Intercultural

Communication

the movie Borat is a

parody on intercultural
conflict. Although a bit
too exaggerated, it
mirrors the crucial
function of
communication in crosscultural relations.

Can you recall other

parodies?

In what way do these technologies define

culture?

 Today communication satellites,

the Internet and electronic mail,
and fax machine instantly connect
all parts of the world. (Pearson 127)
New developments in technology
and population shifts have
created one world community,
hence the greater need for
intercultural communication skills.
(Pearson 127)

 globalization is the integration of economics

and technology that is contributing to a
worldwide, interconnected business
environment.
is changing the way we work and relate to
people around the world. (Thomas Friedman)

Globalization 1.0
Columbuss 1942
voyage and
approximately
1800

Globalization 2.0

Globalization 3.0

1800-2000 =
when companies
were the
globalization
leaders

2000-present =
individuals are
making contact
with other
individuals

Thomas Friedman

 Describing this development, Marshall

McLuhan coined the term global village*
small world engendered by improved travel
and high-technology communications

Understanding Culture

Culture is a learned system of

knowledge, behaviour attitudes,
beliefs, values, and norms that is
shared by a group of people and
shaped from one generation to the
next.
Communication and culture are
inseparable (Edward T. Hall).

 Culture is the mental software that helps us

understand our world (Geert Hofstede).

 Co-cultures involves groups of persons

united by a common element and who
live in a culture operating within a
dominant culture
- groups of persons
- united by a common element
- live in a culture within a dominant culture
*also called sub-culture

What co-cultures do the following images

remind you of?

 Communication between people who have different

cultural traditions.
the transactional process of listening and
responding to people from different cultural
backgrounds can be challenging
the greater the difference in culture, the greater the
potential for misunderstanding

Culture Shock
feeling of stress and
anxiety a person may
experience when
encountering a culture
different from his own.

Worldview
determined by our culture and life experiences
perception shared by a culture or group of people about
key beliefs and issues, which influences interaction with
others
the lens through which people in a given culture perceive
the world around them.

Group Activity: Documented

Interview
Interview a foreign national who has
stayed in Philippines for not more than 5
years.
Ask 10 main questions related to their
countrys culture and how they dealt with
cultural diversity. You may ask random
follow-ups.
Your questions will be checked before the
end of the session.
Make sure to document the video using
pictures or film capture.
Deadline: September 25