intercultural communication in the global workplace fifth edition iris varner & linda beamer

PANHA CHIET UNIVERSITYBachelor Programs

Intercultural Communication in The Global WorkplaceFifth Edition

Iris Varner & Linda Beamer

Chapter 6

Nonverbal Language in Intercultural Communication

Facilitator: Mr. UON SOKCHEAMEd, MBA & PhD Can.

(+855) 17 56 52 87

PANHA CHIET UNIVERSITY, PUC Intercultural Communication Chapter 6: Nonverbal Language in Intercultural Communication June, 20014

Facilitator: Mr. UON SOKCHEA, MBA, MEd, and PhD Can. Tel: 070 94 38 39 & 017 56 52 87 Email: [email protected]

ParalanguageParalanguage lies between verbal and non-verbal communication. It involves sound but not words. The uhs, ahas, and uhm we use in our conversation are examples of paralanguage. The researchers divide paralanguage into three categories:1- Voice Quality seems to be more of an individual than a cultural characteristics.2- Vocal Qualifiers– The term refer to volume, pitch, and overall

intonation or “melody” of the spoken words.



3- VocalizationAll cultures use nonword noises such as “ahem,” “um,” “er” sucking in one’s breath, and clicking one’s tongue, and these may be used as connectors between ideas.Related to the nonword vocalizers are filters. For example, in English “okay,” “like,” and “you know” often are used as filters. Japanese use hai as a filter without meaning.Germans tend to use “na,” “mamn” and others to similar effects.



What is nonverbal communication?

• Body language and posture• Gestures and touch• Facial expression and eye contacts



Eye contact may have different meanings in different cultures.



Some Muslim countries have laws about not to have eye contact

between opposite genders.



– Eye contact as a Signal of Honesty Looking someone without in one’s eye, Western culture, indicates that the speaker has something to hide. In North American and Northern European cultures, eye contact shows openness, trustworthiness and integrity, and the speaker has nothing to hide. Arab culture, seeing the eyes make more clearly, more closer, and the feeling is that there is nothing to lie.



– Eye Contact as a Signal of PrivacyTo look someone in the eye in Japan or China is to invade that person’s space. It is rude. During negotiation the Japanese may down past their counterparts.Eye contacts are honest in the United State, Arab, and European cultures, but rude in the Japanese environment.



• Facial ExpressionsFacial expression have different meanings in different cultures. A smile can express friendliness or embarrassment. A frown can be an indication of anger or doubt.Read more in the course book, page 224-226



Grieving is interpreted differently in different cultures.



• GesturesHead movements, arm movements, and posture communicate a message to the other side. – Head movementIn most cultures, nodding one’s head is seen as agreeing. Shaking one’s head is seen as rejecting, but Bulgarians do the opposite – shaking their heads when agreeing.



Hand signals can be misinterpreted in some parts

of the world.



In southern Indian , moving one’s head from one side to another side is not a negation.A lowered head in Western culture can signify defeat or uncertainty.Japanese managers frequently lower their heads and close their eyes for respect, but Americans see this as a lack of interest and even disrespect.– Arm MovementsArm movements take up space and thus enlarge the size of the speaker. A speaker who uses big arm movements can intimidate the listener and appear more powerful. Men ten to use larger gestures than the women do in most cultures.



– PostureThe way we sit, stand and walk sends a nonverbal communication messages. In Western culture, standing tall (stand erect with the shoulder back and the head up) conveys confidence.In most business situation people sit on the chairs, and Arab and Japanese (business) cultures people sit on the floor.

• Timing in spoken ExchangesTiming behavior reflects the importance of equality, hierarchy, and gender relationships.



• TouchingCultures have different conventions for touching in social and business situations. Touching typically is related to status, gender, and seniority.

Country or Region Type of handshake

United State Firm handshake

France Soft handshake

Germany Firm handshake, for men, traditionally accompanied by a slight bow

Japan Handshake with arm firmly extended, accompanied by bow

Middle East Handshake and free hand placed on forearm of other person



Japanese bow

Men

German bow

Women

GreetingsOf Japanese

and German as an example



Obama bowing to Emperor of Japan



• The Language of SpaceThe language of space is powerful. We communicate through our use of private, office, and public spaces.– Private SpaceThee size of private space also is influenced by social status, age, and level of authority.



– Office SpaceOur Attitudes toward private space also are carried over into our attitudes toward office space. Generally, cultures that value a big personal space value large and private office. Japanese Office Layout

Manager

Manager



– Public SpaceBehaviors in public spaces are carried over into offices and business practices. The two go together, but we may not agree with or like what others do.- The Germans organize their public space like they

organize their private lives. - The people from the United State carry their ideas of

individuality over into public spaces.- In the public spaces, the Japanese do not use cell

phone because that mean forcing oneself on other people. On the subway, train, people text, but they do not talk. The Chinese, on the other hand, talk on the cell phone in public.



• Appearance - Dress sends signals relating to respect. - The way we dress also communicate. - Business dress for men is universal such as the

suit, the dress shirt, and the tie.• Silence- Many people communicate with doing something

verbal, nonverbal or both. - Silence does not indicate action, yet

communication through silence play an important role in all culture.



The End



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