BatStateU Purposive Communication

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Lesson 2: Local and Global Communication in Multicultural Settings

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to achieve the following:

1. Describe the styles in communication considering various multicultural settings.

2. Determine varieties and registers of spoken and written language.
3. Adopt cultural an intercultural awareness and sensitivity in communicating ideas.
4. Develop a sense of appreciation on the richness and diversity of registers used in written and
spoken communication.

COMMUNICATION STYLES IN VARIOUS MULTICULTURAL CONTEXTS

As mentioned in Lesson 1, each person has a unique style of communicating, which may
depend not only on his/her linguistic ability but also on his/her cultural and social context. Some are
outspoken; some are more quiet yet on point. Some always seem formal, while some have a lot of
introduction before getting to the main point. Communication style refers to the choices people
make and the strategies or tools they use in the process of communication. A style may sometimes
depend on the demands of the communicative situation, as well as on the needs and requirements of
the target recipients of the information.

Each style has two dimensions: the (1) assertiveness level and the (2) emotiveness level,
which is shown in the Communication Styles Matrix below.

The Communication Styles Matrix

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The model, developed by Dr. Eileen M. Russo, shows four different communication styles
(direct, spirited, systematic and considerate), categorized further into two different dimensions
(level of assertiveness and level of expressiveness). All of these must be considered because people
with different cultural contexts tend to have varying levels and styles of communication.

People who are categorized within the assertive communication level tend to tell or instruct
others what to do and sometimes even how to do it, while the less assertive styles usually tend to be
on the receiving end, often asking for guidance, instructions or directions. On the other hand, people
who fall under the expressive level usually show their real feelings and emotions through facial
expressions, tone of voice, or language use. The less expressive ones tend to either hide their
feelings or exert some effort for these feelings not to show.

The combination of these levels result to the basic communication styles:

Spirited = High Expressiveness + High Assertiveness

Considerate = High Expressiveness + Low Assertiveness
Direct = Low Expressiveness + High Assertiveness
Systematic = Low Expressiveness + Low Assertiveness

Tips for People with a Spirited Communication Style

1. Respect decisions and agenda that have been agreed upon, as well as time limits
during meetings or any communicative situation.
2. Try to limit your sharing of personal anecdotes that may take the discussion off-topic.
3. Make sure you are allowing others to contribute their ideas and suggestions – and
that you are genuinely listening to them.
4. Be certain that any request you make is clear and that you convey the reason for such
request.
5. Communicate your appreciation for others’ work and input.

Tips for People with a Considerate Communication Style

1. Recognize that other people’s opinions about a topic are separate from their opinions
about you.
2. Realize that not everyone is comfortable discussing personal topics with colleagues.
3. Allow others to open personal matters before asking questions of that nature.
4. Respect your own opinion as you respect that of others’.
5. Recognize that you don’t have to be friends with everyone, but you should treat others
– and be treated – professionally.

Tips for People with a Direct Communication Style

1. Make an effort to listen carefully to others. Avoid interrupting.
2. Allow time for ‘chatting’ at the beginning of a meeting.
3. Recognize that others may also feel the need to express themselves.
4. Recognize that brainstorming can be effective and is not a waste of time.
5. Take some time to show your appreciation for others’ contributions.

Tips for People with a Systematic Communication Style

1. Recognize that for good working relationships, consideration for others’ feelings is
important.
2. Learn to ask qualifying questions that will help you get the information you need.
3. Make sure you understand the background of the discussion or scope of the
conversation so no time is wasted.
4. Politely ask other questions about themselves if you want to build rapport.
5. If you need to ask for more time to know, analyze or discuss something, explain the
benefit of the information you need to know.
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VARIETIES AND REGISTERS OF SPOKEN AND WRITTEN LANGUAGE

In a multicultural society, people must use culturally-appropriate terms, gestures,

expressions and images in any communicative situation.

The ‘I Love You’ Map

Language Varieties

Also called “lects”, these refer to the different variants of a language that can be sufficiently
delimited from one another in terms of social, historical, or geo-spatial factors, thus forming
language clusters.
In addition, language varieties may also be grouped in the following classifications:

a. Pidgin. It refers to a new language that develops into situations where speakers of
different languages need to communicate but do not share a common language. Examples
are Chavacano in the Philippines and Bislama, a language spoken in Vanuatu.

b. Creole. It is a pidgin that becomes the first language of the children, or the mother
tongue of a certain community. Examples are the Gullah and the Patwa, is a creole in
Jamaica.

c. Regional Dialect. It is not a language that is not distinct from a national language, but
rather a variety of a language spoken in a particular area of a country. Examples are as
Cebuano, Waray, Ilocano, and Hiligaynon in the Philippines.

d. Minority Dialect. This is a variety used as a marker of identity, usually alongside a

standard variety, by the members of a particular minority ethnic group. Examples are
the Sinama of the Badjaos in the Philippines and the London-Jamaican variety in
Britain.

e. Indigenized Varieties. These are spoken mainly as second languages in former colonies
with multilingual populations. A classic example is Singlish (or Singaporean English).
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POINT FOR DISCUSSION

How do you classify the ‘conyo’ language in the

Philippines? What do you think are the unique
characteristics of this language variety? How do you
feel about people using this variety?

Discuss your answers in class.

https://www.eaglenews.ph/taglish-or-mother-tongue/

Language Registers

A language register is characterized by the way a speaker uses language differently in

different social circumstances. These are determined by such factors as social atmosphere, purpose
of communication, audience, and the general context of the discourse.

