INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES

Culture can be defined as a set of learned beliefs, values, traits, patterns, symbols, attitudes, expectations, and behaviours that characterize or express a particular period, social group, class, community, ethnicity, age group and/or population. Culture is not confined to national borders nor ethnic groups, and a number of different cultures can make up one larger cultural group.

Examples of different cultures are: Japanese culture, French culture, Maori culture, Germanic culture, the "upper-classes", pop culture, youth culture, "boy racers", "computer geeks", etc.

When two people from different cultures interact, there is a high chance of misunderstanding or misinterpretation – even if they are speaking the same language! This is because they may be approaching the same message from two different perspectives. Thus, intercultural communication can be difficult and frustrating. It can leave people feeling antagonised or offended.

Here are some tips and strategies for better intercultural communication

Attitude

It is always important to be patient. Remember that intercultural communication can be frustrating and that sometimes it can take several attempts to convey a simple message.

Stay positive and respectful. If the person you are communicating with can see that you are genuinely trying to communicate with them, they will also try different strategies to get their meaning across and/or to understand what you are trying to tell them.

Voice, Intonation and Speed

Often when speaking to someone from another culture, people tend to speak louder. This can be seen as very insulting or as a sign that the person is getting angry. Remember that because people can not speak the same language as fluently as you, it does not mean they are deaf.

If you are speaking to someone trying to speak to you in your language, it sometimes helps to speak a bit slower.

Sometimes you can begin to understand the sentiments being expressed by the intonation and the volume of the person speaking to you. But, it is always important to remember that intonation and volume is not always the same in different cultures. Some cultures and language seem more animated and expressive than others.

Turn-taking can differ from culture to culture. For example, in some Latin American countries the gap between someone finishing talking and someone responding can be as little as 2 -3 seconds. This shows respect, interest and engagement. In Japanese culture, however, the gap could be 5 -7 seconds because a pause after someone speaks is considered respectful and reflective.

Clarification and confirmation

It is always a good idea to ask for clarification. If you do not understand what is being said to you, ask questions. Or, paraphrase what you understand and ask them if that is what they mean.

If you are uncertain about whether or not they have understood, ask for confirmation. It is important to note that in some cultures, they will say that they have understood you in order to be polite. Sometimes the best way to ensure they have understood your message is to ask them to explain it back to you.

If the person you are speaking to can not explain to you what they have understood, try re-phrasing your message in simpler terms, using simpler words and phrases.

In certain cultures, people will nod or say "yes" in response to what you are saying. This does not mean that they have understood. This also does not mean that they agree with what you are saying. The positive responses such as nodding and saying "yes" could mean that they are just listening to what you are saying. For example, it could mean, "I hear you," or "I heard you; but, I don’t necessarily agree with what you are saying."

Yes / no questions, especially when the question is asked in the negative, can be answered differently according to one’s culture. In some cultures, the response is to confirm the concept either positively or negatively. In other cultures, the response is to confirm the question either positively or negatively. For example, in some cultures, if you ask, "don’t you like ice cream?" you would say "yes" if you did like ice cream and you were confirming the concept of liking ice cream. In other cultures, however, you would say "yes" if you didn’t like ice cream as confirmation that the negative question was correct. When answering yes/no questions, respond with a statement that confirms the response – i.e., "Yes, I do like ice cream."

Sometimes people who are learning your language are able to read and write better than they can speak the language. If you think this is the case, try writing down your message in simple words and phrases.

Pictures can speak volumes. Sometimes drawing a picture can help relay a message. For example, if you are wanting milk for your coffee, try drawing a cow with udders.

Body language

Sometimes acting out your message can assist with understanding. Use hands and facial expressions to convey your message.

Remember that the same gesture can mean different things in different cultures. For example, in Western English-speaking cultures, a “thumbs-up” means “good; ” but, in other cultures, it can be extremely offensive. Another example, is the Western gesture for “ok,” where the thumb and the forefinger touch to make a circle. In Japan, this same gesture means “money”.

Physical distance between two people communicating with each other can be different from culture to culture. In some South American and Middle Eastern countries, the physical distance can seem close, especially to people from some Asian cultures where people stand quite far apart from each other. Do not be offended if someone stands very close or far away from you.

Greetings are not universal. In some cultures, it is appropriate to shake hands, especially in a business situation. In some Asian cultures, it is better to bow and in some European cultures, people kiss each other on the cheek. In Muslim cultures, men do not shake hands with women and this is done out of respect for women. It is important to keep this in mind.

In Western countries, eye contact is very important. Not looking someone in the eye can be considered cowardly or as an admission of lying or having done something wrong. In some countries, however, direct eye contact and/or sustained eye contact can be considered aggressive. Please do not be offended if people from other cultures do not look you in the eye.

Slang and idioms

Slang and idioms can be extremely difficult to understand. It is best to avoid them or try giving the same message using simple words or phrases. For example, instead of saying “sweet” or “sweet as”, try saying “that’s a good idea” or “that sounds good. For a non-New Zealander, “sweet” is a taste, as in sugar is sweet; but, lemons are not sweet.

Humour

Humour does not always translate well from one culture to another.  This is because:

• Jokes are often very language-involved.  They can be based on slight nuances, puns and/or a play on words.  For example:
  • What do you call it when a walrus eats 1000 clams? A calamity.
  • Did you hear about the optician? Two glasses and he made a spectacle of himself.

These jokes are very difficult for non-English speakers to understand.  They may take the joke very literally.

• Some jokes make cultural references that people not from that culture may not be able to understand. For example:
  • The British had an organization that Americans are now considering adopting. It seems that in England, they had a men's club, Bachelors' Anonymous. It was highly successful in making men fear or even hate marriage. The club provided a unique way to treat the problem of bachelors wanting to marry. They send over a mother-in-law in nightgown, hair curlers, and a mud pack.

The image of a mother-in-law in a nightgown, hair curlers and a mud pack is not universal.  In some countries, they would not understand this nor the emotion that it evokes.  In other countries, mother-in-laws are highly regarded.

• What people find funny in one culture is sometimes actually offensive in another.  For example: ethnic jokes.

Remember that not all cultures have sarcasm and when you make a sarcastic comment as a joke, people from other cultures may not understand it. Rather, they would take your message literally.