Oral Communication

1. Oral Communication 11
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

2. LET US WATCH THIS VIDEO 
C:UsersCindy GreyDesktopNever Do These Things in Foreign Countries.mp4

3. INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
 Pertains to communication among people
from different nationalities (Gudykunst, 2003)
 A communication that is influenced by
different ethnicities, religions, and sexual
orientations
 It happens when individuals interact,
negotiate, and create meanings while
bringing in their varied cultural backgrounds.
(Ting-Toomey, 1999)

4.  A bargained understanding of human
experiences across diverse societies
 It is the sending and receiving of messages
across languages and cultures.

5. THE DEVELOPMENTAL MODEL OF INTERCULTURAL
SENSITIVITY: THE SIX STAGES
 DENIAL. The individual does recognize
cultural differences.
 Example:
An individual in the denial stage might be heard
saying:
“All cities are the same; they all have
buildings, fast food chains, and coffee shop.”

6.  DEFENSE. The individual starts to recognize cultural differences
an is intimidated by them, resulting in either a superior view on
own culture or unjustified high regard for the new one.
Example:
An individual in the defense stage might be heard saying:
“This culture does not view life the way we do; our culture is
certainly better.”
“Their ways are better than my own; I wish I were one of
them.”

7.  MINIMIZATION. Although individuals see cultural
differences, they bank more on the universality of
ideas rather than on cultural differences.
Example:
An individual in the minimization stage might
be heard saying:
“Once we see through the cultural differences, we
really are just the same.”

8.  ACCEPTANCE. The individual begins to appreciate
important cultural differences in behaviors and
eventually in values.
Example:
An individual in the acceptance stage might be heard
saying:
“These people and I have different values and
experiences, and I think we can learn from one
another.”

9.  ADAPTATION. The individual is very open to world
vies when accepting new perspectives.
Example:
An individual in the adaptation stage might be heard
saying:
“To address our issue, I have to adjust my approach
to consider both my own and counterpart’s
background.

10.  INTEGRATION. Individuals start to go beyond their own
cultures and see themselves and their actions based on
multifarious cultural viewpoints.
Example:
An individual in the defense stage might be heard
saying:
“I can look at things from the perspective of various
cultures.”

11. CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPETENT
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATORS:
World Bank (2010) identifies the following traits that define a
competent intercultural communicator:
 Flexibility and the ability to tolerate high levels of uncertainty
 Reflectiveness or mindfulness
 Open-mindedness
 Sensitivity
 Adaptability
 Ability to engage in divergent thinking and system-level thinking
 Politeness

12. NOTE:
 Other elements such as age, gender, social status, and religion
must also be taken into consideration when communicating
with others. Refrain from showing bias when talking to
someone by following these tips:
 Avoid stereotypes
Example: generalization about a certain group
 Challenge gender norms; avoid using “he” and “man: to refer
to a general group of people
 Do not talk down younger people and the elderly
 Be sensitive to the religious practices of others
 Be polite at all times; do not belittle people you perceive to be
on lower social status than you

13. EXERCISE 1
Read each statement. If it displays bias or insensitivity, write the
group/element being misrepresented (gender, age, social status,
religion, culture). If not, write “OK”.
1. “Each employee must wear his ID at all times.”
2. “You don’t understand even if I explain, you’re too young.”
3. “Japanese people are so rigid and stoic.”
4. “Don’t buy those shades; only low-class people wear those.”
5. “Lolo this is an Iphone. It is a very complicated device but I’ll
explain it to you simply. It is used to talk other people from
other places.

14. 6. “All staff members have to submit their leave request
before the day ends.”
7. “My belief is absolutely truth. Other religions simpky
got it wrong.”
8. “Manang, let’s go I’ll treat you. I bet you haven’t
eaten sushi in your entire life.”
9. “Catholics and Prostestants do have big differnces
but we must respect each others’ beliefs
10. “You’re the youngest person in the family, but I
trust that you can handle the situation well.