Chapter 3- Lesson 1
LOCAL AND GLOBAL
COMMUNICATION IN
MULTI- CULTURAL
SETTINGS
Arriane Kris M. Pascua
Instructor
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What’s the difference between
multicultural, intercultural, and cross-
cultural communication?
Multicultural refers to a society that contains several
cultural or ethnic groups. For example, in a multicultural
neighborhood people may frequent ethnic grocery stores
and restaurants without really interacting with their
neighbors from other countries.
Cross-cultural deals with the comparison of different
cultures. In cross-cultural communication, differences are
understood and acknowledged, and can bring about
individual change, but not collective transformations. In
cross-cultural societies, one culture is often considered “the
norm” and all other cultures are compared or contrasted to
the dominant culture.
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Intercultural Communication
Intercultural Communication refers to interaction with
people from diverse cultures (Jandt, 1998).
Intercultural Communication Skills
▪ Intercultural communication skills are required to
communicate, or share information, with people from
other cultures and social groups.
▪ While language skills may be an important part of
intercultural communication, they are by no means the
only requirement. Intercultural communication also
requires an understanding that different cultures have
different customs, standards, social values, and even
thought patterns. Finally, good intercultural
communication skills require a willingness to accept
differences these and adapt to them.
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Forms of Intercultural
Communication
1. Interracial Communication-
communicating with people from different
races.
2. Inter-ethnic Communication- interacting
with people of different ethnic origins.
3. International Communication-
communicating between representatives
from different nations.
4. Intracultural Communications-
interacting with members of the same
racial or ethnic group or co- culture.
According to Gamble and Gamble (2008),
communication style among cultures differs, it may
be high context or low-context communication.
• High-context communication is a tradition-linked
communication system which adheres strongly to being
indirect.
• Low-context communication is a system that works
on straightforward communication.
Examples: High-context cultures (Mediterranean, Slav,
Central European, Latin American, African, Arab, Asian,
American-Indian) leave much of the message
unspecified, to be understood through context,
nonverbal cues, and between the lines interpretation of
what is actually said. By contrast, low context cultures
(most Germanic and English-speaking countries) expect
messages to be explicit and specific.
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▪ This is indirect and relationship-based
communication.
▪ People do not always say what they mean directly
because they want to:
High-Context ✓Avoid conflict
Communication ✓Maintain harmony (pakikisama)
(Philippines) ✓Prevent embarrassment (hiya)
✓Show respect
For example:
Instead of saying, “I disagree,” a Filipino might say,
“Maybe we can also consider another idea.”
Improving Intercultural Communication
Competence
The following guidelines may help
you enhance your ability to communicate
effectively across cultures (Gamble and
Gamble, 2008).
1. Recognize the validity and
differences of communication styles
among people.
2. Learn to eliminate personal biases
and prejudices.
3. Strive to acquire communication
skills necessary in a multicultural world.
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Individual Task
According to Confucius “ Human beings
draw close to one another by their
common nature, but habits and customs
keep them apart”.
Do you agree or disagree? Give a concrete
example to support your stand.
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