The document discusses communication in multicultural settings. It provides tips for both native and non-native English speakers to improve communication. Tips for native English speakers include avoiding confusing questions, slowing speech, and facing those speaking. Tips for non-native speakers include participating in discussions, using dictionaries, and having documents proofread. The document also discusses challenges like differing interpretations of body language and approaches to conflict between cultures.

1. Local Communication
in
Multi-Cultural Settings

2. TOPIC LEARNING
OUTCOMES
⊡Define Native and Non-native English Speakers
⊡Differentiate Native and Non-native English Speakers
⊡Determine culturally appropriate terms, expressions,
and images (sensitivity to gender, race, class, etc)
2

3. Local Communication in Multi-Cultural
Settings
Chad Lewis, in his Successful Communication in Multi-cultural Environments,
orchestrates how the non- verbal expressions matter to the successful
communication under a diverse cultural setting. To him even the secondary
channels like smell, movement (fidgeting), our body position (posture), facial
expressions, yawning to convey a message are important to have a control
over, though it is not always possible to do so. For example, seeing a person
riding a bi-cycle we can guess that the person is too poor to own a car, he or
she has a low social status or perhaps the person had their driving license
revoked, though the person might have used it just for being environmentally
friendly.
1
3

4. Another challenge of the communication in a diverse setting lies in the
fact that the secondary channel to convey an expression may be
interpreted just opposite to people with other cultural identity. So,
learning the body language, personal space or distance in a
conversation, and intonation being practiced in a particular
community can be very crucial to have learned to develop your
communication skill.
4

5. “
Communication Tips for Local/Native English Speakers
Individuals and institutions can no longer deny that there are
uncomfortable realities of cultural diversity that exist among local or
native English speakers. Hence, these speakers:
⊡ Avoid "isn't it?" questions. Because this way of formulating
questions does not exist in many other languages, it can be
confusing for non-native English speakers. For example, to the
question, "You are coming, aren't you?" they may answer, "Yes" (I
am coming) or "No" (I am coming), depending on how they interpret
the question.
5

6. “
⊡ Ask the person if he/she wants help with finding words that might
convey their meaning.
⊡ If you do not understand a word, ask the person to spell it, write it
down a synonym or say the word in his/her native language and
have someone else translate, if possible.
⊡ Try to involve non-native English speakers, particularly during
brainstorming sessions, by asking explicitly for their input.
6

7. “
⊡ If you receive a voice mail message that you do not understand, ask
another non-native English speaker from the same linguistic
background to listen to it and "translate" for you.
⊡ In continuous meetings, provide some break time so that non-native
English speakers can take a rest from the concentration required to
follow the conversation.
⊡ Avoid scheduling presentations by non-native English speakers at
the end of the day, when fatigue may affect their English-speaking
skills.
7

8. “
⊡ Consider providing ESL courses to the non-native English
speakers on your staff or team.
⊡ Offer to proofread non-native English speakers' documents or
presentations.
⊡ Slow down your delivery and clearly articulate each word. Avoid
contractions that are difficult for non- native English speakers to
understand (i.e., "gonna," "wanna)
⊡ In face-to-face meetings, face the people to whom you speak.
8

9. “
Communication Tips for Non-Native English Speakers
There are also people who don't speak English or could hardly
understand the English language. These are the tips for them:
⊡ If you do not mind people suggesting words so that you can
communicate more quickly, say so.
⊡ Try to participate in discussions, especially brainstorming
sessions, even if you feel uncomfortable.
9

10. “
⊡ If your organization offers EL Courses, take them, even it your
English is already functional. Courses designed to help you modify
your accent to make it more understandable by native English
speakers can be particularly beneficial.
⊡ Keep a dictionary handy and make sure the words you use mean
what you think they mean.
⊡ Ask a native English speaker for help with your documents,
presentations and even sensitive e-mails or phone calls, if
necessary.
10

11. “
⊡ Before calling someone, think of what you want to say and look up
any words that you are unsure of. If you must leave a voice mail
message, compose the message on paper, and then read it into
the phone..
⊡ Make sure you know and use appropriately the technical words
that people in your field use. Find a native English speaker who will
take the time to discuss this with you; use sketches, diagrams and
pictures to ensure that you understand correctly. Use the terms
repeatedly until they become second nature.
⊡ Do not attempt to use slang and idiomatic expressions until you are
quite comfortable with the language. Using these incorrectly or in
the wrong situation can backfire.
11

