This document provides an introduction to intercultural communication, covering key concepts such as identity, culture, communication styles, and politeness. It discusses culture as consisting of various levels from surface-level behaviors to underlying values and beliefs. Intercultural communication is defined as communication between individuals from different cultures, where misunderstandings can arise due to differing communication systems. Theories of intercultural communication examine topics such as high- and low-context communication, direct vs indirect styles, and involvement vs independence politeness strategies. Intercultural communication has developed into an academic discipline that draws from various fields to study and better understand intercultural interactions.

1. Introduction to interculturalIntroduction to intercultural
communicationcommunication
(sources: University of Jyväskylä, Intercultural Iceland)(sources: University of Jyväskylä, Intercultural Iceland)

2. Overview of contentsOverview of contents
What is Intercultural communication? BasicWhat is Intercultural communication? Basic
concepts:concepts:
1.1. IdentityIdentity
2.2.Culture and communicationCulture and communication
3.3.Intercultural communicationIntercultural communication
4.4.ICC as academic disciplineICC as academic discipline
Examples about ICC-theoriesExamples about ICC-theories
- vverbal and nonverbal communication: styles,erbal and nonverbal communication: styles,
rules, politeness etc.rules, politeness etc.
- vvaalueslues

3. IdentityIdentity
• Ethnic, cultural, national and racial identitiesEthnic, cultural, national and racial identities
• Age-/gender-related, occupational identities etc…Age-/gender-related, occupational identities etc…
• The base, onto which a person builds a picture ofThe base, onto which a person builds a picture of
him-/herselfhim-/herself
• Answers for instance questions likeAnswers for instance questions like “what does it mean“what does it mean
to be Finnish, Japanese, a 30-year old female etc…”to be Finnish, Japanese, a 30-year old female etc…”
• Fundamental features of national identity (Smith 1991):Fundamental features of national identity (Smith 1991):
- consists of historic territory or homelandconsists of historic territory or homeland
- contains endemic myths and historical memoriescontains endemic myths and historical memories
- springs from culture that is shared by the mass publicsprings from culture that is shared by the mass public
- legal rights and duties as components of itlegal rights and duties as components of it
- common economy and territorial mobilitycommon economy and territorial mobility

4. Nitza HidalgoNitza Hidalgo’’ss
““three levels of culturethree levels of culture””
1.1. ““The ConcreteThe Concrete””: This is the most visible and: This is the most visible and
tangible level of culture, and includes the mosttangible level of culture, and includes the most
surface-level dimensions such as clothes, music,surface-level dimensions such as clothes, music,
food, games etc. These aspects of culture are oftenfood, games etc. These aspects of culture are often
those which provide the focus forthose which provide the focus for ““multiculturalmulticultural
festivalsfestivals””
2.2. ““The BehavioralThe Behavioral””: This level of culture clarifies how: This level of culture clarifies how
we define our social roles, the language we speak,we define our social roles, the language we speak,
and our approaches to nonverbal communication.and our approaches to nonverbal communication.
The behavioral level REFLECTS our values. AspectsThe behavioral level REFLECTS our values. Aspects
to be listed in this category include language,to be listed in this category include language,
gender roles, family structure etc.gender roles, family structure etc.
3.3. ““The SymbolicThe Symbolic””: This level of culture include our: This level of culture include our
values, attitudes and beliefs. It can be abstract, butvalues, attitudes and beliefs. It can be abstract, but
it is most often the key to how individuals defineit is most often the key to how individuals define
themselves. It icludes values, systems, spirituality,themselves. It icludes values, systems, spirituality,
beliefs, worldview etc.beliefs, worldview etc.

5. Studying culture and communicationStudying culture and communication
Many definitions of cultureMany definitions of culture
- ““Culture is communication” (Edward T. Hall)Culture is communication” (Edward T. Hall)
- ““Culture is the collective programming of theCulture is the collective programming of the
mind” (Geert Hofstede)mind” (Geert Hofstede)
- ““Culture is how things are done here” (JohnCulture is how things are done here” (John
Mole)Mole)
- ““All communication is more or less cross-All communication is more or less cross-
cultural” (Deborah Tannen)cultural” (Deborah Tannen)
- ““Culture is a kind of storehouse or library ofCulture is a kind of storehouse or library of
possible meanings and symbols” (Ron Scollon)possible meanings and symbols” (Ron Scollon)

