Republic of the Philippines

NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE

AJUY CAMPUS
Ajuy, Iloilo

SECONDARY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Module 2: Lesson 2 & 3

On Intercultural Communication:
Focus on Local and Global Communication in
Multicultural Settings

Introduction:
This module talks about intercultural communication as well as the varieties. It
talks about the forms of intercultural communication, improving intercultural
competence, varieties of language, characteristics of spoken and written language forms
or types of spoken language, types of words, ways on how to choose appropriate
language political correctness, and culturally in-appropriate images.
Living in a globalized world, you encounter people with diverse cultural
background. Such interaction occurs in social, educational, political, and commercial
settings. Hence, today’s era of increased global communication. It is imperative to
understand intercultural communication for us to enhance our intercultural awareness
and competence. Intercultural competence is essential for us to live harmoniously
despite our difference in culture.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the module, you should be able to:
1. Determine culturally appropriate terms, expressions, and images (sensitivity to
gender, race, class, etc.)
2. Adopt cultural and intercultural awareness and sensitivity in communication of
ideas
3. Enhance one’s ability to communicate with people from diverse cultures
 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
AJUY CAMPUS
Ajuy, Iloilo

SECONDARY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Learning Content/Discussion:

“Because communication is an element of culture, it has often been said that

communication and culture are inseparable”
As Alfred G. Smith (1966) wrote in his preface to Communication and Culture,
“culture is a code we learn and share, and learning and sharing required communication.
Communication require coding and symbols that must be learned and shared.” Chaney
and Martin, 2004, p.35

On Intercultural/International Communication
1. Communication is an element of culture, it has often been said that
communication and culture are inseparable. As Smith (1996. P.10) wrote in his
preface to communication and culture, “Culture is a code we learn and share, and
learning an sharing require communication.
2. Communication requires coding and symbols that must be learned and sahred;
(1997, p. 5) observed that every cultural pattern and every single act of social
behavior involves communication.
3. Culture cannot be known with a study of communication, and communication it
supports. (Jandi, 2002, p. 22)
4. To gain understanding on the field of intercultural communication, knowledge of
frequently used terms is important, such terms as intercultural, intentional, and
multicultural are often used interchangeably.
5. The term intercultural communication was first used by Edward T. Hall in 1959 (he
was one of the researcher who differentiate cultural on the basics of how
communication are sent and received. Hall defined intercultural Communication as
communication between persons of different cultures.
6. A contact occurs between cultures. Diffusion takes place. Diffusion is the process
by which two cultures learn and adopt materials and adapt practices from each
other.
7. With the increased globalization of the economy and interaction of different
cultures, the concept of world culture has emerged.
8. A world culture is the idea that is traditional barriers among people of differing
cultures break down, emphasizing the commonality of human needs, one culture
will emerge, a new culture to which all people will adhere.
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NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
AJUY CAMPUS
Ajuy, Iloilo

SECONDARY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

9. Intercultural Communication is defined as communication between and among
members of the same culture.

Generally, people who are of the same race, political persuasion, and religion or
who share the same interest communication intercultural.
10. Intercultural communication (not to be used interchangeably with international
communication) involved communication between people of different cultures; it
takes place between nations and governments rather that individuals; it is quite
formal and ritualized. (ex: the dialogue of United Nations).

On Communication and Globalization: A Reading

1. Society is composed of individuals. It is use to the communication ability that
humans are considered superior to animals. The process of communication has
always been and will always play a significant role in the existence of human life.
No human can survive without communicating. It is believed that prior to the
time of human existence there were no symptoms of speech and writing. When
human started residing on the earth it was only after a long years of time that
they had actually started to speak. At first the communication was only at
intrapersonal level and thus defining it as intra-personal communication.
Gradually interaction between the individuals increased which was later termed
as inter-personal communication. This was not enough. Then people started
thinking in wider perspective. The communication broadened its horizon to group
communication, organizational communication and then to mass communication.
2. The time were we live is 21 st century and this period is very well known for its
development in science and information technology. Nowadays, emails, internet,
fax, phones, mobiles, television are very common. And these are the tools that
have made communication easier, faster, and reliable. At present it takes no
time to communicate from one corner of the world to other. In this relation, the
whole world is being looked at a single community that is connected by electronic
communication systems. Thus, globalization can be defined as the integration
and democratization of the world’s culture, economy, and infrastructure through
the transitional investment, rapid proliferation of communication and information
technologies, and the impacts of free-markets on local, regional, and national
economies.
3. Globalization mainly deals with the interconnectedness of the people in global
manner. It is due to the Globalization that we are so much adapted and
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NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
AJUY CAMPUS
Ajuy, Iloilo

