This document discusses challenges in intercultural communication. It notes that communication styles vary widely across cultures in aspects like language usage and nonverbal cues. Some key differences in nonverbal communication across cultures include physical distance, facial expressions, appearance, posture, and paralanguage. The document also discusses potential sources of misunderstanding such as ambiguity, performance issues, language ungrammaticality, gaps in world knowledge, and local context. It provides tips for avoiding misunderstanding in nonverbal communication such as paying close attention, maintaining eye contact and an open body position, sitting at the same level, and avoiding fidgeting.

1. COMMUNICATION
STYLES
In Various Multicultural Contexts

2. CHALLENGES OF
INTERCULTURAL
COMMUNICATION
The way people communicate varies widely
between, and even within, cultures. One aspect of
communication style is language usage.
Language has always been perceived as a link
between people but it can also constitute a
barrier. Across cultures, some words and phrases
are used in different ways.

4. CHALLENGES OF
INTERCULTURAL
COMMUNICATION
Nonverbal communication plays many important
roles in intercultural situations. Occurring with or
without verbal communication, nonverbal cues
provide the context for interpreting and
understanding how the verbal message should be
understood. As such, they can create either clarity
or confusion.

6. AREAS OF
DIFFERENCES
Physical Distance
The rule of thumb here, no matter where you are in the world, is to
give people more space than you think they might need. Only get
close if invited. People in different cultures view physical distance
differently. However, it’s best to never enter anyone’s personal
space, about 2 feet. If it’s not personal intimacy, many people find
such proximity uncomfortable.

7. AREAS OF
DIFFERENCES
Facial Expressions
The good news is that facial expressions for happiness,
sadness, anger, and fear are universal. The bad news is that not
every culture is OK with using them in a business setting. The
Japanese, for example, try to remain a neutral facial
expression, believing that showing your emotions burdens the
other person.

8. AREAS OF
DIFFERENCES
Appearance
Conservative attire is the safest bet. Some places in the United
States are fine with very relaxed appearances, while others see
even an exposed shoulder or leg as cause for offense. The best
choice is to simply dress conservatively. You can also loosen up
your wardrobe if it becomes apparent that is acceptable.

9. AREAS OF
DIFFERENCES
Posture
Again, the traditional route is the best route. Don’t slouch when
sitting or sit with legs crossed. Face people as they speak to
you and nod enough to show you are paying attention to what
they say. Stay mindful of where you sit in meetings – in some
cultures, there’s a strict hierarchy for who gets to sit where.

10. AREAS OF
DIFFERENCES
Paralanguage
Paralanguage refers to communication that is vocalized but not
words. This includes tone of voice, loudness, speed of speech and
inflection. Paralanguage is key to understanding the context or
meaning of the words used.
It’s important to be mindful of these issues, and to understand they
are not discernible in emails and texts, so great care must be used in
the words you choose.

12. SOURCES OF
MISUNDERSTANDING
Ambiguity
Lack of explicitness on the part of the
speaker in the form of utterance which leads
to misinterpretations.

13. SOURCES OF
MISUNDERSTANDING
Performance
Slips of the tongue and mishearing which
may be due to utterances spoken quickly and
unclearly.

14. SOURCES OF
MISUNDERSTANDING
Language
ungrammaticality of sentences.

15. SOURCES OF
MISUNDERSTANDING
Gaps in world knowledge
gaps in content rather than knowledge.

16. SOURCES OF
MISUNDERSTANDING
Local context
Orientation of the participants as well as
the repair moves that follow the
displayed misunderstanding.

17. WAYS TO AVOID
MISUNDERSTANDING IN
NON VERBAL
COMMUNICATION
Pay close attention to what the person says.
Really listening to what the person is telling
you is crucial to being a helpful listener.
When you reply, it can be helpful to repeat
some of what they told you, using the same
language. This attention to detail
demonstrates that you care.

18. WAYS TO AVOID
MISUNDERSTANDING IN
NON VERBAL
COMMUNICATION
Maintain comfortable eye contact. Don’t
avoid eye contact, but do avoid staring.
It’s important to meet someone’s gaze. It
shows you are interested and that your
focus is on them – quite literally!

19. WAYS TO AVOID
MISUNDERSTANDING IN
NON VERBAL
COMMUNICATION
Maintain an open body position. Avoid
crossing your arms over your body – it
may appear defensive. When your body
position is open, it conveys that you are
open to listening.

20. WAYS TO AVOID
MISUNDERSTANDING IN
NON VERBAL
COMMUNICATION
Sit down, even if the person is standing.
Being on the same level as someone
appears less threatening and can make
them feel more comfortable, while avoiding
feelings of tension or nervousness when
having personal conversations.

21. WAYS TO AVOID
MISUNDERSTANDING IN
NON VERBAL
COMMUNICATION
Sit alongside and angled toward the person
rather than directly opposite them.
This allows the conversation to feel friendly
and non confrontational. No one wants to
feel like they’re being interviewed.

22. WAYS TO AVOID
MISUNDERSTANDING IN
NON VERBAL
COMMUNICATION
Avoid fidgeting. During a sensitive
conversation, it may be tempting to fidget,
but it can be distracting to the person who is
talking. It could also make it appear that
you are uncomfortable, nervous or bored.