3: Intercultural and International Communication

Inclusive Language

Business communities and stakeholders are diverse. To ensure your writing promotes inclusion, justice, and equity, it is essential to use nondiscriminatory language.

Gender identification is an individual's personal choice. Stakeholders may not fit traditional gender categories; therefore, to presume gender is an act of exclusion. In business writing it is acceptable to use the plural pronoun they/their as a singular nongendered pronoun.

Example:

Each associate uploaded the performance training questionnaire to their evaluation folder.

You may add your preferred gender pronouns to your signature block closing.

Example:

Sincerely,

Valerie A. Gray, Professor of English

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

When you are communicating the same message to several receivers, for example a letter to employees regarding additional health care coverage, use plural pronouns or plural titles (associates, coordinators, facilitators, supervisors, trainers, etc).

Example:

All coordinators were invited to the debriefing meeting.

To learn more about gender cultural aspects and the history of inclusive pronouns, visit the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Plus (LGBTQ+) Resource Center

Understanding International Communication

International communication, also referred to as global communication, is the verbal, nonverbal, and oral communication that occurs between individuals from different international locations.

Global reach refers to the ability of a company to have customers worldwide.

Globalization refers to a company from one country agreeing to conduct business with a company in another country.

This video explains the complexities of globalization and its impact on various segments in business. As you view the video, consider the ways in which it is easy to hinder written business communication in global situations.

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Ethical Considerations for Cultural Global Advantage

In order to understand why businesses are willing to operate in a complex global environment, it is important to understand two fundamental concepts that drive almost all business decisions: absolute and comparative advantage. Countries and companies are willing to assume the risk of engaging in global trade because they believe that they have an advantage over the competition that they can turn into profits. Not all countries have the same natural resources, infrastructure, labor force, or technology. These differences create advantages that can be exploited in global trade, to a country’s (or company’s) benefit. As you analyze the audience and explain advantages and benefits, it is necessary to acknowledge concerns that citizens of the country have regarding their community in order to avoid damage to it.

Cultural Competence

This video will assistance you with understanding how the formation of cultural competency will improve your international communication skills.

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Understanding Intercultural Communication

Intercultural communication is the ability to communicate sensitively, authenticity, and clearly with people from other cultures and countries. In order to be successful in cultural communication, intercultural awareness is a necessity. Anthropologist Edward T. Hall’s cultural awareness led to the development of the types of culture: high-context and low-context.

In high-context cultures, interpersonal nonverbal communication is the primary way in which meaning is interpreted. Interpersonal nonverbal communication is expressed through eye contact, gestures, and the time it takes to respond to business correspondence. Because of their ability to read nonverbal cues, communicators in high-context cultures expect communicators from low-context cultures to interpret nonverbal communication; therefore, high-context communicators are more reserved in their speech. Hierarchial leadership is the business communication model.

In low-context cultures, verbal communication is the primary way in which meaning is interpreted. Verbal communication is expressed openly through discussing a topic face-to-face and reading detailed business documents.

Business-Specific Cultural Differences

Collectivism and Individualism

Within a business, collectivism is reflected in the team or collaborative approach; the performance of the group has precedence over each individual in the group. The preferred structure to complete tasks for high-context cultures is through collectivism.

Within a business, individualism is reflected in the individual approach; the performance of the individuals within the group has precedence. Individuals are expected to contribute to the group process. The preferred structure to complete tasks for low-context cultures is through individualism. Group members are often encouraged to share their opinions.

Knowledge is based on what is already known about the topic, in order to understand context and meaning. Communicators read nonverbal behavior and the environment in which the communication takes place. The following table provides additional categories of intercultural nonverbal communication.

High Context and Low-Context Spectrum of Countries: A Representative Table

The following chart categorizes high-context and low-context cultures.

High-Context and Low-Context Business Communication Differences: A Representative Table

The following chart presents differences in business communication based on high-context and low-context cultures.

The following videos provide an overview of nonverbal intercultural communication. The videos are sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.

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Formalize Your Writing to Produce Clarity in Intercultural Communication

To lessen miscommunication between cultures and within cultures, focus on explaining meaning to ensure readers understand your points. Your writing goal is denotation and eliminating abstract expressions such as clichés, stock expressions. Denotation refers to using words that are concrete and explanations that are clear to ensure that all members in your audience have the same understanding.

Another way to clarify your writing is to eliminate euphemisms. Euphemisms refer to abstract expressions that are used within a culture or subculture as a way to soften a word or phrase that may be too harsh.

Peacebuilding, Justice, and Business Communication

Peacebuilding is a key factor to ensuring a company does not take advantage of a country's resources. The term peacebuilding ("United Nations," para.1) was first introduced by Johan Galtung, a conflict and peace scholar, to present strategies for lasting peace by addressing the “root causes” of violent conflict. Peacebuilding addresses the reasons for conflict and establishes ways for peaceful relationships through empowerment by those in conflict to reach peaceful solutions. In this way, peacebuilding serves as a business strategy for all stakeholders to work together to create a culture of peace. Peacebuilding in business encompasses employers and employees providing a safe work environment free from harassment and bullying; governance and policing that is fair and just; safe environmental conditions regardless of location; and a global perspective that incorporates cultural differences.

Stakeholders can practice peacebuilding on a small scale by, for example:

• Marching for a social justice cause
• Boycotting a company that does not share your view on a social justice issue
• Writing to the CEO of a company to complain about its hiring policies
• Signing petitions and emailing the CEO to encourage her or him to offer only non-genetically modified foods

These categories require companies to have an environmental and social agenda:

• Safe workplace
• Fair policies
• Safe environment
• Global perspective