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Oral Communication - Intercultural

The document discusses intercultural communication and defines it as occurring between individuals from different cultural backgrounds. It then describes the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS) which outlines six stages of experiencing cultural differences from denial to integration. The document also lists seven characteristics of competent intercultural communicators including flexibility, reflectiveness, and sensitivity. It provides tips for avoiding bias and stereotypes when communicating interculturally.

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JOVIE GABUTAN
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164 views3 pages

Oral Communication - Intercultural

The document discusses intercultural communication and defines it as occurring between individuals from different cultural backgrounds. It then describes the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS) which outlines six stages of experiencing cultural differences from denial to integration. The document also lists seven characteristics of competent intercultural communicators including flexibility, reflectiveness, and sensitivity. It provides tips for avoiding bias and stereotypes when communicating interculturally.

Uploaded by

JOVIE GABUTAN
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Intercultural Communication

Definition and Nature of Intercultural Communication


Intercultural communication happens when individuals interact, negotiate, and create meanings while
bringing in their varied cultural backgrounds (Ting-Toomey,Module2Week 3Santa Monica Institute of
Tech.Andrada Bldg. Poblacion, Iligan CityOralComm.MODULE1999).

The Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity🔺


The Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS) offers a structure that explores how people
experience cultural differences. According to Bennett and Bennett (2004), it has six stages. These are the
following:
Stage 1: Denial. The individual does not recognize cultural differences.
▫️An individual in the denial stage might be heard saying:
“All cities are the same; they all have tall buildings, fast food chains, and coffee shops.”
Stage 2: Defense. The individual starts to recognize cultural differences and is intimidated by them,
resulting in either a superior view on own culture or an unjustified high regard for the new one.
▫️An individual in the defense stage might be heard saying:
“This culture does not view life the way we do; our culture is certainly better.”
“Their ways are better than my own; I wish I were one of them.”
Stage 3: Minimization. Although individuals see cultural differences, they bank more on the universality
of ideas rather than on cultural differences.
▫️An individual in the minimization stage might be heard saying:
“Once we see through the cultural differences, we really are just the same!”
Stage 4: Acceptance. The individual begins to appreciate important cultural differences in behaviors and
eventually in values.
▫️An individual in the acceptance stage might be heard saying:
“These people and I have different values and experiences, and I think we can learn from one.
Stage 5: Adaptation. The individual is very open to world views when accepting new perspectives.
▫️An individual in the adaptation stage might be heard saying:
“To address our issue, I have to adjust my approach to consider both my own and my counterpart’s
background.”
Stage 6: Integration. Individuals start to go beyond their own cultures and see themselves and their
actions based on multifarious cultural viewpoints.
▫️An individual in the integration stage might be heard saying:
“I can look at things from the perspective of various cultures.”
Once you understand these stages, you may apply it to 1) recognize communication behaviors which
differ from your own, 2) take into account what can influence these types of behaviors, and 3) try to
analyze how linguistic and cultural communities differ in terms of communication behavior and
influencing factors (Allwood, 1985).
🔺Characteristics of Competent Intercultural Communicators🔺
World Bank (2010) identifies the following traits that define a competent intercultural communicator.
1. flexibility and the ability to tolerate high levels of uncertainty
2. reflectiveness or mindfulness
3. open-mindedness
4. sensitivity
5. adaptability
6. ability to engage in divergent thinking (or thinking creatively) and systems-level thinking (or thinking
how each one in a system or organization influences each other).
7. politeness
Note that in addition to culture, other elements such as gender, age, social status, and religion must also
be taken into consideration when communicating with others. Refrain from showing bias when talking
to someone by following the tips below:
1. Avoid stereotypes, i.e., generalizations about a certain group.
2. Challenge gender norms; avoid using “he” and “man” to refer to a general group of people. To
remedy this, you may use plural pronouns or rewrite a sentence to avoid using pronouns. The use of
his/her is also acceptable.
3. Do not talk down on younger people and the elderly.
4. Be sensitive to the religious practices of others.
5. Be polite at all times; do not belittle people you perceive to be on a lower social class than
you.

Exercise
Read each statement. If it displays bias or insensitivity, write the group/element being misrepresented
(gender, social status, age, religion, culture). If not, write “OK.” Once done, compare and discuss your
answers with a partner.
1. “Each employee must wear his ID at all times.”
2. “You won’t understand if I explain; you’re too young.”
3. “Japanese people are so rigid and stoic!”
4. “Don’t buy those shades; only low-class people wear those.”
5. “Lolo, this is an iPhone. ‘i-Phone.’ It is a very complicated device, but I’ll explain it to you simply. It is
used to talk to people from other places.”
6. “All staff members have to submit their leave requests before the day ends.”
7. “My belief is the absolute truth. Other religions simply got it wrong.”
8. “Manang, let’s go, I’ll treat you. I bet you haven’t eaten sushi in your entire life.”
9. “Catholics and Protestants do have big differences, but we must respect each other’s beliefs.”
10. “You’re the youngest person in the family, but I trust that you can handle the situation well.”

Write T before each number if the statement is true and F if the statement is false.
1. Intercultural communication occurs when there is interaction and negotiation between or
among individuals from different cultural backgrounds.
2. Intercultural communication refers only to communication that happens between or among
individuals from different nations.
3. Communication that exists between or among individuals from different ethnic, religious,
and regional backgrounds and sexual orientations is not considered as intercultural.
4. The DMIS by Bennett and Bennett (2004) can be used to understand those who do not recognize
other cultures and cannot communicate interculturally.
5. The denial stage could be interpreted as distrust towards other cultures.
6. The acceptance stage refers to recognition of cultural differences.
7. In the adaptation stage, individuals begin to integrate with other cultures.
8. Cultural sensitivity matters in intercultural communication.
9. One character trait of a competent communicator is sensitivity to nonverbal cues in other cultures.
10. A competent communicator is a person who is effective in intercultural
TYPES OF SPEECH CONTEXT

Intrapersonal- It refers to the communication with one’s self.


Example: You spent the night thinking and analyzing why a student from the other class talked to you on
the way home and you decided it probably meant nothing.

Interpersonal- This refers to communication between and among people and establishes personal
relationship between and among them.
Example:
You offered feedback on the speech performance of your classmate.
You provided comfort to a friend who was feeling down.

Public- This type refers to communication that requires you to deliver or send the message before or in
front of a group.

Example:
You deliver a graduation speech to your batch.
You participate in a declaration, oratorical, or debate contest watched by a number of people.

Mass communication- This refers to communication that takes place through television, radio,
newspapers, magazines, books, internet, and other types of media.
Example:
You are a student journalist articulating you stand on current issues through the school’s newspaper.

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