Intercultural Communication Skills
Improving Intercultural Communication Skills
1. Studying Other Cultures
- Effectively adapting your communication efforts to another requires not only about knowledge about the culture but also both ability and the motivation to change your personal habits as needed.
- Modify your personal habits
- Research ( Making an effort to learn about another person’s culture is a sign of respect)
2. Studying Other Languages:
- English is the most prevalent language in international business, but don’t assume that that everyone understands it or speaks it the same way.
- Learn other languages like Spanish, Chinese.
3. Respecting Preferences for Communication Style
- Communication style: level of directness, the degree of formality, p
- references for written versus spoken communication, …
- In the US, workers prefer an open and direct communication style.
- In Japan and China ( high-context cultures), professionals tend to be less direct.
4. Writing Clearly
- Clarity and simplicity are essential when writing to or speaking with people who don’t share your native language.( seven recommendations)
- Use simple, clear language.
- Be brief.
- Use transitional elements( in addition, first, second,.. )
- Address international correspondence properly)
- Cite numbers and dates carefully
- Avoid idiomatic, and business jargon
- Avoid humor/jokes ( They are based on particular culture)
5. Speaking and Listening Carefully
- Be aware of tone, pitch, stress.
- “Did you eat yet?” … “Jeetyet?” As a speaker, do the following:
- Speak slowly.
- Don’t rephrase until it is necessary
- Look for and ask for feedback to make sure your message is getting through
- Don’t talk down to the other person by over-enunciating words or oversimplifying sentences
- Double-check to make sure that you and listener agree on what has been said and decided.
- As a listener, do the following:
- You will need some practice to get a sense of vocal patterns.
- Let other people finish what they have to say.
- Don’t interrupt.
- If you don’t understand comment, ask the person to repeat it.
6. Using Interpreters, Translators, and Translation software
- You can use an interpreter( for spoken communication) and a translator( for written communication)
- You can use translation software to improve your intercultural communication.
7. Helping Others Adapt to Your Culture
- If you help others adapt to your culture, there will be a more productive workplace. They will also teach you about their culture.
- If a non-native English speaker is making mistakes that could hurt his or her credibility, you can offer advice on the appropriate words and phrases to use. Most language learners truly appreciate this sort of assistance if it is offered in a respectful manner.
