LOCAL AND GLOBAL COMMUNICATION IN MULTICULTURAL SETTINGS

Introduction

Culture is manifested in our actions and affects how we tell the world who we are and
what we believe in. It is also the basis for how we behave in a certain communication context.
Through the use of language, wide perspectives of reality have been opened and this included
dealing with people in the context of local and global communication. Communication takes
place within a particular culture. The way we respond to others different from us can have an
impact in our relationship with them. Words and body language are used in verbal and nonverbal
communication. They make a significant impact in communication. Words and body language
vary from region to region and from country to country. This makes intercultural
communication interesting.

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Raise awareness about communication in a multicultural setting.

2. Explain the principle of Cooperative Conversation
3. Discern culturally appropriate words, greetings and expressions and body
language in an intercultural setting.
4. Manifest sensitivity and intercultural awareness in the communication of
ideas.

Discussion

Local Communication - Exchange of information within a geographic area or community.

Global Communication. Communication from different parts of the world.
Multicultural. Relating to or including many different of culture.

 Principle of Cooperative Conversation

Local and global communications are kept constant in a multicultural setting. It

requires the need to foster cooperative conversation for a successful communication.
The concept of the cooperative Principle proposed by the Philosopher H. Paul
Grice explains that those involved in communication assume that both parties normally
seek to cooperate with each other to establish agreed meaning or to achieve effective
communication.
 Grice’s Four Maxims in Conversation

MAXIM – This refers to a short statement of a general truth, principle, or rule for
behavior. It's often used as a proverb, saying, or adage. It's a compact expression
of a general truth or rule of conduct.

1. Maxim of relation. Every interlocutor should be relevant in conversation.

They need to be relevant in communicating, requiring them to respond
based on cultural and contextual requirements.
2. Maxim of quantity. Grice underscores that every interlocutor should
observe a “fair-share-talk of time.” Everyone should be given the
opportunity to talk.
3. Maxim of quality. Every interlocutor should maintain what is true in a
given conversation. Do not add nor deduce information. Always maintain
a very good reputation whenever you talk. Manifest honesty in words in
order to talk with quantity.
4. Maxim of manner. In the local culture, the manner of saying a word is
more regarded than its content. How a person negotiates meaning is very
important in conversation. Clarity of speech should be observed so that
you will not be misinterpreted.

 Modes of Communication
Basically, modes of communication refer to the mediums that we use to delivery
our message.
1. Nonverbal Communication – refers to any form of communication that
is not transmitted through spoken word.
2. Verbal Communication – refers to any form of communication that
occurs through spoken word.
3. Visual Communication – means the transfer of information to a person in
a format that can be viewed or read.
4. Written Communication – involves the use of words, sentences, and
paragraph in order to communicate.

Words are primary in communication, but gestures would even make a

meaningful communication.

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  Words, Greetings, and Expressions Used in Intercultural Communication

WORDS FILIPINO/ SPANISH KOREAN MANDARIN/ JAPANESE

TAGALOG CHINESE
goodbye paalam adiós annyeong záijian sayonara
thank you salamat gracias gomawo/ xié xié ni arigato
kamsahamnida
I love you mahal kita te amo saranghaeyo wǒ ái nĭ sukide
you’re walang de nada chonmaneyo búkéqí youkoso
welcome anuman
take care ingat cuidate jalkaseyo băozhòng kiwotsukete

 Body Language Used in Intercultural Communication

The language spoken by the body in terms of facial expressions, hand gestures,
postures and other body movements is known as body language. Body languages
expresses a person’s inner thought and feelings. It is one way of expressing one’s
emotion. Examples of these are the following: frowning may mean one is worried or
displeased and turning one’s back and moving away may imply avoidance.
Body language covers a wide variation of gestures, body positions and even the
distance that we consider safe or acceptable when one is involved in a communication
process. Hand signals, finger signals, hand positioning and making faces are also
considered as body language used in non- verbal communication. In our written
communication nowadays, we also use emotional icons (emotions). We communicate
primarily nonverbally and verbally.

The following are examples of body language used in multicultural settings:

a. Eye Contact. Eye contact may have different meaning to other cultures. Some Muslim
countries have laws about not to have eye contact between opposite genders.

b. Hand Signal. Hand signals can be misinterpreted in some parts of the world.

• Shaking Hands. The most common greeting around the world is a

handshake. Shaking hands can be a bit confusing as there are number of
variations such as handshakes used on meeting, parting and expressing
gratitude. Generally, in business one is told to have a firm and steady grip
when shaking hands.
• A-Ok sign. The Ok sign is not offensive everywhere, however, it is not Ok
to use it in many parts of the world. In Brazil, Germany and Russia, the

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 OK sign is a very offensive gestures because it is used t depict a private
body orifice. The OK sign in the United States actually means “okay”,
however, in Japan it means money and signifies “zero” in France.
• Thumbs-up. The thumps-up gesture is commonly used in many cultures to
signify a “job well done”. However, if you are in Australia, Greece or in
the Middle East, this gesture would mean “Up yours” or “Sit on this”. The
thumbs up gesture can also create miscommunication when it comes to
counting using ones’ fingers. In Germany and Hungary, the upright thumb
is used to represent the number 1, and number 5 in Japan.
• Peace Sign (V sign). This gesture was made popular by Winston Churchill
during the World War II which means peace or victory. In other countries
like Australia, United Kingdom and South Africa, if you make a “peace
sign” with your palm facing inward, this means “Up yours”.
Pointing with the index finger. Simply pointing with the index finger at
something or someone is offensive in many cultures. It is a very rude thing to
do in China, Japan, Indonesia, Latin America and many other countries. In
Europe, this gestures is considered as impolite. In many African countries, the
index finger is used ONLY for pointing at inanimate objects but never at
people. For them, it is better to point at something or someone with an open
hand with all your fingers together.
• Curling the index finger (dog call). Curling the index finger with the
palm facing up is a common gesture that people in the US use to tell
someone to come closer. It is mostly seen to be carried out by a tempting
woman to her man. However, it is considered a rude gesture in Slovakia,
China, East Asia, Malaysia, Singapore and Philippines. This gesture is
used only to call dogs in many Asian countries. In Singapore, this gesture
signifies death.

