Local and Global

Communication in
Multicultural Settings
Montemayor, Katrina Paula
 Intercultural
Communications
According to science, each person is genetically unique. Except for
identical twins, each person has a unique genetic composition. This
uniqueness becomes even more heightened because of individual
differences. Humans are formed by forces other than genetics. Family
background, religious affiliations, educational achievements, socio-cultural
forces, economic conditions, emotional states, and other factors shape
human identities. Because of this, no two people can ever be exactly the
same.
This situation—the diversity of people and cultures—impacts
communication. People interacting with those coming from unfamiliar
cultures may have difficulties in communication.
HIGH CONTEXT VS. LOW CONTEXT
High Context cultures (Mediterranean, Slav, Central
European, Latin America, African, Asian, American-Indian) How do we
leave much of the message unspecified, to be
understood through context, nonverbal cues, and approach
between-the-lines interpretation of what is actually said.
intercultural
By contrast, low context cultures (most Germanic and communications?
English-speaking countries) expect messages to be explicit
and specific.
Communicating Across
Cultures
by: Carol Kinsey Goman (2011)
 SEQUENTIAL VS. SYNCHRONIC

In sequential cultures (North In synchronic cultures (including

American, English, German,
Swedish, and Dutch) business
people give full attention to
one agenda before one
another.
South America, southern
Europe and Asia) the flow of
time is viewed as sort of circle,
with the past, present and
future all interrelated.
• People who are affective shows their emotions readily, while emotionally neutral perple
does not telegraph their feelings.
• In cultures with high affect, people show their feelings plainly by laughing, smiling,
grimacing, scowling, and sometimes crying, shouting, or walking out of the room.
• Neutral cultures are more careful to monitor the amount of emotion they display.
Emotional reactions were found to be atleast acceptable in Japan, Indonesia, the U.K,
Norway, and the Netherlands and most accepted in Italy, France, the U.S, and
Singapore.
• Reason and emotion are part of all human communication.
• If our approach is highly emotional, we are seeking a direct emotional response, “I feel
the same way.”
• If our approach is highly neutral, we want an indirect response, “I agree with your
thoughts on this.”

AFFECTIVE VS. NEUTRAL

 When it comes to communication, what’s proper and correct in
one culture may be ineffective or even offensive in another. In reality,
no culture is right nor wrong, better nor worse—just different.

The key to cross-cultural success is to develop an understanding of,

and a deep respect for, the differences.