The Characteristics Of Organizational Discourse And Intercultural Communication

People have certain communication philosophies they tend to follow. It streams from important historical and ideological reasons. A communication philosophy forms what we call a discourse system. It is one of the biggest and most influential factors in both organizational discourse and intercultural communication. The C-B-S style which refers to clarity, brevity and sincerity is the principal used for professional communication. In professional communication it is important to write clearly, briefly, directly and as sincerely as possible (Scollon & Scollon, 2001: 106).

“Discourse” is the word being used for writing about language use. There are three different ways in which the term can be defined, each with a different approach. Firstly,

it is important to note that the history and the future of the company and the client is considered in the communication used by this institution. There are four basic elements to this system of discourse: the forms of discourse, the socialization, the ideology and the face systems. These four elements influence one another which means they interact with each other to create a certain ideology of discourse. When the client or the employee fits into this system of discourse they identify more with it and see themselves as a member of the discourse system.

According to Gudykunst these are the four characteristics which will define a discourse system as follows:

1. Ideology: the members of a group will hold the same ideological position (the same political, cultural or religious beliefs) and will recognize a set of extra-discourse features which define them as a group

2. Socialization: socialization can be accomplished primarily through these preferred forms of discourse.

3. Forms of discourse: a set of preferred forms of discourse serves as banners or symbol of membership and

Face systems: face relationships are prescribed for discourse among members or between members and outsiders

The focus shift towards an utilitarian discourse system. The analysis of systems of discourse in answering these four