Barriers In Multicultural Communication

Barriers In Multicultural Communication It means the established beliefs, social norms, values, material traits, and behavior patterns transmitted from people to people that differentiate groups of people. Cultural backdrop affects how individuals communicate and how they deduce messages received from others. Multicultural Perspectives Being aware that miscommunication can arise due to ethnicity, age, gender, race and physical disability, and much other dissimilarity such as religious and lifestyle is the first step towards better multicultural communication. Larger cultural multiplicity in the organizations and workplaces increase the need for understanding how cultural background affects communication. Communication Barriers in Multicultural Communication Communication barriers most of the time hamper the quality of communication when you are interacting with people from cultures other than your own. These barriers include:- 1. Cultural Relativism and Ethnocentrism 2. Lack of Knowledge and Understanding of Cultures 3. Discriminatory and Harassment 4. Language Differences Now lets study these barriers in detail. Cultural Relativism and Ethnocentrism Cultural relativism compares the norms and conducts of different cultures and usually means evaluating them against standards of whats wrong and whats right. This approach to other cultures becomes an obstacle when you presume that cultural norms, customs and conducts are not right if they differ from those of your culture. Ethnocentrism is the natural idea that your own cultural tradition and values are right and superior. People around the world are ethnocentric to an extent. Norms, customs, and conducts that are different from those of your culture may seem unusual, abnormal and sometimes even wrong. Lack of Knowledge and Understanding of Cultures Although a particular culture may usually demonstrate similar behaviors or attributes, this does not mean all individuals in that culture are similar. People establish stereotypes when they presume that certain norms, values or attributes typical of a particular culture define all members of that culture group. Stereotypes are an outcome due to limited knowledge of cultural diversity. An understanding of various cultures means to be fully aware that individuals within each culture may have some resemblance and some variations. It means responding to people as individuals while understanding that cultural backdrops and experiences impact behavior and communication. Discriminatory and Harassment Discrimination is demonstrating partiality toward or hurtful elimination or rejection of people because of cultural or any other differences. Business communication between the sexes demands a clear understanding of remarks and actions that could be interpreed as sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is undesirable behavior of a sexual nature or with sexual implications. It may occur for men as well as women. Language Differences Language can also be a barrier to communication. An increase in multicultural interactions presents language challenges. When organizations communicate with the large number of people who speak the languages other than English misunderstandings may occur. Non verbal language influences the receivers understanding and acceptance of a spoken message. In multicultural business communication, non verbal signs vary as much as spoken languages do. Nonverbal greetings can be anything from a bow to a handshake or from a hug to an upward flick of the eyebrows. Misunderstanding or misinterpretation of cultural differences in nonverbal messages causes communication problems. Communicating in High or Low Context Cultures Traditionally, high-context countries place high value on relationships and prefer indirect communication when carrying out business. Low context countries give more value to productivity; prefer the use of direct communication, and give minimal attention is paid to building relationships. High context cultures allocate more meaning to shared history, non- verbal signals, and the context of the messages than to what is said. Japan, China, and most other Asian countries generally are considered high context cultures. The United States and Canada, as well as northern Europe, are low context cultures. Given below are the basic differences between high and low context cultures. High Context Low Context Indirect communication. Direct and specific communication Fewer words, more nonverbal clues High value on words rather than nonverbal clues. Simple and ambiguous messages Structured messages with technical details. Very verbal people seen as unattractive; smiling associated with nervousness. Informal, frequent smiles, and frequent use of hand gestures and facial expressions Preference to long term relationships and underlying messages. Temporary personal relationships. Long term view of time. Short term view of time. Appointments are generally considered flexible. Emphasis on appointments on time, management of schedules, and punctuality are given high preference. Vague and non confrontational language is preferred. Focus on getting a job done, being specific, and goal attainment. Honor and respect more important than business; adjourn power and position Personal relationships not considered that much; ideas and people are assumed as equals. Private networks are used to obtain information. Information is made accessible readily, shared with others. Values family and group authority Individualism valued. Multicultural communication guidelines You can become an effective multicultural communicator if you follow a few simple guidelines. Understanding our own culture Communication with others can be improved by increasing awareness of your own culture and its influences on your beliefs, values, and behavior patterns. We have to understand that our cultural background and experiences shape what we think, what we value, and how we communicate. Keep an open mind and respect diversity Learn about other cultures, beliefs, and customs without judging them by our own cultural identity and unexamined biases. These is not to suggest that we change our beliefs or disrespect our own culture, but rather that we acknowledge that cultural norms affect values and conducts and that understanding how others interpret verbal and nonverbal language helps our communication receive the intended response. However, avoid accepting stereotypes that assume that characteristics that may apply to some people in a particular culture are characteristic of all individuals in that culture. Identify and adapt to language differences When we are communicating with persons from another culture, we should try to learn how that cultures verbal and nonverbal languages differ from your own. Examine and understand the meaning of nonverbal communication signal such as facial expressions, social distance for conversing, and hand gestures. Offensive non verbal gestures should always be avoided. Now that we have adequate knowledge about cross cultural communication, barriers in cross cultural communication and guidelines to be followed for better cross cultural communication, we can now discuss the aspects of the Japanese culture one would wish to observe and understand in order to avoid problems of cross-cultural communication. Japanese Non-Verbal Communication 1. The Japanese pull out all the stops for peace and are dependent on group; they use non verbal gestures such as facial expression, tone of voice and posture to tell interpret what someone feels. 2. The Japanese frequently trust non-verbal messages more than the spoken word as a single word can mean various things. 3. Frowning when someone is speaking is taken as a sign of disagreement. 4. Most Japanese maintain an impassive expression when speaking. 5. Expressions to watch out for include inhaling through clenched teeth, tilting the head, scratching the back of the head, and scratching the eyebrow. 6. Non-verbal communication is so vital that there is a book for foreigners on how to interpret the signs. 7. It is considered disrespectful to stare into another persons eyes, particularly those of a person who is senior to you because of age or status. 8. In crowded situations the Japanese avoid eye contact to give themselves privacy. Relationships Communication 1. The Japanese prefer to do business on the basis of personal relationships. 2. In general, being introduced or recommended by someone who already has a good relationship with the company is extremely helpful as it allows the Japanese to know how to place you in a hierarchy relative to themselves. 3. Build and maintain relationships with greetings / seasonal cards. 4. It is important to be a good correspondent as the Japanese hold this in high esteem. Business Meeting Etiquette 1. Appointments are required and, whenever possible, should be made several weeks in advance. 2. It is best to telephone for an appointment rather than send a letter, fax or email. 3. Punctuality is important. Arrive on time for meetings and expect your Japanese colleagues will do the same. 4. Since this is a group society, even if you think you will be meeting one person, be prepared for a group meeting. 5. The most senior Japanese person will be seated furthest from the door, with the rest of the people in descending rank until the most junior person is seated closest to the door. 6. It may take several meetings for your Japanese counterparts to become comfortable with you and be able to conduct business with you. Business Negotiation 1. The Japanese are non-confrontational. 2. They have a difficult time saying no, so you must be vigilant at observing their non-verbal communication. 3. It is best to phrase questions so that they can answer yes. For example, do you disagree with this? Group decision-making and consensus are important. 4. Written contracts are required. 5. The Japanese often remain silent for long periods of time. Be patient and try to work out if your Japanese colleagues have understood what was said. 6. Japanese prefer broad agreements and mutual understanding so that when problems arise they can be handled flexibly. 7. Using a Japanese lawyer is seen as a gesture of goodwill. Note that Japanese lawyers are quite different from Western lawyers as they are much more functionary. 8. Never lose your temper or raise your voice during negotiations. 9. Some Japanese close their eyes when they want to listen intently. Dress Etiquette 1. Business attire is conservative. 2. Men should wear dark-colored, conservative business suits. 3. Women should dress conservatively.

