Communication throughout the ages has changed greatly. In the past, all communication was done face to face or through written letters. Today, technology has evolved the way people can communicate. It is now possible to communicate with a person on the other side of the world. However, this ease of communication presents some challenges, mainly through difficulty in understanding the other person but also due to cultural differences. What one culture deems as acceptable, may not be true for the other. Other differences in culture also presents issues. However, these issues can be lessened or even eliminated through education and travel. There are nearly 7000 distinct languages spoken in the entire world (Anderson, “Linguistic Society of America”). …show more content…
Every country has its own mores, and most differ from one another. In the quote above, it is polite in Russia for a man to peel a banana for a woman when giving one to them only if they have a romantic interest in the woman. In America, it is not expected that the man peel the banana for a woman no matter the relationship or interest. There are other examples of what Americans would consider normal or good, while other cultures would find bad or abnormal. Greetings and handshakes also vary from country to country. In most countries, a firm handshake is proper, but in most Asian countries, a light handshake is polite ("Business Etiquette Around The World"). Salutations vary as well; in most countries, greeting with the surname is polite ("Business Etiquette Around The World"). Greeting cards are also of importance to some countries, most of which are Asian countries ("Business Etiquette Around The World"). The vast variety of cultures and their associated mores creates issues for foreigners who may not be accustomed to that culture. However, through travel and education these barriers and difficulties can be broken
From walkmans to CD players to iPods, technology has evolved over the succession of the years; humans have taken extensive steps towards a technological transformation that has revolutionized the manner in which several individuals communicate with one another. Likewise, various humans have opted for more modern methods to connect and contact their loved ones such as speaking on a cell phone, video chatting, e-mailing, instant messaging, and conversing through social media. With these contemporary methods of communication, global interaction has now been facilitated and easily accessible; conversing with individuals from across the world is as transparent and prompt as speaking with individuals within the same city. Nonetheless, these technological
a.) What is the definition of each one according to the book? Define each concept.
In life we sometimes experience cultural differences. In The Joy Luck Club Amy Tan shows how mother daughter relationships are affected by these cultural differences. Therefore each of the mothers and daughters has a different view on their Chinese culture.
Nonverbal communication has always played an important role in the entire communication process. It may include gestures, kinesics, haptics and other means, which a person incorporates into the communication process. These acts make the communication process more effective and meaningful. However, nonverbal communication is highly influenced by cultural differences as the context of the culture defines how the message is interpreted. This essay will analyse several types of nonverbal communication such as proxemics, haptics, kinesics, semiotics and paralinguistic. It will also analyse the messages conveyed by these nonverbal communication types in different cultures and their impact on the non-verbal communication process in relative cultural contexts.
Many people who go to visit or work in another country suffer some misunderstanding from the local people, because they have a different culture. Different culture will cause disparity points of view about almost everything. In the article, Intercultural Communication Stumbling Blocks by Laray M. Barna, there are five stumbling blocks mentioned that are seen in a cross-culture communication. These blocks are: language, nonverbal signs and symbols, preconceptions and stereotypes, the tendency to evaluate and high anxiety. Barna wants to use these stumbling blocks to show the common blockades between different cultures. I agree with what she thinks about the language, nonverbal signs and symbols, preconceptions and stereotypes, and the tendency
In international management, culture is acquired knowledge that peoples use to interpret experiences and generate social behavior. This knowledge forms values, creates attitudes and influences behavior. Because different cultures exist in the world an understanding of the impact of culture on behavior is critical in the international management. There are many way of examining culture differences and their impact on international management. Culture can affect technology transfer, managerial attitude, managerial ideology and even business-government relations. Cultural affects a host of business-related activities, even the including the common handshake. For example, in the United States, the standard greeting is a smile, often accompanied by a nod, wave and it may sometimes include verbal greeting. In business situations, a firm handshake is used. Feeble handshakes are viewed as negatively as weakness. Men usually wait for women to offer their hand before shaking. As in the Czech Republic, shake hands, firmly but briefly, with everyone (including children) when introduced. It is also customary to shake hands once again upon departure. Men should wait to see if women extend their hands in inter-gender meetings. Also, avoid keeping the left hand in one's pocket while shaking hands with the right. In the Czech Republic, politics and other complicated ...
Everything we do in our life involves communication because it is a way for a sender to send message to the receiver by verbal and non-verbal communication. However, in some parts of the world messages that are delivered sometimes are not received in a way it is supposed to. A way to solve this is by using competent communicator and intercultural communication because it makes it easier for people from other cultures to communicate in general. On the other hand, there are also some problems faced because different cultures have different ways to express their way of communication. By understanding these types of communication and by defining them may solve this dilemma. In addition to that, there are also types of communication to consider that are commonly used, which is Proxemics, Gestures and body language.
