There are approximately 6,500 spoken languages in the world today (not to mention the multiple official dialects in between), how impressive it is that we speak to one another at all. We exchange information not just by communicating via verbal means; we can utilize various options, or channels, to communication, (McGuire et al., 2018). Aside from the words that are intentionally used, our behavior unconsciously transmits messages during all the hours we spend with other people, (Novinger, 2001, p. 4). In spite of the complexity of verbal and non-verbal language, when deconstructing communication in its purest form, humans being converse via a process of encoding and decoding. It is up to the encoder to regulate how a message is to be delivered to their audience, amid the distribution the encoder makes necessary modifications to ensure the receiver is comprehending the correct idea. The receiver will then decode the message for themselves, transforming the sender’s ideas into thoughts of their own. (McGuire et al., 2018). With so many modes of communication, it is no wonder why we experience errors in the patterns of delivering and receipt.
Image how difficult it is at times to speak and be understood by people who share a common language. Think of “speakers of English in London, New Delhi, or Sydney, who speak and interact using their own words that are community-defined, self-defined,” (McGuire et al., 2018), leave us room for interpretation. Imagine now, a time when we have attempted to speak with someone who does not dominate our language, our attempt to decode what is being said becomes more difficult. Companies who have expended their business beyond their borders have come to recognize the need to understand the fundamental differences, behaviors, cultures, and customs from their transcontinental partners. However, globalization is taking on a new face; it does not only mean doing business across the continents, but it is also the movement of people across the globe. Organizations are employing various people from different cultural backgrounds. Everyone is blending together, trying to learn and understand, and hopefully enjoy the regional culture they come across. Our everyday life is filled with a never-ending cultural walkthrough, in which individuals are engaged continuously in constructing exact dimensions of communication, (Caron, 2007, p. 32). It is essential to keep in mind that successful communication with people from other cultures requires learning more than just their language, (Novinger, 2001, p. 2).
When speaking with someone face-to-face, it is easier to decode anger, happiness or sarcasm, but when using virtual means of communication such as email or texting, these emotions or tones are tough to asses. Virtual technology and communication across the web have opened new geographic locations and access to other cultures. Given the ease of modern enhancements in conversation, working people in vast distances is almost the same as working face-to-face, making cross-cultural communication increasingly normal. While the technology of communication may seem ordinary, the world is complex and comprised of many factors, which is why it is essential to be aware of the fundamental differences that embody other cultural values. “As we are writing an e-mail, we write it with our own perspective. We know what we mean, after all. And we use that frame of reference to make assumptions about how other people are going to interpret us, which is a bias that can lead to miscommunication,” (Pennsylvania State University, 2018). When emailing or texting across continents one should be cogence of the dissimilarities from one culture to another, for example; “in one culture you must be assertive, quick, and to the point. The other culture may require you to be unassertive, patient, and indirect. You have to learn to shift style, like handling two swords. (Novinger, 2001, p. 153). One should refrain from using cliché, slang, and euphemisms, as each type of encoding can cause barriers in communication and contribute to communication errors. Our ultimate goal is to be clear and concise with speaking, emailing, texting or gesturing. Understand who your audience is and keeping in mind that people are not one-size-fits-all we are comprised of a diverse set of people, stemming from multiple cultures, (Pennsylvania State University, 2018), doing so will enable us to avoid mishaps in communication.
Caron, A. (2007). Moving cultures: mobile communication in everyday life. McGill-Queen’s University Press, ProQuest Ebook Central. Retrieved from:http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/pensu/detail.action?docID=3332031.
McGuire, H., Zimmerman, N., Mays, E., Hyde, Z.W., Chartrand, D., Ashok, A., Fernandes, D., Guan, J.C., Nelson, P., & McGrath, T. (2018). Communication for Business Professionals. University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing. eCampus Ontario. Retrieved from:https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/commbusprofcdn/chapter/1-2/.
Novinger, T. (2001). Intercultural communication: a practical guide. University of Texas Press. Austin, TX. ProQuest Ebook Central. Retrieved from:http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/pensu/detail.action?docID=3443262.
Pennsylvania State University. (2018). Leadership in Global Context—OLEAD 410. Lesson 04: Global Communication. Penn State World Campus, The Pennsylvania State University. Retrieved from: https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1942644/modules/items/24935382.
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