ENGLISH FOR CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
ENGLISH FOR CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
SUPALUX SRI-SUMANG AND PAUL GREGORY
APPROVED BY EXTERNAL PEER REVIEWS
FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
SILPAKORN UNIVERSITY
ENGLISH FOR CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
(i)
Preface
After an extensive search of available textbooks to teach English for Cross Cultural
Communication, it was clear that it would be very difficult to find any suitable materials designed
for Thai students studying within a Management Science Faculty. The vast majority of resources
for this subject, written in English, are aimed at Native English speakers who are assumed to be
the ‘manager’ dealing with foreign ‘employee’s or foreign businessmen. To use these materials
would unfairly and persistently position the Thais since the role of employees with little
responsibilities other than obey the rules.
This textbook has been put together specifically with Thai management students in mind
with lots of the materials adapted to this end. It should be seen as an introduction to the
discipline of Cross Cultural Communication with the aim of giving the students the foundations
of the subject. The focus of the subject matter is predominately concerned with western cultures
but it is impossible to convey every particular difference or nuance of foreign cultures so instead
the information contained within this book will equip the students with the critical thinking skills
and strategies required to communicate with a wide range of people from anywhere in the world
- using the English language. Students will learn how to foresee possible areas of conflict and
recognize problems that may arise, as well as identify the correct solutions to difficult situations
or conflict.
To this end, this book begins with background information to improve the students’ basic
knowledge of the world around them, theories and strategies of communicating across cultures
and practical exercises and case studies to make their studies relevant to the real world. Much
of the students learning of the English language are achieved through learning this subject
using English, emphasing the practical nature of the English Language itself. Finally, students
are made aware that much of the materials included are part of the social sciences rather than
hard science and are they required to form their own opinions about the subject matter and their
own solutions and strategies to communicate effectively.
Supalux Sri-sumang and Paul Gregory
ENGLISH FOR CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
(ii)
Acknowledgment
This textbook was funded by The Research Affair, Faculty of Management Science.
ENGLISH FOR CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Table of Contents
Page
Preface
(i)
Acknowledgement
(ii)
Unit 1 What is Culture?
1
Unit 2 Globalization
14
Unit 3 Global Pop Culture
27
Unit 4 Global English
40
Unit 5 Nonverbal communication and body language
59
Unit 6 Barriers to effective cross-cultural communication
84
Unit 7 National cultures and cross cultural models
98
Unit 8 Etiquette and Taboos
113
Unit 9 Multiculturalism: Problems and Tips
125
References
140
Authors
142
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Unit 1
What is Culture?
1
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Objectives
Students will:
♦ state the different aspects that make up a culture
♦ analyze how most aspects of culture are hidden
♦ realize cultural changes due to influences from inside and outside the culture.
♦ understand culture can be regional, social, commercial and spiritual – not only
national.
Language Focus
-
Conducting research using English.
-
All four English language skills are integrated throughout the activities.
Learning activities / Teaching methods
1. Explanation& Active Discussion
2. Active Individual tasks
3. Active Pair/ Group work
4. Active research/project work
5. Active Group presentation
2
English for Cross Cultural Communication
What is Culture?
The word culture is not easy to define. In the past and still in many situations now it can
simply mean refined literature, music, art, food, traditions or language. To be ‘cultured’
would mean to be educated enough to recognize and enjoy these forms of culture.
Nowadays, culture has come to mean much more. A culture is the framework or system of
learning of a group of people. It is everything that goes towards the behaviour and attitudes
of one particular country, society or group of people, including the things that make particular
cultures different or unique when compared to others.
What do you think are the most important aspects that make up Thai culture?
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Understanding culture
Key ideas
• Culture can be seen as practices or as information
• We interpret and understand the world through our Culture
• Cultures are unique and cultures of the world are varied and diverse
• Culture is fundamentally related to language
All cultures include:
Language: the words we use, when we use them and how we use them are central
to the identity of a culture and the people within it.
Thought: the ways in which people perceive, interpret, and understand the world
around them. This is closely linked with language.
Spirituality/Beliefs: the value system learned through generations for the inner
well-being of human beings, expressed through language and actions.
Arts & Sciences: the most advanced and refined forms of human expression.
Social activities: the shared activities within a cultural community, demonstrated in a
variety of rituals, festivities and life-celebrating events.
Interaction: the social aspects of human contact, including the give-and-take of
socialization, negotiation, protocols, and conventions.
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Culture can be understood as a body of knowledge that people have about a particular society.
This body of knowledge can be seen in various ways: as knowledge about cultural artefacts or
works of art; as knowledge about places and institutions; as knowledge about events and symbols;
or as knowledge about ways of living.
It is possible to think about culture as simply information, and to teach a culture as if it were a set of
the rules which can be learned by students.
When teaching culture and language together this knowledge-based view of culture often takes the
form of teaching information about another country, its people, its institutions, and so on. Culture is
not; however, simply a body of knowledge but rather a framework in which people live their lives
and communicate shared meanings with each other.
To learn about other cultures the student must first understand that knowledge-based facts are not
enough. Students must use their investigative and critical thinking skills which they can use to
better understand any culture that they come into contact with. To understand other cultures the
student must be comfortable asking the question WHY? And be comfortable that the answer will
often not be definitive.
Read the text above and choose True or False for each item
_____1. The body of knowledge excludes cultural artifacts, institutions and symbols.
_____2. Language is not very important to culture.
_____3. You can study a culture by learning a body of information about it.
_____4. Critical thinking skills aren’t significant to understand any culture.
_____5. To understand a culture it is better to ask, what? rather than, why?
5
English for Cross Cultural Communication
The Cultural Iceberg
We can liken culture to an iceberg because there is some of it that we can see above the
surface – dress, language, food – and then more subtle things below the surface that need a
little more time and thought to recognize. So, when we are looking at a different culture we
must remember that there will be much of the culture that we cannot see at first.
Image source: http://www2.pacific.edu/sis/culture/pub/1.1.1_activity_the_iceberg.htm
Only about 10% of the iceberg can be seen - most of it is below the surface. This model is
useful in helping us understand the behaviours of people within other cultures – or at least
help us understand why the behaviours of people from other cultures may at times appear
strange or confusing. The Iceberg can be divided into 3 sections.
6
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Image source: http://www.international.gc.ca/cfsi-icse/cil-cai/magazine/v02n01/doc3-eng.pdf
Above the surface
Observable - The things that make up a culture that we can see easily
General customs, Art, Music, Dress/Clothes, Literature, Architecture, Manners, Food, Greetings,
Rituals, Religion, Political System, Technology, Language, celebrations & festivals, etc.
Below the surface
Non-Observable (values & attitudes)
Concept of time, morality, belief, fairness, friendship, power, individuality, competitiveness,
nonverbal communication, art, symbolism, happiness, celebrations,
Style of Negotiation, communication, Motivation, knowledge, personal space, privacy,
superstitions, ideas, innovation
7
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Image source: http://amaliagk.wikispaces.com/Tech+Enhanced+Learning+Episode
Things that influence a culture
Religion, Media, History, Economics, Education, Families, Myths/Stories, Laws
8
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Hofstede’s Cultural Onion
Hofstede´s model the “Cultural Onion” is a useful tool to help us understand the culture of a
country. In the last layer, we have symbols. These can change as often as the latest fashion.
Finally, practices – the things the people do, influence and are influenced the different layers
around them.
Image source: http://gregandmeg.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Hofstede-model.jpg
Pair works activity: Write the answers of each item.
1. Examples of Values
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
2. Examples of Rituals
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
3. Examples of Heroes
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
4. Examples of Symbols
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Which of the types of culture listed below do you think influences you most?
Types of culture
When we use the word culture we do not just mean national culture, but the whole range of
different types of culture. These include:
• Corporate culture (for example, the culture of Microsoft)
• Professional culture (for example, the culture of lawyers or doctors)
• Gender (the different cultures of men and women)
• Age (the different cultures of young, middle-aged, and elderly people)
• Religious culture (for example, Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam)
• Regional culture (for example, Northern and Southern Italy)
• Class culture (working class, middle class, and upper class)
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Read the dictionary extracts and complete the sentences with the correct words.
• cul-tural
(‘KʌltʃƏrƏl) adj: [usually before noun] 1 connected with the culture of a particular
society or group, its customs, beliefs, etc.
• cul-tured
('kʌltʃƏd; -tʃƏrd) adj. 1 (of people) well educated and able to understand and enjoy art,
literature, etc.
• multi-cul-tural
('mʌlti'kʌltʃƏrƏl) adj. for or including people of several different races, religions,
languages and traditions.
• cul-ture
(‘KʌltʃƏ(r)) noun 1 [U] the customs and beliefs, art, way of life and social organization of
a particular country or group.
• culture shock
noun [C, U] a feeling of confusion and anxiety that somebody may feel when they live in
or visit another country.
1. A lot of problems in international business are caused by
differences and
misunderstandings.
2. She’s an extremely
woman and knows a lot about literature and art.
3. As a journalist on the new magazine for teenagers, you’ll need to have a good
understanding of youth.
4. I come from a
.
city with lots of people from different countries and different
religions.
5. When I first went to Europe, I suffered from
: everything was so different.
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Key Vocabulary
Word
Thai
Translation
Synonyms /
Antonyms
Description
12
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Key Concepts
Idea / Concept
Explanation
Notes
13
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Unit 2
Globalization
14
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Objectives
Students will:
♦ understand a working background knowledge of key events in world history in
order to help understand current global trends
♦ realize that cultures are not fixed and are constantly changing
♦ identify many of the influences affecting a culture come from outside
♦ recognize the modern world is changing quickly and cultures are becoming
more alike in many ways
Language Focus
- Expressing opinions
-Taking part in discussions using English
Learning activities / Teaching methods
1. Explanation& Active Discussion
2. Active Individual tasks
3. Active Pair/ Group work
4. Active Group presentation
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Globalization & Culture
From the very first hunter/gatherer tribes that emerged from Africa to modern sophisticated
societies, people have shared and traded their food, resources, ideas and cultures. This has
occurred both peacefully and through the use of force.
Empires
Rich and powerful countries have always sought to grow and expand the size of their
territory. Empire building has been part of human history and has shaped the cultures that
exist in the modern world.
What do you know about the following Empires?
Working in a group of 4-5 and choose one word to identify each Empire.
The Roman Empire
Umayyad Caliphate
The Mongol Empire
The Ottoman Empire
The Spanish Empire
The Ming Dynasty
The Incas
The British Empire
The Qing Dynasty
The Byzantine Empire
The American Empire
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
20th Century Timeline
Some major events………
Pol Pot
WW I (X2)
Korean
Michael Jackson
The Berlin Wall
Queen Victoria
WW II
The first man to walk on the moon
Assassinated
The Titanic
Into space
can vote for the first time
Nelson Mandela
Dolly the sheep
Communist
Mickey Mouse
Pac Man
assassinated
The US drops an Atomic bomb
1901 - __________________ dies.
1903 - The Wright Brothers are the first people to fly.
1908 - The first Model T Fords are made using the new method of the factory production line.
1912 - _______________ sinks on its ‘maiden voyage’ in the Atlantic Ocean.
1914 - ______________ begins.
1918 - ______________ ends.
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--NpdZAcSd-/18poxdim6118hjpg.jpg
1919 - The treaty of Versailles is signed which means Germany must pay for the WWI. This
becomes one of the main reasons for WWII.
1920 - Women in the U.S. _____________________.
1921 - Extreme inflation in Germany as the money becomes worthless.
1924 - Lenin Dies and Stalin becomes ruler of the Soviet Union.
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
1927 - The BBC makes its first broadcast.
1928 – The first ____________________ cartoon.
1936 - Black athlete Jesse Owens wins four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics in Germany
and embarrasses Hitler who is now Chancellor.
1939 - __________________ begins.
