This document discusses communication styles and language varieties in multicultural contexts. It begins by outlining four learning outcomes around communication styles, language varieties, cultural awareness, and language diversity. It then defines four main communication styles (spirited, systematic, considerate, direct) based on levels of assertiveness and expressiveness. Next, it examines language varieties like dialects, pidgins, creoles, and registers of language. It notes that language use depends on factors like context, audience, and purpose. The document concludes by providing guidelines for improving intercultural communication abilities, such as removing biases, seeking cultural information, understanding different perspectives, and communicating flexibly.

1. LocalandGlobal
Communicationin
Multicultural
Settings

2. Learning
Outcomes
1. Describe the styles in communication
considering various multicultural settings.
2. Determine varieties and registers of
spoken and written language.
3. Adopt cultural an intercultural
awareness and sensitivity in
communicating ideas.
4. Develop a sense of appreciation on the
richness and diversity of registers used in
written and spoken communication.

3. COMMUNICATION
STYLESINVARIOUS
MULTICULTURAL
CONTEXTS
1.

4. Communication style refers to the
choices people make and the
strategies or tools they use in the
process of communication. A style
may sometimes depend on the
demands of the communicative
situation, as well as on the needs
and requirements of the target
recipients of the information.

5. The model, developed by Dr. Eileen M.
Russo, shows four different communication
styles (direct, spirited, systematic and
considerate), categorized further into two
different dimensions (level of assertiveness
and level of expressiveness). All of these
must be considered because people with
different cultural contexts tend to have
varying levels and styles of
communication.
TheCommunication
StylesMatrix

6. Thecombination oftheselevelsresult tothebasic communication styles:
Spirited = High Expressiveness + High Assertiveness
Considerate = High Expressiveness + Low Assertiveness
Direct = Low Expressiveness + High Assertiveness
Systematic = Low Expressiveness + Low Assertiveness

7. Spirited Communication Style
● People with the spirited communication style are very interested in the ‘big
picture’. They are the dreamers, the inventors, and the innovators in the
group. Their communication may be full of grand
ideas and hyperboles that tend to be very persuasive to others at first.
● Keeping to an agenda is sometimes a challenge for those with the spirited
communication styles both time management and remaining focused
are challenges for this group.
● Their written or verbal communication may tend to wards the dramatic.
● While they can be very entertaining, getting them to communicate clearly
on specific topics may take the assistance of someone else to guide them
through a conversation and keep them on track by bringing them back to
the subject at hand.

8. Systematic Communication Style
● Those with a systematic communication style like to focus on facts and details rather than opinions
and possibilities. Expect to use and appreciate logic when you communicate with a systematic. They
will appreciate facts and analysis rather than the ‘big picture’ ideas that have not yet been proved
useful.
● They may be slower to respond to your communication, as they are probably analyzing
the situation and constructing a logical, well thought-out response.
● Those with a systematic communication style are uncomfortable with expressing their feelings
about things and do not like conflict. They may tend to shut down communication rather than
dealing with emotional or confrontational situations. If you give them directions,
you will need to be very thorough and precise in relaying them.
● The more information you can give them, the happier they will be–as long as the information
is relevant to the current discussion or is relevant background information.

9. Considerate Communication Style
● Those with the considerate communication style are very concerned about the feelings of others.
They want to please other people and to be included in her peer group.
● They like to work with others, help others, and connect to the reason personal level. If there is
conflicting your group, they will be the ones to attempt to mediate it.
● They want everyone to have the chance to speak their minds, have their turns, and receiver
recognition for their contribution.
● They are natural trainers and counselors, and enjoy helping others succeed. They will encourage
group collaboration and communication, though they are not always inclined to speak their own
minds.

10. Direct Communication Style
● When communicating with someone who has the direct communication style, the key
is to get to the main point of your communication as soon as possible, and to do so in
as efficient as manner as possible.
● As indicated in the communication style matrix, people with the direct
communication style are highly assertive and not expressive.
● They tend to tell others what to do instead of asking others what they think should be
done, and they will not easily show emotions in their communications with others.
● Their communication style is meant to be expedient, though others may not always
see it that way. They may appear terse and cold to others, who might take their style of
communicating personally.

