Cross-Cultural Communication Barriers

What are our attitudes, values, and beliefs, and what role do they play in communication with others from different cultures? Presentation for the state Association of International Educators

1. ““There is…no more noble calling There is…no more noble calling
than to help the people of the than to help the people of the
world live together in peace and world live together in peace and
understanding with a fully understanding with a fully
developed spirit of inquiry about developed spirit of inquiry about
other cultures and their ways.”other cultures and their ways.”
--L. Robert Kohls (1994)L. Robert Kohls (1994)

2. Communicating Across Communicating Across
Cultural BarriersCultural Barriers
Nancy G. Abney, MA-TESOLNancy G. Abney, MA-TESOL
The University of Alabama at BirminghamThe University of Alabama at Birmingham
[email protected]@uab.edu
Graduate School Graduate School
Professional Development ProgramProfessional Development Program

3. Today’s GoalsToday’s Goals
Raise our awareness of culture(s)Raise our awareness of culture(s)
Identify some barriers to communicationIdentify some barriers to communication
Discuss ways to overcome these barriersDiscuss ways to overcome these barriers

4. Communicating Across Cultural Communicating Across Cultural
BarriersBarriers
DefinitionsDefinitions
What are the components of What are the components of
Communication?Communication?
What is Culture?What is Culture?
What are barriers?What are barriers?

5. What is Communication?What is Communication?
Communication is “…a process by which Communication is “…a process by which
two individuals ‘try’ to exchange a set of two individuals ‘try’ to exchange a set of
ideas, feelings, symbols…meanings.” ideas, feelings, symbols…meanings.”
Pierre Casse Pierre Casse Teaching for the Cross-Cultural MindTeaching for the Cross-Cultural Mind

6. What is Cross-Cultural What is Cross-Cultural
Communication?Communication?
Pause & make a short list of the groups to Pause & make a short list of the groups to
which you belong:which you belong:
OccupationOccupation TeacherTeacher
StatusStatus homeownerhomeowner
GenderGender femalefemale
HobbiesHobbies snowboardingsnowboarding

7. Components of CommunicationComponents of Communication
Language elementsLanguage elements
VerbalVerbal
Non-verbal Non-verbal
External elementsExternal elements
Cultural norms, relationships, contextCultural norms, relationships, context
Internal elementsInternal elements
Purpose, attitudePurpose, attitude

8. Who Am I?Who Am I?
A Cross-Cultural A Cross-Cultural
Guessing GameGuessing Game

9. Read the following descriptions & discuss with a partner to guess Read the following descriptions & discuss with a partner to guess
which country you think each represents.which country you think each represents.
When I meet you, I may bow. You may ask my When I meet you, I may bow. You may ask my
age, but I will be embarrassed if you ask me age, but I will be embarrassed if you ask me
about my religion, and, as a result of my about my religion, and, as a result of my
embarrassment, I may laugh. I will pause for embarrassment, I may laugh. I will pause for
perhaps 20 seconds before answering, allowing perhaps 20 seconds before answering, allowing
time for a shared communication without words. time for a shared communication without words.
If you become uncomfortable with my silence If you become uncomfortable with my silence
and say “I’m sorry,” I will apologize to show my and say “I’m sorry,” I will apologize to show my
wish to cooperate, and will probably not look wish to cooperate, and will probably not look
you in the eye when I answer. However, I would you in the eye when I answer. However, I would
not complain to tell you that your question about not complain to tell you that your question about
my religion is considered impolite. my religion is considered impolite.
 I am from…I am from…

10. Who am I?Who am I?
My rapidly-growing country is ethnically My rapidly-growing country is ethnically
diverse, with as many as 20 major languages diverse, with as many as 20 major languages
being spoken, along with many local dialects. being spoken, along with many local dialects.
In this constitutional monarchy, most people In this constitutional monarchy, most people
live in rural areas, and 80% of the people are live in rural areas, and 80% of the people are
farmers. When I greet you, I will put the palms farmers. When I greet you, I will put the palms
of my hands together in front of my chest or of my hands together in front of my chest or
chin or I may raise my right hand in a salute chin or I may raise my right hand in a salute
(salaam), and will always call a professor by (salaam), and will always call a professor by
title. Things I would never do: touch another’s title. Things I would never do: touch another’s
head, wink at you, point the bottom of my foot head, wink at you, point the bottom of my foot
at someone, eat with my left hand. at someone, eat with my left hand.
 I am from . . . I am from . . .

