INTERCULTURAL

COMMUNICATION
Intercultural communication is the sending and
receiving of messages across languages and
cultures. It is also a negotiated understanding of
meaning in human experiences across social systems
and societies (Arent, 2009).
Intercultural communication is a form of global
communication. It is used to describe the wide range
of communication problems that naturally appear
within an organization made up of individuals from
different religious, social, ethnic, and educational
backgrounds.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intercultural_communication
Intercultural communication, more precisely then, is
defined as the study of communication between
people whose cultural perceptions are different
enough to alter their communication. The meaning of
a message changes when it is encoded by a person
in one culture and decoded by another person in one
culture.
Culture is the total of the inherited ideas, beliefs,
values, and knowledge that constitute the shared
bases of social action.
Intercultural communication is the exchange of
messages between among people with diverse
cultures.
Cultural beliefs and practices are
distinct; hence, you need to consider
the culture of the person you are
communicating with to avoid
misunderstanding or hurting
his feelings.
Intercultural communication requires both
(a) knowledge and (b) skills. It needs an
understanding that different cultures have
different customs, standards, social mores,
and even thought patterns. It necessitates
skills that allows a person to communicate
or share information with people from
other cultures and social groups
(“Intercultural Communication,”2015).
1. Some knowledge of the cultures, organizations and
institutions, history and general way of living of
different communities and nations.
2. Recognition that these aspects affect behavioral
norms.
3. An understanding of how culture can affect
communication and language.
4. Some understanding of the conventions that may govern
behavior in certain specific intercultural
environments, such as views on the role of women,
same-sex marriage, or the license (or otherwise)
permitted to children.
5. Awareness of your own and other people's beliefs and values,
and a willingness to recognize when these may clash.
6. Sensitivity toward cultural stereotypes that may affect and
interfere with intercultural communication.
1. Demonstrating your willingness to meet others at least halfway
by learning a few phrases in their language.

2. Talking to people who know the culture about common traps

and problems before travelling to another country.

3. Adapting your behavior, and not always expecting others to

adapt to you.
4. Checking your understanding and that of others while you are
conversing.

5. Not being afraid to apologize if you have offended someone.

6. Using local television to learn about behavioral issues and

norms.

7. Reflecting on your experience to help you put in context.

An intercultural blunder often occurs when
someone makes an assumption that is valid in one
place but not in another. The person making the
blunder fails to understand that customs may vary.
1. In Taiwan, the translation of the Pepsi slogan "Come alive with
the Pepsi generation" was "Pepsi will bring your ancestors
back from dead.

2. In Acapulco hotel; "The manager has personally passed all the

water served here.“

3. In China, KFC's "finger-licking good" was translated as "Eat your

fingers off."
4. Chevrolet attempted unsuccessfully to market its Nova
compact car in Latin American countries. In Spanish, nova means
"does not go“ or “it doesn't run."

5. In Australia, President Bush flashed a backhanded peace sign

in motorcades. Many in Australia interpreted that gesture as
obscene.
 To be an effective public communicator, take into
consideration the cultural values and customs of your
audience, and consider the following:

1) Avoid ethnocentrism, the belief that your group or culture

is superior to all groups or cultures (Lucas, 2000).

2) Treat all cultures and cultural groups as your equal.

3) Do not prejudge anyone by his

physical appearance. As the saying goes,
Do not judge a book by its cover.”
 EYE CONTACT
Eye contact also establish
Eye contact, a key the nature of a relationship.
characteristic of nonverbal
communication, expresses
much without using a single
word.
In American culture,
maintaining eye contact
shows respect and
indicates
interest. 21
 FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
Facial expressions are the key
characteristics of nonverbal
communication.
Your facial expression can
communicate happiness, sadness,
anger or fear.

22
 POSTURE
Posture and how you carry
your self tells a lot about you.
How you walk, sit, stand or
hold your head not only
indicates your current mood,
but also your personality in
general.
For example, if you cross your
arms while standing, you indicate
that you may be closed off and
defensive. Meanwhile, walking
with your head down and avoiding eye contact
with others may indicate shyness.
 HAPTIC/TOUCH
Haptic communication is
communicating by touch.
Touch or Haptics is the
characteristic of nonverbal
communication and used when
we come into physical contact
with other people.
For example: We use
handshakes to gain trust and
introduce ourselves. 24
 GESTURES
A gesture is a characteristic
of nonverbal communication
in which visible body actions
communicate particular
message.
Gestures include movement
of the hands, face, or other parts of the body.
Let’s see some most
common gestures.
ignatius joseph n estroga
ignatius joseph n estroga
ignatius joseph n estroga
ignatius joseph n estroga
 PERSONAL SPACE
Personal space is your
"bubble" - the space you
place between yourself
and others.
This invisible boundary becomes apparent
only when someone bumps or tries to enter
your bubble.

32
Nonverbal Communication
Around the World

33
 Nonverbal Communication in Pakistan
Expressing happiness, respect and love for others.
Nonverbal Communication in
China
The Chinese don't like being
touched by strangers.
Therefore don’t make any body
contact.
 Nonverbal
Communication in
Argentina
A handshake and nod
show respect when
greeting someone.
Nonverbal Communication in India
Greeting with 'namaste' -
placing both hands together
with a slight bow is a very common
nonverbal
communication and shows
respect.
 Nonverbal
Communication in the
U.S.A
Quite Informal way of
Nonverbal communication
- A handshake, a smile, and 'hello'.
ACTIVITY!!!
PERFORMANCE STANDARD
Demonstrates sensitivity (through
making a CREATIVE COLLAGE) to
the sociocultural dimension of
communication situation
with focus on
a. Culture
b. Gender
c. Age
d. Social status
e. Religion
PERFORMANCE STANDARD
Bring materials for creative picture
collage. Do the procedure in making it
inside the classroom.
Then provide a
slogan about culture
sensitivity and
sociocultural dimension
of
communication
dimension.
QUIZ. IDENTIFY THE NATIONALITY OR RACE OF THE
PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THE FOLLOWING SCENARIOS:
a. They consider smiling strange and impolite.

b. They nod their heads when they mean “NO”, and

they shake their heads when they mean “YES.”

c. They bow several times to show respect and

acknowledgment of rank.

d. They consider natural odor as normal.

e. They use their little finger in pointing.

f. They avoid patting the head of children.

g. They consider pointing with the index finger rude.

h. They bathe frequently and dislike bad odor.

i. For them being early or on time is being rude.

j. They consider sitting with legs crossed is offensive.