1

BUSINESS
COMMUNICATIO
N
Chapter - 12
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PRESENTATION

Provided By Presented By
Mohaiminul Haque Mithun 2285156 2285157
2285158
Lecturer 2285159 2285160
2285161
Department of Finance & Banking 2285162 2285163
Eden Mohila College, Dhaka 2285164
2285165 2285166
2285167 2285167
2285168 2285169
2285170 2021148615
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Syllabus
Techniques of Cross-
Cultural Communication
 Problems of cultural differences,
 Problems of language,
 General suggestion for communicating across cultures
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What Is Culture?
• Culture is the learned behavior.

• Culture is the way we do the things around

here”. (Deal and Kennedy, 1982)
Importance of Cross-
Cultural 5
Communication
1. Being able to communicate across cultures is necessary
for business operation.
2. It helps in-
• Selling products internationally.
• Understanding and satisfying customers’ needs.
• Attracting and recruiting a wide variety of
good employees.
 Why is communicating
across cultures 6
important to business?
•Technological advances have made buy and use A company’s
products or services helps you design ones that fit your customers’ needs.
•Understanding those who buy and use A company’s products or services helps
you design ones that fit your customer’s needs.
•Successful communication improves productivity and creates A
comfortable workplace.
•Communicating with those from other cultures enriches your business
and personal life.
 Cultural
Differences 7

• Body positions and movement.

• Views and practices concerning factors of human relationships.
• Effects on business communication techniques.
 8
Body Parts

Body position Gesture

and movement
Eye contact

Touching and
handshaking
 Body Positions
and Movements 9
• Body positions and movement differ among

cultures
[In some cultures people sit, in some cultures
people squat]
• Manners of walking differ among cultures
• Communication with body parts (hands,
arms, head etc.)
• Hand gestures differ by cultures
• Touching and handshaking
• Eye movements
 Some Gesture Differences
1
Gesture Meaning 1 Meaning 0
2
Hand up, palm out, wrist Good-bye (America) No (Europe)
stiff, back and forth motion
Raised hand with index Come here (America) Rude to point a finger
finger extended, head high. (Japan)
Raised hand, fingers in “V” Victory or peace Double, sexual, insulting
position (with palm out) (with palm in) (England)
(America)
Vertical horns Hook’em horns (Texas) Your spouse is unfaithful
(Italy) Good luck
(Brazil and Venezuela)
Thumbs up Fine, good going, Everything Strong, sexual insulting
is okay (America) (Nigeria and Australia)
Attitudes Toward
Factors of Human 1
Relationships 1
• Time
• Space
• Odors
• Frankness
• Intimacy Of Relationships
• Values
• Expression Of Emotions
Views and Practices Concerning Factors of
Human Relationships
1
1. Differing attitudes toward various factors of human relationships cause communication
problems
2
• Time
Views about time differ widely. Some cultures stress punctuality; some do
not.
• Space
In some cultures, people want to be far apart; in other cultures, they want
To be close.
• Odors
Some cultures view body odors as bad, others view them as normal.
• Frankness
High context cultures are more frank and explicit than low-context cultures.
 Intimacy of
Relationships 1
• Intimacy among people varies in different
cultures.
3
• How people view superior & subordinate
relations also differs.

• The role of women.

 Values 1
• Each culture has different
4
values concerning such matters
as attitude toward work.

• Employee- employer relations.

 Expression of
Emotions 1
• Social behavior varies by culture.
Such as practices concerning affection,
laughter, and emotion.
5
• We must recognize them, look for
them and understand them.
Effects On Business
Communication 1
Techniques 6
• Our communication techniques are not universally
acceptable.

• Our techniques do not work with all English- speaking

people.

• Problems can be overcome by learning about other

cultures.
 Problems of
Language 1
• Languages are established based on the concepts, contexts, experiences and
Views of particular cultures. 7
• Even a word that seems the same in 2 languages may have different meanings.

• The meaning of the word “florist” has different meanings in different

Languages.

Sometimes a word in one language has no corresponding word in another (E.G.

Supermarket; French have no words to distinguish between brain and mind, and men
and gentlemen; Russians have no words for efficiency and challenge; Italians have
500 words for types of pasta).
 Problems of
Language (cont.) 1
8
• Grammatical differences can have the impact on communication.

• Languages (e.g. Urdu) don’t have gerunds, and some have no

adverbs and adjectives.

• There is more than one meaning for many words (The Oxford English
Dictionary uses over 1500 words to define what).
 Language
(cont.) 1
• Expression can make the difference.
9
• Business couldn’t be better.

• We could never be too nice to our customers.

• What does YES mean? (Chinese YES often means “I’m listening”).
Problems of
2
Language
⚫ Lack of language equivalency. 0
⚫ Difficulties in using English.
- Multiple meanings of words.

