EDUC 10002
WEEK NINE
1
Intercultural Communication
• Intercultural Communication occurs when individuals or groups from
different cultures communicate
•
can be challenging
The greater the
The greater the
potential for
cultural difference
misunderstanding
Misunderstanding and Miscommunication
Occur because:
•
different coding rules and cultural norms
•
different verbal and non-verbal codes
•
Culture Shock: a sense of confusion, anxiety, stress and loss
•
you encounter a culture that has little in common with your
own
•
it takes time to learn the values and codes of the culture
Bridging the Gap
• Find out what is hampering communication
– May be different languages
– May be different interpretation of non-verbal messages
– May be our inability to focus on others rather than our
self
Ethnocentrism
•
The belief that your own cultural traditions and
assumptions are superior to others – the opposite of being
“other-oriented”
•
Defined 100 years ago – all cultural groups are
ethnocentric to some degree
•
ethnocentrism enhances group pride and patriotism and
encourages cultural traditions
ETHNOCENTRISM
6
Improving Intercultural Communication
• In the previous section, we identified barriers to intercultural
communication:
– Ethnocentrism
– Different communication codes
– Stereotyping and prejudice
– Assuming similarity
– Assuming difference
• To improve Intercultural competence we need to:
– Identifying causes of miscommunication (a good first step)
– We need startegies to help improve intercultural communication
What is Competence?
• the ability to do something successfully or efficiently
• the quality or state of having sufficient knowledge,
judgment, skill, or strength
Intercultural Communication Competence
• Intercultural Communication Competence: ability to adapt one‘s
behaviour toward another in ways that are appropriate to another
person‘s culture
– More than an awareness of what is appropriate
– To be interculturally competent is to behave towards others in
ways that are appropriate
• To become competent you need:
– Knowledge about another culture
– Motivation to adapt or modify behaviour
Bridging Strategies
• Three strategies can help bridge differences between you and people
from other cultures:
1. Developing Knowledge: information enhances understanding of
others
2. Developing Motivation: internal state of readiness to respond, a
competent communicator wants to learn and improve
3. Developing Skill: becoming other-oriented is essential
Developing Knowledge
• Knowledge is power
• To gain knowledge about another person you must:
– Seek information about the culture/race
– Information helps manage uncertainty
– clarifies roles and expected behaviour
– counters inaccurate information and prejudice
World View
• World View: Perception shared by a culture or group of people
about key beliefs and issues, such as death, the origins of the
universe, and the meaning of life, which influences interaction
with others.
• These beliefs shape our thoughts, language and behaviour
• Intercultural communiation helps us understand another‘s
world view
• Learn from books, magazines, internet but
especially from individuals
Language and Culture
• there is a link between language and culture
• the more you learn about another language, the more you will
understand the traditions and customs of the culture, knowing
a few words such as greetings, signifies interest
Ask Questions
• Ask questions
• pause to listen – really listen
• Helps confirm understanding, don't make assumptions
• share information about yourself
• communication reduces uncertainty
Develop a Third Culture
• Third Culture: establishing common ground by joining separate
cultures to create a third “new“, more comprehensive and inclusive
culture.
• evolves from dialogue, negotiation,conversation, interaction and
willingness to let go
• has unique values and norms
• Relational empathy is the essence of the third culture, permitting
varying degrees of understanding rather than complete
comprehension of another‘s culture or emotions
• Developing a thid culture may be one of the best ways to enhance
understanding when communicating with someone from another
culture