Chapter 4: Intercultural Communication
| Site: | elearning.feaa.uaic.ro |
| Course: | Confident Open Modules |
| Book: | Chapter 4: Intercultural Communication |
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| Date: | Saturday, 23 November 2024, 12:16 PM |
Table of contents
- 1. Introduction to Intercultural Communication
- 2. Definition
- 3. Communication Misunderstanding
- 4. Insights into Intercultural Communication - Germany
- 5. Insights into intercultural Communication - Romania
- 6. Insights into intercultural Communication - Finland
- 7. Online Activity I
- 8. Online Activity II
- 9. Self Assessment
- 10. Individual Reflections
- 11. Group Work
- 12. Additional Information & Literature
1. Introduction to Intercultural Communication
I asked Felipe, a Chilean exchange student, what he noticed most about German culture and where he saw the biggest differences between his own and German culture.
He answered me that, so far, he was least able to get used to the way people greet each other in Germany.
In Chile, men and women generally greeted each other with a kiss on the cheek, and men greeted each other with a handshake or an implied hug.
Here it does not play a role whether one knows itself or not.
A more formal greeting with a handshake or without any physical contact exists in Chile, especially on official occasions, such as a visit to the doctor or to an authority.
The greeting is also more formal between people of different social classes.
On private occasions, celebrations and among friends, on the other hand, everyone greets each other in the above-mentioned manner.
Under certain circumstances, this could lead to a situation where, if you arrive at a party a little later, you have to greet the many other guests individually with kisses. It is irrelevant whether or not you ever speak to the person again later.
2. Definition
Communication happens on different levels: verbal (words, what is said), non-verbal (facial expressions, gestures, body distance) and para-verbal (volume, tone of voice). (Fielding 2006)
Without communication there are no (inter)cultures. (Jürgen Bolten, 2007)
One cannot not communicate. (Paul Watzlawick, 1982)
The effect, rather than the intent, determines whether a message is properly received.
Communication
(Shannon and Weaver, 1948)
Major source of information: Frey, Haller, Weber, 1993; Fielding, 2014
3. Communication Misunderstanding
- Interpretation of terms: The word compromise has a negative connotation in the Middle East. "Até logo" literally translated from Portuguese as "See you soon!" can also mean "See you sometime". In French, the word "concept" tends to mean writing down initial ideas, a "brainstorming", and does not, as in German, associate a written, structured text document. In Indonesian, "belum," German for "not yet," is a euphemism for "no."
- Form of address and greeting: In the USA, Sweden, Brazil, it is customary to address each other by their first names; in Germany, this can be considered disrespectful.
- Direct or indirect communication: the direct tone of Northern Europeans is considered rude, impolite and insensitive in many Asian and Latin American countries.
- Use of titles: Titles must be used in many countries; in others, this tends to make you look like a braggart.
- Dress code: differs significantly. Dressing casually in jeans and a sweater at work may be taken as an affront in France, Latin America, or Asia.
- Table manners: If you don't know the table manners of the local culture, you will quickly be considered uncultured.
- Written vs. oral contracts: In Indonesia, for example, a verbal agreement or handshake counts just as much as a written elaboration of business formalities in Germany.
- Gestures and facial expressions: Whether negotiating partners greet each other with a limp or strong handshake, whether they touch each other when speaking - all this is included in our mostly unconscious assessment of a person.
- Natural body distance: Northern Europeans prefer a distance of about an arm's length in conversations, while Southern Europeans and Latin Americans prefer a shorter distance.
4. Insights into Intercultural Communication - Germany
- Please don't wonder if German students are talking in a cold or a demanding way to you while handling together for example a group presentation or another teamwork. They are just low in their communication style - their statements will be probably short and to the point, they will only mention what exactly they want from you in a very direct form and without any expressions or emotions about being excited to work with you together. But this expressionless direct communication doesn't mean they don't like to work with you . So please take it in a very professional «German» direct way of communicating.
- During the lectures mostly they expect from you direct communication - this is how you are expressing your own views, your own ideas. So please don't sit quietly in the corner- build in your comments and your views, interfere. If you are sitting quietly they can even question your intelligence or they will think you are disinterested.
- If you want to have something from your fellow students you got to say it directly, the Germans won’t understand allusions or hints. Normally they also don't relate different kind of issues. They want to have the information or action in a very compact form.
- «Small talks» usually are not taken seriously - so please put important information you want to have from your team or German partner on paper, sms, email in a written form otherwise they can ignore or forget about it.
- If you are arguing about something with your German fellow, don't wonder if he becomes quite aggressive and starts to fight with you about something- he/she doesn't mean it like this, they are only used to represent their own opinion and to make it to you as clear as possible. It doesn't mean they are in conflict with you.
- Normally a German professor or as well your fellows they have no problem to criticize your work or you. It’s typically German to speak about failures/flaws - they use it for analyzing how to help you or how to make things better.