1942 - Jewish teenager Anne Frank hides from the Nazi Germans in Holland and writes her
famous Diaries.
1945 - The Russian Army reaches Berlin before the Americans.
1945 - _________________ on Hiroshima and again on Nagasaki.
1945 - World War II ends.
1945 - The United Nations is established to try and prevent future wars.
1948 - Gandhi is assassinated in India.
1949 – China becomes ______________.
1949 - NATO is formed by Western countries over fears of communism in the Soviet Union
and China.
1950 – War begins in ________________.
1953 - Stalin dies.
http://wwwtc.pbs.org/behindcloseddoors/tmp_assets/stalin-bio.jpg
1954 – America decides that ‘Segregation’ between blacks and whites is illegal.
1955 - Rosa parks refuses to give up her seat on the bus to a white passenger. She is
arrested so black people boycott all the buses.
1959 - Fidel Castro becomes the (communist) leader of Cuba, an island very close to the US.
1961 – The Soviet Union sends a man __________________.
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
1962 - Marilyn Monroe is found dead.
1963 – JFK is _________________.
1963 - Martin Luther King makes his ‘I have a dream’ speech.
1964 - Nelson Mandela sent to Prison in South Africa.
1965 - Malcolm X is assassinated.
http://guardianlv.com/wpcontent/uploads/2013/12/Nelson Mandela3.jpg
1967 – Che Guevara is ________________ in Bolivia with the help of the CIA.
1968 - The North Vietnamese launch their Tet Offensive in South Vietnam.
1969 - The year of the famous Woodstock music festival and the ‘summer of love’ for many
Americans experimenting with psychedelic drugs.
1969 – Neil Armstrong becomes _____________________________.
1973 - The Americans finally pull their Army out of Vietnam being unable to defeat the North
Vietnamese people. Many Americans were against the war.
1975 - ________________ becomes the leader in Cambodia. About 25% of
Cambodian people die in the next 3 years.
1976 - Gymnast Nadia Comaneci from Romania scores the first ever ‘10’ at the Montreal
Olympics…..and then gets 6 more.
1979 - Mother Theresa from Albania receives the Nobel Peace Prize for her work with the
poor people of Calcutta in India.
1980 - ______________ becomes the first computer game icon.
1982 - ________________ releases the ground breaking album Thriller.
1986 - Space Shuttle Challenger explodes.
1989 - _________________ is brought down by the people of East and West Germany.
19
English for Cross Cultural Communication
1989 - Many students are killed by the Chinese army at Tiananmen Square.
1990 - The Hubble Telescope is launched into space
1990 - ________________ is freed from prison and soon becomes the President of South
Africa.
1994 - The Rwandan genocide begins in Africa with about 1 million people killed in 100 days.
1997 - Princess Diana dies in a car accident.
1997 - ____________________ is cloned by British scientists.
1999 - Two angry students shoot 33 other students killing 12 of them and a teacher at
Columbine High School in the US.
Which country dominates the events of the 20th Century? Why?
20
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Globalization Today
Globalization often refers to the ever-increasing flow of goods, services, information and
people around the world. All countries are moving towards a single, interconnected economic
system, made possible by technological advances in communication and transportation.
Almost everywhere on the planet is now easy to get to, connected, and increasingly
assimilated with the rest of the world.
Things that drive globalization
•
Technological change
•
Trade and commerce
•
Foreign investment
•
Fewer trade and rules
•
Cultural dominance of the most powerful countries
Americanization
Critics of globalization have sometimes called it Americanization. They say that
globalization is really American corporations and businesses, taking over the world
economically and culturally, supported by the U.S. government.
Whether or not this is true the world is changing. In 2010, China became the second biggest
economy in the world and is growing very quickly, as are, those in India, Brazil and Russia.
Furthermore, many Western countries including America and Europe are now a countries
with huge debts, with money owed to countries and banks in Asia and Oil-rich countries in
the Middle East.
21
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Globalization of markets
This refers to the merging of national markets into one. With globalization of markets, we can
often no longer talk about the "UK market" or the "Japanese market" as they are part of the
same world market. New communications technologies means that shares, commodities and
currencies can be traded, 24/7/365, anywhere in the world with the click of a mouse.
Globalization of production
This refers to the companies producing goods in different places around the world so they
can benefit from lower costs of labour, capital, raw materials, and land.
22
English for Cross Cultural Communication
The globalization debate
Benefits of globalization
Proponents of globalization say that it provides wealth, jobs and makes products and
services cheaper for consumers. While there is much debate, the fact remains that
international trade is extremely important to most countries' wellbeing.
Arguments for globalization:
•
It is reducing proportion of people in poverty worldwide.
•
It is allowing access to technology in developing countries.
•
It promotes world peace.
•
It has benefited women and children’s rights.
•
It raises life expectancy.
23
English for Cross Cultural Communication
The losers of globalization
Critics of globalization say that it results in damage to the environment, pollution, loss of local
cultures, job losses, exploitation of poor countries and imperialistic western ideas and values
being imposed on developing countries.
Arguments against globalization:
•
Big businesses and corporations use globalization to avoid paying taxes and
undermine national governments.
•
Cultural Diversity is being replaced with one standard ‘world culture’.
•
Local cultures are being lost.
•
Workers in developing countries exploited for the benefit of western consumers.
•
Globalization is helping to destroy the environment.
A Discussion Activity
In small groups, use critical thinking skills to discuss about the advantages and
disadvantages of Globalization and how it affects you and Thailand as a whole.
24
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Key Vocabulary
Word
Thai
Translation
Synonyms /
Antonyms
Description
25
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Key Concepts
Idea / Concept
Explanation
Notes
26
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Unit 3
Global Pop Culture
27
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Objectives
Students will:
♦ learn how much of the world’s popular culture is very similar
♦ be able to compare different popular cultures and appreciate the differences
♦ conceptualize different genres
♦ give samples of Western popular culture icons
Language Focus
- The use of artistic language and ‘poetic license’ are involved in this unite
- All four English language skills are integrated throughout the activities.
Learning activities / Teaching methods
1. Explanation& Active Discussion
2. Actively Individual tasks
3. Active Pair/ Group work
4. Active research/project work
5. Active Group presentation
28
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Television
______________
______________
______________ ______________
______________
______________
______________ ______________
Write the names of the TV genre under the correct picture
Musical comedy-drama Detective drama The News Cooking Show
Talent show
Reality TV
Game show Soap Opera Documentary
Television has been a global phenomenon for many years now. All nations have their own
individual TV cultures but there are similarities in the type of shows that are popular. Soap
operas, cooking shows, ‘reality TV shows, comedy shows, TV news and game shows are
watched by millions of people everywhere.
29
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Most of what appears on TV remains culture specific but with the rise of cable and satellite
TV some shows can reach out to audiences across national and cultural boundaries.
There is debate in the West about whether or not TV is helping to ‘dumb down’ national
cultures, standardizing opinion and discouraging individual critical thinking. There is no
question that having over 200 TV channels to choose from increases the quantity of output
but the quality of what is produced is hotly debated – along with the role of advertisers.
Quick Fact: In the United States, there are about 95 television sets for every 100 persons.
Sport
_______________
_______________
______________
________________
Write the correct tournament names under the pictures
The Olympics
Wimbledon The FIFA World Cup
English Premier League
Many sports broke down cultural barriers long ago. Football, tennis, golf, rugby, snooker
and gymnastics are just a few that are popular globally.
30
English for Cross Cultural Communication
With technological advances it is now possible to watch many sporting events anywhere in
the world at any time – but only the sporting event the TV network chooses to show - many
sports complain about being ‘left out’.
Quick Fact: The oldest continuous trophy in sports is the America’s Cup (in yachting)..
Animation
_______________
_______________
______________
______________
Match the genres to the cartoon pictures
Comic Book
Adult comedy Children TV Feature Film
Animation and cartoons would appear to cross cultures more easily than other mediums.
Many American, Japanese and European characters have become world famous.
Quick fact: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first Disney animation film, released
in 1938.
31
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Festivals
________________
________________
_______________ _______________
Match the famous festivals to the pictures
Divali
La Tomatina
Rio Mardi Gras carnival Songkran
Whilst most communities around the world have their own special events and celebrations
some have grown enormously and are important for attracting tourism.
Christmas and Chinese New Year have become very important commercially around the
world, along with other events such as Halloween. And almost everybody now counts down
at the New Year on December the 31st.
Quick Fact: The Rio Carnival is the biggest and most famous street party in the world.
Magazines
________________ _______________
________________
_______________
32
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Match the genres to the magazine pictures
Current Affairs
Fashion
Business
Celebrity
Fashion Magazines for women have been around for a long time. But the last 15 years have
also seen a rise in ‘Lads Mags’ like FHM and Maxim along with Celebrity magazines such
as Heat and OK! Current affairs magazines are also popular. Many magazines are now more
popular online.
Quick Fact: Vogue is the world’s most popular fashion magazine.
Fashion
Sometimes it would seem that the whole world is dressed in jeans and a T-shirt – a way of
dressing that first became popular in the US. People follow popular fashions for many
reasons. To show how wealthy or ‘up to date’ they are, to show they are part of a particular
group, to show they are individuals or to communicate their attitude or mood.
Quick fact: The blue jeans were invented by Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss in 1873 as strong
trousers for miners and manual workers.
33
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Food
From big US fast food franchises to local Chinese restaurants it would appear that foreign
foods seem to be popular everywhere. Food can be closely linked with cultural identity and
many foods have become symbols to representing different cultures. Which countries would
you associate with; the hotdog, pasta, paella, noodles, kebab, curry, a barbeque or
croissants
Quick Fact: Chicken Tika Masala from India has become the most popular dish in
England – eaten more than the national dish of Fish ‘n’ Chips.
Literature & Novels
34
English for Cross Cultural Communication
There is a great tradition of literature and novels written in English. Shakespeare is probably
the most famous writer of all time. The Novel was first popular in England but many of the
world’s greatest writers come from all over the globe.
Quick fact: A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is claimed to be the bestselling novel
ever ahead of Lord of the Rings and Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin.
Cinema
Cinema has had an enormous impact on world culture. Hollywood movies from America are
watched almost everywhere. It is claimed that the dominance of US films harms local film
industries and that they promote the moral and ethical values of the US. However, some of
the world’s favourite and most successful films have come from America.
Quick Fact: Hollywood produces 500 films per year on average and has a worldwide
audience of 2.6 billion whereas Bollywood produces more than 1000 (not consistently) films
every year and has a worldwide audience of 3 Billion.
35
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Social media
The internet is probably the most influential medium within cultures. Information has never
been so easily accessible before nor has communicating across national boundaries and
cultures.
The rise in social media is a new phenomenon which still growing and it is not clear where
it will lead or how important it may become in people’s daily lives. The Internet has had a
huge impact on the ways people communicate and even live their lives making many things
easier and much more convenient. However, there are concerns about personal identity
security and governments spying on their people or using excessive censorship.
Quick fact: By September 2012 there were over 1billion users on Facebook.