6. Culture: conclusionCulture: conclusion
• Set of shared basic assumptions and values, with resultant behaviouralSet of shared basic assumptions and values, with resultant behavioural
norms, attitudes and beliefsnorms, attitudes and beliefs
• Those manifest themselves in systems, institutions and behavioural patternsThose manifest themselves in systems, institutions and behavioural patterns
and non-behavioural itemsand non-behavioural items
• There are various levels of culture, ranging from the easily observable outerThere are various levels of culture, ranging from the easily observable outer
layers (behavioural conventions) to the more difficult to grasp inner layerslayers (behavioural conventions) to the more difficult to grasp inner layers
(assumptions and values)(assumptions and values)
• Culture is shared among members of one group or society, and has anCulture is shared among members of one group or society, and has an
interpretative function for the members of that groupinterpretative function for the members of that group
• Culture is dynamic, more than nationality or ethnic background, more thanCulture is dynamic, more than nationality or ethnic background, more than
traditions and habitstraditions and habits
• Culture is connected with the individual, the group and the societyCulture is connected with the individual, the group and the society
• You can only get to know many of the most important components ofYou can only get to know many of the most important components of
culture through interaction and communicationculture through interaction and communication
• ““Every society always concist of many cultures. ThatEvery society always concist of many cultures. That’’s why it is impossible tos why it is impossible to
say that there is one common culture or national characteristic existing. Itsay that there is one common culture or national characteristic existing. It’’ss
also impossible to talk about German or Finnish culturesalso impossible to talk about German or Finnish cultures”” (Bausteine(Bausteine ––
Kloeters)Kloeters)

7. Why is the discussion about cultureWhy is the discussion about culture
so important?so important?
- Group power can only empower individuals whenGroup power can only empower individuals when
they have a sense ofthey have a sense of usus (dominant group) as(dominant group) as
opposed toopposed to themthem (dominated groups)(dominated groups)
- It is important to realize the power of the groupIt is important to realize the power of the group
powerpower
- When you understand the concept of culture andWhen you understand the concept of culture and
how it works, it is easier to navigate in a complexhow it works, it is easier to navigate in a complex
world and explain different phenomenaworld and explain different phenomena
- Critical thinking is important: there are someCritical thinking is important: there are some
cultural traits but no such thing as one and onlycultural traits but no such thing as one and only
Finnish culture etc.Finnish culture etc.
- Communication is the clue!Communication is the clue!

8. What is intercultural communicationWhat is intercultural communication
The question, to which the study of InterculturalThe question, to which the study of Intercultural
communication is trying to answer:communication is trying to answer:
““How do people understand one another whenHow do people understand one another when
they do not share the common culturalthey do not share the common cultural
experience”experience”
- Bennett -- Bennett -

9. What is intercultural communicationWhat is intercultural communication
““Intercultural Communication is at bestIntercultural Communication is at best
interculturalintercultural dialoguedialogue, a jointly travelled path, a jointly travelled path
towardstowards learninglearning andand understandingunderstanding,,
respectrespect andand responsibilityresponsibility..
Different opinions become a source for newDifferent opinions become a source for new
solutionssolutions, and culture turns into a valuable, and culture turns into a valuable
resource. In the multicultural andresource. In the multicultural and
interdependent world intercultural dialogue isinterdependent world intercultural dialogue is
our chance to make a differenceour chance to make a difference..””
Liisa Salo-Lee, ProfessorLiisa Salo-Lee, Professor
Intercultural Communication – University of JyväskyläIntercultural Communication – University of Jyväskylä

10. Intercultural communication isIntercultural communication is
communication between two or morecommunication between two or more
individuals representing different culturesindividuals representing different cultures
Culture can be regional, national,Culture can be regional, national,
organizational, ethnic, professional, social,organizational, ethnic, professional, social,
age- or gender-related etc.age- or gender-related etc.

11. Communication:
Verbal and nonverbal
• Verbal communication:Verbal communication: whatwhat is being saidis being said
or writtenor written
• Nonverbal communication:Nonverbal communication: howhow
something is being said, written or donesomething is being said, written or done
• Both of them very important!Both of them very important!

