Intercultural communication teamwork and leadership/Communicating across difference/Overcoming communication barriers
Our cultural value systems influence how we speak and hear others’ messages. Yet, there is as much variation within cultures as there is between them. Also, all cultures are ever-changing. There will always be diversity and therefore some degree of unpredictability in any audience you will address. Recognizing overlapping interests in a topic is one key to an effective speech. On the other hand, communication of unawareness, stereotyping, and prejudice will alienate every audience, except blockheads, bigots, and bullies.
Communication across diversity is complex, so we approach the learning activities differently in this topic. Instead of reading the text in a linear way, you get to explore various sections of the text without doing any exercises till the very end. You will also have opportunities to explore research, government, and business resources on intercultural communication before taking up the learning challenge that closes this pathway. Making notes on strategies to meet needs for any diverse audience, and key adjustments for different cultural communication styles will help you prepare to complete the learning challenge in a time-efficient way.
The selected readings address ways to overcome the three main communication barriers of language, perception, and ethnocentrism.
Read Unit 2, Chapter 2.4 to learn about language barriers of cliches, jargon, slang, sexism, racism, euphemisms, and doublespeak. To explore perception, start with Chapter 3.1 (in Unit 3) on productive avenues to self-understanding, which can help learn how to stand in your own truth. Next, read Chapter 3.4 on understanding your audience, to learn ways to frame your messages to engage diverse groups of people. The ethnocentrism barrier can be invisible to people who judge others by their own personal culture norms. Knowledge of diverse cultural perspectives, as well as your own; respect for others; curiosity, and active listening skills are critical to effective communication across differences (Deardorff, 2009). Understanding diverse views may come more easily than you expect. We all belong to multiple cultural groups, as noted in Chapter 18.2 (in Unit 14). Personal experience of different others is the only way to develop effective intercultural communication skills. Be open new ideas and experiences, get as much first-hand experience with various people in different cultures as you can. Finally, remember the Platinum Rule: treat others the way they want to be treated.
Recommended: Do the Chapter 10.5 exercises with these modifications.
The first exercise asks you to make a list of slang or jargon words you and your colleagues generally use in conversation and translate them into plain language.
The second exercise asks you to reflect on what ideas, words, or places you would choose to offer insights into you, your family, and/or your community
if you were hosting a guest from a different culture you in your home for a holiday. Share a few of your ideas, words or places.
For the third exercise, explain how you would prepare a speech to suit a diverse audience. Then, consider the three speakers you listened to in the videos in the previous topic. Which elements of their speeches would you use, or not use, for a culturally diverse audience? Explain why.
Explore the University of Leicester: Inclusive Writing website. This resource provides strategies to overcome various language challenges, illustrated with applied examples.
Reference:
Darla K. Deardorff. 2009. Exploring Intercultural Competence in International Education. NAFSA: Association of International Educators 2009 Annual Conference, Los Angeles, CA, USA.This short pdf presents Deardorff’s well-regarded Pyramid Model of Intercultural Competence.