12. “
Global Communication in Multicultural Setting
The homogenous team is a thing of the past in most international
organizations and companies. More and more teams are made up of
people with different nationalities and therefore different cultures,
languages, ideas, behaviors and ways of doing things. By way of
introducing the impact of culture and communication within global
teams we focus on four examples of issues that occur when team
members are of differing nationalities.
12

13. “
1. Language issue
Although English may always be the language of the office it
does not mean everyone is totally confident in its use. Also
bear in mind they may not appreciate the language to the same
degree as a native speaker.
13

14. “
2. Conflict Resolution issue
Different cultures approach conflict and disagreement in sometimes
very contrasting ways. Some cultures accept that conflict occurs in
the natural order of things and that when it does, it needs to be
addressed in a direct and upfront manner. Other cultures however are
uncomfortable with open disagreement and will do their best to avoid
it in order to save face and not put people in uncomfortable positions.
They may withdraw or withhold their opinion if someone strongly
disagrees rather than confront another person.
14

15. “
3. Gender issue
Every culture or society has its own understanding of gender relations
and acts according to them. What is acceptable in one culture may
offend in the other. This may play a role on a team to some degree,
especially when two ends of the spectrum are represented in a team.
The way men and women in a team interact, the way authority is
allocated, assumed or perceived, and the way roles and
responsibilities are distributed can all be impacted by different
viewpoints on gender. As and where issues arrive it is best to tackle
the subject head on and agree that within the company or team there
are specific protocols when it comes to gender interaction
15

16. “
4. Decision Making issue
Different cultures have different ways of making and expecting
decisions to be made. Some expect that consensus is the only way to
go, i.e. that all team members should be approached for their points of
view and using rational debate come to an agreement. Others believe
that the majority rules and debate is a waste of time. Then here are
others who believe that decisions are made by the leader or most
senior person and not the team.
16

17. “
Varieties in Spoken Language
⊡ Spoken language is a language provided by articulate sounds, as
opposed to a written language. Many languages have no written
form and so are only spoken. Different people will need levels of
accuracy and fluency in spoken language depending on the
professions they are in. Let's discuss the different levels or
varieties:
17

18. “
1. Professional Spoken Language
This type of language is used by professionals from specific
industries. The speech used here is highly technical, with stress put
on facts, figures, data and industry jargons.
Example:
Mary-"How is your day going?
Joseph-“Very busy. I’m preparing a detailed presentation on
marketing strategy and competitor analysis which would be
presented to the client. I'm not even half done yet."
Mary-"You must feel anxious out now.
Joseph- "Of course, that’s an understatement."
18

19. “
2. Literary Spoken English
This is the language used in magazines and newspapers. 1he stress is more
on communicating with a large section of the crowd. The speech follows all
rules of grammar and yet, the words used are simple and common.
Example: Jose Rizal, national hero of the Philippines (June 19,1861-December
30. 1896) was a novelist, poet, linguist, a scientific writer, and a famous
physician Born in Calamba Laguna, he learned at the age of three, the alphabet
and prayers from his parents; drawing and paintings from his uncles. He took
up surveying course at Ateneo and Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Letters
at UST. Later, he took up pre-med and completed medicine at the Universidad
Central de Madrid in Spain. He wrote several poems, essays, letters, but his
famous writings are on his two novels "Noli" and "Fili" - the cause of his arrest
and death. He is not only a national hero but also, the greatest martyr and pride
of the Malayan race .
19

20. “
3. Conversational Spoken English
This English is the more widely used in daily conversation, where rules of
grammar are more relaxed, stress is more on just getting the message across.
Sentences might be dropped half-way on realizing that the listener has gotten the
message.
Example:
Situation -The conversation is between an employee who works with an interior
designing store and a client.
Receptionist - "Good Afternoon. This is EFX Interior Designer Store. How may I
help you today?
Robert-"Hi. I am Robert. I wanted to get a custom-made interior decoration done
for my house. Could I please speak to someone?
Receptionist-"Sure Sir. Just hold on for a second or two."
Robert-"Okay. Sure."
20

21. “
4. Slang, Ethnic, and Vulgar Language
Every language comes with a set of words that have multiple
meanings, and depending upon the situation in which you use them,
multiple interpretations as well. These words are called slangs, and
are native to a particular region. Certain words might not be strictly
off-limits in a society, but could be highly offensive to a particular
community. These ethnic slangs and vulgar words find their way into
the slang talk. Close friends use this mode for communication while
having a friendly, informal conversation. In addition to this, the
pronunciation of certain words changes with different regions which
might cause confusion in speech.
21