L9-Intercultural Communication

Question 1

Intercultural communication

Answer 1

is a discipline that studies communication across different cultures and social groups, or how culture affects communication.

Question 2

The importance of investigating cultural influences on communication

Answer 2

to gain a deeper understanding of both individuals and society. Studying intercultural communication provides personal benefits by helping individuals understand their communication styles in a broader context. This understanding is crucial in an increasingly interconnected world, where successful communication across cultural boundaries is vital for collaboration, relationship-building, conflict resolution, and global understanding.

Question 3

role of cultural awareness in effective communication

Answer 3

Cultural awareness in communication ranges from our manners, dressing, words, actions, thoughts and behaviours. If we want to communicate effectively, we need to know and understand our audience’s culture and how it can impact our choice of words, the examples we use, our gestures and even the stories we tell.

Question 4

Strategies for developing cultural sensitivity

Answer 4

1. Think beyond race and ethnicity.
2. Learn by asking.
3. Make local connections.
4. Pay attention to non-verbal behaviors.
5. Exchange stories.

Question 5

Barriers

Answer 5

Language Barriers
Stereotypes and Prejudices
Non-Verbal Communication Challenges

Question 6

A language barrier

Answer 6

is any linguistic limitation that creates confusion or prevents comprehension. A barrier could refer to national and cultural languages but may also include specialized knowledge or speech impairments.

Question 7

Stereotypes & prejudice

Answer 7

can be based on images that we see in the media, or on viewpoints passed on by parents, peers and other members of society. Stereotypes can be positive or negative about groups of people.

is an opinion or attitude about a group or individual.

Question 8

is often incongruent with spoken words, others may not be sure of intentions and may find it difficult to have faith in what a person is saying. An individual may also nonverbally convey a particular emotion others find off-putting, such as a sense of judgment or aggression.

Answer 8

When nonverbal communication

Question 9

Technology has a profound impact on cross-cultural communication by providing instantaneous global connectivity. Platforms such as video calls, social media, and messaging apps facilitate communication across cultures, fostering understanding and cooperation. However, digital communication also presents challenges such as language barriers and cultural nuances, which affect the effectiveness of cross-cultural communication.

Answer 9

Impact to Technology