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Writing Assignment
Introduction
Communication is one of the sources for people to live their lives in a comfortable manner. It is important because no one can stay isolated in life while everyone wants to communicate with others. In this paper, the analysis covers what communication is while putting a light on every aspect of it (communication) such as its importance and role in one’s life. But it not enough to define the term and state the importance. Hence, this paper also covers the concept of communication by analyzing it from a cultural perspective. It means that the analysis done explains the important problems in communication that may arise when people from different cultures or cultural backgrounds interact with one another.
Communication is important for people as water is important for a plant. It is important for people from the same culture or from different cultures. Communication is so critically important because it is the way through which one can voice over his or her concerns. But it takes a number of challenges when it comes to the communication and interaction of individuals belonging to different cultures. It means that there is a possibility of many communication problems or different communication problems may arise when people from different cultures interact with one another (Axner, & DuPraw, 2020). But, some of the most common and critical communication problems that can arise in such cases are elaborated below.
Communication Problems
Language Barriers
The language barrier is one of the most common communication issues or problems that arise when even two individuals from different cultures interact and communicate with one another. In addition to this, the communication problem known as language barrier arises almost all the time in the interaction of people from different cultures (Avruch, & Peter, 2003).
It cannot be denied that English is the lingua franca of today’s economic world and global communication as it has become the official mean of communication for individuals from different regions and cultures. But it cannot be found that every individual may be efficient enough to communicate in English (Tran, 2016).
Sometimes, individuals belonging to one culture do not prefer to communicate in the language of the person or individuals with whom they interact. So this problem becomes more critical when individuals get involved in such activities. One of the best examples of it is the Chinese people that do not prefer and even never communicate in another language such as English when interacting with others from other cultures.
Communication Styles Issues
The way individuals communicate with others differs widely between different cultures and even within one culture. An aspect of communication style is the use of language by an individual. In one culture, some words and phrases are used in one way and manner while those may be used in a different manner in another culture (Avruch, & Peter, 2003). For instance, the nation that shares the English language, the meaning of Yes can be found “Maybe” while the meaning of this word may be found “Definitely so”. So, when individuals from different cultures interact, then they may have issues in getting the actual meaning of the statement or words of a person in front.
Beyond above, another communication problem that arises in the interaction of individuals from different cultures is the nonverbal miscommunication that includes but not only gestures and facial expressions. Moreover, in communication especially when it comes to effective communication, mutual acceptance is very crucial. It means that an effective communication can be done when there is mutual acceptance from both sides. But it becomes very rare to find mutual acceptance when individuals from different cultures interact or communicate. This means that the problem of ineffective communication also arises when individuals from different cultures interact.
Miscommunication because of Stereotyping
Stereotyping is the notion that most of the people or individuals carry about their cultures, values judgments, and overestimation, etc. While these stereotypes become the cause of the difference in opinions of individuals when they (individuals) belong to different cultures and this difference leads to miscommunication most of the time (Wills, 2020). So in this case, a communication problem comes to arise. An example of the communication problem that arises because of stereotyping is; Japanese are forward looking and the Chinese make work their religion.
Such changes in the stereotypes of individuals from different cultures sometimes lead to affect their important matters and concerns when interacting. For example, in a business meeting, a deal may not be made or finalized in case everyone prefers to, and proceed with his/her own culture and preferences or stereotypes when communicating or interacting (Jenifer, et al, 2015).
Conclusion
After an in-depth analysis of the term communication and the communication problem, it has come to conclude that communication is key in an individual's life but there is a possibility of several communication problems when one communicates with others from a different culture. Additionally, the communication problems that arise in such interactions are very critical and may lead to inverse impacts. In short, the problems that can arise in the interaction of individuals belonging to different cultures and analyzed in this paper are; 1) Language Barriers, 2) Communication Styles Issues, and 3) Miscommunication because of Stereotyping.
References
Avruch, K. & Peter, B. (2003). Conflict Resolution in Intercultural Settings: Problems and Prospects. New York: St. Martin's Press.
Axner, M. & DuPraw, M. (2020). Working on Common Cross-cultural Communication Challenges. Retrieved 26 January 2020, from http://www.pbs.org/ampu/crosscult.html
Jenifer, D. Delecta, G. Jenifer, G & Raman. (2015). Cross-Cultural Communication Barriers in the Workplace. 6. 332-335.
Tran, B. (2016). Communication (Intercultural and Multicultural) at play for cross-cultural management within multinational corporations (MNCs). In Handbook of research on impacts of international business and political affairs on the global economy (pp. 62-92). IGI Global.
Wills, L. (2020). Communicating with People from Different Cultures - Be Aware of the Problem!. Retrieved 26 January 2020, from https://www.advisorycloud.com/advisor-articles/communicating-with-people-from-different-cultures-be-aware-of-the-problem
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