Cultural Aspects of Communication

The Global Community I

In today's business and Internet-based world, communication with individuals from all over the world has never been easier – or more important to a business's bottom line. While language barriers can technically be overcome by translators, these individuals often overlook the subtle nuances that make cultures and communication unique. In order to be effective in your relationships with other cultures, you have to move above and beyond mere language to embrace deeper, more personal worldviews.

Step One – Acknowledge Cultural Differences

The fact that cross-cultural communication is now an independent field of study goes a long way in helping individuals all over the world to overcome barriers to communication. Historically, miscommunications across cultures were attributed to linguistic difficulties and very little more. However, we now know that there is a much deeper level of communication to address.

By acknowledging that cultural barriers may present a challenge to your next communication endeavor (for example, if your new employee is from a Native culture or you are employing an overseas firm to handle your telecommunications), you will be better able to address issues that may arise – even if you don't know where or how these issues will come up.

Step Two – Share the Blame

If you and another person are attempting to communicate effectively and you have ascertained that cultural barriers are presenting a problem, the first instinct is to place the blame on the non-dominant culture. We see this all the time in politics, business, and the media. Many Western nations adopt an "assign the blame" mentality wherein they feel that a problem cannot be handled until the fault is pinpointed on a single individual or situation.

However, when a miscommunication arises due to cultural norms, there is no single place for the blame to lie. Cultural norms dictate everything from how one treats the sexes to how one views time. These are ingrained practices that most individuals have been practicing since birth. Although you may disagree with what the other person believes or does, it is no more "wrong" than your own actions.

Businesses may have an additionally difficult time with this, since it is often felt that if one wants to do business with a certain culture, he or she needs to adapt (meaning the other party can make such demands and refuse to compromise). However, if your purpose is to create more effective communication – regardless of your personal beliefs or practices – you have to be willing to meet others at least halfway

Step Three – Never Make Assumptions

As humans, we tend to project our own thoughts and feelings onto others, especially when there are problems with communication. This is never more evident than it is with different cultures, since we are often at a loss as to the underlying reasons behind the actions of culture we know little about or do not understand.

However, making assumptions is almost guaranteed to lead to communication difficulties. No matter what sorts of challenges arise, avoid becoming hostile, aggressive, or otherwise overbearing. Try to understand where the other person is coming from; if you can't, don't be afraid to ask questions. It isn't a bad thing to not know about another culture – it is a bad thing to refuse to learn.

Step Four – Don't Rely Solely on Generalizations

There have been countless studies done on cultural differences and communication patterns. These include such things as the widely-known Cultural Dimensions studies by Geert Hofstede, which break down different cultures into their fundamental differences. These differences are ranked on a numerical scale, allowing individuals to gain an understanding of how different nationalities view things like time, the sexes, individualism, and authority.

While this tool (and others that offer similar comparisons) can prove invaluable as a starting point, they should never be relied on as the end all and be all of how cultures communicate. Within a single country, there are millions of individuals, each with his or her own independent world view. Saying that all Japanese people are more loyal to their employers is correct in so far as it relates to the way other countries view the workplace dynamic, but this certainly doesn't mean that everyone in Japan views their employment opportunities in the same way. To make this sort of generalization is unfair to everyone involved.

Step Five – Learn the Basics

Although we've stressed the importance of NOT relying on generalizations, it's still a good idea to know where they exist. It is much like learning the rules of driving a car. Although you should always know the laws of the road, there is no substitute for avoiding accidents than years of experience, patience, and common sense. Only with these same three attributes will you become proficient at efficient cross-cultural communication; however, until you get them, knowing the basic foundation is a great place to start.