36
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Key Vocabulary
Word
Thai
Translation
Synonyms /
Antonyms
Description
37
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Key Concepts
Idea / Concept
Explanation
Notes
38
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Image sources:
Television
Sports
Animation
Festival
1. http://pre.cloudfront.goodinc.com/posts/full_1294873462_687a23d69d_z.jpg
2. http://poptop12.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/survivor-all-stars-survivor-1108759_1024_768.jpg
3. http://oxfordstudent.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/CynthiaLGlee.jpg
4. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/pt/7/72/Csi_las_vegas.jpg
5. http://pantip.com/topic/32222067
6. http://www.guchill.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/sameeteetra2.jpg
7. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4f/Attplop.jpg
8. Personal Photo
1. Personal Photo
2. http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/60450000/jpg/_60450028_olympic_flag_getty.jpg
3. http://hqworld.net/gallery/data/media/116/fifa_world_cup_trophy.jpg
4. http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Media/Pix/pictures/2012/6/26/1340693622773/Wimbledon-tennis-001.jpg
1. http://www.awn.com/sites/default/files/styles/inline/public/image/attached/1562-goodman03-15.gif?itok=csvUK_2S
2. http://images1.nick.com/nick-assets/shows/images/spongebob-squarepants/characters/character-spongebobsquarepants.png?height=363&width=332&quality=0.75
3. http://www.bjamesrawson.com/m3dZRbFQKOgZ37gLUa4z_batman.jpg
4. http://terrymalloyspigeoncoop.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/toy-story.jpg
1. http://www.travelindia-guide.com/travel_india_images/festivals/diwali-india.jpg
2. http://mpics.manager.co.th/pics/Images/557000003100502.JPEG
3. http://292fc373eb1b8428f75b-7f75e5eb51943043279413a54aaa858a.r38.cf3.rackcdn.com/local_08_temp-1346310620503f11dc-620x348.jpg
4. http://www.obliquelondon.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Oblique-Blog-Rio-Carnival.jpg
Magazines
1. http://img6.bdbphotos.com/images/orig/n/i/ni9nze1g4lgcn9ec.jpg?skj2io4l
2. http://hiphop-n-more.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/beyonce-vogue-cover.jpg
3. http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlny/files/2011/07/ZuckerbergTIME.jpg
4. http://cdn.static-economist.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/print-cover-full/print-covers/20130105_cna400.jpg
Literature and Novels
1. http://bibliothec.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/harry-potter-books.jpeg
2. http://i43.tower.com/images/mm107973326/animal-farm-george-orwell-paperback-cover-art.jpg
3. http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/olivertwist/assets/images/onesheet.jpg
4. http://wall4all.me/wallpaper/957889-Lord-of-the-Rings
Cinema
1. http://www.raindance.org/wp-content/uploads/Hollywood-sign.jpg
2. http://glossi-media-us-west.s3-us-west1.amazonaws.com/media/1ccc7da2feaf4a7e9c7d374fa1140dbfRJMaff.jpg
3. http://www.listal.com/viewimage/1285966
4. http://www.trespassmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/australia_dave.jpg
Social Media
1. http://www.vapartners.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/social_media_circle_nobckgd.jpg
2. http://www.socialmediatab.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/socialMedialogoblocks.jpg
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Unit 4
40
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Objectives
Students will:
• conceptualize of the relationship between the diverse varieties of English.
•
realize about the ideas of the interaction between communities is multilateral—that
is, international connection at diverse levels is required in today’s economic and
production enterprises.
•
understand that languages, communities, and cultures have become hybrid, shaped
by this fluid flow of social and economic relationships. English enables, and is in turn
shaped by, these transcultural.
Language Focus
-
Conducting research using English.
-
All four English language skills are integrated throughout the activities.
Learning activities / Teaching methods
1. Explanation& Active Discussion
2. Actively Individual tasks
3. Active Pair/ Group work
4. Active research/project work
5. Active Group presentation
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
English – An Ever Changing Language
Why has English become so important? Where did it come from? What will happen to
English in the future? Who has been trusted with the future of English?
These are all important questions for any learner of English to understand. There are many
varieties of English in use around the world. Each dialect or regional accent is just as
legitimate as any other. English began in England, of course, and grew in popularity with the
growth of American culture but one the beauties of the English Language is that it has
always evolved through its use and how it will continue to evolve depends on the people who
use it. To understand this we must go back to where it all started.
The beginnings of English
The history of the English language started with the arrival of the Angles, the Saxons and the
Jutes who crossed the North Sea from what today is Denmark and northern Germany. Most
of the Celtic speakers who were already in Britain were pushed west and north into what is
now Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Old English (450-1100 AD)
Old English did not sound or look like English today. Nevertheless, about half of the most
commonly used words in Modern English have Old English roots. The words be, strong and
water, for example, came from Old English.
Middle English (1100-1500)
In 1066 the Normans invaded England from Northern France. French became the official
language of the Royal Court, government and business. For many years the poorer classes
spoke English and the richer classes spoke French. By the 14th century English was popular
again but now it contained many new words from the French language. About one third of
modern English comes directly from the French language.
Early Modern English - Early Modern English (1500-1800)
This period of the Evolution of English began with the influence of Shakespeare and
continued through the 16th century as the British started to have contact with many more
different cultures across the globe. This, along with the Renaissance in Europe meant that
many new words and phrases entered the language. The invention of printing was very
important because it meant that books became cheaper and more people learned to read.
So that everybody could understand spelling and grammar needed to be the same
everywhere so, the dialect of London became the standard. In 1604 the first English
dictionary was published in an effort to organize the language further.
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Late Modern English (1800-Present)
The main difference between Early Modern English and Late Modern English is vocabulary.
Late Modern English has many more words because: firstly, the Industrial Revolution and
new technology created a need for new words and secondly, because of the British Empire
under which the English language took foreign words from many of the countries that were
being controlled by the British.
Varieties of English (Englishes)
American English
From the very beginning the people who migrated to America began to use a separate
dialect of English. In some ways, American English is more like the English of Shakespeare
than modern British English is. Spanish also had an influence on American English along
with French words (through Louisiana) and West African words (through the slave trade).
What does “Englishes” mean?
Today, American English is particularly influential, due to the USA's dominance of cinema,
television, popular music, trade and technology (including the Internet). But there are many
other varieties of English around the world, including for example Australian English, New
Zealand English, Canadian English, South African English, Indian English, Caribbean
English and etc. More recently many forms of Asian, European and South American are
being recognized as separate and distinct forms of English
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Crystal (1995) visualized how the three Concentric Circles related to each other in a diagram
as follows.
Source: Crystal, D 1995, The Cambridge encyclopedia of the English language, Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge [England].
Jenkins (2003) identified three groups of users:
Those who speak English respectively as
 a native language = ENL
 a second language = ESL
 a foreign language = EFL
English in Asia
English has been a major part of the cultures of Hong Kong and Singapore for some time but
the most important recent development in Asia has been the decision to make English the
official language of ASEAN. Each Asian culture is in the process of taking the English
language and integrating it into their own cultures in their own particular ways. So we can
see the rise of new dialects such as Singlish, Chinglish and even Tinglish.
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
American and British English Usage
American
British
aluminum
aluminium
archeology
archaeology
catalog
catalogue
center
centre
color
colour
donut
doughnut
draft
draught
encyclopedia
encyclopaedia
favorite
favourite
gray
grey
humor
humour
jewelry
jewellery
license
licence
meter
metre
omelet
omelette
program
programme
story
storey
tire
tyre
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Image sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:BBC_News_(UK)_channel,_new_look_19_March_2013.jpg
http://www.bnonews.com/news/533.html
American/Canadian
British
airplane
antenna
apartment /condominium
appetizer
bathroom
bun
bus
cafeteria
candy
cell phone
check
cookie
crackers
crosswalk
driver's license US, driver's permit Can
drug store
elementary school
elevator
eraser
faucet
first floor
flashlight
French fries
aeroplane
aerial
flat
starter, hors d'oeuvre
toilet
bap, roll
coach
canteen
sweet
mobile phone
cheque
biscuit (sweet)
biscuits
pedestrian crossing
driving licence
pharmacy, chemists
primary school
lift
rubber
tap
ground floor
torch
chips
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
American/Canadian
British
parking lot
penny
period
railroad
rent
restroom
résumé
round trip US
sales tax
schedule
soda
store
stove
subway
train station
two weeks
vacation
zip code US
car park
cent
full stop
railway
hire
toilet
curriculum vitae (CV)
return
VAT
timetable
soft drink
shop
cooker, oven
underground railway
railway station
fortnight
holiday
post code
Image sources:
http://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/british-flags/the-union-jack-or-the-union-flag
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Canada_and_USA_Flag.png
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
British and Australian English
British
Australian
Hi
G’day mate
English person
Pom
Absolutely
Reckon
mosquito
mozzie
Well done!
Good on ya!
breakfast
brekkie
Joey
Baby kangaroo
Thank you
Ta
Barbecue
Barbie
buddy, friend
mate
Honestly, really
Fair Dinkum
Liquor shop
Bottle shop
A pickup truck
Ute
a lot” or “many
Heaps
How are you?
How ya going?
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Use of English in the modern world
Without a doubt, English is a versatile language that has become necessary in today’s world.
It is a language that has developed worldwide in literacy, media, TV, movies, theater and of
course the internet. English is a language that will not only help you do any business but also
to understand the world we live in as well as read stories surf the net, engage I international
debates and help you with your chosen career.
Around the world
English can be used almost anywhere in the world. This is because there will almost certainly
be at least a few people in any locality who can speak English. Accents and certain words
may be different but the basics of the English Language remain the same everywhere. Just a
few words in English can help people communicate their basic needs.
Travel
When people travel to another country for business or as a tourist the language there will
probably be different. Therefore the universal use of English can help people communicate in
any situation.
National Politics
In countries like India which cover large areas with many different peoples and languages a
single ‘neutral’ language like English can help unite the country and its resources and help
everything run more smoothly.
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
International Politics
All correspondence between offices in different countries is in English. English is the official
language of most international organizations, such as; The UN, The IMF, The World Bank,
NATO, ASEAN, and countless NGOs.
Education and Studies
English has helped with the spread of information and allowed different countries and
communities (especially the scientific community) to share their knowledge. Education has
increased the role of English in the world. Students can study in different countries but use
the same language.
The Internet
Despite the growing number of websites, blogs and general online traffic in different
languages English still remains the dominate language on the internet.
Money, Power and Influence
People who speak English as their 1st language make up less than 10% of the world’s
population.
People who speak English as their 1st language have more than 30% of the world’s wealth.
Anybody who aspires to be successful in their professional career should be aware of how
important the English Language could be.
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Other Languages
It is clear that knowing at least some English is becoming increasingly important for an
increasing number of people around the world. But this doesn’t mean that English is
replacing other languages. In fact other languages are becoming even stronger and more
important as they help regions maintain their own cultures and identities.
English Use Statistics
English is the most widely spoken and written languages, with around400 million native
speakers at the turn of the 21st Century.
Through the global influence of native English speakers in cinema, music, broadcasting,
science, and the Internet in recent decades, English is the most widely learned second
language in the world.
Because a working knowledge of English is required in many fields and occupations,
education ministries around the world mandate the teaching of English to at least a basic
level.
And there are some other facts about English you might be interested in knowing. In no
particular order, here are some of the numbers about English:
•
English is the most geographically widespread language in the world and is more
widely spoken and written than any other language.
•
Over 400 million people use the English vocabulary as a mother tongue, only
surpassed in numbers, but not in distribution by speakers of the many varieties of
Chinese.
•
It has been estimated that over a billion people, speak English, as a foreign language
(with varying degrees of proficiency).
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
•
Of all the world's languages (over 2,700) English is arguably the richest in
vocabulary; the Oxford English Dictionary lists about 500,000 words, and there are a
half-million technical and scientific terms still uncatalogued.
•
Three-quarters of the world's mail, telexes and cables are in English.
•
More than half of the world's technical and scientific periodicals are in English
•
English is the medium for 80% of the information stored in the world's computers
•
English is the language of navigation, aviation and of Christianity;
The main language used throughout the world on the internet is English. The media that
make up the Internet are overwhelmingly American in origin, so it is no wonder that the
mother tongue of the Web is English. Four factors determine the degree to which a given
language finds use on the Internet:
1. The number of users of the language
2. The extent of its use as an official language
3. The economic power of the language and;
4. The volume of information disseminated in that language.
Internet English
We have learned that English is evolving constantly due to outside influences and nowhere is
this more obvious than online. The net is dominated by young people who are naturally open
to change and with most English users of the net being non-native speakers some of the
changes have been dramatic.
