Independent Practice

Barriers to Intercultural Communication

LISTENING

Exercise 1. Watch a video devoted to cultural diversity with tips from Snéha Khilay, a trainer from communication skills experts Speak First. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDvLk7e2Irc

Exercise 2. Answer the questions.

1. What is cultural diversity?

2. How does communication differ in different cultures?

3. What cultural differences does cultural diversity cover?

4. What are the four tips on cultural diversity?

5. How can we summarise cultural diversity?

READING

Exercise 3. Translate the text:

Barriers to Intercultural Communication

Communicating across cultures carries myriad challenges, and scholars have studied the process for decades. Intercultural communication can present complex obstacles that cover the full communication spectrum, but six important oral and nonverbal factors can make a significant difference when communicating with individuals from another culture.

Ethnocentricity

Americans tend to have an ethnocentric perspective on language that, according to Dr. Sue Easton of the Rollins College Communication Department, leads them to view English as a universal language. Because many cultures around the globe speak English, Americans may forget that some businesses conduct transactions in other languages or that some individuals don't understand English. According to Dr. Easton, a presumption that other cultures spoke English and observed common American practices led to a failure of American foreign ventures in the mid-20th century, though extensive education on intercultural communication has helped reduce this assumption.

Personal Space

Different cultures can take significantly different approaches to personal space, and a lack of cultural understanding can make some individuals uncomfortable and insult others. While Western culture prefers an arm's length of physical personal space while communicating, according to a 2006 article in the "Journal of Applied Social Psychology," people from some Latin and Middle Eastern cultures stand considerably closer to each other when speaking. To a Westerner, this personal space violation can lead to discomfort, and the communicator may view a resulting step away as a sign of distrust.

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