CROSS-CULTURAL

COMMUNICATION
CIA 3
NAIGIN ANTONY

1421018

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CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Sir Francis Bacon said that if a man was gracious and courteous to strangers, it showed that
he was a citizen of the world, and that his heart was no island cut off from other lands, but a
continent that joined them.
Cross-cultural communication is a field of study that looks at how people from differing
cultural backgrounds communicate, in similar and different ways among themselves, and how
they endeavour to communicate across cultures. It is a global skill that can help the learner to
adapt to any cultural context. Cross-cultural communication has emerged largely through the
globalization of markets, affairs of nation-states and technologies. Cross culture is a vital
issue in International business, because the success of international trade depends upon the
smooth interaction of employees from different cultures and regions. Companies these days
dedicate substantial resources towards training their employees to interact effectively with
those of companies in other cultures in an effort to foment a positive cross- cultural
experience. Business is not conducted in identical fashion in various cultures. It is ideal for
business people to understand and get trained to get awareness about various difficulties and
conflicts across cultures. Business in general is enhanced when people from different cultures
find new approaches to old problems, creating solutions by combining cultural perspectives
and learning to see issues from the view point of others.
IMPORTANCE OF CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Cross-cultural communication in business happens between any two companies regardless of
their location. Today companies have diversified workforce. In order to maintain a satisfied
and efficient workforce management needs to understand the aspect of cross cultural
communication. It also helps to have productive business relationships.
The way of communicating will not be the same as other countries and it is important to
know some values of other cultures and so of other ways of communicating for, first of all,
avoiding some misunderstandings and then knowing better some aspects of different cultures.

Cultural Communication differences can be identified by eight different criteria :

When to talk

What to talk

Pacing and Pausing

Art of listening

Intonation

What is conventional and what is not in a language

Degree of indirectness

Cohesion and Coherence

FACTORS AFFECTING CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION

There are many factors affecting cross cultural communication like Cultural identity, Racial
identity, Ethnic identity, Gender role identity, Individual personality, Social class identity and
Roles identity.

The Cultural Factor

Cultural identity factor is an important factor that affects cross-cultural communication.
Culture can be determined by the values, attitudes, and ways of doing things a person learns
when he starts to socialize. The norms and practices of workers brought up in different
countries or societies will be different from native people.
Racial Identity
Another factor which can impact intercultural communication is the racial identity factor.
Racial identity is a factor in the United States for Asian Americans, African Americans and
Latin Americans than for European Americans.
The Ethnic Identity
It explains role played by ethnicity in how two co-workers from different cultures interact
each other. Latin American and African Americans consider ethnicity while communicating
in United States.
Gender role identity
It means that communication between members of different cultures can be affected by how
different societies view the role of men and women.
The Individual Identity
It means how a person communicates with others from other cultures can depend on their
own personality and also how they esteem themselves.
Age identity factors
it means how members of different age group interact within themselves. In old times it can
be linked with generation gap. In cultures like that of China, Thailand pays great respect to
their elders but in United States there is less chance of such consideration for elders.
The Social Factor
The social factor refers to the level of society that a person was born into .

BARRIERS OF CROSS-CULTURAL BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

The communication process in international business settings is filtered through a range of
variables, each of which can color perceptions on the part of both parties. These include
language, environment, technology, social organization, social history and mores,
conceptions of authority and nonverbal communication behaviour.
By assessing in advance the roles these variables play in business communication, one can
improve ones ability to convey messages and conduct business with individuals in a wide
range of cultures.
ETHNOCENTRISM
Problems in business communication conducted across cultures often arise when participants
from one culture are unable to understand culturally determined differences in
communication practices, traditions, and thought processing. Ethnocentrism is the belief that
ones own cultural group is somehow superior to others.
LANGUAGE
Among the most often cited barriers to conflict-free cross-cultural business communication is
the use of different languages. It is difficult to underestimate the importance that an
understanding of linguistic differences plays in international business communication. Given
this reality, business consultants counsel clients to take the necessary steps to enlist the
services of a good translator.
Attitudes towards accents and dialects also create barriers in international business
communication. The view that a particular accent suggests loyalty or familiarity to a nation or
region is widespread in many languages. Some examples in this regard can be Parisian
French in Quebec, of Mexican Spanish in Spain, or sub-continental Indian English in the
United States are all noticeable, may suggest a lack of familiarity, even if the user is fluent.
National prejudices and class distinctions are often reinforced through sociolinguistics- the
social patterning of language. For example, due to regional prejudice and racism certain
accents in the United States associated with urban areas, rural regions or minorities may
reinforce negative stereotypes in areas like business ability, education level or intelligence.