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Examples of Slangs and Acronym meanings
Slang
•
Dunno Dont know
•
@ At
•
B4 Before
•
C See
•
Cuz Because
•
Gonna Going to
•
L8r Later
•
M8 Mate
•
Nvm Never Mind
•
Pic Picture
•
BTW by the way
•
Plz Please
•
Sup What's up?
•
soz, srry Sorry
•
Thnx Thanks
•
U You
•
W8 Wait
•
Wanna Want to
Acronym Meaning
•
AFAIK As far as I know
•
AFK Away from keyboard
•
ASAP As soon as possible
•
ASL? Age, sex, location?
•
BBIAB Be back in a bit
•
BBL Be back later
•
BBS Be back soon
•
BD Big deal
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
•
BRB Be right back or Bath-room break
•
BRT Be right there
•
BTW By the way
•
COL Crying out loud
•
CU See you
•
CUL See you later
•
EOM End of message
•
FAQ Frequently asked questions
•
FYI For your information
•
GFY Good for you
•
GG Good game
•
HAND Have a nice day
•
HTH Hope this helps
•
IC I see
•
IDGI I don't get it
•
IDKI don't know
•
ILY or ILU I love you
•
IMO In my opinion
•
IMHO In my honest opinion / In my humble opinion
•
IRL In real life
•
ITT In this thread
•
LOL Laugh out loud
•
MYOB Mind your own business
•
NVM Never mind
•
NP No problem
•
OMG Oh my God!
•
OT Off topic
•
RL Real life
•
WB Welcome back
•
YW You're welcome
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Examples of Foreign words adopted by English
History (Greek)
Booze (Dutch)
Ballet (French)
Noodle (German)
Mosquito (Spanish)
Icon (Russian)
Broccoli (Italian)
Pajamas (Hindi)
Piano (Italian)
Embarrass (Portuguese)
Yacht (Dutch)
Shampoo (Hindi)
Anorak (Greenland)
Chocolate (South American Indian)
Candy (Arabic)
Ketchup (Malay)
Stripe (Dutch)
Typhoon (Chinese)
Sketch (Dutch)
Anonymous (Greek)
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Key Vocabulary
Word
Thai
Translation
Synonyms /
Antonyms
Description
57
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Key Concepts
Idea / Concept
Explanation
Notes
58
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Unit 5
Nonverbal communication and body language
59
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Objectives
Students will:
♦ learn the importance of nonverbal communication
♦ understand the different varieties of nonverbal communication
♦ be able to explain how nonverbal cues can cause misunderstanding
♦ be able to use nonverbal communication strategies effectively
Language Focus
- Describing people’s moods and attitudes
- Using tone to express emotion rather than meaning
Learning activities / Teaching methods
1. Explanation& Active Discussion
2. Actively Individual tasks
3. Active Pair/ Group work
4. Active research/project work
5. Active Group presentation
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Types of Communication
The process of communication can be broadly classified as verbal communication and nonverbal communication. Verbal communication includes written and oral communication using
recognizable words, whereas, non-verbal communication includes body language, facial
expressions and visuals diagrams or pictures.
Verbal Communication
Oral Communication
Oral communication refers to the spoken words in the communication process. Oral
communication can either be face-to-face communication or a conversation over the phone
or speaking via the internet.
Written Communication
The other type of verbal communication is written communication. Written communication
can be either via email or letter. The effectiveness of written communication depends on the
style of writing, vocabulary used, grammar, clarity and precision of language.
Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal Communication-information that is communicated without using words. Nonverbal
communication can be achieved using the human senses of sight, sound, touch, and even
smell and taste. Vocal sounds that are not considered to be words, such as a low sound, or
singing a wordless note, are nonverbal. These sounds are mostly used to express emotion in
different context.
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Nonverbal communication and body language
Image source: http://www.maximumadvantage.com/images/Components%20of%20Communication.jpg
The power of nonverbal communication and body language
Nonverbal communication, or body language, is a vital form of communication. When we
interact with others, we continuously give and receive countless wordless signals. Our
nonverbal behaviors—the gestures we make, the way we sit, how fast or how loud we talk,
how close we stand, how much eye contact we make all send strong messages and
communicate a wealth of information not included in the words that we use.
The way you listen, look, move, and react tell the other person whether or not you care and
how well you’re listening. The nonverbal signals you send either produce a sense of interest,
trust, and desire for connection—or they generate disinterest, distrust, and confusion.
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Nonverbal communication cues can play five roles:
•
Repetition: they can repeat the message the person is making verbally
•
Contradiction: they can contradict a message the individual is trying to convey
•
Substitution: they can substitute for a verbal message. For example, a person's
eyes can often convey a far more vivid message than words and often do
•
Complementing: they may add to or complement a verbal message. A boss who
pats a person on the back in addition to giving praise can increase the impact of the
message
•
Accenting: they may accent or underline a verbal message. Pounding the table, for
example, can underline a message.
Can you think of an example for each of the five cues above?
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Nonverbal communication and body language in business or personal relationships
It takes more than words to create, strong workplace or personal relationships. Nonverbal
communication has a huge impact on the quality of our relationships. Nonverbal
communication skills improve relationships by helping you:
•
Accurately read other people, including the emotions they’re feeling and the
unspoken messages they’re sending.
•
Create trust and transparency in relationships by sending nonverbal signals that
match up with your words.
•
Respond with nonverbal cues that show others that you understand, notice, and care.
Unfortunately, many people send confusing or negative nonverbal signals without even
knowing it. When this happens, both connection and trust are lost in our relationships.
How have you communicated nonverbally today?
Forms of Nonverbal Communication and body language
There are many different types of nonverbal communication. Together, the following
nonverbal signals and cues communicate your interest and investment in others.
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
 Facial expressions
The human face is extremely expressive, able to
express countless emotions without saying a
word. And unlike some other forms of nonverbal
communication, facial expressions are universal.
The facial expressions for happiness, sadness,
anger, surprise, fear, and disgust are the same
across all cultures.
Image source: http://s3.amazonaws.com/rapgenius/filepicker/6TTGwXoKTma6L4lr08qb_face-reference.jpg
 Body movements and posture
Consider how your perceptions of people are
affected by the way they sit, walk, stand up, or
hold their head. The way you move and carry
yourself communicates a wealth of information
to the world.
This type of nonverbal
communication includes your posture, bearing,
stance, and use of subtle movements.
Image source: http://www.drsbamberger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/poor-posture.jpg
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
 Gestures
Gestures are woven into the fabric of our daily lives.
We wave, point, beckon, and use our hands when
we’re excited and speaking animatedly. We express
ourselves with gestures often without thinking.
However, unlike facial expressions the meaning of
gestures can be very different across different cultures
and regions, so it’s important to be careful to avoid
misinterpretation.
Image source: http://freedesignfile.com/upload/2013/06/Hands-3-3.jpg
 Eye contact
Since the visual sense is dominant for most people, eye contact is an especially important
type of nonverbal communication. The way you look at someone can communicate many
things, including interest, affection, hostility, or attraction. Eye contact is also important in
maintaining the flow of conversation and for measuring the other person’s response and level
of engagement.
Image source: http://autismtank.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-listening-game.html
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
 Touch
We communicate a great deal through touch. Think
about the messages given by the following: a firm
handshake, a timid tap on the shoulder, a warm bear
hug, a reassuring pat on the back, a patronizing pat
on the head, or a controlling grip on your arm.
 Space Interpersonal distance (proxemics)
Image source: http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/40/0a/e4/400ae42cf5bf37f9b9bdb4f321306e08.jpg
Have you ever felt uncomfortable during a conversation because the other person was
standing too close and invading your personal space? We all have a need for physical
space, although that need differs depending on the culture, the situation, and the closeness
of the relationship. You can use physical space to communicate many different nonverbal
messages, including signals of intimacy, aggression, dominance, or affection.
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
 Voice - Paralanguage (voice pitch and inflections, rate of speech, and silence)
We communicate with our voices, even when we are not using words. Nonverbal speech
sounds vary in tone, pitch, volume, inflection, rhythm, and rate to convey different
information. When we speak, other people “read” our voices in addition to listening to our
words. These nonverbal speech sounds provide subtle but powerful clues into our true
feelings and what we really mean. Think about how tone of voice, for example, can indicate
confusion, respect, anger, affection, or confidence. Often, it’s not what you say that is
important, rather, how you say it.
It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it
•
Intensity. The amount of energy you project is considered your intensity. Again, this
has as much to do with what feels good to the other person as what you personally
prefer.
•
Timing and pace. Your ability to be a good listener and communicate interest and
involvement is impacted by timing and pace.
•
Sounds that convey understanding. Sounds such as “ahhh, ummm, ohhh,” uttered
with congruent eye and facial gestures, communicate understanding and emotional
connection. More than words, these sounds are the language of interest,
understanding and compassion.
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Other types of nonverbal communication include;
 Clothing, cosmetics, hairstyles, jewelry
People whether they realize it or not are communicating a great deal about their personality,
attitude and mood by how they present themselves to the world. Think about the different
messages sent by a short haircut and business suit when compared with brightly dyed hair
with tattoos and a pair of old scruffy jeans and T-shirt.
Image sources:
http://mediumhairstylesideas.com/punk-hairstyles-in-2013.html/punk-hairstyles-for-men
http://images4.fanpop.com/image/photos/15600000/Lady-gaga-s-dress-lady-gaga-15615528-1235-725.jpg
 Color symbolism
Some colours have different levels of importance and can vary in meaning in different
cultures.
Image source: http://www.scenicreflections.com/files/Country_Flags_Wallpaper_sz4qp.jpg
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Image sources:
http://www.wuxiaedge.com/wp-content/uploads/Chinese_Wedding_Bridal-sedan.jpg
http://www.funeralhomedirectory.com/images/articles/what-to-wear2.jpg
 Attitude toward time and the use of time in business and social interactions
People’ attitudes towards time can directly communicate to others something about they see
themselves.
Image source: http://www.plymouthbusinesstraining.co.uk/assets/img/time-management.jpg
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
 Food symbolism and social use of meals
The choice of food when with others can also be a way of communicating along with the style
of sharing it and paying for it.
Activity: Working in small groups. Create a short role-play or ‘skit’ that you can
perform for the rest of the class – using only nonverbal communication.
Common Cultural Misunderstandings
Think you're a well-mannered person? Most people do — and so they might be, at home. But
the most apparently harmless gestures and customs — the thumbs-up sign, a casual
greeting, certain types of gifts — can be easily misunderstood in different cultural settings,
with embarrassing or maybe even dangerous consequences.
Just remember: never shake hands with a Ukrainian in a doorway and never ever make the
okay sign when traveling around Greece.
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
The okay
Image source: http://www.michaelsinkindds.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/man-smile-ok.jpg
Want to signal to someone you've met on holiday how fine and generally okay things are?
Stop! Beware of making the round "okay" sign with your thumb and forefinger. In Greece and
Turkey, for example, this gesture can be taken as rude and vulgar. You are telling someone
that they resemble a very private part of the human body or that they are homosexual.
The finger
Image sources:
http://www.qatarchronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/fingers.jpg
http://www.buzzle.com/images/hand-gestures/the-dog-call.jpg
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Should you ever find yourself in an Arabian bazaar and want to signal to the rug dealer that
he's finally named a price you can agree on, please don't give him the thumbs-up. You'd
actually be telling him (very rudely) where he could ‘stick his offer’, rather than that you want
to buy his beautiful carpet. Giving someone the finger - showing them your raised middle
digit, palm towards you - might be the most widespread obscene gesture in Western
countries but you'll find on your travels that almost any protruding finger will cause offence
somewhere. In the Philippines, for example, summoning someone with a finger is considered
suitable only for dogs and is punishable by arrest.