12. Intercultural communication asIntercultural communication as
academic disciplineacademic discipline
• Intercultural communication as a human activityIntercultural communication as a human activity
ancient > academic discipline relatively newancient > academic discipline relatively new
• Beginning: Hall (1959) – the Silent LanguageBeginning: Hall (1959) – the Silent Language
- The beginning of ICC: training as the main issueThe beginning of ICC: training as the main issue
- First (university) courses and academic textbooks inFirst (university) courses and academic textbooks in
the USA in the 1970´s, in Europe 1980´sthe USA in the 1970´s, in Europe 1980´s
- University of Jyväskylä one of the pioneersUniversity of Jyväskylä one of the pioneers
- From the earlier more applied focus on training, ICCFrom the earlier more applied focus on training, ICC
has in the last decades developed and matured alsohas in the last decades developed and matured also
as an academic field with its own theory buildingas an academic field with its own theory building

13. Interdisciplinary field ofInterdisciplinary field of
intercultural communicationintercultural communication

14. Academic field of InterculturalAcademic field of Intercultural
communicationcommunication
Theory building of ICC:Theory building of ICC:
- borrows theories from other fieldsborrows theories from other fields
- forms new theoriesforms new theories
- studies involve multisource data and mixedstudies involve multisource data and mixed
methodologymethodology
- the realization of the complexity of studyingthe realization of the complexity of studying
intercultural interactions increasesintercultural interactions increases
continuouslycontinuously

15. Examples about ICC-theoriesExamples about ICC-theories
Communication styles, rules and normsCommunication styles, rules and norms
on verbal and nonverbal communicationon verbal and nonverbal communication
Value studies in ICCValue studies in ICC

16. Verbal communicationVerbal communication
1.1. Low and high context communicationLow and high context communication
processingprocessing
2.2. Communication stylesCommunication styles
3.3. Cultural speaking rulesCultural speaking rules
4.4. PolitenessPoliteness

17. Low and high contextLow and high context
communication processing (Hall)communication processing (Hall)
• Low context communication: verbal communicationLow context communication: verbal communication
emphasized, information coded in words > correspondemphasized, information coded in words > correspond
relatively accurately to what is meant, nonverbalrelatively accurately to what is meant, nonverbal
communication not very contradictory to verbalcommunication not very contradictory to verbal
communicationcommunication
• High context communication: only a part of informationHigh context communication: only a part of information
expressed verbally, a great part of messagesexpressed verbally, a great part of messages “read” in the“read” in the
context > interpreted with the help of certain cuescontext > interpreted with the help of certain cues
carrying cultural meanings (f.e. smile). Differentcarrying cultural meanings (f.e. smile). Different
interpretations can be a source of interculturalinterpretations can be a source of intercultural
misunderstandings.misunderstandings.

18. Communication stylesCommunication styles
- Direct/indirect communication styleDirect/indirect communication style
- Elaborate/succint comm. styleElaborate/succint comm. style
- Personal, or person-centered/Personal, or person-centered/
contextual communication stylecontextual communication style
- Instrumental/affectiveInstrumental/affective
communication stylecommunication style

19. Direct and indirectDirect and indirect
communication stylecommunication style
• Direct communication: things are being saidDirect communication: things are being said
verballyverbally
• Indirect communication: nonverbal cuesIndirect communication: nonverbal cues
crucialcrucial
• Indirect communication often used if mutualIndirect communication often used if mutual
harmony iharmony is importants important

20. Elaborate/succintElaborate/succint
communication stylecommunication style
• The amount of speech and expressivenessThe amount of speech and expressiveness
• Elaborate style: rich language characteristicElaborate style: rich language characteristic
for everyday discussions, metaphorsfor everyday discussions, metaphors
commoncommon
• Succinct style: frequent pauses, silence, onlySuccinct style: frequent pauses, silence, only
the absolutely necessary is saidthe absolutely necessary is said

21. Personal or person-Personal or person-
centered/contextual stylecentered/contextual style
• Person-centered communication style is informalPerson-centered communication style is informal
and emphasizes the individual and equalitarianand emphasizes the individual and equalitarian
relationships (the use of pronounrelationships (the use of pronoun “I”)“I”)
• Contextual style is status and role oriented. PersonalContextual style is status and role oriented. Personal
pronouns are not much used. All information is notpronouns are not much used. All information is not
necessarily explicitly expressed.necessarily explicitly expressed.
• Personal and contextual communication styles arePersonal and contextual communication styles are
related to individualism and collectivismrelated to individualism and collectivism
• Express also cultural differences in power distanceExpress also cultural differences in power distance
(hierarchy)(hierarchy)

22. Instrumental/affective styleInstrumental/affective style
• Instrumental communication style is goalInstrumental communication style is goal
oriented and sender focusedoriented and sender focused
• Affective communication style is processAffective communication style is process
oriented and listener focusedoriented and listener focused
• Instrumental style: explicitnessInstrumental style: explicitness
• Affective style: implicitnessAffective style: implicitness
• Instrumental and affective communication stylesInstrumental and affective communication styles
can be also related to individualism andcan be also related to individualism and
collectivism or to low and high contextcollectivism or to low and high context