- Two-word verbs.

- Culturally derived words.

 Equivalency
Examples 2
⚫ No such word-
1
- The Japanese have several words to define fine shadings of
dependence, obligations, and responsibility that are difficult to
Translate to English because our culture has not learned to
Experience them.

⚫ No need for the word.

⚫ No equivalent grammatical form.

 Examples of
Multiple Meanings 2
2
Run Fast Ring
 Difficulties
with English 2
★ Two-word verbs-
3
• Nonnative speakers of English struggle with the use of two-
word verbs.

• A word consisted of (1) a verb and (2) a second element,

combined with the verb , it produces a meaning that the verb
alone doesn’t have.

• Give (verb) + up (a second element), give (verb)+ away (a second

element), break+ away, break+ down.
 Two-Word
Verbs 2
4
• Two-word verbs into one-word verbs when communicating with nonnative speakers of English.

• Identify the substitutes for the following verbs:

1.Give up
2. Speed up
3. Go on
4. Put off
5. Take off
6. Come in, go in, get in
7. Figure out, sort out
8. Take away
9. Blow away
10. Think up.
Substitutes for
Two-word Verbs 2
Two-word Substitute 5
verb
Cut up Clown

Keyed up Excited, nervous

Live down Remove, overcome

Put away Kill

Shut out Prevent

Tie down Hold

Track down Search

Avoid cultural 2
derived words 6
Slang
Expressio
ns

Shifted Idioms and

use(sports colloquialis
,computer m
,science )
 Slang 2
• Slang can cause problems if the audience is not familiar
with them.
7
Examples:
1. Basket case.
2. Cake-walk.
3. 24/7.
4. Kickoff.
5. Out in the left field.
6. Strike out.
7. Get the ball rolling.
 More Examples 2
8
• This is just off the top of my head.

• He frequently shoots from the hip.

• They couldn’t make heads or tails of the report.

• Your prediction was right on target.

• Don’t let him get to your goal .

 Slang 2
9
• Don’t: This is just off the top of my head.
• Do: Here is a quick idea.

• Don’t: He frequently shoots from the hip.

• Do: He frequently acts before he thinks.

• Don’t: They couldn’t make heads or tails of the report .

• Do: They couldn’t understand the report.

• Don’t: Your prediction was right on target.

• Do: Your prediction was correct.

• Don’t: Don’t let him get to your goal.

• Do: Don’t let him upset you.
 Some American
3
Idioms to Avoid
⚫ Take someone’s
0
⚫ Cold turkey . breathe away.
⚫ Egg on. ⚫ Through thick
⚫ Fat chance. and thin.
⚫ Goldfish bowl. ⚫ Tie the knot.
⚫ In a nutshell. ⚫ Tighten one’s
⚫ Let the cat out of the bag.
belt.
⚫ Snow job.
⚫ Up a tree.
⚫ Stick in the mud. ⚫ Walk on air.
⚫ Wheel and deal.
⚫ Worth one's salt.
 Advice for
Communicating 3
Across Cultures 1
⚫ Do Your Research-
- Study the topography, climate, location, religion and history.
- Learn something about the language and learn to speak I you can.
- Learn about the values, beliefs, manners and lifestyle.

⚫ Know Yourself And Your Company Well-

- Some people forget to research themselves.
- Always try to understand the business you represent.
 Advice for
Communicating Across 3
Cultures (cont.) 2
⚫ Adapt Your English To Your Audience-
- Try to simplify your English.
- Talk slowly, especially if you have a strong accent.
- Avoid the questions that can be answered with a YES/NO.
- Avoid negative questions.
⚫ Be Open To Change-
- Openness and tolerance will help to broaden to your experience and
conduct
effective communication.
- Mutual respect is the key to successful cross cultural communication.
 Communicating
Across Cultures 3
Successfully 3
⚫ Talk or write as simply and clearly as possible.
⚫ Word questions carefully . Like-
• Avoid double questions.
• Avoid yes/no questions.
• Avoid negative questions.
⚫ Use continuous confirmation.
•Use back translating when possible.
•Use technology to assist with written and oral communication.
 3
“More than technical or infrastructure 4
problems, cultural problems will be the
biggest issue that merchants will face in the
global marketplace.”

