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Module 3

1) Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, encompassing aspects like language, religion, social habits, arts, and norms of behavior. 2) Cross-cultural communication is the process of respectfully engaging with people from other cultures through verbal and nonverbal skills that consider cultural differences in beliefs and norms. 3) Factors like inadequate translating abilities, cultural differences, and differences between high- and low-context cultures can affect cross-cultural communication and potentially lead to misunderstandings if cultural differences are not respected.

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29 views27 pages

Module 3

1) Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, encompassing aspects like language, religion, social habits, arts, and norms of behavior. 2) Cross-cultural communication is the process of respectfully engaging with people from other cultures through verbal and nonverbal skills that consider cultural differences in beliefs and norms. 3) Factors like inadequate translating abilities, cultural differences, and differences between high- and low-context cultures can affect cross-cultural communication and potentially lead to misunderstandings if cultural differences are not respected.

Uploaded by

Saket Sharma
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Module-3

Cross - cultural communication

By: T. S. Narayanan
What is culture?
 Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a

particular group of people, encompassing language,


religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts.
 It includes codes of manners, dress, language, religion,

rituals, art, and norms of behavior, such as law and


morality, and systems of belief.
Features of culture

 Culture is learned- it is not innate.

 Culture is transmitted from generation to generation.

 Culture is based on symbols

 Culture is dynamic

 Culture is an integrated system


Functions of culture
 Culture serves a basic need by laying out a somewhat

predictable world in which each individual is firmly


grounded.
 It enables you to make sense of your surroundings by

offering a blueprint of not only how to behave but also


what results you can anticipate for that behavior.
 Culture provides you with structure and direction.
Cross-Cultural Communication
 It is the process of respectfully engaging with people from other

cultures.
 It involves verbal and nonverbal communication skills that

consider the differences in beliefs and norms among cultures.


 Cross-cultural definition includes a comparison of two or more

cultures; the framework of this concept is steeped in


communication.
 Intercultural communication involves interaction between
people whose cultural perceptions and symbol systems differ
Cross-cultural communication importance
 Cultivating cross-cultural communication in a business setting

is a key factor in a company's viability and revenue growth.


 Not possessing cross-cultural communication skills could lead

to the loss of reputation, profits, and the ability to attract and


retain good talent among a diversified pool of workers.
 The framework for developing these skills is grounded in

respecting cultural differences. Ignoring differences can lead to


offensive behaviors.
Cross-cultural communication- examples
 When speaking to a Japanese colleague who has closed their

eyes, do not take offense! They are listening intently, not nodding
off.
 In Asian culture, it is considered impolite and aggressive to hold

eye contact with a person; but Americans hold eye contact as an


indication of engagement and respect.
 Natives of France may kiss a team member on the cheek upon

introduction; it is their norm to greet even strangers with a kiss.


 It is not considered polite to say 'no' in India.
Factors affecting cross-cultural
communication
 Inadequate translating abilities: interpretation mistakes can

cause problems ranging from broken deals due to unintentional


insults to broken relationships.
 Cultural differences: even within a single country, can lead to

gross misunderstandings and prejudices.


 High vs. Low context cultures
High v/s Low context cultures
Social differences in cross-cultural communication
 Living style: Arabians give emphasis on luxurious life; view

luxury as a status. Japanese work hard and save more and more
for the future.
 Class status: In many cultures, questions on occupation,

income, and job title are asked without any hesitation.


 Addressing people: In many cultures, people are addressed by

their first name whereas, in many cultures, this trend is a symbol


of disrespect.
 Role play: In Thai and American culture, women play a major

role in business, while in many Arab countries, women still do


End of Lecture-1
Non-verbal differences
 Nonverbal communication differences between cultures

occur because of how different people around the world


interpret actions in social interaction.
 Types of nonverbal communication vary based on culture

and country.
 But the areas of differences tend to fall within these eight

areas
Areas of non verbal differences

Paralanguage
Posture Eye Contact

Facial
Expressions Touch

Time
Gestures
Physical
Distance
Proxemics- Physical distance
High context v/s Low context
Xenophobia
 Xenophobia is an extreme, intense fear and dislike of

customs, cultures, and people considered strange,


unusual, or unknown.
 The term itself comes from Greek, where “phobos”

means fear and “xenos” can mean stranger, foreigner,


or outsider.
End of Lecture-2

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