- Don't take «conflicts» with any of your fellows or professor as too serious - Germans like confrontations - cause conflict can show you problems on which to work onto.
- Don't expect any praises from the Germans about anything you have done well - they find praises irrelevant.
- Don't make any promises to your German fellows just for being nice as it is usual in some cultures for showing your politeness - they won’t understand this and probably will be mad at you.
- Don't wonder if the German students as well as professors are smiling too less or are less kind or talkative as they may be in your country. The Germans are serious and concentrated on their own work, issues and world that they forget about such things and find them unnecessary.
- As a matter of fact, Germans do have one of the most direct communication systems in the world. The Germans are known for “low-context communication” which implies meaning what you’re saying without the necessity for others to interpret gestures or reading between the lines.
- For Germans, honesty is one of the most important values.
- Being honest is always important, because it is authentic, credible and professional in a business context, avoiding misunderstandings and saving time. Trust is based on honesty, lying or distorting the truth is always leading to mistrust and scepticism.
- You have to keep in mind, that in most of the situations, direct communication doesn’t aim to hurt the other one’s feelings, it is objectively oriented. For most Germans it is difficult to read between the lines, because it’s the saying that counts.
- In case of confrontations, Germans are mostly fearless of conflicts. Conflicts are not only seen as a threat for relationships, but also as an opportunity to reveal problems and to accelerate the solution process. For Non-Germans, the tone of the voice of discussing people must sound very harsh and aggressive. Sometimes discussions escalate, but in most cases discussing people don’t fight. In a business context, they still focus on the objective. In friendship relations or other relationships, discussing is also seen as helpful in terms of solving problems or revealing misunderstandings. Due to the strong influence of personal feelings, it is of course more difficult to avoid hurting the other one than in a business context.
- Every member of the flat has his own room. Sometimes the WG’s (German short form for Wohngemeinschaft = flat community) have an additional room to spend some time together.
- In between the community you share the rent and the additional costs.
- Normally everyone buys food on his own, which does not mean, that you do not cook or eat together. But everyone owns his food which you should not take without permission, except it is offered to you.
- Furthermore the housekeeping is not narrowed down to your own room and the things you have used, you also have to keep the flat’s rest clean. Most WG’s do have a plan for that, which should be taken seriously. But in case of any inconvenience you can always talk to your roommates and solve the problem.
- As it is not very convenient to locals to establish a new WG or replace an old member for such a short time with an incoming, you should look for subleased rooms. Germans who go abroad want to make sure that they can live in their old room in order to avoid long search after their stay in another country. The advantage for you is that the room is in general full equipped and that they tend to accept you easier because they do not have to find a new member when you leave.
- Finding a good and in terms of price fair accommodation in Germany is quite difficult, even for locals. The university’s cities are often quite crowded, that’s why the room is limited.
- Find a shared flat: For German students it is very common to live in a shared flat with other students or friends. It is the often cheaper than a small own flat and easier to find.
- What you have heard about the German way of working is most likely to be the truth: people work hard, tend to do overtime, are very precise with their work and would not show up unprepared in a business meeting – especially when an external client is present. Punctuality is of high importance, not only in work life. If you cannot participate in a meeting or run late for it: be honest and let your meeting partners know in advance. Not showing up without any hint is considered unprofessional.
- A high degree of work input is expected, even though you are just a trainee or do an internship. You will be given responsibility for certain tasks or projects, almost right from the beginning on. One’s own initiative is valued highly and also expected to a certain degree: it shows your boss and colleagues that they have picked the right candidate choosing you.
- Once you are in the company and familiarized yourself with your work environment, one of the most important things is to try not to take any kind of advice, feedback or criticism personally. An international student working in a German business environment has probably at least once felt offended by his German colleague. But: people really just want to give you an objective feedback on your work, it is “constructive criticism” – and in this regard, Germans tend to be very direct which is often perceived as personal critic. It is in fact not: your colleagues or your boss want to help you improve your work and make yourself grow with your tasks. Vice versa, your feedback on your German colleague’s work is highly appreciated; and dare to present your opinion in a constructive way – this is perceived as professional behavior and shows your colleagues that their output of work matters to you.
- A discussion among German colleagues often looks like a fight from an outsider’s point of view. Indeed, they are not fighting, even though people might speak in a louder voice. This rather serves to reveal one self’s position and have one’s opinion being heard. When you are in a situation where a discussion comes up, try to participate. Hear your colleagues view points and bring in your own – you will see, your German colleagues will appreciate that you try to help solving a problem or revise a certain issue for improvement.
5. Insights into intercultural Communication - Romania
Video 01 - Romanian Students' Impressions of Host cultures:
Video 02 - Incoming Students' Impressions of Romanian Culture:
6. Insights into intercultural Communication - Finland
A Finnish view of intercultural communication
7. Online Activity I
Please click the Check in order to make the result visible.In USA this means "OK".
In France this means "zero".
In Japan this means "money".