23. Speech communities and codesSpeech communities and codes
• Different speech codesDifferent speech codes
• Several aspects affect communicationSeveral aspects affect communication
• The proportion of verbal and nonverbal comm. varyThe proportion of verbal and nonverbal comm. vary
• Language not only a means of communication, butLanguage not only a means of communication, but
also a indicator of the speakeralso a indicator of the speaker’s cultural identity’s cultural identity
• Expressions express belonging to a group, butExpressions express belonging to a group, but
sometimes also exclusion, separation orsometimes also exclusion, separation or
discriminationdiscrimination
• Intercultural communication takes place whenIntercultural communication takes place when
participants represent a different communicationparticipants represent a different communication
system > potential sources of clashessystem > potential sources of clashes

24. Cultural speaking rulesCultural speaking rules
• Each speech community has its norms, forms and codes forEach speech community has its norms, forms and codes for
communicationcommunication
• Rules of speaking: what is appropriate and inappropriate in aRules of speaking: what is appropriate and inappropriate in a
situationsituation
• Conversation can be seen as aConversation can be seen as a ““ball gameball game”” (participants need(participants need
to know the rules)to know the rules)
• Turn giving and taking systematic and signalled by f. e.Turn giving and taking systematic and signalled by f. e.
nonverbal meansnonverbal means
• The speech community maintains the norms and rules ofThe speech community maintains the norms and rules of
communication > may also change themcommunication > may also change them
• In every speech community some individual deviation fromIn every speech community some individual deviation from
the norms > not all group members communicate the samethe norms > not all group members communicate the same
wayway
• Always a possibility for misunderstandingsAlways a possibility for misunderstandings

25. PolitenessPoliteness
• Positive and negative politenessPositive and negative politeness
• Two kinds of linguistic politeness strategies:Two kinds of linguistic politeness strategies:
1) involvement and 2) independency strategies1) involvement and 2) independency strategies
> reflect general human social needs: to be> reflect general human social needs: to be
connected to other people, yet to be independentconnected to other people, yet to be independent
and unique (Scollon & Scollon 1995)and unique (Scollon & Scollon 1995)
• The core of politeness is to take other people intoThe core of politeness is to take other people into
consideration, to take care > can be done inconsideration, to take care > can be done in
different waysdifferent ways
• Norms and behaviours culturally and sociallyNorms and behaviours culturally and socially
learnedlearned
> misunderstandings interculturally common> misunderstandings interculturally common

26. Nonverbal communicationNonverbal communication
• Time: monochronic and polychronic timeTime: monochronic and polychronic time
orientation, linear and cyclic time conceptorientation, linear and cyclic time concept
• space/proximity/touching (the use of space)space/proximity/touching (the use of space)
• body language: expressions, gestures,body language: expressions, gestures,
movements, body positionmovements, body position
• eye contacteye contact
• smellsmell
• physical appearancephysical appearance
• clothing, artefactsclothing, artefacts
• living environmentliving environment

27. Cultural values and communicationCultural values and communication
- Human being: good, neutral, evil?Human being: good, neutral, evil?
- Relationship towards natureRelationship towards nature
- Relationships between peopleRelationships between people
- Time orientationTime orientation
- Personal spacePersonal space
- Different patterns of communicationDifferent patterns of communication
- Attitudes to argumentsAttitudes to arguments
Ethical and moral reflectionsEthical and moral reflections

28. Value studies in ICCValue studies in ICC
Some of the best known cross-cultural value studies:Some of the best known cross-cultural value studies:
1.1.Parsons & Shils: Pattern variablesParsons & Shils: Pattern variables
2.2.Kluckhohn & Strodtbeck: value orientationsKluckhohn & Strodtbeck: value orientations
3.3.Hall: Contact & low contact; Monochronic &Hall: Contact & low contact; Monochronic &
polychronic time concept; Low & high contextpolychronic time concept; Low & high context
4.4.Hofstede: Work-related valuesHofstede: Work-related values
5.5.Chinese culture connection: "Confucian workChinese culture connection: "Confucian work
dynamism/long term orientation"dynamism/long term orientation"
6.6.Schwartz: Schwartz Value InventorySchwartz: Schwartz Value Inventory
7.7.Trompenaars: Cultural dimensionsTrompenaars: Cultural dimensions

29. Conclusion:Conclusion:
Values, styles and rulesValues, styles and rules
• Communication styles, norms and rulesCommunication styles, norms and rules
reflect cultural values (3-layer model)reflect cultural values (3-layer model)
• Culture can national, gender-based, age-Culture can national, gender-based, age-
based, occupational etc.based, occupational etc.
• All are strongly related to each otherAll are strongly related to each other