Memo

To:

From:

Subject: Culture's Impact on Communication

 Introduction

In the global village, intercultural communication is important in that through interaction, people understand each other and communication becomes effective. Intercultural communication has both opportunities and challenges and it is important to understand them in order to have an effective interaction with diverse cultures. Effective intercultural communication is achieved through understanding ‘culture specific’ which focuses on culture communication behavior. Second, communication behavior is followed by ‘culture general’ which focuses on commonalities across different cultures. Third, understanding both communication behavior and commonalities creates the intercultural interaction (Sadri, Houman & Flammia, 21). Generally, it is important to understand the intercultural communication in terms of culture specific and culture general in order to create a culture interaction.  Different cultures have different values and beliefs and understanding their way of life is important in order to overcome obstacles. Understanding each other helps to create ideas, gain knowledge and bring innovation.  In addition, understanding challenges is very important as a person can be able to take precautions when disagreement arises, acknowledge distinctions and use the appropriate communication style (Sadri, Houman & Flammia, 21).

 

In intercultural communication, it is important to understand the and low context culture in order to build a strong culture interaction. In low context culture, people   rely on a detailed background of cultures they meet. Language is very important as it tends to put a clear meaning where something is unclearly stated. While communicating, people use verbal messages with accurate information and the verbal words have a strong meaning. In this context, the goal is to exchange information and to create individual welfare (Chaturvedi, 43). On the other hand, high context culture focuses on physical context and communication is based on creating social relationship. This kind of communication relies on intuitive understanding using facial expression and gestures.  The communication style has a social hierarchy, focuses on behavioral norms and internal meaning is derived from the unspoken words.  The communication appears to be indirect, harmonious and understated.  Nonverbal aspects are valued and as they have greater confidence than verbal aspects (Chaturvedi, 43).

Both HC and LC play different roles in intercultural communication. People learn culture through values and shared interpretation and they are able to create interaction and manage conflict. The two context helps people to understand how different cultures views the world, how they can build relationship and manage conflict (Schnell, 15). Focusing on Edward T. Hall explanation on the contexts, he asserts that in intercultural communication, people must come across the two types of communication as many cultures use different communications styles.  They play a significant role in that they carry both verbal and nonverbal communication with a clear meaning (Schnell, 15). People are able to understand the different cultural groups in communication setting.  Identity is important in diverse cultures and when LC interacts with HC, LC context communicators are able to understand that   indirect routes, nonverbal messages and face-saving are the key features. On the other hand, when HC interacts with LC, they should know that face value, direct communication and identity are important in order to achieve the effectiveness. Having a clear understanding of each other, both contexts play a significant role in reducing conflict and fostering relationship (Schnell, 15).  

 

 In business communication, culture affects communication in various ways. Cultural factors are most valued in business as they determine the success and failure of the business in international markets. Communication is important in order to run the business smoothly through interaction and team working. Close coordination is much required in collaborative activity and this can be achieved through intense communication and strong relationship (Earley, Soon Ang & Joo-Seng Tan, 88). First, business communication is affect by culture in negotiating goal.  In business, different cultures negotiate for different purposes.  Some culture understands that negotiation is a contract done by different parties and others believe that   negotiations   are a way of creating friendship.  In addition, problem arises in high and low context culture as parties’ raises a disagreement as a result of indirect speech (Earley, Soon Ang & Joo-Seng Tan, 88).  Second, culture affects the business in regulating behavior. The different types of communicatrion developes contradicting approaches which makes it difficult to understand and regulate behavior.  For example, LC norms are based on written communication while in HC people focus on facial expression and unstated words. There are businesses where people must follow rules and instructions in order to meet their goals. Culture differences affects the business in that some employee fails to understand the communication setting and they end up making mistakes (Earley, Soon Ang & Joo-Seng Tan, 88).  The business is also affected in marketing and advertising where different cultures view   the advertising in a different way.  The delivery of messages differs in subculture segments. Some markets need clear information from word of mouth and when a marketer uses high context culture, a consumer may take the symbolic meaning in negative way.

 Modern businesses can eliminate the culture barriers which affect the business operations by applying the following recommendations.

• Both managers and employee must understand and appreciate the foreign culture. They should recognize the perception as well as evaluation   in order to create good cooperation.
• Business members should pay attention to gestures in order to understand the various different meaning of cultures. Under the point, people should learn the language and be interested in gaining social skills (Earley, Soon Ang & Joo-Seng Tan, 88).
• People should respect the culture by ignoring the difference. This will create positive  attitude toward culture and there will be effective management
• People should manage the different by viewing the diversity in a positive way. Some cultures are formal and others informal. People should eliminate the gap, accept the culture as it is and learn the different values   in order to move in one direction (Earley, Soon Ang & Joo-Seng Tan, 88).

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

Due to globalization, intercultural communication is an important aspect in organization.  Both managers and leaders are required to understand the culture difference for them to enter in global marketing, conduct the business effective and enjoy the competitive advantage. Business is required to implemented strategic ways of managing the complex issues which arises from culture difference.  It is important to recognize and accept the difference by using the best ways of creating a strong bond and having an effective organization management. Note that diversity in business can bring success if there is effective communication and shared values.  Business members should understand that intercultural communication has both opportunities and challenges and people can enjoy the benefits and eliminate the challenges if only they value and respect the difference.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Work cited

Sadri, Houman A, and Madelyn Flammia. Intercultural Communication: A New Approach to International

Relations and Global Challenges. New York: Continuum International Pub. Group Inc, 2011.

Print.

 

Earley, P C, Soon Ang, and Joo-Seng Tan. Cq: Developing Cultural Intelligence at Work. Stanford, Calif:

Stanford Business Books, 2006. Print.

 

Chaturvedi, P D, and Mukesh Chaturvedi. Business Communication: Concepts, Cases and Applications.

Delhi: Dorling Kindersley, 2011. Print.

 

Schnell, James A. Qualitative Method Interpretations in Communication Studies. Lanham [u.a.:

Lexington Books, 2001. Print.