French

British

A smile can be a sign of weakness, and the left hand may be taboo

 Differing attitudes toward various factors of human

relationships cause communication problems. Time
Views about time differ widely. Some cultures stress punctuality; some do not. Some cultures view body odors as bad; others view them as normal. Space is viewed differently by different cultures. In some cultures, people want to be far apart; in other cultures, the y want to be close.

Views and Practices Concerning Factors of Human Relationships

Odors

Space

 Frankness

Continue.
Low-context cultures are more frank and explicit than high-context cultures.

Intimacy of Relationships

Intimacy among people varies in different cultures. How people view superior-subordinate relations also differs. So does the role of woman.

Values

Expression of Emotions

Each culture has different values concerning such matters as attitude toward work. Employee-employer relations. and authority Social behavior varies by culture, such as practices concerning affection, laughter, and emotion. Included is the degree of animation displayed Many more such practices exist. We must recognize them, look for them, and understand them.

Effects on Business Communication Techniques

Cultural differences affect communication. Our communication techniques are not

universally acceptable The Indians and even the British have practices different from ours. You must modify your communications to fit the culture of your recipient.

PROBLEMS OF LANGUAGE
Communication problems are caused by
the existence of many languages.

Lack of Language Equivalency

Differences among languages make equivalent
translations difficult Examples prove the point Grammar and syntax differences add to the difficulty So do the multiple meaning of words. Certain of our expressions don't mean what their dictionary and grammatical structures say they mean. Even words with same meaning can differ in usage by culture. Overcome such language problems by knowing language well and by questioning. Use back translating for important communications.

Difficulties in Using English

English is the primarily language of international
business But many nonnative have problems using English. Two-Words Verbs
Two-word verbs are hard for nonnatives to understand. As in these combinations.

Verb Plus Away Give away Keep away Pass away

Verb Plus In Cash in Cave in Close in

Verb Plus Out Blow out cut out crowd out

Verb Plus Up Blow up Build up Call up

Continue
Use two-word verbs sparingly. Find
substitutes, as shown here. Two-Word Verbs Give up Speed up, hurry up Go on, keep on Put off Suggested Substitutes surrender Accelerate Continue defer

Some two-word verbs have noun and adjective

forms. Use these sparingly.

A GENERAL SUGGESTION FOR COMMUNICATING ACROSS CULTURES

Use simple, basic English Word questions carefully to elicit the response
intended. Continually check the accuracy of the communication.

 Women and the Workplace

Case Study

The role of women in the workplace is changing every year. In many countries such as the United States, women are entering occupations that were traditionally filled only by men and are becoming more visible at managerial and decision-making levels. Many other countries, however, remain male dominated and not receptive to the presence of women in such positions. Although the business world is changing, some experts still advise against sending a woman as a negotiator not receptive to women decision makers. If a woman is sent to such a country, they say she should go as a member of a team. Therefore, sending a woman who is successful in her home country to negotiate overseas is not always a simple or easy decision. The following story describes one female K-Mart executive's successful experience negotiating in Saudi Arabia, a country known for not accepting women in its business world.

A Saudi Arabian American Encounter

I went with another gentleman of our company who

has a lesser position than I do. We met with a group of Saudis who epitomized the feelings of men in that country toward women. We were in office of chairman of the Saudi firm, and for the first hour he continually addressed my associate, ignoring me, because he would not accept my presence as a woman. Finally I turned to him and said: Mr. X, you are directing your questions and answers to my associate. If you are seriously interested in doing business with our company, I suggest you direct them to me, because it is me with whom you will have to negotiate. I think he respected my approach. I didnt feel indignant or slighted as a woman. It was a matter of who it is that a person wants to seek out. I had no problems after that.

Discussion
Answer the following questions: 1. Why do you think the woman spoke as she 2. 3. 4.
did to the chairman? What persuasive style did she use and why? Once she spoke, why do you think the chairman responded to her as he did? In your country, are foreign businesswoman treated differently form national businesswomen? If so, how? What advice would you give to a foreign businesswoman in a similar position sent to your country to negotiate?