MODULE 4a

COMMUNICATION IN
MUlTICULTURAL SETTING

Learning Outcomes:

1. Define Intercultural
Communication
1. Recognize the importance of
Intercultural Communication in https://www.netclipart.com/isee/Tobwoo_cultural-clipart-multicultural-classroom-united-nation-flags-png/
url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffanyv88.com%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fwolfestone.co.uk%2Finsights%2Fblogs%2Fbenefits-multiculturalism-workplace&psig=AO
today’s world
1. Recognize cultural differences
Introduction
among people from different
countries Intercultural communication happens anywhere, whether in business, school,
Time frame: 3 hours or in everyday life. It has become a necessary part of today’s word as we
join in the growing global community. Because of this, knowing how to
Activity: communicate cross-culturally is a skill you must have in order to succeed.

Have you tried talking to a foreigner?

Share your experience. abstraction

1. When and where did it happen?

Intercultural Communication
2. For what purpose is the conversation?
Intercultural communication refers to communication between individuals
3. How did you feel while conversing and groups of different cultural backgrounds. Language, gestures,
with the person? mannerisms, customs, and systems of power and authority can be different
between cultures.
Analysis:
Other terms related to intercultural communication are multicultural,
1. Is your conversation with the diversity, and cross-cultural. Multicultural means a group or organization
foreigner successful? that has multiple cultures within it, or is made up of several cultures. Cross-
cultural means between multiple groups of different cultures, whereas
2. What do you think are the reasons
intercultural means between members of those cultures.
for the success or failure of your
Intercultural communication is an important part of intercultural competence
— or the ability to effectively function across cultures. As our world gets
smaller and globalization gets stronger, intercultural competence and
communication become a necessity to be successful.

Cultural Differences
Intercultural communication takes place between or among people from
different cultural backgrounds. It is imperative that cultural differences
should be recognized to avoid breakdown in communication.

Value given to Time. Americans value promptness. They generally make use
of schedules and evaluate each other’s behaviour in these terms. This is the
same with the Japanese. Their trains and people are expected to arrive on
schedule. However, it is different in the Philippines where to arrive late is the
norm rather than the exception. It has a different meaning depending on

GEC 102 - Purposive Communication | 5

how late one is, the circumstances of the meeting, and how well one knows the person being met. Arriving one minute late will
like not merit an apology, but one hour would. There is also a ‘politics of time’. Some can arrive ‘fashionably late’ because of their
importance even in professional contexts.

Language differences. Language reflects the realities of a given culture and affects the way its members define their
experiences. It can reflect how concepts such as time, distance, color, pain, are perceived differently from different cultures.
For example, the Tagalog language has two equivalents for the English ‘we’: ‘kami’ and ‘tayo.’ Kami is exclusive and used to
refer to the in-group excluding the outsider while
tayo is inclusive. This pronoun system suggests the
Filipino value for in-group loyalty. Philippine English
with expressions like blowout (treat), dirty ice cream
(local ice cream bought from street vendor), jingle
(to urinate), or go down (get off a vehicle) should be
used warily. These English expressions with meanings
that are different locally will not be understood by
non-Filipinos.

Saying ‘No’. In western countries, like the US, clarity

is important. Communicating a refusal has to be brief
and direct. However, in many Asian countries, more
focus is placed on the context of communication than
the communication itself. A direct ‘no’ is considered
harsh and off-putting. Speakers and writers from
these contexts find alternative or ‘indirect’ ways
of saying ‘no’. For example, the Japanese have at
least sixteen ways of avoiding saying ‘no’ including
tangenial responses, counter questions, a conditional
‘no’ or silence.

Directness vs. Circumlocution. Brevity, clarity, and directness of communication are favoured in American and British cultures.
This means that a message, an idea, or a request should be conveyed to the audience or recipient clearly and in as few words
as mandatory. For example, when communicating a refusal or rejection to Westerners, Asians should avoid circumlocution or
indirectness but with a polite yet clear ‘no’. A Westerner, on the other hand, communicating an Asian should be aware of the
latter’s culture of valuing smooth interpersonal relationships (SIR). To avoid being viewed as ‘brutally frank’, the American can
attempt to clearly convey a rejection but also ‘soften’ this with buffers, such as an explanation or good news preceding the
outright “no.”

Personal/Friendly Language vs. Respectful Language. In Western contexts, people use friendly and personal language in the
workplace. Employers and employees are encouraged to use personal pronouns such as me, you, me, and we in writing. The
objective of this is the establishment of rapport between communicator and audience. However, in Asia, the use of formal
titles is a way of showing respect for someone considered superior in age, economic status, education, and profession. In the
Philippines, the dropping of a title in favour of using the first name of someone older and higher in rank is considered rude and
disrespectful.

For intercultural communication to be effective, speakers and writers from Eastern and Western contexts should be familiar
with these conventions. They may either adjust to the culture and mode of address of the other or choose to not take offense
because they understand the culture that drives the linguistic convention or difference.

Application
A. Give the equivalent British or American word for the given words below.

British
American British
American

1. chips _____________ 6. ______________ soccer

2. biscuit _____________ 7. ______________ sweater

3. petrol _____________ 8. ______________ vacation

4. public school _____________ 9. ______________ trunk (of a car)

5. pavement _____________ 10. ______________ apartment

GEC 102 - Purposive Communication | 6

 B. Search and provide the Philippine and American meaning of the words.

Word Philippine American

1. napkin
2. blooming
3. adidas
4. tomboy
5. bad trip

C. Think of other examples of how language reflects culture. Research and list (at least 3) examples of words from different
languages that express concepts important to people who speak those languages. (e.g. rice – Filipino words: palay, bigas,
kanin, sinangag, tutong)
D. Read the article “Saying ‘No’ in China” by Sean Upton-McLaughlin from https://chinaculturecorner.com/2014/01/27/
saying-no-in-china/.

Based from the article, answer the following questions:

1. List the 5 methods of saying ‘N0’ in China as enumerated by the author.

2. Why is it important for a non-Chinese to know how the Chinese say ‘No’?

3. Do Filipinos use the same methods in saying “No”? If yes, give a sample situation from your own experience.

References:
1. Charlton, Monica. (2018). Five Secrets to Intercultual Communication. Retrieved from https://www.thepolyglotgroup.com/blog/5-secrets-to-
meaningful-intercultural-communication/
2. Madrunio, M.R. & Martin, I. P. 2018. Purposive communication: using English in multilingual contexts. Quezon City: C & E Publishing, Inc.
3. McLaughlin, S. (2011). Saying ‘No’ in China. Retrieved from https://chinaculturecorner.com/2014/01/27/saying-no-in-china/
4. University of the People. (2020). What is Intercultural Communication: Learning New Styles. Retrieved from https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/what-
is-intercultural-communication/
5. https://hbr.org/2016/06/3-situations-where-cross-cultural-communication-breaks-down

Prepared by Approved by

Rossel M. Audencial Norman Ralph Isla

Faculty Chairperson
English Department English Department

GEC 102 - Purposive Communication | 7