communicating across cultures presentation for the canadian association of law libraries 2008...
TRANSCRIPT
Communicating Across CulturesPresentation for the Canadian Association of Law Libraries 2008 Conference
Saskatoon, SaskatchewanMay 27, 2008
Suying HughWork and Study Abroad Officer
International Student CentreUniversity of Toronto
Overview of Presentation
What is culture?
Models of Culture
International Student Centre (ISC) at UofT
Challenges to communicating across cultures
Resources and tools for effective communication across cultures
What is Culture?
Culture is:
HistoricalBehaviouralLearnedCollectiveDistinctiveDefinitive Dynamic
“Culture has been succinctly defined as the collective programming of the mind that distinguishes one category of people from another.”-- Lewis, (2003) The Cultural Imperative Global Trends in the 21st Century ,Intercultural Press.
“Culture is not a universally accepted notion, and there are a great many different ways to define it. However, all but the most exotic definitions include…the sense that culture pertains to the social world; it determines how groups of people structure their lives.”-- Hofstede et al (2002) Exploring Culture ,Intercultural Press.
Understanding CultureModels of Culture
This is a cross cultural exercise done with students to allow them to see the different layers of culture and how we experience them.
Understanding Culture Models of Culture
Perception:
What do you see?
Understanding Culture Models of Culture
Suggested interpretations from the image:
A woman bribing a man
Negotiation
A violent discussion
A discussion among friends
A quarrel
A lady giving her address to a man
Cultural ModelsA way of Understanding
High Context Cultures
Process focused
Relationships built
over time
Group oriented
Hierarchy
Formality valued
Indirect communication style
Time polychronic
Low Context Cultures
Results (task) focused
Fast built relationships
Individually oriented
Equality
Informality valued
Direct communication style
Time monochronic
Model of Cultural Variation
The International Student Centre
What can be illustrated from this experience?understanding target audience adaptation and adjustment issuescultural tendencies and designing programs and projects experiences which can offer transferable situational information
Target Audience of ISC
International students 7, 537 students from over 100 countriesTop 4 countries (undergraduate): China, United States, South Korea and IndiaTop 4 countries (graduate): United States, China, India and Iran
Domestic Students Layers and interestsGlobal understanding
Cultural Implications and Programs
General design and objectives
Orientation Programs
Work and Study Abroad
Interchange/ Intercultural Programs
Experiences at ISC
What we see and perceive from a situation, grounded in our own values inform how we act and communicate.Anecdotal experience from daily encounters (the never ending question, the non communicator, etc)Culture and adaptationMentorshipExpectations and “reality”
Challenges to Communicating Across Cultures
Communication is a combination of what is said, the way in which it is said and our body language.
Challenges can be categorized as:
speaking accent
topics of conversation
slang/jargon
Challenges (cont’d)
Formal/informal language
Tone
Gestures/ Posture
Physical space and contact
Communication Style
Dress and appearance
Gender
Resources and Tools
There is no right or wrong communication style or methodUnderstanding your own perceptions and values will guide youKnowledge and Awareness are keyCommunicating across cultures is dynamicLearn to take cultural cues
Resources and Tools (Cont’d)Hofstede, Gert Jan, Pedersen, Paul B. and Geert Hofstede (2002) Exploring Culture Exercises, Stories and Synthetic Cultures Intercultural Press
Lewis, Richard D. (2003) The Cultural Imperative Global Trends in the 21st Century Intercultural Press
Lewis, Richard D. (2006) When Cultures Collide: Leading Across Cultures Nicholas Brealey Publishing Ltd.
Peterson, Brooks (2004) Cultural Intelligence A Guide to Working with people from other cultures Nicholas Brealey Publishing Ltd.