SECONDARY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

accustomed to not only the western cultures but other cultures as well. The
influence of Hollywood, McDonalds, and change in language, culture, and
dressing are such examples of Globalization.
4. Globalization is a two-way process. If there was no mass media, globalization
would not have been possible. The information disseminates from one part of the
world to other part in seconds, this miracle is just due to the mass media. Hence,
we can say that globalization and mass media are interdependent.
5. Globalization is only possible because of mass media and on the other hand mass
media gets advanced due to globalization. Globalization has helped the people to
be updated with each and every happenings of the world. The thoughts and ideas
of individuals now work in wider perspective. Despite having many advantages
many people still argue that globalization cannot always be useful to individuals
since working technically is not always proper. It may confine an individual to
just himself being self-centered. Other critical issues may arise due to
globalization. So Globalization can be seen both positively and pessimistically.

On Culture, Enculturation, Acculturation and Ethnocentrism

1. Whereas communication is a process, culture is the structure through which
communication is formulated and interpreted; culture deals with the way people
live; which cultures interact, adaption has to take place in order for the cultures
to communicate effectively; lastly in dealing with intercultural communication,
how they are the same, and how they are different.
2. Enculturation is the socialization process you go through to adopt to your society;
when you grow up in one culture, you learn one way of classifying, coding,
prioritizing, and justifying reality.
a. Types of Enculturation
1. Frontage culture this is the cultural information that you are willing to
share with outsiders.
2. Backstage culture cultural information that is concealed from outsiders.
b. Acculturation is the process of adjusting and adapting to a new and different
culture
1. If people of two different culture absorb a significant number of each
cultural differences and have a number of similarities. Cultural synergy
takes place with the two cultures merging to from a stronger overriding
culture.
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NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
AJUY CAMPUS
Ajuy, Iloilo

SECONDARY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

2. People who learn nine that one culture are multicultural and can move
between two cultures very comfortably.

c. Ethnocentrism is the belief that you own cultural background, encoding ways
of analyzing problems, values, beliefs, language, and verbal and non-0verbal
communication is correct.

LANGUAGE

VERBAL

PHYSICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL

HUMAN
ENVIRONMENT CONTENT PROCESSES
BEHAVIOR

VIRTUAL MAN-MADE BELIEF ENCODING

KNOWLEDGE
DECODING
SYSTEM
THROUGH
Varieties And Registers of Spoken and Written Language
1. Language register is the level and style of your writing. It should be appropriate
for the situation you are in.
2. Language register determines the vocabulary, structure, and some grammar in
your writing.
3. We use different language registers for different types of writing, just as we speak
differently to different people, you should not speak to the President of the
Philippines States the same way you would talk to your brother.

To your brother: What’s up? It’s awesome that you came to visit!

To President: Good morning, Pr. President. We appreciate your visit.

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NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
AJUY CAMPUS
Ajuy, Iloilo

SECONDARY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

4. The formal register is more appropriate for professional writing and letters to a
boss or a stranger.
5. The informal register 9also called casual or intimate) is a conversational and
appropriate when writing to friends and people you know very well.
6. The neutral register is non-emotional and sticks to facts. It is most appropriate to
technical writing.
7. In articles such as these, we tend to mix the formal and informal registers to
present the information in an easy to understand and personal tone.
8. Let’s look closely at the three most common language registers used in the English
Language.
a. Formal language register- formal writing is probably the most difficult type of
writing. It is impersonal, meaning it is not written for a specific person and is
written without emotion. Some kinds of writing are always written in formal
English.
b. Formal writing includes:
 Business letters
 Letters of complaint
 Some essays
 Reports
 Official speeches
 Announcements
 Professional emails
9. Rules of formal language register: Do not use contractions
a. Contractions are not usually used in formal writing, even though they are very
common in spoken English. In formal writing, you should spell out contractions.
b. Contractions can be used if you are quoting someone’s exact words in your
writing.
Example:
“Two-third of my eight grade students can’t read at grade level,” professor
stated.
c. Keep in mind that an apostrophe does not always make a contraction.
1. Apostropheis are also added to nouns to show ownership. These are used in
all language, registers, including formal
Examples:
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NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
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SECONDARY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

 Nineteen
 Thwenty-two
 Seventy-eight
 Six
2. Spell out numbers less than one hundred
d. Write in third person point of view
In formal writing, we usually do not use first person or second person unless it
is a quote.
Examples:
1. You can purchase a car for under $10,000.
2. One can purchase a car for under $10,000.