Generally, language registers can be classified as (1) formal, (2) casual, (3) intimate, (4)
frozen, and (5) consultative.

a. Formal. These registers are used in professional, academic, or legal settings where
communication is expected to be respectful, uninterrupted, and restrained to specific
rules. Slang is never used and contractions are rare. Examples are registers used in
research paper, government documents, business letters, and in business presentations.

b. Casual. These registers are used when communicating with friends, close acquaintances,
colleagues, and family members. These are used in birthday parties or family
gatherings.

c. Intimate. Intimate language registers are reserved for special occasions, usually
between only two people and often in private. Examples are an inside joke between two
high school friends or sweet nothings whispered to your “special someone.”

d. Frozen. It refers to historic language that is intended to remain unchanged. Examples

are the registers used in the Philippine Constitution and the Holy Bible.

e. Consultative. It is used in conversations when people are speaking with someone who
has specialized knowledge or is offering advice. Tone is often respectful, such as the use
of honorifics or courtesy titles, but may be more casual if the relationship between or
among the communicators is friendly. Examples are registers used in local television
broadcast or in a conversation with a doctor during medical examination.

Language registers can also be classified as Formal, Informal, or Neutral. Formal language
registers are appropriate for professional situations, such as when speaking to a supervisor or
writing an invitation letter. Informal language registers, on the other hand, are conversational and
appropriate when speaking or writing to a friend or to someone you know quite well.

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The use of one or a combination of these registers highly depends on the audience (person/s
for whom the message is intended) and the context (nature of the communicative situation). Using
the proper registers show respect, interest, and a certain level of professionalism, hence enhancing
harmonious personal and professional relationships. These are also used in writing short notes,
personal journals, or diaries. Lastly, neutral language registers are non-emotional and laden with
facts. These are most appropriate for research or technical writing.

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Most cultures experience evolutions in the use of registers or words in both formal and
informal settings. In the Philippines, for example, some linguistic phenomena have taken the
country by storm, affecting the way people communicate with each other. This is briefly explained in
the excerpt below.

The modern generation has ushered a new era of language users who have consistently challenged
the traditionally accepted, conventional notions on linguistic structures and grammar. Truly, language has
inevitably evolved with the influence both of social sub-groups and of language theorists who somehow
“create” their own rules on grammar and syntax. This is evident in most societies, and is very much
apparent in the Philippine context.
One obvious example is the use of a different set of words, meanings and sentence structures by the
members of various sectors of society. It was only in the first few years of the 21st century when terms such
as ‘chugbak’ (die/death), ‘keber’ (do not care), ‘eklavu’ (false, lie) and many more were introduced in the
Philippine working vocabulary. Although the formal inclusion of such words to the corpus of Filipino
language is still doubtful, it would not be surprising if in the future, these linguistic structures are printed
on Filipino dictionaries, as these are continuously being used in the streets, in the mass media, and in many
social circles. Their use and predominance are probably inescapable, even when some purists and
conservatives are not keen to using such language.
In the past, one of the strongest and creative linguistic features that emerged in the Philippines is
word reversal, where people reverse the way words are uttered. It originally intended to be a convenient
way to hide meanings within a clique or social circle, as if it were a code, but its massive popularity
prompted its proliferation. Primary examples are “repapips” (pare, or friends), “ermats” (mater, or
mother), “erpats” (pater or father), “yeko” (okey or okay), “yosi” (first and last syllable of ‘SIgarilYO’ or
cigarette), and many more. This was a linguistic phenomenon in the Philippines in the early 80s up to the
late 90s, and has seen a recurrence in late 2016, with terms such as “lodi” (idol) and “petmalu” (malupit,
or tremendous) taking the entire country by storm.

(an excerpt from the academic paper “Modern Linguistic Phenomena in the Philippines” by Tejada, K.
2017)

What do you think is the next linguistic phenomenon that will evolve in the Philippines?
Why do you say so

Improving one’s Ability in Communicating in a Multicultural Setting

Everything should start with a personal desire and strong conviction to relate more
effectively with persons having different cultural backgrounds. This will not only create positive
personal relationships, but also open more opportunities for professional growth. Limiting one’s
reliance on preconceived notions and established stereotypes is also a major leap towards effective
intercultural communication.

The following specific guidelines can enhance your ability to handle situations involving
intercultural communication, and better prepare yourself to meet the communication challenges in
an increasingly global environment.

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 Refrain from forming expectations based solely on your culture. Knowing and accepting the
validity of cultural differences are key in communicating with people having diverse
communication styles. Being an effective communicator requires allowing yourself to be
immersed in the multicultural society and embracing diversity.

 Remove personal biases or any stereotype that may impede understanding. You do not want
to be at the receiving end of a biased judgment, right? You don’t want people avoiding you
just because of how they see other members of your group or culture. Determine how much
your family, friends and colleagues have ‘dictated’ how you view or feel about other people or
other groups, and identify which among these pre-judgments are stereotypes that can
damage relationships.

 Make a personal commitment to develop communication skills appropriate in multicultural

settings. Your ability to develop intercultural communication skills largely depends on how
many – and how much – of these promises you are willing to make:

o I will make a commitment to seek information from persons whose cultures are
different from my own.

o I will try to understand how the experiences of persons from different cultures leads
them to develop perspectives that differ from mine.

o I will pay attention to the situation and the context when I communicate with persons
from different cultures.

o I will make every effort to become a more flexible communicator.

o I will not insist that persons from other cultures should communicate with me on my
terms.

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