The point
Image sources:
http://blogs.attask.com/files/2013/01/FingerPointing.jpeg
http://www.wpclipart.com/signs_symbol/gesture_mood/hand_pointer/pointing_finger_right.png
Is this the way to your famous shrine/mosque/temple? Be careful how you ask such
questions when travelling. Pointing with your finger is rude in so many countries it's probably
wise just to not to do it at all when overseas. Use an open hand instead to indicate direction.
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Eating
Food is a very important part of a person’s cultural identity and it’s easy to get things wrong
when in unfamiliar surroundings. Burgers might have spread around the world but eating one
with both hands certainly hasn't. Don't eat anything with your left hand in Muslim countries or
in India. This hand is used for an entirely different function in such places, one people don't
want to be reminded of when eating. The left hand really is a poor relation of the right in
these parts of the world; you should also avoid gesturing or shaking hands with it.
Holding Hands
Image sources:
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/elmoi001/architecture/hands%2520holding.jpg
http://th06.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2013/072/0/8/holding_hands_by_adilabs-d4tgvp3.jpg
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Young boys can hold hands without comment in most cultures, but grown men? It's probably
a sign that they're in a relationship (or even married). However, such metropolitan Western
views represent a minority worldwide. It's quite unremarkable to see two male friends walking
down the street holding hands, or arm in arm, in India and in Muslim and African countries.
The happy snap
It's easy enough to be offended in your own country by intrusive tourists snapping your photo
without permission. On other occasions, you might be that intrusive tourist yourself. In an
increasing number of countries the police are becoming very suspicious of people taking
photographs of certain buildings because of the perceived threat of terrorism.
The slurp
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Slurping your soup - or indeed your coffee or tea - might be a no-no at your average Western
table but in Japan it's considered good table manners. Slurping indicates you're enjoying the
meal.
The compliment
Image sources:
http://www.imgion.com/images/01/Driving-Compliment-.gif
http://p-ec2.pixstatic.com/52e7c4f7dbfa3f479e002eca._w.540_s.fit_.jpg
"Oh, I love your settee!" is a harmless compliment - and perhaps a little white lie - when
visiting someone's house in the West. But be wary of making such a remark in Arab and
some African countries, such as Jordan, Senegal and Nigeria. Your host might think he or
she is obliged to give you the item in question. An awkward situation all round, especially if
you have to carry the sofa home on your back!
Time Keeping
Image sources
http://l.rgbimg.com/cache1nijB4/users/w/wo/woodsy/600/2dzxBLe.jpg
http://www.payrollmedics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/labimg_640_time-keeping.png
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Arriving 10 minutes late to a dinner appointment or party is considered normal in western
cultures but in others 30 minutes or even an hour is still fine. An hour's lateness is quite ok in
laidback Argentina. Even three hours would not be thought rude for some informal
occasions.
Anger management
Anger is increasingly okay in many cultures. In business — if you're the boss — it means
you're just showing who is in charge. In more informal settings it's just showing your feelings,
it's called being emotionally healthy, California-style. But for safety's sake assume anger is
generally not acceptable when you travel. Many countries around the world still value
emotional control. It’s just common sense that you should never lose your tempering
unfamiliar surroundings.
Questions
1. In which countries shouldn’t you use the ‘ok’ sign?
2. Why should you be careful of gesturing with your finger?
3. In many cultures people never eat using which hand?
4. Where would it be perfectly fine to slurp your food in public?
5. In some cultures what do people communicate by using anger?
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Where are these four gestures fine to use? Where do they mean something rude?
1
2
3
4
Australia:1. Not Rude to most people (if your hand is still).It means “OK” or” alright” (or agreement).
2. Not rude, usually means ''zero'' or “ok” – everything is fine.
3. Not rude. ''Two beers please'' or ''peace man'' or even ''victory''.
4. Very rude! Especially if you move your hand up and down.
Canada:1. Means ''great'' or ''awesome'' – Not Rude
2. “OK”, “alright”, “good”. - Not Rude
3. “Peace”. Not Rude
4. Very Rude! – but rarely used.
China:1. “OK”, “good”. Not Rude
2. Not used.
3. “Two please” or ''I am in the process of having my photograph taken''. Not Rude
4. “Two” – Not Rude
Germany:1. Not Rude. “Ok”, “well done”, “great”.
2. Sometimes Rude! Means job well done or a private part of the body depending on region
3. Not Rude. “Peace”
4. Not Rude. “Two”
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Greece:1. Not Rude. It means “great”, “good job”, “OK”, “congratulations”.
2. Very Rude! Comparing a person to a private part of the body or calling them
homosexual.
3. Not Rude. “Peace”
4. Not Rude. “Two”
UK &Ireland:1. “OK”, “good”. Not Rude.
2. “OK”. Not Rude.
3. “Peace”. Not Rude.
4. Very Rude! Especially if you move your hand up and down.
Japan:1. Not Rude. Sometimes means ''good'', rarely used by adults.
2. Not Rude. Money, or for young people can mean “OK”.
3. Not Rude. Common sign used that is intended to portray an acceptable level of cuteness
when posing for photographs.
4. Not Rude. Common sign used that is intended to portray an acceptable level of cuteness
when posing for photographs.
Russia:1. Not Rude. Well done, good.
2. Not Rude. Many people would understand this as OK, but they don't use this sign.
3. Not Rude. Many people would understand this as ''victory'' (because of western films etc).
4. Not Rude.“Two”
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Read the article Understanding body language. Underline the adjectives that describe
personal attitudes and qualities.
UNDERSTANDING BODY LANGUAGE
What you say with your body can be as important as what you say with words. In
meeting, negotiations, and social situations it is important to think about body languagegesture, posture, facial expression, eye contact, and other non-verbal signals. Look at these
people, for example. Which of these words would you use to describe them: interested,
bored, thoughtful, aggressive, and neutral? How did you decide?
Of course, body language can mean different things in different cultures. In western
counties, crossing your arms can indicate you are suspicious or even hostile, but smiling and
keeping your hands visible can indicate you are open-minded. If you play with a pen or even
your hair, it can mean you are distracted; but putting your hand on your chin can show you
are thoughtful. Learning back in your chair can sometimes seem rude, but learning for wards
slightly can indicate you are attentive. Nodding gently when someone is making a point can
show you are supportive and encouraging. If you stare at someone they may think you are
being intrusive, but establishing good eye contact is important if you are trying to be decisive.
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Look at the list of adjectives in the box and answer the questions.
attentive
bored
decisive
distracted
friendly
interested
intrusive
neutral
encouraging
rude
supportive
1. Find two pairs of opposite adjectives.
2. Find five adjectives whose opposites are formed by adding either un-or in- to form their
opposites. What are their opposites?
Complete the each sentence with a suitable adjective.
1. Sandy-arms crossed for most of the meeting-not very _____________.
2. Anna seemed ____________ -constantly playing with her pen.
3. Chris kept staring at the speaker- quite _____________.
4. Yaya – nodding in an ____________ way during the presentation seemed ____________.
5. Pam – rather ____________. Didn’t make good eye contact with anyone.
6. Lee didn’t smile once. How _____________!
7. Mark – excellent eye contact - ___________.
8. Mario – a little ___________? - leaning backwards slightly in her chair.
Tone exercise
Working with a partner say each of the words from the box above using the correct
tone indicated by the word itself.
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Key Vocabulary
Word
Thai
Translation
Synonyms /
Antonyms
Description
82
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Key Concepts
Idea / Concept
Explanation
Notes
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Unit 6
Barriers to effective cross-cultural communication
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
This unit deals with quite difficult and maybe contentious subject matter. The information
contained within is based on academic research whose conclusions can often be
considered as opinions rather than hard facts and are in no way intended to offend, or
undermine the students’ beliefs.
Objectives
Students will:
• understand how culture affects communication
• identify barriers to effective cross cultural communication
• apprehend the importance of verbal and non-verbal behaviour when communicating
across cultures
• be able to use communication skills to engage and interact successfully with others.
Language Focus
-
All four English language skills are integrated throughout the activities.
Learning activities / Teaching methods
1. Explanation& Active Discussion
2. Actively Individual tasks
3. Active Pair/ Group work
4. Active Group presentation
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The most common barriers are:
1. Physical: Can be an actual physical structure or distance: Walls, desks, cubicles,
doors, or being located in different buildings or rooms. Physical barriers are also
anything that causes distractions or breaks concentration as background noises in
case of continuous phone ringing and loud music, or the room temperature either too
low or too high.
2. Perceptual: No two people view the world the same way; we all have our own
assumptions and perceptions tinted by our own past experiences, values and beliefs
which can get in the way of productive dialogue.
3. Psychological: Being emotionally disconnected: Emotions or personal feelings that
cause misunderstandings that hinder effective communication. A person’s emotion at
the time the message is communicated can impact how it is sent or received. Fear,
mistrust, happiness, sadness, anxiety, or anger are all strong emotions that can
directly influence communication
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4. Gender: As it is said that men are from Mars and women are from Venus. Men and
women think, speak and decide differently. Men approach the subjects from facts,
wanting bottom line. Women have nurturing natures, love details as they need to
build relationships and they hint in their communication where men are just direct to
the point
5. Generational: Every generation has its own style of communication. To bridge the
generational gap, we need to know the different times, and conditions surrounding
each generation that influenced their lives a great deal.
6. Language: Miscommunication occurs when people from different areas or
companies are communicating and assign different meanings to words or are
unfamiliar with the different terminology especially while communicating with people
to whom English is a second language; using jargon (medical terms, IT people);
dialects; or semantics all hinder effective communication.
7. Cultural, racial and religious: We are all products of our environment, our culture,
race or religion. These are the lens through which we view the world and code or
decode the messages we receive.
Image source:http://technorati.com/business/gurus/article/break-down-barriers-to-cross-cultural/
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Ethnocentrism
What is Ethnocentrism?
The short answer is that Ethnocentrism is to look at the world from the perspective of your
own culture and judge everybody outside by the customs and conventions within your own
culture.
Image Sources:
http://interculturaljournal.wordpress.com/2011/02/26/cartoon-ethnocentrism-101/
http://contextualliving.blogspot.com/2011/05/is-it-ethnocentric-to-claim-that.html
Part of Ethnocentric thinking can also be described as the feeling that your group is superior
to other groups. If you believe that your own culture does things ‘the correct way’ then it is
easy to view different cultures and different behaviours as always incorrect and therefore
inferior.
An ethnocentric way of thinking can lead to feelings of contempt or even dislike for other
groups and to judging other cultures by the rules and conventions of our own culture. In order
to avoid ethnocentric behaviour it is necessary to view other cultures objectively and without
judgment.
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Image sources:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/asia/china/map.GIF
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/europe/ukgbeu.gif
http://theinterpretersfriend.org/indj/maps/usa-map.gif
Ethnocentrism seems to be more common among people belonging to large empires.
Ancient Persia, the Greeks and the Roman Empire all regarded themselves to be at the
center of the world and viewed other nations as increasingly barbaric the farther away they
were. China's name is made of two ideographs meaning "center" and "country" and
traditional Chinese world maps show China in the centre of the world. Later British and
American maps show their countries at the centre of the world.
Racism
Racism can be defined as the belief that race determines human abilities and emotions,
those certain races are superior or inferior to others.
Image source:http://media.web.britannica.com/eb-media/24/91424-004-18004705.jpg
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The Initiation Ceremony for the Ku Klux Klan in the US
Image source:
http://www.thesplurt.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/013113-national-ku-klux-klan-kkk-racist-las-vegas-school-presentation.jpg
In Racist societies, it is acceptable that people can be treated differently because of their skin
colour or other body and facial characteristics.
Image sources:
http://melanieryding.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/racism.jpg
http://www.astrologer.com/pics/cartoons/racism.gif
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What do you think about racism?
What is a racist?
In what ways are various races the same?
In what ways are they different?
Is all racist behaviour the same?
Xenophobia
Xenophobia means fear of strangers or of the unknown. The term is usually used to
describe fear or dislike of foreigners.
