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As most of the world becomes more globalized at an exponential rate it is important to know how to communicate with people who you may have never had the chance to meet before. With the availability of the internet and various sites that are all about communication and some even exclusively about intercultural and international communication there is now an easier way to communicate with people with different backgrounds and simply different addresses. Whether you want to ask someone about the delicious dish you saw online, make a business transaction with someone overseas, have a conversation about current events, or just learn about someone else’s culture here are a few things to know about intercultural communication.
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Identities can be owned or given. This involves the concept of ascribed and avowed identities. Ascribed identities are identities that a person is given to by other people. Avowed identities are identities that a person gives themselves. Conflict or confusion can arise when a person is ascribed, that is given, an identity that they do not feel is their own. This can happen unintentionally when a person assumes a characteristic of another person. This is not something to worry about. Being aware of what another person identifies with and asking questions is a way to avoid this situation.
https://moniviestin.jyu.fi/ohjelmat/hum/viesti/en/ics/13
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Knowing differences is important. When communicating with someone you first may try to find things in common with them, however differences should be acknowledged too. This leads to a better understanding of another person specially if they have a different cultural background. This does not have to be awkward or uncomfortable. When you are communicating with someone you can put yourself in their shoes and try to think about how they might think. Also asking questions is a valid way to address differences in thinking or any other subject that you may be curious about. This video demonstrates how differences in perceptions from different cultures can affect one person in many ways.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMyofREc5Jk
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Motivation is a key. Knowing what you are motivated by when you are engaging in intercultural communication is important. Some motivational factors have a better chance at success if they are rooted more in genuine interest instead of a more superficial gain. If the intercultural communication will lead to money for example in a job or business deal this is less likely to be effective in truly motivating intercultural communication past this situation that will yield money. When a more genuine interest is fostered there is more chances that intercultural communication will continue and more opportunities for intercultural communication will be sought out. One way this can be done is through intercultural friendships.
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Intercultural knowledge is powerful. Knowledge on any subject is important in itself. In intercultural communication this can be an invaluable tool that can be used to communicate with more confidence. There are many things you can do to gain knowledge about another culture. There are websites dedicated to certain countries and information about them. Videos are also widely available on the internet that have information about history, customs, and many more facets of various cultures. Another way to get new information is to ask someone a question about information you would like to know. This can foster intercultural communication where knowledge can be exchanged and maybe a friendship can form. Language is an important part of any culture and is a great tool that can be used if you know it or learn it. Here is a video about language and how it shapes who we are and how we are viewed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr68goQ1d0s
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Be mindful of “thinking under the influence”. “Thinking under the influence” is a term coined by communication and culture scholar Brenda Allen that describes the mindset that people use in intercultural communication where stereotypes and misguided thinking drive the communication that someone has. An example can be if you ask a person of a certain culture to teach you a certain task that their culture is stereotyped as being well at and you do not get a respond because that individual does not know it and does not fit the stereotype. This kind of thinking can be controlled by letting go of stereotypes and predisposed thoughts about certain cultures or types of people. This allows you to be more open and you are able to truly see other cultures in a more realistic light. This may lead you to find more accurate information and maybe even break some of the stereotypes and old thoughts that you might have believed before.
http://www.simplypsychology.org/katz-braly.html
These are some of the many things to keep in mind while engaging in intercultural communication. With these facts as a basis you can be confident knowing that you will be more equipped to handle any intercultural communication situation that comes your way.
-Written by Edith Figueroa with contributions from Trinidad Luna and Kelly Barajas.
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