11. VARIETIESANDREGISTERS
OFSPOKENANDWRITTEN
LANGUAGE
2.

12. In a multicultural society, people
must use culturally-appropriate
terms, gestures, expressions and
images in any communicative
situation.

13. Language
Varieties
Also called “lects”, these refer to
the different variants of a
language that can be
sufficiently delimited from one
another in terms of social,
historical, or geo-spatial factors,
thus forming language clusters.

14. It refers to a new
language that develops
into situations where
speakers of different
languages need to
communicate but do
not share a common
language.
a. Pidgin
It is a pidgin that
becomes the first
language of the
children, or the
mother tongue of a
certain community.
b. Creole
It is not a language
that is not distinct from
a national language,
but rather a variety of
a language spoken in
a particular area of a
country
c. Regional
Dialect

15. Heregoes yourtimelineorprocess.
This is a variety used as
a marker of identity,
usually alongside a
standard variety, by the
members of a particular
minority ethnic group.
d. Minority
Dialect
These are spoken mainly
as second languages in
former colonies with
multilingual populations
e. Indigenized
Varieties

16. Language
Registers
A language register is characterized
by the way a speaker uses
language differently in different
social circumstances. These are
determined by such factors as social
atmosphere, purpose of
communication, audience, and the
general context of the discourse.

17. These registers are used in
professional, academic, or legal
settings where communication
is expected to be respectful,
uninterrupted, and restrained
to specific rules. Slang is never
used and contractions are rare.
a. Formal
These registers are used when
communicating with friends,
close acquaintances, colleagues,
and family members.
b. Casual

18. Intimate language registers
are reserved for special
occasions, usually between
only two people and often in
private.
c. Intimate
It refers to historic language
that is intended to remain
unchanged.
d. Frozen
It is used in conversations
when people are speaking
with someone who has
specialized knowledge or is
offering advice. Tone is often
respectful, such as the use of
honorifics or courtesy titles,
but may be more casual if
the relationship between or
among the communicators is
friendly.
e.
Consultative

19. ● Language registers can also be classified as Formal, Informal, or
Neutral. Formal language registers are appropriate for professional
situations, such as when speaking to a supervisor or writing an invitation
letter.
● Informal language registers, on the other hand, are conversational and
appropriate when speaking or writing to a friend or to someone you
know quite well.

20. ● The use of one or a combination of these registers highly depends on the
audience (person/s for whom the message is intended) and the context
(nature of the communicative situation).
● Using the proper registers show respect, interest, and a certain level of
professionalism, hence enhancing harmonious personal and
professional relationships. These are also used in writing short notes,
personal journals, or diaries.
● Lastly, neutral language registers are non-emotional and laden with
facts. These are most appropriate for research or technical writing.

21. Improvingone’s Abilityin
Communicatingina
MulticulturalSetting
3.

22. ● Everything should start with a personal desire and strong
conviction to relate more effectively with persons having
different cultural backgrounds. This will not only create positive
personal relationships, but also open more opportunities for
professional growth. Limiting one’s reliance on preconceived
notions and established stereotypes is also a major leap
towards effective intercultural communication.

23. specificguidelinesTHATcanenhanceyour abilitytohandle situations
involvingintercultural communication
1. Refrain from forming expectations based solely on your culture.
2. Remove personal biases or any stereotype that may impede understanding.
3. Make a personal commitment to develop communication skills appropriate in
multicultural settings.
o I will make a commitment to seek information from persons whose
cultures are different from my own.
o I will try to understand how the experiences of persons from different
cultures leads them to develop perspectives that differ from mine.
o I will pay attention to the situation and the context when I
communicate with persons from different cultures.
o I will make every effort to become a more flexible communicator.
o I will not insist that persons from other cultures should communicate
with me on my terms.