Or
Avoid using:
1. A car can be purchased for under $10,000.
2. You will probably see an elephant on an  I African safari.
3. One may see elephants on an African safari.  You
 We
Or  Us
 six
1. A car can be purchased for under $10,000.
2. Elephants are a common sight on African safari.
3. We decided to invest in the company.
4. The group decided to invest in the company.
5.
10. Avoid using too much
passive voice
In formal writing it is better to use an Active voice.
a. Passive sentences:
1. The bone was eaten by the dog.
2. The research was completed by the students in 2009.
b. Active sentences:
1. The dog ate the bone.
2. The students completed the research in 2009.
3. In 2009, the students completed the research.
For example, in a rule above I wrote, “Apostrophes are also added to nouns to show
ownership.”
 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
AJUY CAMPUS
Ajuy, Iloilo

SECONDARY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

1. I wrote this sentence in a passive voice.
2. To make it active, I could write:
or
1. “Additionally, add an apostrophe to a noun to show ownership.”
2. ‘Use apostrophes with nouns to show ownership.”

11. Avoid using slang,

idioms, exaggeration (hyperboles0 and clichés
a. Slang is common in informal writing and spoken English. Slang particular to a
certain region or area.
Example:
1. Awesome/cool
2. Okay/ok
3. Check it out
4. In a nutshell
b. A cliché is a phrase that us overused (said too often)
c. Common Clichės
1. Too much of a good thing
2. Moment of truth
3. Time is money
4. Don’t push your luck
5. Beauty is only skin deep
12. Avoid abbreviations
and acronyms
a. If you use an acronym or abbreviation, write it out the first time when using
acronyms, write the entire name out the first time it appears, followed by the
acronym. From then on, you can use the acronym itself.
Examples:
1. Movie and Television Ratings and Classification Board (MTRCB)
2. Department of Tourism (DOT)
b. For Abbreviations, write the complete word the first time, then use the
abbreviation.
Example:
1. Influenza – flu
2. United State of America – USA or U.S.A
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NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
AJUY CAMPUS
Ajuy, Iloilo

SECONDARY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

3. Tablespoon – tbsp.
c. Do not use slang abbreviations or symbols that you would use in friendly emails
and texts.
1. LOL. (laughing Out Loud)
2. Ttyl (talk to you later)
3. &
4. b/c (because)
5. w/o (without)
6. w/(with)
d. Do not start sentences with words like and so, but, also
Here some good transition words and phrases to use in informal writing:
1. Nevertheless
2. Additionally
3. However
4. In additional
5. As a result of
6. Although
e. Always write in complete sentences.
f. Write longer, more complex sentences
13. Informal language
register
a. Informal writing is written in the way we talk to our friends and family. We use
informal writing when we are writing to someone we know very well.
b. Some kinds of writing can be written in an informal style.
c. Informal writing includes:
1. Personal emails
2. Phone texts
3. Short notes
4. Friendly letters
5. Most blogs
6. Diaries and journals
d. There are no major rules to informal writing.
e. With informal writing, you can include things such as:
1. Slang and cliché
2. Figurative language
3. Symbols and abbreviations
4. Acronyms
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AJUY CAMPUS
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SECONDARY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

5. Incomplete sentences
6. Short sentences
7. First person, second person, and third person
8. Paragraphs or no paragraphs
9. Jokes
10. Personal opinions
11. Extra punctuations (hi
Bob!!!!!!!)
12. Passive and Active
Voice
14.Neutral Language Register
A. We use the neutral language register with non-emotional topics and
information
B. Neutral writing is not necessarily formal or informal. It is not usually
positive or negative. A neutral register is used to deliver facts.
C. Some writings are written in a neutral register. This means they are
not specifically formal or informal.
D. Writing in the natural language register includes:
1. Reviews
2. Articles
3. Some letters
4. Some essays
5. Technical Writing

Varieties of English
1. Looking at different flavors of English : All the different accents, dialects,
pronunciations, registers and so on. Remember, there is not just one English there
are over 57 varieties.
2. Varieties of English are the different kinds of English used around the world. Often
these are geographically based. The varieties are more or less similar and while
most English speakers can understand each other, there are occasional problems.
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a. American English
Often abbreviated to American English (AmE) – is a variant of the English
Language, spoken mainly in the United States. About two-thirds of the World’s
native speakers of English live in America and speak this variant.
b. Australian English
Australian English (AuE) is a variant of the English language spoken mainly in
the Australia.