Similarly, some cultures use socio linguistics to differentiate one economic class from
another. Thus, in England, distinct accents are associated with various higher middle and
lower classes. These distinctions are often unknown by foreigners.
ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY
The ways in which people use the resources available to them may vary considerably from
culture to culture. Culturally-ingrained biases regarding the natural and technological
environment can create communication barriers.
Environmental factors influence culture. Climate, topography, population size and density,
and the relative availability of natural resources are some of the factors.
Todays managers fail to modify the cross cultural communications to accommodate the
environmental differences due to inflexibility. Different cultures have different views towards
technology and its role.
CULTURE SHOCK
Culture shock happens when a person experiences a challenging cultural difference. The side
effects of culture shock are depression, helplessness and anxiety. When the person gets
adjusted to the new culture it reduces.
HIGH VS LOW CONTEXT CULTURE
High context cultures consider trust as an important aspect in their business dealings. Middle
East, Asia and Africa are on high context. They are collectivist, focus on interpersonal
relationships and gives importance for team success. They will be interested in knowing the
person with whom they are conducting business.
Low context cultures prefer direct and individualist employees who take decisions on the
basis of facts.
NON VERBAL DIFFERENCES
Gestures and eye contact are two important areas that cause non verbal differences.
Companies must train employees to handle the non verbal differences. Japanese consider the
use of fingers to point people as rude, whereas, it is considered appropriate in some contexts
in US.

Eye contact is another form of non verbal communication. It is considered as a sign of

straightforwardness and honesty in the US, whereas it is considered rude in Middle East and
Asia.
POWER DISTANCE
It refers to how power is distributed in an organization. American companies follow a model
of low power distance. Japanese companies follow a strict hierarchy within the organization
and maintains formal relations.

HOSTILE STEREOTYPES
It is the assumptions people make about traits of members of a group. Stereotypically, an
American is expected to be impatient and arrogant as well as friendly and tolerant.
Prejudging an individual can lead to misconceptions and barriers to communication.

EMOTIONAL DISPLAY
What is considered as appropriate emotional display differs from culture to culture. In some
culture, display of emotions is considered inappropriate. People belonging to that culture
keep their emotions hidden. In some cultures, employees are expected to reveal their
emotions.

TIPS TO IMPROVE CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Cross cultural communication can be tricky. The following tips can help to improve cross
cultural communication.
MANAGE SPEED
Even though English is a common language, while in a cross cultural environment, it is
preferable to speak at a slower pace, to avoid confusions.
AVOID SLANG
While speaking to a culturally diverse group, it is better to avoid the usage of slang as it is
culture specific. Also it can add to the confusions and misunderstandings. Slang can make
the message even more difficult to comprehend.
USE MULTIPLE CHANNELS
It is advisable to use multiple channels like presentations, agendas etc to ensure that the
message is properly communicated. Also, the message can be communicated through the use
of nonverbal signals. This helps to ensure that the message is rightly perceived.
CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING
It is essential to check for understanding of the message conveyed. Open ended questions can
be used for this purpose. Providing clarifications can ensure proper understanding.
BE PATIENT
Cross cultural communication takes more time. One cannot expect communication to be at
the same speed as when communicating with someone of the same culture.

CONCLUSION
Cross-cultural communication training is an important factor in handling international
business. Inter cultural communication barriers must also needs proper attention. World has
become a global village due to globalization, and people started to migrate to various part of
the world for job and it adds up to the importance for overcoming cross-cultural barriers.
Companies must provide ample time for giving proper training to its employees so that a
good working atmosphere in the company.

REFERENCES
http://hubpages.com
www.pon.harvard.edu www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au