Local and Global Communication in Multicultural Settings

Multiculturalism refers to the present of people with several cultures in a specific

settings. It is the co-existence of diverse cultures, where culture includes racial,
religious, or cultural groups and is manifested in customary behaviors, cultural
assumptions and values, patterns of thinking, and communicative styles.

Barriers of Local and Global in Multicultural Settings

Some of the barriers to effective communication are language, medium of
communication, personality and culture. Culture became a barrier to an effective
communication when a person has different language bearing, and they different
interpretation to such words.
 THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY

REFERS TO THE PEOPLE OR NATION OF THE

WORLD CONSIDERED AS BEING CLOSELY CONNECTED
BY MODERN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND AS BEING
ECONOMICALLY, SOCIALLY AND POLITICAL
INTERDEPENDENT.
CULTURAL AWARENESS AND SENSITIVITY

Cultural awareness is knowing that there are multiple

different cultures based on religion, ethnicity, nationality, and
other factors that have different attitudes and outlooks.

Cultural sensitivity involves accepting those differences

without insisting your own cultures is better or that everyone
should do it your way ( Sherman 2018).
CULTURAL AWARENESS AND SENSITIVITY GIDELINES

1. View human difference as positive and a cause for celebration;

2. Have a clear sense of your own ethnic, cultural, and racial identity;
3. Be aware that in order to learn about others, you need to understand and be
prepared to share your own culture;
4. Be aware of your own discomfort when you encounter differences in race,
color, religion, sexual orientation, language, and ethnicity;
5. Be aware of the assumptions that you hold about people of cultures different
from your own;
6. Be aware of your stereotypes as they arise and develop personal
strategies for reducing the harm that they cause;
7. Be aware of how your cultural perspective influences your
judgments about what appropriate, normal, or superior behaviors,
values, and communication styles are;
8.Accept that in cross-cultural situation, there can be uncertainty, and
that uncertainty can make you anxious. It can also mean that you do
not respond quickly and take the time needed to get more
information;
9.Take any opportunity to put yourself in places where you can learn
about differences and create relationships; and
10.Understand that you will likely be perceived as a person with
power and racial privilege (or the opposite), and that you may not be
seen as unbiased or as an ally.
 GENDER SENSITIVITY

-refers to the aim of understanding and taking

account of the societal and cultural factors involved
in gender-based exclusion and discrimination in the
most diverse spheres of public and private life.
Cultural Sensitive and Bias-Free Language

- means be aware that cultural differences and

similarities between people exist and that these should
not be assigned a positive or negative value via words
and descriptions selected in writing.
-academic and professional writings are characterized
by bias-free language .
-students, scholars, professionals, and anyone wishing
to maintain harmonious communicative relations should
be careful in using words and phrases that do not
discriminate against particular group, whether in terms of
race, ethnicity, gender, social class, age, and
 Here are some general principles to follow when referring
to different groups or categories.

1. Race and Ethnicity

Racism is a form of discrimination against a person or persons

of a different race. As Patricia Arinto (2009) asserts in English for
the Profession , “only if it is relevant to what you have to say.”
Words that reinforce stereotypes and that imply all people of a
particular race or ethnic group are the same should be avoided.

For example, “Naturally, the Asians students won the math

contest,” the word “naturally” reinforces the stereotype or
generalization that Asians have superior aptitude in math.
 It is also important to be sensitive to religion when
referring to various ethnic groups. Assumptions should not
be made that stereotype a race, nationality, or ethnic
group with a specific religion.

For example, not all Arabs are Muslims, not all Indians
are Buddhists, and not all Filipinos are Roman Catholics.

2. Gender and Sexual Orientation

Sexism refers to the prejudice and discrimination
based on sex or gender. To be inclusive of all people in
general references, one should favor gender-neural words
and phrases over gender-biased words.
Other gender-related terms may/have to do with gender
orientation or sexual orientation. It is important to be sensitive to
new attitudes about homosexual, transsexual, and transgender
people.

For example, most gay people prefer the gay term “gay” to the
more clinical “homosexual” as the label. “Lesbian” is currently
the term preferred by gay women. Transgender people prefer to
be referred to as being the gender they identify as, not their birth
gender. Again as a matter of principle, one should refer to societal
groups in the way that members of these groups prefer to be
referred to. Note also that terminology in this area is developing,
and that not everyone agrees.
3. Social Class

Class discrimination or classism is a form of

prejudice against a person or people because of their
social class.
Classism may also appear in more formal terminology.

For example,
In the Philippines, “informal settlers” is now more
politically correct term for “squatters.”
4. Age
Ageism is a form of discrimination against other people
because of their age, or assuming that older people are less
physically, intellectually, or emotionally able that other age
groups. It is important to refer to a person’s age only when that
information is pertinent to what is being discussed. When
referring to a generic group, one should also ask their subjects
what wordings they prefer: Do they wish to be called “older
persons” or “senior citizens”. Do they prefer the label
“youth,” “teenagers,” or “young people.”

Lastly, according to The American Psychological Association,

writers should be specific when referring to males and females in
terms of their age: females 18 years or older are women, not
girls. “Girls” refers to those in high school or younger
5. Disabilities

Discrimination in this area often arises because of lack of

disease without being victimized by it. Arinto (2009) also notes
that the word “abnormal” may be replaced with “atypical”
because “people who have disabilities are atypical but not
necessarily abnormal.”

6. Synthesis
For example, there are heated debates now among parents of
children with autism about whether to use “person with autism” or
“autistic person.”
It must be emphasized that research is necessary to become
aware of trends and debates in this and other areas. One may also
simply ask the concerned people what their preferred terms are.
The final takeaway is that to be effective
writer, one must not stereotype,
demean, or exclude any member or his
or her audience. Such stereotypes and
biases are barriers to communication.
POLITICAL CORRECTNESS

-is used to describe language,

policies, or measures that are intended
to avoid offense or disadvantage to
members of particular groups in society .
THE END