Image sources:
http://nilerevolt.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/xenophobia3.gif
http://nilerevolt.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/xenophobia2.gif
Xenophobia is mostly cultural and aimed at customs and behaviors from outside which are
considered alien. Xenophobia can often lead to exclusion, mistrust and sometimes violence.
Xenophobia is most prevalent in those that are ignorant of other cultures and don’t
understand them.
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What do you think about xenophobia?
Can you think of any examples of xenophobia?
Why would anybody be afraid of or feel contempt towards another culture?
Image source: http://www.prosebeforehos.com/political-ironing/02/21/go-back-where/
Stereotypes
A stereotype is a generalization of a person or group of people who share the same
perceived characteristics. Stereotyping is often used in a negative sense and can be very
insulting to those being stereotyped.
Image sources:
http://thefeministbookclubblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/stereotype.jpg
http://www.veronicasicoe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/stereotypes.jpg
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
There are many ways in which we stereotype others. Below are some of the more common
examples.
Gender Stereotypes
Women are weak and can’t do men’s work
Girls can’t play football
Women can’t drive as well as men
Men can’t show their emotions
Women are neat and clean
Racial Stereotypes
Black people are good at sports
White people have no rhythm
Asians are smart
Jewish people are miserly
Latin people are lazy
National Stereotypes
German people have no sense of humour
English people are hooligans
Irish people are always drunk
Thai people always smile
Chinese people only care about money
Americans are loud and brash
Cultural Stereotypes
Blondes are all dumb
People who wear glasses are clever
Children don’t like healthy food
Punks are aggressive
Football players are stupid
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Culture shock
What is culture shock?
The term 'culture shock' is simply a term to describe the emotions one gets when moving into
an unfamiliar culture – inclusive of the shocks of being in a new environment, meeting new
people, using a foreign language and being separated from family and friends.
There are many elements that can contribute to culture shock, such as;
⇒ Climate - e.g. always cold, grey and wet or always hot and sunny
⇒ Food – strange ingredients and aromas, different styles of cooking.
⇒ Language - constantly speaking in a different language can be
exhausting. Additionally, you will come across a range of regional accents and
dialects, which can make understanding the language even more difficult.
Common symptoms of culture shock can include any of the following:
o
Homesickness
o
Headaches or stomach aches
o
Easily tired
o
Loneliness or a sense of hopelessness
o
Distrust of people
o
Withdrawal from people and activities
o
Lowered work performance
o
Anger, or anxiety and suspicion
You may or may not experience any of the above – but if you do, it is perfectly normal!
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Discuss the questions
1. Have you ever experienced culture shock?
2. Is the city or province where you live multicultural?
3. Do you think of yourself as a cultured person?
4. How would you define the culture of
•
your country?
•
your age group?
•
your religion?
•
your place of work or study?
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Key Vocabulary
Word
Thai
Translation
Synonyms /
Antonyms
Description
96
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Key Concepts
Idea / Concept
Explanation
Notes
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Unit 7
National Cultures
and Cross Cultural Models
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If we accept there are differences between cultures and misunderstandings can occur
between people because of cultural differences how can we begin to try and prevent these
misunderstandings and learn to communicate effectively? To help us, academics have
developed various theories and models to try and explain just how cultures are different.
Objectives
Students will learn:
• distinguish differences between cultures and misunderstandings can occur between
people because of cultural differences;
• differentiate the differences and gain general cultural knowledge to communicate
effectively.
Language Focus
-
Conducting research using English.
-
All four English language skills are integrated throughout the activities.
Learning activities / Teaching methods
1. Explanation& Active Discussion
2. Active Individual tasks
3. Active Pair/ Group work
4. Active research/project work
5. Active Group presentation
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National Cultures
Hofstede (1991) defined national culture as "the collective programming of the mind which
distinguishes the members of one group or people from another". He suggested that people
share a collective national character that represents their cultural mental programming. This
mental programming shares values, beliefs, assumptions, expectations, perceptions and
behavior.
National culture is not theorized as the only culture, or the entirety of cultures, within a nation,
but by explaining it culturally differentiates the members of one nation from another. The
population of a nation can be differentiated on many grounds, but Hofstede claims that
regardless of these divisions every national population somehow shares a unique culture.
High-context or low-context Cultures
Image source: http://femaleleader.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/high-low-context1.gif
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In some cultures, especially in the West, people prefer to use email and written messages
rather than speak face-to-face.
In Japan people generally still prefer face-to-face communication to the written forms. This
could be because Japan is a high-context culture rather than a low-context one.
In high context cultures, informal agreements are far more important than a formal contract.
In low context cultures, the meticulous and detailed wording of legal documents is seen as
essential this is because high-context cultures leave much of the message unspoken - to be
understood through the context.
Opposite to this, low-context cultures expect messages and documents to be explicit,
specific and contain every detail so as to remove any chance of misunderstanding.
The context is basically the situation, time and pace of the communicating. Factors that are
important for the context include; - who is speaking to whom,
- where the communication is taking place,
- the objective of the conversation
Asia South America and the Middle East include cultures that can be called High Context.
Northern Europe and English Speaking countries can be considered as Low Context
Cultures.
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Sequential or Synchronic
Some cultures think of time sequentially - as a line with one event after the other. Time is
also seen as a commodity that can be bought and sold or to "spend," "save," or "waste”. This
‘time is money’ attitude means that people feel that being on time is very important as it
shows politeness and respect. Other cultures view time synchronically - as a constant flow or
cycle to be lived in the moment and as something that cannot be controlled or commodified.
Think of the misunderstandings that can happen when one culture views arriving late for a
meeting as bad planning or bad manners, while another culture thinks making “being on
time” important, as childish impatience.
In sequential cultures, business people give full attention to one task until completed and
then begin another. In many other parts of the world, people regularly do several tasks at the
same time. In synchronic cultures (including South America, southern Europe and Asia) the
flow of time is viewed as a sort of circle - with the past, present, and future all inter-related.
Frederick Taylor, who was possibly the most influential business manager of the last century,
was famous for managing by use of his watch. He also invented ‘time and motion studies’ to
control his employees. Organizations in the United States-businesses, government, and
schools keep time by the calendar and the clock. Being “on time” is seen as a sign of
dependability and organizational skills. Other cultures may keep time by the seasons and the
moon, the sun, internal “body clocks,” or a personal feeling that “the time is right”.
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North Americans who believe that “time is money” are often frustrated in negotiations with
people who take a much more leisurely approach. Part of the problem is that people in many
other cultures want to establish a personal relationship before they decide whether to do
business with each other (High Context).
The problem is made worse because various cultures mentally measure time differently.
Many North Americans measure time in five-minute blocks. Someone who’s five minutes late
to an appointment or a job interview feels compelled to apologize. If the executive or
interviewer is running half an hour late, the caller expects to be told about the likely delay
upon arriving. Some people won’t be able to wait that long and will need to reschedule their
appointments. But in the other cultures, 15 minutes or half an hour may be the smallest block
of time. To someone who unconsciously measures time in 15-minute blocks, being 45
minutes late is no worse than being 15 minutes late is to someone who is conscious of
smaller units.
Edward T. Hall distinguishes between monochronic cultures, which treat time as a
resource, and polychronic cultures, which emphasize relationships. Researchers see the
United States as monochronic. When U.S. managers feel offended because a Latin
American manager also sees other people during “their” appointments, the two kinds of time
are in conflict.
According to some scholars, Europeans schedule fewer events in a comparable period of
time than do North Americans. Perhaps as a result, Germans and German Swiss see North
Americans as too time-conscious.
Sequential cultures include Northern Europe and the USA.
Synchronic cultures include Asia, Southern Europe and South America.
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Affective or Neutral
With much angry gesturing, an Italian manager referred to the idea of his Dutch business
partner as "crazy." The Dutch manager replied. "What do you mean crazy? I've thought about
everything, and I think this is the best way to do it. And calm down! We need to analyze this
carefully, not get to emotional.” At that point, the Italian businessman walked out of the
meeting shouting obscenities.
In international business, reason (logical thinking) and emotion are both important. Which of
these is more important depends upon whether we are affective (easily showing emotions) or
neutral (not showing emotions).
People in neutral cultures do not show their feelings, but keep them carefully controlled. In
cultures with high affect, people show their feelings easily by laughing, smiling, scowling and sometimes even crying, shouting, or walking out of the room.
Only some cultures like to express feelings openly. Emotional reactions were found to be
least acceptable in Japan, Indonesia, the U.K., Norway and the Netherlands - and most
accepted in Italy, France, the U.S. and Singapore.
Reason and emotion are part of all human communication but different cultures show them
in different ways. When expressing ourselves, we look to others for understanding of our
ideas and feelings.
If we are highly emotional, we want an emotional response: "I feel the same way."
If our approach is highly neutral, we want an indirect response to show that the
problem has been thought through: "I agree with your thoughts on this."
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Cultural Types: The Lewis Model
Image source: http://www.crossculture.com/UserFiles/Image/colorcodingMJGSmall(1).gif
Linear-active: People in linear-active cultures generally demonstrate task orientation. They
look for technical competence, place facts and logic before feelings; they are deal-orientated,
focusing their own attention and that of their colleagues on immediate achievements and
results. They are orderly, stick to agendas and inspire people with their careful planning.
Multi-active:
Multi-active cultures have people that are much more extrovert, rely on their
eloquence and ability to persuade and use human force as an inspirational factor. They often
complete human transactions emotionally, investing the time to developing the contact to the
limit. Such people are great networkers, working according to people-time rather than clocktime.
Reactive: People in reactive cultures are equally people-orientated but dominate with
knowledge, patience and quiet control. Leaders display modesty and courtesy, despite their
accepted seniority. They create a harmonious atmosphere for teamwork. Subtle body
language replaces excessive words. They know their companies well, giving them balance
and the ability to react to a web of pressures. They are also paternalistic.
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Image source: http://www.andrews.edu/~tidwell/bsad560/CorpCult.gif
Incubator
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
organizations secondary to individual
fulfilment
existence precedes organization
aim at self-expression and self-fulfilment
personal and egalitarian
minimal structure; minimal hierarchy
emotional commitment
creative, innovative
(Sweden)
Guided Missile
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
highly Egalitarian
task-oriented, impersonal
team approach emphasized
cross-disciplinary
performance emphasized
loyalty to professions /
project greater than to
company
Motivation intrinsic
(USA, UK, Canada)
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Family
Eiffel Tower
•
personal, close face-to-face relationship
•
hierarchal
•
hierarchal ("father knows best")
•
structure more important than
•
power-oriented (leader is fatherly figure)
•
home-like work atmosphere
•
leader is boss (not father)
•
long-term relationships of employee to
•
relationships specific; status
function
company; high loyalty
•
ascribed
values, norms, atmosphere set by father"
•
highly bureaucratic, depersonalized
or "elder brother"
•
rules dominate; roles before people
•
careers depend upon professional
(Japan, Singapore, South Korea,
Spain, Italy, India)
qualifications
•
symbolic of machine age
(Germany, Austria)
Hofstede’s 5 Cultural Dimensions
Image source: http://www.xculturalconsulting.com/images/Hofstede%20dimensions.jpg
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Power Distance Index (PDI)
The degree tolerance towards hierarchical or unequal relationships between people in the
country's society. The expectation that power will be shared equally.
High Power Distance
Indicates large degree of tolerance towards inequalities.
Malaysia, Slovakia, Philippines, Russia, Mexico
Low Power Distance
Indicates low degree of tolerance towards inequality.
Austria, Denmark, Israel, Ireland, New Zealand and Thailand - 64/100
Individualism (IDV)
Degree to which a society values individual or collective achievement and interpersonal
relationships.
High Individualism
Indicates that individuality and individual rights are very important within the society.
Individuals may tend to form a larger number of loose relationships.
