Local and Global Communication in Multicultural Settings

This presentation discusses Communication in Multicultural set-up considering not only cultural differences, social backgrounds, biographical diverseness of every individual; but also factors that could help everyone in an intercultural communication setting.

1. PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION Local and Global Communication in Multicultural Settings

2. Let’s have fun! GUESS THAT LETTER RIDDLE ? ? ? ? ?

3. C L U U T R E The beginning of evening, t he end of time and space, t he beginning of every end, a nd the end of every place. What letter is it? What letter of the alphabet is a drink? It is in a rock but not in stone, It is in marrow but not in bone. It is in a bolster but not in bed. It's not in the living, and not in the dead. I am the biggest alphabet, as I contain the most water in the world. Who am I? I'm in you, but not in him, I go up, but not down, I'm in the colosseum , But not a tower, I'm in a puzzle, but not a riddle. Which letter of the alphabet is standing right in front of you? I had big Limbs in my left arm and long fingers in my right arm. What am I?

4. “Isolated cultures stagnate; cultures that communicate with other evolve .” -T . Sowell, Race and Culture 1994

5. Communication can be a challenging activity because of the highly pluralistic nature of the people participating in the communication process. Each participant may differ in cultural, social and biological backgrounds, which are all critical factors to effective and successful intercultural communication. INTRODUCTION

6. Instances there are that these differences may lead speakers to misinterpretation or misunderstanding. So in order to understand communication within and outside the context of one’s culture, it is necessary to identify first the challenges that may be encountered, then the form of intercultural communication, and the ways on how to improve communicative competence in multicultural settings. INTRODUCTION

7. Living in a globalized world, you encounter people with diverse cultural backgrounds. Such interactions occur in a social, educational, political and commercial settings. Hence, in today’s era of increased global communication, it is imperative to understand intercultural communication for us to enhance our intercultural awareness and competence. Intercultural competence is essential for us to live harmoniously despite our differences in culture. INTRODUCTION

8. It has become a widespread notion that speakers’ use of different languages results in intercultural miscommunication and misunderstanding. As Scollon and Scollon (1995) state : “When we are communication with people who are very different from us, it is very difficult to know how to draw inferences about what they mean, and so it is impossible to depend on shared knowledge and background for confidence in our interpretation.” CHALLENGES OF INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

9. Indeed, the lack of shared knowledge and beliefs and cultural diversity make it more complicated to arrive at the correct inference or interpretation of meanings. But it can also be argued that English is now a global lingua franca. In fact, with the ASEAN integration, English has been declared the official or working language of ASEAN. So with just one language to be spoken or used by many countries including the 10 member countries of the ASEAN, what else can go wrong?

10. It is thus important to emphasize that the ownership of English cannot be attributed to just one country or to those who use it as a native or home language. The varieties of English spoken by different speech communities have evolved for a reason. They use it for communal purposes. These varieties have been heavily influenced by the local culture and its speakers.

11. FORMS OF INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

12. Communication is like a kaleidoscope. Many units of different sizes, shapes, and color make up the whole picture. Any action, shift, or change adjusts the pattern and the relationship of all of the units to each other, thereby altering the picture. FORMS OF INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

13. a. Interracial communication – communicating with people from different races b. Interethnic communication – interacting with people of different ethnic origin c. International communication – communicating between representatives from different nations. d. Intracultural communication – interacting with members of the same racial or ethnic group or co-culture

14. According to Gamble and Gamble (2008), communication style among cultures differs, it may be high context or low-context communication . High-context communication is a tradition-linked communication system which adheres strongly to being indirect. Low-context communication is a system that works on straightforward communication.

15. The following guidelines may help you enhance your ability to communicate effectively across cultures (Gamble & Gamble, 2008): 1. Recognize the validity and differences of communication styles among people. 2. Learn to eliminate personal biases and prejudices. 3. Strive to acquire communication skills necessary in a multicultural world. IMPROVING INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION COMPETENCE

16. VARIETIES AND REGISTERS OF SPOKEN AND WRITTEN LANGUAGE

17. The spoken mode is often associated with everyday registers while the written mode is strongly associated with academic registers. However, this is not always true. For instance, in everyday communication, face to face conversations are usually supplemented by text messaging. In academic contexts, significant forms of oral communication are used along with written communication. Significantly, both every day and academic communications are characterized by multi-modality or the use of multiple modes of communication, including spoken, written modes and images, music, videos, gestures, etc.

