Cross Cultural Communication

Welcome Event

International students at Nottingham

UK United KingdomFull-time Part-time

EU & Other InternationalFull-time Part-time

Total % non UK Grand total all students

Undergraduate 18,747 1,058 4,174 1

PG Taught 1,091 1,239 1,905 622

PG Research 1,089 326 1,243 160

24.6% 32,999

China 4431

Malaysia 3399All campuses All campuses

(figures for 2011) 35.6% 40,829

14,554 non UK students representing about 150 countries. Chinese students represent by far the largest group, followed by Malaysian students.

How culture interferes with Communication

• Behaviour constraints – every culture has its own rules about proper behaviour which affect both verbal and non-verbal communication

• Cognitive constraints – the way that people think and understand the world differently because of their cultural background

• Emotional constraints – different cultures regulate the display of emotion differently. Some cultures get very emotional when debating an issue other cultures try hard to disguise or hide their feelings.

(Ting-Toomey, 1986)

The Cultural Problem of Communication

SENDER CHANNEL RECEIVER

Code 1 Code 2

Areas for consideration

• Culture and language• Body language• Cultural approaches to common situations

International English/ Globish

• English for communication• English without accent• English with tone• English with simplified structure• English without playfulness• English with a limited vocabulary

Additional Language Speakers

What Language is this?Intitot?(Isn’t it hot?)Giuzit (Give us (me) it)Summatsupeer (Something is up (the matter) here)Gerritetten (Get it eaten)Smarrerweeim? (What’s the matter with him?)

LanguageIdioms need to be explained!

• “24/7” • “A short fuse”

“Butterflies in my stomach • “Down for the count” • “Draw the line” • “Easier said than done” • “Every cloud has a silver lining” • “Finding a needle in a haystack” • “Fish out of water”• “Get something off your chest” • “Give it a whirl” • “In the fast lane”

Vocal qualifiers to avoid• Mock seriousness - ‘Your essay is late. You might not get it

marked - I don’t have to take it from you...but just this time.’

• Irony /Sarcasm – It was great!• To indicate we don’t believe – ‘Yeah – I really think that’s

the answer!• To indicate we mean the opposite to what we have just

said – ‘I couldn’t agree more.

Ambiguous language

Ways to say – I disagree with you• “I hear what you say”• “That's all very well but..."• "That may well be so but..."• "Yes, I catch your drift, but..."• "I can see where you're heading but..."• "I take on board what you say."• "Even assuming that to be the case..."• "You may well be right but..."• "With respect..."• "With the greatest respect...”

Word StressDo not use stress to carry the meaning of your communication.“I didn’t say to her you were stupid”

I didn’t say to her you were stupid (someone else did)I didn’t say to her you were stupid (emphasis)I didn’t say to her you were stupid (perhaps you sent an email)I didn’t say to her you were stupid (but I said it to someone else)I didn’t say to her you were stupid (I said someone else was)I didn’t say to her you were stupid (you still are stupid)I didn’t say to her you were stupid (I said other stuff about you)

Confusing homophones, homographs and heteronyms

How many different meanings can you find to the word bow (include words that sound like bow as well)

• bow – a long wooden stick with horse hair that is used to play certain string instruments.

• bow – to bend forward at the waist in respect (e.g. "bow down") • bow – the front of the ship (e.g. "bow and stern") • bow – the weapon which shoots arrows (e.g. "bow and arrow") • bow – a kind of tied ribbon (e.g. bow on a present, a bowtie) • bow – to bend outward at the sides (e.g. a "bow-legged" cowboy) • bough – a branch on a tree. (e.g. "when the bough breaks...") • beau – a male paramour

Language

Here is a broad bladed tool which has been designed for Horticulturists to enable them to accomplish the maintenance of the mould on the surface of the earth in which plants grow.

Here is a spade which gardeners use to dig the soil

Body Language• An important element of any communication• Different cultures use body language

differently to support communication• Different cultures have stronger or weaker

rules about what you can and can’t do with your body language

Body Language

Potentially confusing behaviours• Using the left hand for eating or passing objects• Beckoning with your index finger or with palm up• Sitting on desks/feet on desks• Eye contact• Smiling• Clothing Gestures• Thumbs up• OK sign• Pointing

How culture makes us different

• “In order to be culturally sensitive, you need to learn to be an ‘anthropologist’ of your own culture. This means that you will sometimes need to step back from your own cultural expectations, to be able to explore another cultural dimension” (Jude Caroll)

How culture makes us different

Standing in a queue

Asking someone for directions

Giving or receiving a gift

Greeting someone – actions, gestures and handshakes

Culture and behaviour

With partner what differences are you aware of in different cultures for the following everyday activities?

Communication and culture• Linguistic competence alone is not enough for learners of a language

to be competent in that language. (Krasner, 1999).Language learners need to be aware of• culturally appropriate ways to address people, • express gratitude,• make requests • agree or disagree with someone.

• Their own behaviours and intonation patterns that are appropriate in their own speech community may be perceived differently by members of the target language speech community.

Summary

• Base your interactions with people of different cultures on your own positive behaviour and communication style – interest, empathy and adjustment.

• Understand something of other cultures and the problems they might have communicating in English in the UK

• Show sensitivity to different communication norms• Be aware of the impression you give through your body

language • Don’t be afraid to ask, to object, to switch to process

What to do nextCentral Short Courses https://UoN Central Short Courses• Cross cultural communication

– Teaching– Administration– Technicians – demonstrating, one to one working

• Leading across cultures• International – International staff induction• Cultural awareness and communication skills for PGs new

to the UK• Can run bespoke courses – to cover what your team want

to look at.