USA, Australia, UK, Canada, Hungry
Low Individualism
Typifies societies of a more collectivist nature with close ties between individuals. Extended
families and collectives where everyone takes responsibility for fellow members of their
group are common..
Ecaudor, Indonesia, Pakistan, China and Thailand - 20/100
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Masculinity (MAS)
Degree to which a society values the traditional masculine work role model of male
achievement, control, competition and power.
High Masculinity
Indicates the country wide gender differences. Males dominate a significant portion of the
society and power structure, with females being controlled by male domination
Japan, Hungry, Austria, Venezuela, USA, Turkey
Low Masculinity
Indicates the country has a low level of discrimination between genders. Females are treated
equally to males in all aspects of the society
Norway, Netherlands, Sweden, Chile, South Korea, France and Thailand - 34/100
Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI)
Level of tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity within the society - i.e. unstructured
situations
High Uncertainty Avoidance
Indicates the country has a low tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity creates a ruleoriented society that institutes laws, rules, regulations, and controls in order to reduce the
amount of uncertainty
Japan, Belgium, Greece, Portugal
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Low Uncertainty Avoidance
Indicates the country has less concern about ambiguity and uncertainty and has more
tolerance for a variety of opinions. Reflected in a society that is less rule-oriented, more
readily accepts change, and takes more and greater
Denmark, Jamaica, Singapore, China, Sweden, USA, UK and Thailand - 64/100
Long-Term Orientation (LTO)
Degree to which a society embraces, or does not embrace long-term devotion to traditional,
forward thinking values
High Long-Term Orientation
Indicates the country prescribes to the values of long-term commitments and respect for
tradition. This is thought to support a strong work ethic where long-term rewards are
expected as a result of today's hard work. However, business may take longer to develop in
this society, particularly for an "outsider".
South Korea, Japan, Germany, France
Low Long-Term Orientation
Indicates the country does not reinforce the concept of long-term, traditional orientation. In
this culture, change can occur more rapidly as long-term traditions and commitments do not
become impediments to change.
USA, UK, and Thailand 56/100
For the scores of individual countries, you can visit the Hofstede Centre website at:
http://geert-hofstede.com/countries.html
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Key Vocabulary
Word
Thai
Translation
Synonyms /
Antonyms
Description
111
English for Cross Cultural Communication
Key Concepts
Idea / Concept
Explanation
Notes
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Unit 8
Etiquette and taboos
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Objectives
Students will:
• be aware of the importance of proper etiquette and taboos as they relate to cultural
groups and situations.
• understand the elements and characteristics of proper etiquette and taboos in
different cultural settings.
Language Focus
-
Conducting research using English.
-
All four English language skills are integrated throughout the activities.
Learning activities / Teaching methods
1. Explanation& Active Discussion
2. Active Individual tasks
3. Active Pair/ Group work
4. Active research/project work
5. Active Group presentation
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Etiquette
Etiquette (et·i·quette) [ɛt ɪ kɪt, -ˌkɛt]
What is Etiquette?
Etiquette in simpler words is defined as good behaviour or just being polite.
A human being is a social animal and it is really important for him to behave in an
appropriate way. Etiquette refers to behaving in a socially responsible way.
Etiquette refers to guidelines which control the way a responsible individual should behave in
the society.
However, etiquette can also be used in a negative way as a means of excluding outsiders by
embarrassing them.
Need for Etiquette

Etiquette teaches you the way to talk, walk and most importantly behave in the
society.

Etiquette is essential for an everlasting first impression. The way you interact with
your superiors, parents, fellow workers, friends speak a lot about your personality
and up- bringing.

Etiquette enables the individuals to earn respect and appreciation in the society. No
one would feel like talking to a person who does not know how to speak or behave in
the society. Etiquette inculcates a feeling of trust and loyalty in the individuals. One
becomes more responsible and mature. Etiquette helps individuals to value
relationships.
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
You cannot possibly learn the etiquette rules of every different culture or social group.
It is important not to feel intimidated. Be confident that your own good manners and
good nature is perfectly acceptable in any business or social setting you might
encounter.

If in doubt find out about and research the cultural conventions of the social group
you will be engaged with. If there is no time, just relax take your time and copy the
actions of those around you.
Image source: http://ala-apa.org/newsletter/files/2010/05/place_setting.jpg
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Types of Etiquette in western cultures
1. Social Etiquette- Social etiquette is important for an individual as it teaches a person how
to behave in the society. Saying please and thank you and saying good bye to everybody
using eye contact and shaking hands (if practical) are important. It’s never good to speak
too loudly or too much without listening. And it’s never a good idea to walk to the front of a
queue without waiting your turn.
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2. Bathroom Etiquette- Bathroom etiquette refers to the set of rules which an individual
needs to follow while using public restrooms or office toilets. Make sure you leave the
restroom clean and tidy for the other person.
3. Corporate Etiquette- Corporate Etiquette refers to how an individual should behave while
he is at work. Different companies will have their own unique cultures but it’s never good to
make extra unnecessary work for colleagues, volunteer others or make others miss
deadlines because they were waiting for you.
4. Wedding Etiquette- Wedding is a special event in every one’s life. Individuals should
ensure they behave sensibly at weddings. Never be late to weddings or drink
uncontrollably.
5. Meeting Etiquette- Meeting Etiquette refers to styles one need to adopt when he is
attending any meeting, seminar, presentation and so on. Listen to what the other person
has to say. Never enter meeting room without a notepad and pen. It is important to jot down
important points for future reference. Be careful not to criticize too much – you may be
criticizing your colleagues work without realizing (instead you can ask why something is
done in a particular way). Never be late.
6. Telephone Etiquette- It is essential to learn how one should interact with the other person
over the phone. Telephone etiquette refers to the way an individual should speak on the
phone. Never put the other person on long holds. Make sure you greet the other person.
Take care of your pitch and tone.
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7. Eating Etiquette- Individuals must follow certain decorum while eating in public. Don’t
make noise while eating. One should not leave the table unless and until everyone has
finished eating. Never speak when chewing your food or eat with your mouth open –
nobody wants to see the food once it’s in your mouth! Be aware that in some cultures you
should finish the food on your plate whilst in others you should leave a little to indicate you
aren’t hungry anymore.
8. Business Etiquette- Business Etiquette includes ways to conduct a certain business. Don’t
ever cheat customers. It is simply unethical. Present all the relevant information to the
people you are doing business with. Pay your bills on time and try to keep to your original
price. Keep your promises.
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Taboos
A taboo is a strong social prohibition of any human activity or social custom that is forbidden
based on moral or religious beliefs. Taboos include the things people shouldn’t do as well as
the things they shouldn’t talk about. Breaking a taboo can be considered anything from just
objectionable and slightly embarrassing to absolutely abhorrent.
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Some taboo activities or customs are prohibited under law and may lead to severe penalties
such as fines or prison. Other taboos result in embarrassment, shame, and the appearance
of being rude.
Taboos in society
Taboos in the media
Taboos in the family
Taboos can be found in words, gestures, topics, social and cultural behaviour, body
language and personal space.
Taboos vary from culture to culture. For example, the subject of how much you earn is taboo
in the UK but not in other cultures, whereas homosexuality is a subject many British people
are mostly comfortable with, but a clear taboo in many other countries.
Taboos change as societies change, so topics such as divorce and depression and illnesses
such as cancer and AIDS may not be as taboo as they used to be (interestingly, almost no
universal taboos have ever been identified, but many are shared by almost all cultures incest, patricide and cannibalism are three examples).
Taboos can include; swear words, gay rights, torture, sex, one-parent families, drug abuse,
divorce, political freedom, obscene gestures, incest, cannibalism, religious belief, death,
alcohol, drugs, nudity, suicide, racial abuse, AIDS, terrorism, pregnancy, abortion, polygamy,
depression, rape, democracy, dietary restrictions (halal and kosher diets, religious
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vegetarianism), bodily functions, exposure of body parts (ankles in the Victorian British,
women's hair in parts of the Middle East, and restrictions on the use of offensive language.
Certain taboos lose their sting over periods of time. In the United States and western
countries, most people are now more comfortable than before when they discuss and
explore social issues: gossip and scandal, alcoholism, depression, homosexuality, divorce,
income disparity, personal relationships, pregnancy and childbirth, and teenage rebellion.
Some subjects are taboo in polite conversation because they are fundamental to a person’s
beliefs and identity. The polarizing issues of racism, sexism, ethnicity, nationality, religion,
politics, money, socio-economic class, orientation, disability and abortion are best avoided.
When presented in the shape of parody or comedy as performed by comedians, taboo topics
and subject matter can induce comical reaction by the general public, without causing
disgust or offence.
Often what can be considered taboo or not taboo depends on the context.
Activity: Think about what might be thought of as taboos or restrictions in the
following settings in Thailand and international contexts.
Family dinner
Classroom
Battlefield
Prison
Children’s party
Exam room
Business meeting
Hospital
Temple
Church
Hollywood movie
Thai Beach
European beach
TV News
Disco/Pub
The Dean’s office
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Key Vocabulary
Word
Thai
Translation
Synonyms /
Antonyms
Description
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Key Concepts
Idea / Concept
Explanation
Notes
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Unit 9
Multiculturalism, Problems and Tips
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Objectives
Students will:
• define cross-cultural communication
• review evidence for the need to improve cross-cultural communication
• describe challenges to effective cross-cultural communication
• designate strategies for effective cross-cultural communication
Language Focus
-
Conducting research using English.
-
All four English language skills are integrated throughout the activities.
Learning activities / Teaching methods
1. Explanation& Active Discussion
2. Actively Individual tasks
3. Active Pair/ Group work
4. Active Group presentation
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Cultural Differences
Every culture has its own rules and conventions and few of us are aware of our own cultural
biases. And while some of culture's knowledge, rules, beliefs, values, phobias and anxieties
are taught explicitly, most of it is learned implicitly (unconsciously) without us even realizing.
We are all different; however, generalizations can be made to help with problems that
might happen when communicating with someone from of a different culture. Generalizations
are different to stereotyping because as we study we do not judge others and we can remain
open to exceptions.
Cultural diversity & Multiculturalism
When people talk about Cultural diversity they are usually talking about a variety of cultures
existing together in one region or country.
Multiculturalism is the acceptance or promotion of multiple ethnic cultures, in one place,
usually at the organizational level, e.g. schools, businesses, neighborhoods, cities or nations.
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It can be argued that cultural diversity is essential for the long-term survival of humanity; and
that the conservation of indigenous cultures is vital. The General Conference of UNESCO
took this position in 2001, declaring that "...cultural diversity is as necessary for humankind
as biodiversity is for nature"
However, some people argue that it is not moral to allow some cultures to continue without
giving them the opportunity to have modern technologies. They say that this is just a way to
promote poverty and ignorance. Also there are some religious practices that are recognized
by the WHO and UN as unethical: Female Genital Mutilation, Sati (burning the widow on the
husband’s burial pyre), polygamy, child brides, human sacrifice, etc.
The ideas of Cultural Diversity can also be used to;
-
help the preservation of "cultural minorities" thought to be endangered.
-
protect parts of culture that are in danger of disappearing due to commercial
interests or cultural imperialism (cultural protectionism)
-
protect peoples cultural and religious rights within societies.
Cultural diversity is seen by many as the answer to the problems that arise from Cultural
Uniformity which include,
-
The disappearance of many languages and dialects.
-
Anxiety of people on the preservation of their traditions.
-
Increasing cultural standardization particularly influenced by the United States
through the distribution of its products in film, television, music, clothing and food
promoted in audio-visual media, consumer products virtually standardized on the
planet (pizza, restaurants, fast food, etc.).
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Discussion
What do you think of the picture below? How do you feel when you read the quote?
