Nowadays we talk and hear about the big topics like “Globalisation”, “Internationalisation of markets” and “New Technologies for Communication”. In our today’s world boundaries be-tween states as well as big distances between particular states do not play a big role anymore. Nearly everyone is able to get in connection with everyone he likes to; not matter what coun-try he lives in, what time it is or with whom he likes to talk.
This development leads to the arising importance of “Cross Cultural Communication”. Think-ing about business for example most of all existing companies operate all around the world by now. If a salesman from England wants to make profit, he will have to offer his products not only in his home country; he also will have to offer them in Japan and Germany. So for doing his job he has to communicate across cultures. It is the same in many other branches, like pol-itics or movie makers for instance.
It is an evident aspect that communicating across cultures is associated with problems and barriers to communication. The first big problem getting in mind is the language itself, because two communication partners must own one language which both of them are able to speak.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Foundations
2.1 Culture
2.2 Communication
2.3 Cross Cultural Communication
3 Dimensions of Communication
3.1 Verbal Communication
3.2 Nonverbal Communication
3.3 Paraverbal Communication
4 Barriers to Cross Cultural Communication
4.1 Language differences
4.2 Nonverbal communication
4.3 Paraverbal Communication
4.4 Stereotypes
4.5 Making a Judgement
4.6 High Level of Stress
5 Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this work is to identify and analyze the critical barriers to effective communication in intercultural business environments. It examines how cultural differences influence interpersonal interactions and provides strategies to mitigate these obstacles in a globalized world.
- Foundations of culture and communication
- Dimensions of verbal, nonverbal, and paraverbal communication
- Identification of key communication barriers (language, stereotypes, stress, etc.)
- Strategies for developing cross-cultural competence
- Practical approaches to overcoming misunderstanding in intercultural business contexts
Excerpt from the Book
4.2 Nonverbal communication
The next barrier concerning cross cultural communication is nonverbal communication. As already mentioned nonverbal communication means body language, eye contact, touch, body distance and turn taking. Nonverbal communication often is automatic and people do not think about in most times. Through nonverbal communication feelings and thoughts are shown without speaking (ibid). It is elusive that a communication partner puts his own interpretation and one’s nonverbal acting like facial expressions or clothing, although this interpretation perhaps was not intended (ibid).
Going more into detail it is started with body language as one element of the barrier nonverbal communication. Talking about body language we mean body movement, body position and dress. The problem with body language is that for instance the same gesture can have different meanings in different cultures. When someone forms a “V” with his fingers, this is the sign for victory and Germany. But in Britain it only has this intent “if the palm of the hand is facing inwards and is a rude gesture if the palm is facing outwards” (Gibson, 2004:37).
In addition even the dress code is very different across cultures as the following example given by Gibson shows:
“A German businessman, wearing a sports jacket and tie arriving for a meeting in London with his British counterpart wearing a suit to be greeted by the words ‘Did the airline loose your luggage?’ (ibid)”
For the British counterpart the sports jacket was a sign of inappropriate informality, but for the German culture it was a normal way to dress and no sign of informality.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter highlights the growing significance of cross-cultural communication due to global economic integration and provides an overview of the thesis structure.
2 Foundations: This section defines the core concepts of culture as "collective mental programming" and communication as a mutual process of creating and sharing meaning.
3 Dimensions of Communication: This chapter categorizes communication into verbal, nonverbal, and paraverbal dimensions, explaining how each plays a vital role in interactions across cultures.
4 Barriers to Cross Cultural Communication: This central chapter identifies six primary obstacles to effective interaction, ranging from linguistic differences and stereotypes to the impact of stress.
5 Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes the findings and emphasizes that overcoming cultural barriers requires active effort, awareness, and the implementation of specific strategies.
Keywords
Cross Cultural Communication, Globalisation, Culture, Verbal Communication, Nonverbal Communication, Paraverbal Communication, Language barriers, Stereotypes, Cultural competence, Business communication, Intercultural, Misunderstanding, Social environment, Human behavior, Adaptation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this publication?
The work focuses on identifying the specific barriers that hinder effective communication between people from different cultural backgrounds, particularly within the business sector.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The central themes include the definitions of culture and communication, the different dimensions of how we express ourselves, and an in-depth look at six specific barriers: language, nonverbal signals, paraverbal communication, stereotypes, judgment, and stress.
What is the research goal?
The goal is to analyze these barriers and provide insights into how individuals can overcome them to facilitate smoother interactions in a globalized world.
Which methodology is employed in this thesis?
The thesis is based on literary research, synthesizing existing studies and expert theories on intercultural communication to structure its arguments and recommendations.
What does the main body cover?
The main body examines the foundations of communication, breaks down the three dimensions of human expression, and explores five to six specific barriers that often lead to misunderstandings.
How can one define the work using keywords?
Key terms include Cross Cultural Communication, Globalisation, Cultural competence, Intercultural business communication, and Nonverbal communication.
How does culture influence "collective mental programming"?
The text explains, citing Hofstede, that culture is acquired through social environments during childhood and later in the workplace, acting as "software of the mind" that shapes how individuals perceive and react to the world.
What role does stress play in intercultural communication?
Stress is identified as a barrier because interacting in an unfamiliar culture with a foreign language creates an taxing environment, requiring individuals to accept ambiguity and remain forgiving of themselves and others.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Kathrin Kutz (Autor:in), 2011, Barriers to Cross Cultural Communication, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/187685