-Bruce Guptill ,
Analyst
The Gartner Group
•
•
Afrikaans (Southern Africa) Dankie
English (Australia) Ta
3
5
• Cantonese (China) [for service]
• Bengali (Bangladesh)
M goi
• Malay (Malaysia, Brunei) Dhanyabad
• Russian (Russia) Terima kasih
• German (Central Europe) Spasibo
• Arabic (Middle East) Danke schön
Shukran
Merci

Thank you
 PREVIOUS YEAR
3
QUESTIONS
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1. What is cross cultural communication? Discuss the ways to improve
cross cultural communication. (7 college, 2020)
2. Describe the cultural differences regarding. Body positions and
movements to use effectively in communication. (7 college, 2021)
3. Write the importance of cross-cultural communications. (Govt. Bangla
college, model test-2022)
4. identity the causes of cultural barriers to communication. (Govt. Titumir
college, 1st year evaluation-held in 2023)
 YEAR
QUESTIONS 3
7
5. Explain the difference between multicultural , intercultural and cross-
cultural communication. (Eden Mohila College, Test exam-2023)
6. Illustrate differing attitudes towards various factors of human
relationships that cause communication problems. Make the discussion in
cross cultural communication. (7 college, 2022)
7. Describe three major a factors that influence country or regions culture.
(Eden Mohila College, test exam-2021)
8. What should you do culturally to enhance your cross-cultural
communication? (EMC, test exam-2021)
 Answers
3
1.ANS : Cross cultural communication is the process of recognizing both
8
differences and similarities among cultural groups. In order to avoid barriers and
make clear cross- communication channel following ways should be followed-

★ Cross culture awareness.

★ Knowledge of international language.
★ Before communication, clarifying idea.
★ Be a good listener.
★ Speak slowly.
★ Keep the speech simple.
★ Avoid slang.
★ Write things down.
★ Avoid closed questions.
★ Avoid traditional thinking.
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2.ANS:
One might think that the positions and movements of the body would be much the same for 9
all people. However, physical behaviors differs by culture, and the differences can affect
communication.

Movements of certain body parts (especially the hands) are a vital form of human
communication. Some of these movements have no definite meaning , even within a culture.
But some have clear meanings, and these meanings may differ by culture.
Hand gestures can have many different meanings. The two-fingered sign that means
“victory” or “peace” in the united states is considered vulgar in Australia , and the “OK” sign
is insulting in such diverse countries as Russia, Germany, and Brazil.
Even meanings of eye movements vary by culture. In North America, we are taught not to
look over the heads of our audience but to maintain eye contact when giving formal
speeches. In informal talking, we are encouraged to make eye contact but not to stare.
Touching and particularly handshaking differences are important to understand in cross-
cultural communication. Some cultures, like the Chinese, do not like much touching. They will
give a handshake that westerners might perceive as weak.
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3.ANS:
1. Being able to communicate across cultures is necessary for
business operations.

2. It helps in-
• Selling products internationally.
• Understanding and satisfying customers’ needs.
• Attracting and recruiting a wide variety of good employees.
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4.ANS: Cross cultural communication is very essential for evolution and enhancement in
globalization. The success key of various business firms is to be effective cross cultural communication.
However, there are many barriers to effective communication.

★ Misunderstanding
★ Value And Beliefs
★ Language Barriers
★ Stereotypes
★ Ethnocentrism
★ Presentation Style
★ Cultural Barriers
★ Behavior
★ High And Low Context Cultures
★ Nonverbal Differences
★ Power Distance.
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5.ANS:
While they all might be the same roof, they describe different differences in the meanings
have to do with the perspectives we take with people from other cultures.

Multicultural Communication :
Multicultural refers to a society that contains several cultural.

Intercultural Communication:
In an intercultural society, everyone learns from one another and grows
together.

Cross Culture Communication:

Cross cultures deals with the comparison of different culture. In cross cultural
society one another is often considered the norm and all other cultures are compared.
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6.ANS:
Cross-cultural communication is the process of respectfully engaging with
people from other cultures. It involves verbal and nonverbal communication the
skills that consider the differences in beliefs and norms among cultures. The
cross-cultural definition includes a comparison of two or more cultures ;the
framework of this concept is steeped in communication. Educational training in
cross-cultural communication is vital to learning how to manage diversity in
business. Cross cultural communication is very essential for evolution and
enhancement in globalization. The success key of various business firms is to
be effective cross cultural communication. Cross-cultural deals with the
comparison of different cultures. Cross-cultural is relating to different cultures or
comparison between them. In cross-cultural societies, one culture is often
considered “the norm” and all other cultures are compared or contrasted to the
dominant culture.
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7.ANS:
1.Material Culture:
Material culture is the aspect of culture manifested by the physical
objects and architecture of a society.

2.Language Culture :
Language is one of the most important parts of any culture or
regions. It is the way by which people communicate with one another and
create a sense of community.

3.Attitudes &values & social organization that influence a country or

region culture.
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8.ANS:
To enhance my cross-culture communication , I should do:
1.Practice active listening.
2.Sterotyping.
3.Avoid closed questions.
4.Use nonverbal communication effectively.
5.Encourage open communication.
6.Be empathetic.
7.Effective communication in multicultural term.
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