11. Who am I?Who am I?
When people in my country greet, we say “hello” or When people in my country greet, we say “hello” or
“good afternoon” in English and are cheerful and “good afternoon” in English and are cheerful and
courteous to show respect; neglecting to greet courteous to show respect; neglecting to greet
someone is a sign of disrespect. With more than 250 someone is a sign of disrespect. With more than 250
ethnic groups, we have more than 250 languages, thus ethnic groups, we have more than 250 languages, thus
English is our official language, though less than 50% English is our official language, though less than 50%
of people speak English. We do not pass things with of people speak English. We do not pass things with
our left hand alone, nor should we show the bottom of our left hand alone, nor should we show the bottom of
our foot to someone; the most vulgar gesture to me, our foot to someone; the most vulgar gesture to me,
however, would be to push the palm of the hand however, would be to push the palm of the hand
forward with the fingers spread. We visit friends and forward with the fingers spread. We visit friends and
relatives frequently, and welcome unannounced relatives frequently, and welcome unannounced
guests. If we wish our children to leave the room guests. If we wish our children to leave the room
while guests are visiting, we often wink at them.while guests are visiting, we often wink at them.
 I am from . . . I am from . . .

12. Who am I?Who am I?
Answers:Answers:
1. I am from Japan1. I am from Japan
2. I am from Nepal2. I am from Nepal
3. I am from Nigeria3. I am from Nigeria
Source: Source:
CultureGrams World Edition (2004) CultureGrams World Edition (2004)
Lindon, UT: Axiom PressLindon, UT: Axiom Press

13. Who am I? Who am I?
CaveatCaveat
These are broad generalizations, which do These are broad generalizations, which do
not necessarily represent individuals, but not necessarily represent individuals, but
are meant only to introduce to you some are meant only to introduce to you some
cultural practices of which you may be cultural practices of which you may be
unaware. The goal is for you to understand unaware. The goal is for you to understand
the culture of the the culture of the individual individual so that you so that you
may better communicate with individualsmay better communicate with individuals..

14. Communicating Across Cultural Communicating Across Cultural
BarriersBarriers
DefinitionsDefinitions
What is Culture?What is Culture?
What are cultural barriers to successful What are cultural barriers to successful
communication?communication?

15. What is Culture?What is Culture?
Culture is that which distinguishes one group Culture is that which distinguishes one group
from another– Jan Hofstedefrom another– Jan Hofstede
Surface culture vs deep cultureSurface culture vs deep culture

16. Iceberg of CultureIceberg of Culture
Surface culture
(tangible)
_____________________________________
Deep Culture
Values
Attitudes & Belief systems

17. 3 Cultural Value Dimensions3 Cultural Value Dimensions
IdentityIdentity
CollectivismCollectivism IndividualismIndividualism
HierarchyHierarchy
Large power distance Large power distance  Small power distance Small power distance
GenderGender
Femininity Femininity  MasculinityMasculinity

18. Misinterpreting BehaviorMisinterpreting Behavior
Disrespectful, improperLarge Power distance
Dishonest, corruptIndividualist
Insulting, stressed, rudeCollectivist
…may misinterpret the
other’s behavior as…
A listener who is
culturally more…
Weak (men);
Unfeminine (women)
Masculine
Aggressive (men); Playing
“baby doll” (women)
Feminine
Bossy, rigid (high-status)
Cowardly (low-status)
Small Power distance

19. Awareness of Cultural ValuesAwareness of Cultural Values
Form small groups or pairsForm small groups or pairs
Read the scenarios on the yellow handoutRead the scenarios on the yellow handout
Identify words & phrases that indicate Identify words & phrases that indicate
cultural differences in the scenariocultural differences in the scenario
Activity from Hofestede, Pederson & Hofestede (Exploring Culture, 2002)Activity from Hofestede, Pederson & Hofestede (Exploring Culture, 2002)

20. What are the barriers?What are the barriers?
LanguageLanguage
Non-verbal communicationNon-verbal communication
Beliefs/Values/attitudesBeliefs/Values/attitudes
Misinterpretations & stereotypesMisinterpretations & stereotypes
Stress of intercultural interactions Stress of intercultural interactions
Hofestede, Pederson & Hofestede (Exploring Culture, 2002)Hofestede, Pederson & Hofestede (Exploring Culture, 2002)
Which of these do you think would be Which of these do you think would be
easiest to address/adjust?easiest to address/adjust?