Essay --

"I believe you don't grow into creativity, we grow out of it, or rather get educated out of it." Once a year one thousand remarkable people gather in Monterey, California to exchange something of incalculable value, their ideas: Sir Ken Robinson is one of those remarkable people. During his talk Robinson takes the opportunity to â€Å"pin his audience to the wall† while talking about his views and ideas on education. Robinson is a talented author as well, in his latest book he talks about natural talent. There is a point in the book when he says, â€Å"The element is the point at which natural talent meets personal passion. When people arrive at the element, they feel most themselves and most inspired and achieve at their highest levels.† And during his speech he makes it clear that our education system is stunting our children’s creativity, therefore preventing them from achieving their very best. Ken Robinson speaks out of a true passion for education and his t houghts on the ideas that, though born with a true sense of creativity, as we age our education makes no room for our creative side to truly blossom and grow into something special. There are two main themes in Sir Robinson’s speech, the first being that everybody is born with a natural desire and ability to be creative and that our schools are in fact minimalizing those abilities. The second is that we need to instead of suppressing those talents we need to cultivate and mature them. We need to re-examine the way we educate and find new ways to involve creativity in our schools education system. In the duration of his conversation with the audience Robinson lays out the idea that our education system is mostly geared towards our left-brain thinking, and therefore is squashing out... ...human imagination, and we need to be wise with the way we use this gift. He says that as a society we have to â€Å"adopt a new conception of human ecology, one in which we start to reconstitute our conception of the richness of human capacity.† It is our job to find ways to help mature and grow the creative capacity of our children, instead of â€Å"strip-mining† their minds for a single resource. He leaves his audience with the idea that the only way to avoid doin this is to start looking at ourselves and our children’s creativity in new light and finding the value in it. Our students face an unknown future, and the only way to help prepare them for it, which is our job, is to teach to their whole selves, â€Å"educate to their whole being, so they can face this future†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He challenges us to find new ways to help them do something worth their talents for the life ahead of them.