Australian English began to diverge from British English shortly after Australian
was settled in the late of 18th century. It is similar to New Zealand English and
bears some resemblance to certain dialects of South East England.

Generally speaking, Australian English spelling corresponds to British English

spelling.
3. Black English
a. Black English is a very broad term used to refer to British English and American
English as spoken by the black communities in the US and the UK. To a lesser
extent it is also used to refer to black communities in places like the Caribbean
and Africa
b. Two of the major sub-varieties of Black English are:
African American Vernacular and British Black English
c. British English
 British English (BrE) is a variant of the English language spoken mainly
in the United Kingdom. Along with American English, British English is one
of the main variants taught in most ESL/EFL programs.
 Bear in mind, however, that here is, in fact, no single British
English variation of English. Instead there are a considerable
number of variations mainly found in different locations.
d. Received Pronunciation
1. Received Pronunciation (RP) is a form of pronunciation used in British
English
2. RP, is simply a particular accent of English.
3. Although it has changed over the years, it can be heard listening to Queen
Elizabeth, Brian Sewell and others.
4. RP as an accent, most accents in the Uk are regional, that is people from
one area will speak with a particular accent while people from another area
speak with a different accent. If you listen to British people it is often easy to
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NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
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tell where in the country they come from: a person from Liverpool will often
sound very different from a person from London, for example.
5. However, RP is slightly different in that it is non-regional. This means an RP
speaker from the north of England will sound the same as an RP speaker
from south of England and it is very difficult, if not impossible, to identify
where an RP speaker grew up.
6. While many British accents are regional then, RP is social. It is spoken by
what used to be called “the upper classes” in Britain and it’s spoken by
people who have attended expensive fee-paying schools like Eton and
Harrow and come from old aristocratic families. It suggests a privileged
social and educational background.
7. Some characteristics features of RP are the long vowels in words such as
bath, path, ask or the diphthongs in words such as so, go, no, flow,. It
perhaps, closest to the accent in spoken in south-east England.
8. History, RP originated in the East Midlands among the merchants who
migrated towards London to make their fortunes several hundred years ago.
However, as the higher classes slowly but surely appropriated it, RP lost its
geographical characterization and became simply the way upper class people
spoke (The Royal family, wealthy aristocrats, the landed gentry, etc.)
9. For much of the twentieth century, RP represented the voice of education,
authority, social status and economic power, characterizing the nobility and
the higher classes. The Queen spoke RP; in this 1940 video when she was
Princess Elizabeth before she became quee, she is giving a radio broadcast.
 With the economic and culture changes which ensued after the end of
WW II the middle class gained more opportunities of educational and
social advancement within the establishment. To gain immediate
recognition and acceptance they too adopted RP.
 Nowadays, virtually every accent represented in all walks of life to
which people aspire – sport, the arts, the media, business, even
former strongholds of RP England, such as the City, Civil Service and
academia. As a result, fewer speakers with regional accents consider it
necessary to adapt their speech to the same extent. Indeed, many
commentators even suggest that younger RP speakers often go to
great lengths to disguise their middle-class accent by incorporating
regional features into their speech.
 Today RP is not so common, instead it has been replaced by “standard
English” which is sometimes known as “BBC English.”
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NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
AJUY CAMPUS
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SECONDARY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Assessment:
1. Identify a country where graduates of your program or field of specialization are in
demand. Research on the various cultural modes of communication that a newly
hired employee in that country should remember. Based on your research, prepare a
three-to-four-minute presentation about various cultural modes of communication in
a certain country.
2. In what specific ways can you enhance your ability to communicate with people from
diverse cultures?
3. “Human Beings draw close to one another by their common nature, but habits and
customs keep them apart.”
4. Do you agree or disagree? Give concrete situations to support your stand.
5. This Lesson on Local and Global communication in multicultural settings helped me
realized
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