18. Lin (2016) presents the following nature of language variation as prescribed by most linguists based on the ideas of Mahboob (2014).   1. Language varies when communicating with people within (local) and outside ( global) our community. 2. Language varies in speaking and in writing. 3. Language varies in everyday and specialized discourses.

19. There are five language registers. Each level has an appropriate use that is determined by differing situations . a. Frozen This style of communication rarely or never changes. It is “frozen” in time and content. This is official business and educational language which features complete sentences and specific word choice, which often contains archaisms. TYPES OF LANGUAGE REGISTER ( Joos , 1961 as cited in Biber , 1994 )

20. Example: We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane society, and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity, the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution (Preamble, 1987 Constitution)

21.   b . Formal/Academic   This language is used in formal setting and is one-way. This use of language usually follows a commonly accepted format. It is generally impersonal and formal. It is often used to show respect. Word selection is more sophisticated, and certain words are always or never used depending on the situation. In a formal register, the story structure focuses on the plot: It has a beginning and ending and it weaves sequence, cause and effect, characters, and consequences into the plot.

22. Example:   “The strongest reason why we ask for woman a voice in the government under which she lives; in the religion she is asked to believe; equality in social life, where she is the chief factor; a place in the trades and professions, where she may earn her bread, is because of her birth right to self-sovereignty; because, as an individual, she must rely on herself (a speech delivered by Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1892).”

23. c. Consultative   It is a standard form of communications. Users engage in a mutually accepted structure of interfaces. It is formal and societal expectations accompany the users of speech. This register can be described as two-way participation, professional setting, background information is provided (prior knowledge is not assumed), interruptions and feedback fillers allowed (“uh-huh,” “I see”), more complex syntax, and longer phrases. Sentence structure need not be complete, since non-verbal assists, hand movements and body language, are often used to convey meaning

24. Example: Patient: Hello doctor! Can you spare me a few minutes? Doctor: Certainly! Come in and sit down. Now, what is the matter with you? Patient: I seem to be generally out of sorts. I have no appetite for my food, and yet I am always suffering from indigestion. Doctor: Are you troubled with headaches? Patient: Yes, I am. And what is worse I cannot sleep at night. Doctor: I see. What is your work? Patient: I am a clerk in an office, and have to work for long hours. Doctor: I see, Well, you are evidently run down and need a rest and change. All your troubles are signs of nervous exhaustion. I will give you a nerve tonic, but the main thing is rest. If you do as I say, you will soon be alright. Patient: Thank you, doctor. I will follow your advice. Doctor; Let me know how you get on.

25. d. Casual/Informal The language used in conversation with friends. A casual register is characterized by 400- to 500- word vocabulary, broken sentences, and interruptions are common. Very informal language, idioms, ellipsis, and slang are common. No background information is provided, “group” language – must be a member to use, interruptions are common, and context and non-verbal communication are important. General word choice and conversation are dependent upon non-verbal assists. The focus of the story is characterization. It is an indirect, random approach with many omissions and does not have a sequence, cause, and effect, or consequence.

26. Example: Marie: Hey, D! I’m stressing about weight gain on Xmas. Got any ideas for me? Diane: It’s only one day, so don’t worry too much. Marie: I’m worried I’ll eat a gazillion calories at my in-laws!  Diane: Just make sure you don’t arrive too hungry, have a healthy snack beforehand (nuts, granola bar, etc.) Marie: Yeah, you’re right. Thanks, D! You’re the best! Xx Diane: No worries, M! xx

27. e. Intimate This communication is private. It is reserved for close family members or intimate relations. It is non-public, the intonation is as crucial as wording and grammar, and often a special vocabulary full of coded words is used.

28. Example: Husband: Hi honey, how was your day? Wife: Great, We got a lot done. And yours? Husband: Fine, but stressful. Pass me that magazine, please. Wife: Here you go, darling.

29. In what specific ways can you enhance your ability to communicate with people from diverse cultures?   “Human beings draw close to one another by their common nature, but habits and customs keep them apart.” ( Cunfucius ) Do you agree or disagree? Give concrete situations to support your stand. RECITATION