Gun Ban in America Essay

In 2012, the most serious topics that people always talking about is Gun ban. Most of people voted for ban guns after the Connecticut’s shooting incident. There are lots of children died in the elementary school, and Americans realized the bad effects about selling guns legally in many states. There are at least four shooting incidents each year. People may think it is the time to ban America’s guns now, but in fact it is not the gun’s fault. For my part, guns should not be banned, and people have the right to have gun’s ownership. Most people know that guns are one of America’s culture, just like the marijuana. People know what are illegal things, but they will still find a way to obtain them. So, banned guns can’t prevent criminals. If the guns banned, criminal can still use other weapons to kill people. For example, in 1976, Washington DC is illegal to own any handguns or to keep any type of guns in home unlocked. However, Washington DC has the most criminal rates in united states. Whenever the guns is illegally, criminals can make any weapons, such as bombs, criminals can make bombs by themselves. Most of time, it’s the personal’s problems, criminals who caught by police always have mental ill or they dissatisfying about this country. Therefore, Government need strength the gun education and some safety classes about using guns. Ban guns is not a good solution, because the problem is not about guns. In addition, ban guns means remove the right to someone. In America, people are highly regard human rights. Giving up rights to bear arms would open up a world of control and unnecessary chaos. Some people have guns just for hunting, and they think guns are useful. Some of gun owner using guns in shooting range, they think it is their entertainment. Although, some cities made the announcement of gun ban, people were still reluctant to hand over their guns to Government. If the states that they live have banned guns, they can still go to another states to obtain another one. As part of American’s culture and freedom, it is impossible to ban guns exhaustive because of the different constitutions between states. Finally, the last reason that guns should not be banned, because guns can protect people. Except this criminals, most of people know how to use handguns, and they are using guns to protect their families. What if someone invade their house and pointing a gun at them, they can not wait until the police come. If that happens, no one will be safe. If a person wants to kill people, he will think all the way to hurt people even he did not have guns. However, what if the normal people does not have the guns to protect them when they meet some incidents. Guns always give people a sense of security, even they just locked them at their house. In conclusion, ban guns is not a big deal in America. According to Washington DC’s criminal rates, it did not decrease the criminal rates at all. In some cities of America, restricted legislation could not restraint people to crime. Gun ban is only for temporary and it is not a permanent solution to this problem.

Down the River Siddhartha and Huckleberry Finn Essay

As we read Huckleberry Finn, I was also rereading Siddhartha by Herman Hesse and I couldn’t help but compare Siddhartha’s journey down the river to Huckleberry Finn’s journey down the river. Both their stories are parallels to each other and many connections can be made through their travels. To both characters, the element of the river served as a protection from the outside world. When both characters are taken by the rivers embrace, they are able to leave the limitations and constrains of their society. Siddhartha and Huck seek independence, away from their homes and away from troubles of society. Siddhartha seeks an escape from his isolation and pampered lifestyle in order to understand more about the world and gain wisdom through†¦show more content†¦He and Jim, his companion: the runaway slave, make the river their new home. â€Å" It was kind of solemn, drifting down the big, still river, laying on our backs looking up at the stars.† ( 86) Huck understands that escaping on the river was his only way to escape from his society of constrains and he never regrets it. However, unlike Siddhartha who searches for the path to enlightenment, Huck searches for an escape from his imprisonment on land and he uses the river as a carriage to freedom for both himself and Jim. Now, Jim can be compared to neither Huck nor Siddhartha. He is his own sphere of mentality. He is a powerful figure for being able to take Huck into his care and become the fatherly figure. While Huck and Siddhartha may be considered the naà ¯ve ones of the bunch, for their lack of experience and knowledge of the outside world, Jim is a character who actually understands the consequences of what they are doing. He knows that the river is threatening. He knows that he and Huck must travel at night and that if they are caught they will never escape their society. These moments on the river are extremely emotional for Jim because it is the closest he has ever felt to being free. However, as free as he may feel he is still a â€Å"runaway slave† and there is nothing he can do to change that.This river is extremely important to Jim because it gives him hope. He see the river in a different light than Huck and heShow MoreRelatedEssay on Siddhartha Reading Questions2642 Words   |à ‚  11 PagesThe Brahmin’s Son 1. Briefly describe Siddhartha. Siddhartha is a good-looking, well-loved young man who has grown into the religious group of India,. He is full of knowledge, able to master the art of meditation. 2. For what two things does Govinda, his best friend, admire him? Govinda admires his eyes and sweet voice as well as his grace movements and thoughts. Govinda truly admires his friend, hoping to follow in Siddhartha’s footsteps. 3. What does he fear if he stays at home and continues