Preview

Cultural Differences in Communication

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
589 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Cultural Differences in Communication
Cultural Differences in Communication
Ilana Diallo
COMM 200
Kristy Nelson
December 17, 2010

Cultural Differences in Communication
Culture differences in communication is simply one way of stating that communication is diverse and requires one to use with precision. Being able to communicate your message within different communities and cultures it is important to understand the differences and how it may affect the response by the certain targeted people group.
Dealing with cultural differences is common in today’s society. There are so many different cultures within every community in major and minor cities across this nation. Being able to effective in your communication will require some diversity in the way you communicate with different people groups.
Businesses are needing to advertise and market differently, services and government agencies are needing to outreach in several ways, and average citizens are needing to understand other cultures in order to communicate more effectively at work, in social groups and even their extended families. Many times there are several components that are needed in multicultural marketing such as: cultural adaptation, localization, internationalization, market research, and globalization.
Many people struggle with identifying with other people groups that are different from their own. This has been a global problem for as old as time itself. People who do similar activities and come from similar ethnic groups or social classes will gravitate towards each other. Being able to cross those cultural biases can be very difficult.
I find that working with all different cultural backgrounds has given me more diversity in my business. I work in personal finance and this area of people’s lives is very sensitive no matter what cultural background they come from. Dependent on the cultural background my communication tactic will vary. In many cultures, I may only speak with the husband about the finances, in



Bibliography: Hybels, S. & and Weaver, R.L., (2007). Communicating effectively (8th Ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. Chanin Ballance.  (2006, July). Effective Multicultural Communication. World Trade, 19(7), 54,56,58.  Retrieved December 18, 2010, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 1085944541). Johnson, D.W. & Johnson, R. (1989). Cooperation and competition: Theory and research. Edina, MN: Interaction Book Company Stewart, J. (2006). Bridges not walls. (9th Ed.) New York: McGraw-Hill

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Culture can also affect communication in many ways. One person can be part of many different cultures. Beliefs and experiences within groups of diverse cultures will change the way a speaker must attempt to get points across to listeners. In each culture, words and action may all be interpreted differently. Miscommunications are something that nobody wants to experience during any type of communicating. A sender’s words cannot communicate the desired meaning if the receiver has not had some experience with the objects or concepts the words describe. This is what could happen if proper steps are not taken into consideration before speaking to diverse crowds.…

    • 475 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    People background, what they believe in and the culture in which they live has significant effect on communication.…

    • 663 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Project Part 1

    • 487 Words
    • 2 Pages

    There are various factors that affect the communication process. Among many of the factors some are very important and play a very important role throughout society, cultural, ethical and individual ways of perspective and communication. Throughout life people have and/or will be faced with the challenge of playing out these roles in society. For example, there are different cultures around the world. In some culture women are to be covered up at all times and are married off to as trade for cattle or money to their father. Where in cultures women are free to dress and marry by there choice. These two women will experience culture shock while communicating with each other. Culture is the values, attitudes and morals, someone is thought that carry over into their social lives. By taken the time to make sure we as people can cultural communication it can keep down most of the confusing in workplace, school and just maybe the world.…

    • 487 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Explain how people from different backgrounds may use and/or interpret communication methods in different ways…

    • 532 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    When we talk about intercultural communication we mean all the differences between people, whether they are gender, religion, race or any other differences that connect with each other and commutate whether verbally or nonverbally. It can also be seen as culture within the workplace, culture relates to gender, age, language, ethnicity, cultural background, sexual orientation, religious belief and family…

    • 1856 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Conducting business in China requires speaking in quiet and gentle tones. Emotions of a conversation are not on display. Loud voices and emotions are perceived as lack of self-control.…

    • 439 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Different social, professional and cultural context may effect relationships and the way people communicate because of a lack of understanding into one another’s back ground and culture. This could be through their race, religion, and ethnicity or where they come from. Each one of these can have similar or different ways to communicate.…

    • 752 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    There are six principals in cross-cultural communication. The first principal states that the greater the cultural difference the greater the chance is for the communication ti break down. The second principal says that when communication breakdowns occur during cross-cultural encounters, the breakdowns are most often attributed to cultural differences. The third principal states that communicating across cultures often leads people to be more conscious about their own communication. The fourth one states that cultures vary with respect to the number and kind of “do’s and taboos” that are required of its members. The fifth one states that a person should remember that learning what is normal in the culture the are communicating with helps you understand that group. The last principal states that as long as you see others as friendly and cooperative barriers will easily be broken down (Cheesebro, O 'Connor, & Rios, Chapter Chapter 3, Cultural Diversity, 2010).…

    • 486 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Best Essays

    One way of defining interpersonal communication is to compare it to other forms of communication. In so doing, one would examine how many people are involved, how physically close they are to one another, how many sensory channels are used, and the feedback provided. Interpersonal communication differs from other forms of communication in that there are few participants involved, the people who interact are in close physical proximity to each other, there are many sensory channels used, and feedback is immediate. An important point to note about the contextual definition is that it does not take into account the relationship between the people who are interacting with each other (Borchers, 1999).…

    • 1877 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Different social, professional and cultural contexts may affect relationships and the way people communicate due to of a lack of understanding or knowledge of one another’s background and culture. This could be through their race, religion, ethnicity or where they come from. Each one of these can have similar or very different ways to communicate. For example…

    • 813 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    References: Samovar, L. A., Porter, R. E., McDaniel, E. R., & Roy, C. S. (2013). Communication between cultures (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Monica Eckman.…

    • 2122 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Persuasive Memo

    • 592 Words
    • 3 Pages

    At ABC Corporation, intercultural communication is witnessed daily between coworkers and clients. As a sender or receiver of a message (oral or written) it is crucial that you understand key cultural…

    • 592 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Culture In New York City

    • 1043 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Culture is an integral part of the human experience and it highlights the fascinating differences in both individuals and groups of people. One can only imagine the kind of peaceful existence we would know if we were all aware and respectful of each other's cultural values, but like many things in life, it's easier said than done. The values and norms of one cultural group may be admirable in the sight of another, while simultaneously offend the members of the next subculture. Clear communication is a great way to experience and learn about another culture without causing excess conflict.…

    • 1043 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Intercultural communications can be achieved in many different ways by people who are so vastly different by attending seminars, classes, and even by doing your own research to learn about the differences between the cultures that you are communicating with. The major differences include acceptable body language/symbols, the history of the country, the way you dress yourself, and even whether or not making eye contact is acceptable.…

    • 444 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    When Communication Fails

    • 772 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Communication takes place daily in our everyday lives. We communicate at work, home; groups belong to, or out in our communities. Communication is not easy and takes a great deal of work to truly understand each other (Bucher, R.D.). Culture influences how we look at problems and how we have learned to communicate. All people approach work differently when participating in groups. Culture has many different definitions, but commonly culture refers to a group of people who share common experiences. Groups that we are born into, such as gender, race, or ethnicity are examples of cultural groups. Groups that we join into as adults are also included.…

    • 772 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics