1. Cross-Cultural
Communication: Translating
Non-verbal Cues
PRESENTATION BY:
ABIGAIL ALFARO

2. Introduction
 This study gives us a brief overview of
few non-verbal signals and their
cultural significance.
 Communication is far more than an
exchange of words
 Facial expressions, hand gestures,
posture, eye contact and even silence
are all constantly sending messages
about our attitudes, our emotions, our
status and our relationship.

3. Introduction
 Body language and other non-verbal cues vary as
widely as spoken language among different cultures
(e.g. smiling at a German woman who does not smile
back)
 Non-verbal cues are critical in the workplace.
 Greater sensitivity to non-verbal differences is a
beginning step toward successful cross-cultural
communication in your workplace.

4. Personal space
 Definition of personal space
 The distance two people keep between
themselves in order to feel comfortable
 If the amount of space is too great, the
person approaching will seem cold, shy or
unfriendly
 If the amount of space is too small, the
person approaching will seem aggressive,
rude or intrusive.

5. Personal space
 Characteristic of personal space based on
influence
 Influenced by gender
 Influenced by status
 Influenced by degree of intimacy in
relationship
 Influenced by available space

6. Eye contact
 Rules governing eye contact among different
cultures
 Latinos- avoid direct eye contact with
authority figures
 Muslims-direct eye contact between members of
opposite sex is considered bold and flirtatious
 Arabs-have greater eye contact than Americans
among members of the same gender
 Asians-direct eye contact should be very brief
 Southern Europeans-engage in more eye contact
 Britons-engage in less eye contact

7. Speaking volume
 The volume at which we speak says nearly
as much as the words themselves (shyness,
uncertainty, anger, enthusiasm, etc.)
 White Americans interpret raised voices
as sign of anger or hostility
 Non-white Americans-raised voices
signify an exciting conversation

8. Speaking volume
 Baseline speaking volume
 Asians and Western Europeans—
generally have lower speaking volume
 Americans- rude and thoughtless
 Africans- whispering is a signal of
witchcraft, plotting or malicious gossip
(speak loud enough for everyone present
to hear what you are saying)

9. Touch
 Americans
 Rarely touch each other
 Limited to handshakes and occasional pats
on the shoulder/arms in business
relationships or hugs in closer friendships
 Latin Americans
 Touch with much greater frequency
 Men hold hands to signify nothing more than
friendship

10. Touch
 Other groups (e.g. Japanese)
 Touch less and may be uncomfortable being
touched in a casual relationship
 Asian- touching someone on the head is offensive

11. Conclusion
 The world is filled with countless cultures each with
its own ways.
 Individuals also vary widely within each culture
 A skilled cross-cultural communicator does not
necessarily know all the rules of other cultures
 ―Other cultures are NOT failed attempts at being
you; they are unique manifestations of the human
spirit‖ – Wade Davis

12. Source:
 ―Cross-Cultural Communication: Translating Non-
verbal Cues: Diversity Council;
www.diversitycouncil.org/toolkit