Image source: http://www.quickmeme.com/img/98/986fec758b6279f6a4eda13d4ab784fb42b7d097c8c1bb43cc79bcf8512b1c73.jpg
COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS
For Negotiations
When involved in negotiations with people from other cultures it is easy for the conversation
to become adversarial. Misunderstandings can quickly develop into conflicts which are the
worst possible outcomes for everybody involved.
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Misinterpretation of Communication
Even in ordinary circumstances, people often say things that are not interpreted in the way
the statement was intended. When people are angry with each other, the likelihood of
misinterpreting communication is greatly increased--to the point where it is almost inevitable.
Failure to Understand an Opponent's Perspective
People often view conflicts from very different perspectives depending upon such things as
cultural background, economic position, and religious beliefs. In order for the parties to
communicate effectively, they need to understand (though not necessarily agree with) the
perspectives of other parties to a conflict.
Cultural Barriers to Effective Communication
Culture affects both the substance and style of communication. Culture influences how
people express themselves, to whom they talk, and how. For example, while some people
may feel comfortable talking openly about their feelings with anyone, others will only talk
openly and honestly with very close friends, while others may not talk that way at all. Such
differences can cause people from different cultures to misinterpret both what is said and
what is left unsaid, leading to misunderstandings.
Language Differences
When conflicts involve people who speak different languages (or even different dialects), it is
very easy for misunderstandings to arise. Even when skilled translators are used, it is difficult
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for translators to transmit complex feelings and emotions as clearly as they are originally
spoken.
Misinterpreted Motives
Motives can be misinterpreted as easily as statements can be misunderstood. When parties
are in conflict, there is a tendency to assume the opponent's motives are malign, even when
they are not.
Inaccurate and Overly Hostile Stereotypes
Often, communication difficulties arise because people think they know all they need to know
about their opponents and that further communication is unnecessary. Yet images of
opponents tend to be overly hostile and exaggerated and become a characterture.
Opponents are seen to be more extreme and outrageous than they really are.
Lack of Communication Channels/Avoided Communication
Often disputants do not have reliable methods for communicating with opposing parties. This
may be because they do not want to communicate, or it may be because they are afraid to
contact their opponents or have no way to do so. Sometimes the parties will break-off
communication as a form of protest after a particularly disagreeable incident. However, the
lack of communication can significantly increase the risk of future incidents.
Poor Listening Skills
Successful communication requires that the parties listen actively and carefully--asking
questions and confirming interpretations to make sure they understand what the other person
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is meaning. People seldom work this hard at listening, however. Often in conflictual
situations, they hardly listen at all rather, while their opponent is talking; they are busy
planning their own response. This frequently leads to misunderstandings.
Secrecy and Deception
Sometimes information which is critical to the accurate understanding of a situation is not
available to all parties. This frequently occurs in business conflicts, when companies try to
keep details about products and processes secret. It also occurs in international conflicts
when governments keep secrets for "security" reasons. This can happen in interpersonal
conflicts as well when people simply choose to keep particular facts to themselves.
Poor communication also can arise when a party attempts to strengthen its position by
deliberately providing opponents and other parties with misleading or inaccurate information.
Inflammatory Statements
Sometimes communication can make matters worse rather than better.
When
communication is threatening, hostile, or inflammatory, it can do more to escalate a conflict
than it can to defuse it.
Inflammatory Media
Negative and inflammatory publicity is a problem in conflicts--before, during, and after
negotiations. Before negotiations, the media can intensify a controversy, making it harder to
get people to work together, or even talk. In the early stages of negotiation, parties often
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advance tentative ideas which could easily backfire if publicized. The resulting outcry and
complaints could easily undermine an otherwise promising negotiation effort. Even after
negotiated solutions have been developed, negative publicity can rekindle conflicts, making
implementation of agreements more difficult.
Inadequate Information Gathering/Time Constraints
Gathering the information needed to sensibly deal with conflict situations is time-consuming
and expensive. In some cases, misunderstandings will arise because of the failure of the
parties to invest the time and resources required to obtain important information. Sometimes
adequate time is simply not available. When direct communication is cut off, it is easy to rely
on unreliable third party sources--rumor and media stories especially. These are notoriously
error-prone, and can lead to serious misunderstandings.
Crisis Communication
In crisis situations, normal communication channels are likely to be much less effective. They
often operate too slowly to keep up with the rapid pace of events, or they may have been cut
off entirely. They may also be unable to resist the increased hostility and distrust which
crises are likely to create.
New, Poorly Informed Participants
In protracted conflicts, the people involved continually change. Often those playing
leadership roles give up their positions and other individuals take their place. These new
leaders frequently have a very limited understanding of the conflict's history and the current
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situation. This lack of information can cause these people to take actions which they would
not have taken, had they been better informed.
Constituent Communication Problems
When dialogue or negotiation occurs among a small group of people, they may develop
communication skills and a level of interpersonal understanding that is not shared by others
outside the immediate circle. If these small group processes are intended to have a wider
effect, it is necessary to transfer the learning that takes place in the small group to the larger
constituencies which the group represents. Often, however, communication between the
small group members and their constituents is not adequate to expand the learning beyond
the immediate circle of participants.
Tips for Cross Cultural Communication
 Realize that cultural programming is unconscious.
Most of the time, you aren’t consciously aware of how culture influences the way you think,
behave, and interpret the world. Just like a computer, you respond to things according to
your cultural programming. The people who are most successful with other cultures work
hard to bring their unconscious programming to the surface. They observe their own
behavior and reflect on why they act or feel the way they do. Once you are more aware of
your own programming, you can start to put yourself into the cultural shoes of others and see
things from their perspective.
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 Be a cultural detective and don’t assume anything
Observe the people you interact with who are from other cultures. Try to describe as
objectively as possible what you see. Avoid descriptions that make a judgment about what
you see. For example, instead of saying that the person you just met was disrespectful, you
should simply observe that the person didn’t say thank you when you offered him something
to eat. The first sentence assumes the correct way to show respect, while the second simply
describes the behavior. Separating yourself from your cultural assumptions will free your
mind to explore other cultural points of view.
 Being culturally sensitive doesn’t mean you have to like everything.
When interacting with a new culture, you will find some things are very easy for you to adapt
to, and others that you just can’t accept no matter how hard you try. Try to find a compromise
with the things you can’t agree with so that you can still function in the society while not
violating your own deeply held beliefs. In short if you expect disagreeable things to happen
they will be much easier to accept and won’t bother you so much.
 Remember that culture shock can be a good thing.
It’s not easy to feel confused and disoriented all the time. Recognize that this is normal
process, and that it will eventually lead to a better understanding of the new culture. Use your
cultural detective skills to discover the reason behind the annoying, frustrating or confusing
behavior of the people around you. Take time to retreat and recharge, but keep in mind that
each encounter with the new culture is an opportunity to learn.
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 Keep your sense of humor.
They say that laughter is the best medicine, and the ability to laugh at yourself will help you
keep things in perspective. Even the most experienced intercultural professional can tell
stories of embarrassing mistakes. Learn from your mistakes and look for the humor in them.
But be careful! Shared humour will help in any difficult situation; however, if the humour is
only on one side it will make the situation much worse!
Ten Strategies for effective Cross-Cultural Communication;
Image source: http://www.phtc-online.org/learning/pages/catalog/cc2-flood/screens.cfm
Culture is dynamic: it changes. Develop your ability to tolerate ambiguity.
• People who share the same values and beliefs will not necessarily share the same
behaviours and vice versa.
• Similar behaviours can have different meanings and different behaviours can have
similar meanings.
• Out of context behaviour has no fixed meaning. Judging behaviour out of context is
dangerous.
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Reading Exercise
Cross Cultural Communication
The key to effective cross-cultural communication is knowledge. First, it is essential that
people understand the problems that may arise when communicating across different
cultures, and make an effort to overcome these problems. Second, it is important to
remember that you may not always be successful to start with and be ready to change how
you are communicating if needed.
You should always be aware that cultural differences rather than language
misunderstandings may be causing the communication problems. It is important to be patient
and forgiving, rather than hostile and aggressive, if problems develop. You should respond
slowly and carefully in cross-cultural exchanges, and not assume you know the thoughts or
motives of the person you are communicating with. If things seem to be going badly, stop or
slow down and think. What could be going on here? Is it possible I misunderstood what they
said, or they misunderstood me? Often misinterpretation is the source of the problem. Active
listening can sometimes be used to check this out–by repeating what you think you heard,
you can confirm that you understand the communication accurately. If words are used
differently in some languages or cultural groups, however, even active listening can overlook
some misunderstandings.
Read the text and answer True (T), False (F) or Doesn’t Say (DS).
___1) Knowledge is a very important part of Cross Cultural Communication.
___2) It is sometimes necessary to be aggressive.
___3) Active listening can be used for checking your hearing and understanding.
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Key Vocabulary
Word
Thai
Translation
Synonyms /
Antonyms
Description
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
Key Concepts
Idea / Concept
Explanation
Notes
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English for Cross Cultural Communication
References
Crystal, D. 1995, The Cambridge encyclopedia of the English language, Cambridge University
Press, Cambridge [England].
Deresky, H. 2006, International Management: Managing Across Borders and Cultures (Ed.). Pearson
Education International.
George, B. R . 2000, “Vocally Cued Personality Prototypes: An Implicit Personality Theory
Approach,” Communication Monographs 53, no.3 (1986): 266-76, and JacklynBoice, “Verbal
Impressions,” Selling Power, March 2000, 69.
Hofstede, G. 1991, Cultures and organizations: software of the mind. New York: McGraw- Hill.
Jennifer, J. 2003, World Englishes: A Resource Book for Students.
Kachru, B. B.1997, World Englishes and English-using communities. Annual Review of Applied
Linguistics, 17, 66-87.
Normandy, M. 2005, “CMO Training for the Olympics by Flipping Burgers, Cleaning Toilets,
“Advertising Age, June 20, 2005, 30; and “Emotional Intelligence, “Wikipedia, downloaded at
http:// en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/ Emotional_intelligence, August 18, 2005.
Roger O. C. 1998, “Invisible and Loving It, “Business Week, October 5, 1998, 124-28; Harriet Rubin,
“The V’s’ Word, “ Fast Company, March 2001, 44; Anne Fisher, “ Ask Annie, “ Fortune, August 10,
2005, downloaded at http://www.fortune.com/fortune/annie/ 0,15704,1092409,00.html; and Angela
D. Johnson, “Adapting to Change?” DiversityInc, Audust/ September 2004, 27-34
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Websites:
http://www.genderwork.com/services/culturalassessment.html
http://ict.moph.go.th/English/content/ae_be_01.htm
http://www.international.gc.ca/cfsi-icse/cil-cai/magazine/v02n01/doc3-eng.pdf
http://www.managementstudyguide.com/what-is-etiquette.htm
http://www.maximumadvantage.com/nonverbal-communication/non-verbal-communicationdemonstration.html
http://www.newdmagazine.com/apps/articles/web/articleid/77437/columnid/5465/default.asp
http://old.nlai.ir/Portals/2/files/faslname/69/en_content.pdf
http://raindael.tripod.com/australian/slang/strine.html
http://www.roshan-institute.org/474552
http://theadventuresoftwins.wordpress.com/2012/06/09/aussie-slang-their-pronounciation/
http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2010/3/31/lifefocus/5891944&sec=lifefocus
http://www.tllg.unisa.edu.au/lib_guide/gllt_ch2_sec2.pdf>
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Authors
Supalux Sri-sumang
Lecture of Language Department,
Faculty of Management Science, Silpakorn University
Bachelor of Education (English), Silpakorn University
Master of Education (TESOL) , University of South Australia
Cert. in Festival and Event Design and Management, University of Adelaide
Cert. in Thai Cultural Exchange Program, Burton and South Derbyshire,
United Kingdom
e-mail : [email protected]
Paul Gregory
Lecture of Language Department,
Faculty of Management Science, Silpakorn University
BA Humanities, Open University, United Kingdom
e-mail : [email protected]
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