In Tunesia this means "I'll kill you".
In Germany this means "2" or "victory".
In Britain it means "victory", if the palm of the hand is facing inwards,
and is a rude gesture if the palm is facing outwards.
In Greece and Italy this means "Good bye".
In the USA it means "Come here".
In many cultures this means "Everything is fine".
In the Nigeria and Australia it is a rude gesture.
8. Online Activity II
Which culture matches the statement?9. Self Assessment
10. Individual Reflections
Homework - Individual Reflections
1. Think of a situation you experienced, where different verbal communication rules lead to misunderstandings or confusion. Describe the situation and try to explain why this miscommunication could occur.
Output: comment to this post or post a podcast or a short video
Answer here
2. Think of a situation you experienced, where different non-verbal communication rules lead to misunderstandings or confusion. Describe the situation and try to explain why this miscommunication could occur.
Output: comment to this post or post a podcast or a short video
Answer here
3. Have you experienced different behaviors or rules on the campus during your exchange year?
Output: comment to this post or post a podcast or a short video
Answer here
4. Following the landmarks in the table below, analyze your own communication style. Mention problems that may arise when communicating with people that have different communication styles. Have you encountered such situations? What were the consequences? Provide details.
|
Classification |
Communication styles |
Description |
Cultural dimensions |
|
Classification A |
Personal style |
Individual-centered: individual opinions, equality, lack of formalism |
Individualism Achieved status |
|
Contextual style |
Based on implicit information shared by interlocutors, social status, hierarchical relationships, formalism |
Collectivism Ascribed status |
|
|
Classification B |
Instrumental style |
Receiver-oriented, problem-focused |
Individualism Monochronism |
|
Affective style |
Transmitter-oriented, focused on building the relationship with the interlocutor |
Collectivism Polychronism |
Note:
Our communication style is not "pure". The classifications help us notice the differences more clearly, and based on them we can appreciate what characterizes us the most.
Output: comment to this post or post a podcast or a short video
Answer
here
11. Group Work
Teamwork - Chapters 3 & 4
1. Groupwork
Each one of you, characterize yourself in writing, specifying the national origin and your own presuppositions of a cultural nature, your own specificities. Then each one, write down the cultural presuppositions regarding those present in the team, as you perceive them. Present these lists / inventory notes of your own traits and those of other members, discuss them, comment on each one of them. Become aware of how you perceive yourself and the gap between your own perception and the perception of others. Make an inventory of the differences in perception found. (translated and adapted apud Bosche, Le management interculturel, 1993)
Output: Present your findings in form of a presentation or a short video
Answer here
2. Groupwork
Watch carefully the video based on the presentation called The art of choosing (available here) and describe the differences found regarding the cultures involved. Anticipate problems that may arise if you do not know the differences and collaborate with people from these countries on projects that would involve decision-making. Imagine as many problematic scenarios as possible! What would be the consequences? How important is knowledge of other assumptions in intercultural communication?
Output: Present your findings in form of a presentation or a short video
Answer here
3. Groupwork
Based on the cultural dimensions provided by Edward T. Hall, make a comparison regarding the intercultural communication between your own culture and that of your teammates. Highlight some methods of improving intercultural communication based on the problems that may arise between you (wrong decoding of the verbal / nonverbal message, prejudices and stereotypes, the tendency to evaluate according to your own "grid", anxiety about the "new", etc.).
You have the following table as a support:
Dominant characteristics associated with cultural communication styles
Characteristics | Explicit communication - "poor context" | Implicit communication - "rich context" |
Communication | - precision, logic, analysis, focus on goals, achievement goal orientation, words; | - ambiguity, feeling, synthesis, focus on relationships, orientation on compliance with protocol and objectives; |
Contract | - a finality in itself, should not evolve, short-term perspective; | - a beginning of the relationship, can evolve together with the relationship, long-term perspective; |
Power relationship | - egalitarian, focused on expertise and facts; | - hierarchical, focused on status and group relationships; |
Relationship with others | - individualism; | - communitarianism; |
The relationship with the rules | - universalism, legal resolution of conflicts; | - particularism, problem solving through compromise and mediation; |
The relationship with time | - strictly economic, time shortage, monochronism; | - time does not only mean money, abundance of time, polychronism; |
Trust relationship | - written, verbal; | - oral, nonverbal. |
Source: translated and adaptated apud Prime, Usunier, Marketing international : Développement des marchés et management multiculturel, 2004
Output: Present your findings in form of a presentation or a short video
Answer here
4. Homework
Enter the Hofstede dimensions presentation site (available here)and select your home country. Follow the detailed descriptions and notice the specific aspects of your own culture. Be aware that you may not fully identify with the features of national culture (described based on average values). How do you position yourself in relation to this? What are the areas where you notice differences? How integrated in your own culture do you feel?
Output: Present your findings in form of a presentation or a short video
Answer here
12. Additional Information & Literature
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