c. Nodding the Head. Nodding the head generally means agreement or approval.
For the Bulgarians, they have an unusual manner of saying yes or no. Nodding up
and down signifies a negative.

d. Facial Expressions. Facial expressions convey a range of emotions. It can

explain a lot about what is going on in the mind. When we receive bad news,
there is a series of physical signals, reactions happening in our bodies; our lips
compress, we clench our jaws, nervously rub our necks, we squint and lower our
chin.

• The ABC’s of Intercultural Communication

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION. refers to communication between

people from two different cultures.

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 Communication is complex because of the cultural and contextual factors
embedded in it. Although effective communication is difficult to achieve because of these
considerations, good communication is attainable. Lewis (2008) provided the following
ABC’s of intercultural communication.

A- Acknowledge

Differences in communication style should be acknowledged. Every person in a

group has a particular communication style which gives her/his own identity in
communicating.

B- Bi-level

Communication does not only uphold speaking and listening but also require a
holistic process that includes verbal and non-verbal channels.

2 types in Bi-level

 Surface level. Directness

 Deep level. Indirectness

C- Clarify

If you are doubtful of your understanding about what is being communicated, ask
for clarification. Devote a little extra time to verify understanding so that you can save
time and avoid frustration.

 Cultural Communication Barriers

CULTURAL COMMUNICATION BARRIERS. Obstacles that harm morale

and decrease productivity in an organization through misunderstanding of a cultural
concept. Culture is the shared set of beliefs, values, behaviors, laws, and ceremonies by a
group of people.

These barriers obviously give difficulty in understanding people, whose language

is different, and evidently challenge people who are trying to work harmoniously with
others of a different background.
1. Language barrier. Language is evidently the primary barrier of communication
in second and foreign language contexts.
2. Hostile stereotypes. Stereotypes are generalizations or assumptions people make
about the characteristics of members of a group, based on an image about what
people in that group are like.
3. Signs and Symbols. Non-verbal communication like signs and symbols differ
from culture to culture and can therefore not be relied upon in communication.

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 For example, the “thumbs up”, known in the Western world as a sign of approval,
is seen as an insult in Bangladesh.
4. Behaviour Differences. Differences of behaviour between employees of different
cultures can cause misunderstandings. Every culture has its norm about what is
regarded as appropriate behaviour.
5. Emotional display. What is considered appropriate display of emotion in one
culture may not be appropriate in another culture.

 Enhancing Oral Communication in a Multicultural Setting

1. Learn foreign phrases
2. Use simple English
3. Speak slowly and enunciate clearly
4. Observe eye messages
5. Encourage accurate feedback
6. Check frequently for comprehension
7. Listen without interrupting
8. Smile when appropriate

 Developing Written Communication to Multicultural Audiences

Your writing style and tone should be appropriate to the culture of the receiver and
context where it was written.

1. Consider local styles. Documents have their standard formats; hence, writers
should know which one is followed or recommended by the receiver of the
document.

2. Observe titles and status. Use last names, titles, and other signs of rank and
status.

3. Use short sentences and short paragraphs.

4. Avoid ambiguous expressions. Use action-specific words (e.g. purchase a

computer rather than get a computer).

a) Idioms and figurative clichés. This form of language uses words and
expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation.
Examples:
 Beat the clock - to do something before the deadline
 Go with the flow - to do what people do and accept things as they
are
 Bend the law or bend the rules - to cheat a little bit without
breaking the law
 Do the dirty work - to do the disagreeable, illegal, dishonest things

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b) Slang. It is a short or highly colloquial (informal) word.
Examples:
 gonna- going to
 wanna- want to
 okay- all right
 What you see is what you get- there is nothing hidden
 lit- super cool or ‘on fire’

c) Acronym.
Examples:
 LAM - leave a message
 IMO - in my opinion
 AKA - also known as
 ASAP - as soon as possible
 BAE - before anyone else
 GOAT - greatest of all time

d) Abbreviation. Short form of a lengthy word or expression.

Examples:
 Acct - account
 Recd - received
 fwd - forward
 ad - advertisement

e) Jargon. Special words or expressions that are used by a particular

profession or group and are difficult for others to understand.
Examples:
 Chief cook and bottle-washer - A person who holds many
responsibilities (business jargon)
 Suspect - A person whom the police think may have committed a
crime. (Police jargon)

f) Strive for clarity. To present the message clearly, the writer must avoid
words that have multiple meanings, clarity words that may be confusing,
and replace phrasal verbs with clear single words.

g) Use correct grammar.

h) Cite numbers carefully. Numbers should be written following the metric
system. Spell out numbers one to nine and write the figure number 10 and
above, but spell out the number if it begins a sentence. Avoid using figures
to express the date, for example, April 8, 2019 should not be written as
4/8/19 except in North America or 4.8.19 in Europe.

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i) Accommodate the reader in organization, tone and style. Organize
your message, observing appropriate tone and style to appeal to you
audience.

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