Chapter 2: What is culture?

The
concept of culture. Cultural theories.

Unit 7: Linguistic barriers as hidden dimensions of

culture
Dr. Cemre Erciyes

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use, which may be made
of the information contained therein.
 Objectives of Unit 6
• Unit 7.1: Negotiating meanings in intercultural communication
• Unit 7.2: Culturally coded verbal and nonverbal behaviors
• Unit 7.3: Expert conversation: Contact with different cultures
• Unit 7.4: The notion of face
• Unit 7.5: Specific cultural underpinnings
 Negotiating meanings in
intercultural communication
 7 Barriers to Communication
• Physical Barriers
• Perceptual Barriers
• Emotional Barriers
• Cultural Barriers
• Gender Barriers
• Interpersonal Barriers
• Language Barriers
• Where?
• When? you talk...
• To whom?
• What?
 Hidden Language Barriers

Accents and dialects

 Hidden Language Barriers

• Accents and dialects

• The use of jargon/technical language
• Word choice
• Tone of speech
• Linguistic ability
Culturally coded verbal and nonverbal
behaviors: Gestures
 Nonverbal Communication

• Environment
• Appearance
• Touch
• Body language
• Territoriality
• Eye contact
 C- E- M- R- E
D- Z- H- E- M- R- E
J- A- M- R- A
G- E- M –R-E
 High Context Cultures

• Indirect.
• Speak one after another in an orderly, linear fashion.
• Disagreements are personally threatening.
• Physical space is considered more communal. Standing very
close to others is a common practice.
• Speakers often talk around a point (instead of directly to it).
• Time spent to do something is not important, the outcome of
learning from it is.
 Low Context Cultures

• Open and direct.

• Words are highly valued.
• Disagreements are depersonalized.
• Privacy and personal space are highly valued.
• Verbal messages are explicit and direct.
• Speed is valued. How efficiently something is done is important.