21. Some simple strategiesSome simple strategies
LanguageLanguage
Always ask for clarificationAlways ask for clarification
Non-verbal communicationNon-verbal communication
Don’t take it personallyDon’t take it personally
Attitudes/Beliefs/ValuesAttitudes/Beliefs/Values
Educate yourselfEducate yourself

22. More simple strategiesMore simple strategies
Stereotypes/misinterpretationsStereotypes/misinterpretations
Recognize that you cannot change the culture Recognize that you cannot change the culture
or yourself overnightor yourself overnight
Try not to judge others by your own cultural Try not to judge others by your own cultural
valuesvalues
StressStress
Accept some ambiguityAccept some ambiguity
Be patient and forgivingBe patient and forgiving

23. 7 Pieces of Practical Advice7 Pieces of Practical Advice
1.1.Don’t assume sameness.Don’t assume sameness.
2.2.““Normal” behavior is not universal.Normal” behavior is not universal.
3.3.““yes” can mean many things.yes” can mean many things.
4.4.Don’t assume you were understood.Don’t assume you were understood.
5.5.Don’t assume that you understand.Don’t assume that you understand.
6.6.You don’t have to like “different” behavior, but You don’t have to like “different” behavior, but
try to understand where it comes from.try to understand where it comes from.
7.7.Most people do behave rationally; you just have Most people do behave rationally; you just have
to discover the rationale. to discover the rationale.

24. ReferencesReferences
CultureGramsCultureGrams, World Edition (2004) Lindon, UT: Axiom Press. (available , World Edition (2004) Lindon, UT: Axiom Press. (available
at at www.culturegrams.comwww.culturegrams.com).).
Fantini, EFantini, E., Ed. (1997) ., Ed. (1997) New Ways in Teaching Culture: TESOL Series II New Ways in Teaching Culture: TESOL Series II
Innoavative Classroom TechniquesInnoavative Classroom Techniques. Alexandria, VA: TESOL.. Alexandria, VA: TESOL.
Flaitz, JFlaitz, J., Ed. (2003) ., Ed. (2003) Understanding your International Students: An Understanding your International Students: An
Educational, Cutltural, and Linguistic GuideEducational, Cutltural, and Linguistic Guide. Ann Arbor: University of . Ann Arbor: University of
Michigan Press.Michigan Press.
Hofstede, G. J., Pederson, P. B., & HofstedeHofstede, G. J., Pederson, P. B., & Hofstede, G. (2002) , G. (2002) Exploring Culture: Exploring Culture:
Exercises, Stories and Synthetic Cultures.Exercises, Stories and Synthetic Cultures. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural
Press.Press.
Kohls, L. R., and Knight, J. M.Kohls, L. R., and Knight, J. M. (1994) (1994) Developing Intercultural Developing Intercultural
Awareness: A Cross-Cultural Training Handbook (2nd ed)Awareness: A Cross-Cultural Training Handbook (2nd ed). Yarmouth, ME: . Yarmouth, ME:
Intercultural PressIntercultural Press
Lewis, R. DLewis, R. D. (1999) . (1999) Cross Cultural Communication: A Visual Approach.Cross Cultural Communication: A Visual Approach.
Riverside, Warnford Hampshire, UK: Transcreen Publications.Riverside, Warnford Hampshire, UK: Transcreen Publications.
Storti, C.Storti, C. (1994) (1994) Cross-Cultural Dialogs.Cross-Cultural Dialogs. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural
Press. Press.

25. ““There is…no more noble calling There is…no more noble calling
than to help the people of the than to help the people of the
world live together in peace and world live together in peace and
understanding with a fully understanding with a fully
developed spirit of inquiry developed spirit of inquiry
about other cultures and their about other cultures and their
ways.”ways.”
--L. Robert Kohls (1994)L. Robert Kohls (1994)