The article talks about a female executive who had visited a conservative Muslim country. She had trouble interacting with male business partners as they come from cultures where women do not often engage in high-level trades. The men refused to shake her hand, which made her, feel disrespected and confused. The author suggests that female businesspeople from liberal countries such as those in the West need to learn that every country has its norm pertaining the roles of men and women. Age is also important in cross-cultural businesses where older people are considered wise. Body language and communication style are also different depending on the culture where in some place direct speaking may be regarded as disrespectful or even rude while in others steady eye contact is considered as a means to build trust. The female business person also has to recognize the signals that she is sending to her corporate partners. She should be wary of offending her business partners of all sexes as the female may judge their fellow women more harshly than how a man would. The woman also has to determine if the signals that she is receiving are cultural norms or sexism. Therefore, the important factors in intercultural businesses are learning the culture of the other person in advance to know how to
Effective communication with people of difference cultures can be especially challenging. The way people interpret the world can be strikingly different between cultures. Intercultural communication occurs when a member from one culture produces a message that is absorbed by a member of another culture. How that message is understood by the communicating party is a vital part in intercultural communication. For example, in Cambodia it would be considered rude to discuss business in a social setting (Language, culture, customs and etiquette, n.d.). However, in the United States this is a common practice and is almost an encouraged event. Another important factor and consideration in intercultural communication is the importance of understanding cultures, values, history and beliefs. For instance, in Cambodia, if you deliver a present that is wrapped in white paper, this is considered to represent mourning. This is one of the many reasons why it is important to assimilate into a culture and be mindful of communication between cultures (Language, culture, customs and etiquette, n.d.).
As we use communication in our day-to-day living, there should be an assurance that the sender and the receiver should be able to communicate properly or else communication is not effective after all. The sender should be able to deliver the message as clear and concise as possible so that the receiver will understand and grasp the message well. On the other hand, the receiver should be wise enough and process the message well so as to avoid misunderstanding. However, we could not avoid that there are certain barriers when it comes to communication- different values, beliefs and personality, bad grammar and wrong word choice are few of the factors that complicate communication. Consequently, there is a way to avoid complications in communication. It is advisable to have communication face-to-face. In this certain manner...
Around the world, there are over 6,500 different languages still spoken today. However, approximately 640 known languages have now become extinct. The Indigenous people of Australia once spoke over 250 languages. This number has now dropped to 145 languages, of which 110 are critically endangered.
The way people communicate varies widely between, and even within, cultures. One aspect of communication style is language usage. Language has always been perceived as a link between people but it can also constitute a barrier. Across cultures, some words and phrases are used in different ways. For example, even in countries that share the English language, the meaning of "yes" varies from "maybe, I'll consider it" to "definitely so," with many shades in between . Furthermore, communication between cultures which do not share the same language is considerably more difficult . Each culture, has its distinct syntax, expressions and structure which causes confusion in intercultural communication. For example , in Asian countries the word “no” is rarely used, so that “yea” can mean “no” or “perhaps”. Therefore, an American traveling to Japan might be considered impolite if he ignores this rule. Furthermore, individuals who are not comfortable with a certain language may not be taken seriously. Such is the case in the classroom, where a student who has a perfect knowledge of the subject in question may have difficulty expressing his idea due to his inability to write properly and therefore he would not receive the grade he truly deserves. Similarly intercultural communication is dominant in the workplace. In the past, many companies and organizations could operate entirely within their country of origin and conduct their activities exclusively in their own native language. But now, due...
Erard, Michael (November 3, 2005). "How many languages is it possible for a person to speak?". The Five Minute Linguist. Archived from the original on April 13, 2010
The term “culture” refers to the complex accumulation of knowledge, folklore, language, rules, rituals, habits, lifestyles, attitudes, beliefs, and customs that link and provide a general identity to a group of people. Cultures take a long time to develop. There are many things that establish identity give meaning to life, define what one becomes, and how one should behave.
Different countries have different cultures, values, and ideologies. In every society, manners and etiquette are essential. These beliefs have been derived and practiced from the old generation to the modern generation. Manners also shape societies and rule people. In some countries, Thailand and Japan, have a significant numbers of foreigners for varied purposes such as travelling, working, and studying. However, living in the different circumstances is not simple. People may experience some troubles, which can make them confused and embarrassed. Learning to adapt ourselves by learning through their behaviors may encourage people to understand them better. This essay will compare the difference of manners and etiquettes between Thailand and Japan in three significant points.