CHALLENGES OF INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION |FTM TV

Summary

In this episode of Fit the Mind TV, Ultra discusses the challenges of intercultural communication, highlighting how language differences and cultural nuances can lead to miscommunication. The video explores the importance of understanding various English dialects, the correct interpretation of gestures like handshakes, and the sources of misunderstandings such as ambiguity and performance issues. It emphasizes the need to study and be aware of different cultures to facilitate better communication and avoid offending others.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Intercultural communication is challenging due to differences in language, customs, and non-verbal cues between cultures.
• 🗣️ Miscommunication often arises from speakers using different languages and cultural backgrounds, leading to misunderstandings.
• 🤝 Non-verbal communication, such as handshakes, varies significantly across cultures and can lead to misinterpretation if not understood correctly.
• 🏞️ Cultural diversity complicates communication as it becomes difficult to rely on shared knowledge and background.
• 🌍 English, being a global lingua franca, still has various local varieties influenced by different cultures, affecting its interpretation.
• 📚 Understanding the culture and language variety of a person helps in establishing effective communication.
• 👥 Gestures and actions can also cause misunderstandings if they are not interpreted correctly within the cultural context.
• 💬 Misunderstandings in communication can stem from ambiguity, performance issues, language barriers, and gaps in world knowledge.
• 📈 Studying a country's culture before visiting can help avoid miscommunication and offending people.
• 🔍 Approaches to intercultural communication include understanding cultural identities, backgrounds, and employing functionalist, interpretative, and critical approaches.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video?

The main topic discussed in the video is the challenges of intercultural communication, including miscommunication and misunderstanding that can occur between different cultures.

Why does intercultural miscommunication often occur?

Intercultural miscommunication often occurs because speakers of different languages may have different ways of expressing ideas, and it can be difficult to rely on shared knowledge and background for accurate interpretation.

How does cultural diversity complicate communication?

Cultural diversity complicates communication because it leads to a lack of shared knowledge and beliefs, making it more difficult to arrive at correct inferences or interpretations of meanings.

What role does the English language play in intercultural communication?

English, being a global lingua franca, plays a significant role in intercultural communication, but even with a common language, variations in accents, vocabulary, and usage can lead to misunderstandings.

Why is it important to understand the different varieties of English spoken around the world?

Understanding the different varieties of English is important because it helps in interpreting the meaning of specific words and phrases accurately, which can vary significantly across cultures.

What non-verbal communication examples are given in the video?

The video gives the example of handshakes, which can vary from firm in the United States to soft in France, indicating that non-verbal cues like gestures must be understood within their cultural context.

How does the video suggest avoiding misunderstandings in intercultural communication?

The video suggests avoiding misunderstandings by studying and understanding the culture of the people you are communicating with, being aware of cultural identities and backgrounds, and using clear language and actions.

What are the different approaches to studying intercultural communication mentioned in the video?

The video mentions the functionalist approach, interpretative approach, and critical approach as different ways to study intercultural communication.

Why is it recommended to study the culture of a country before visiting?

Studying the culture of a country before visiting is recommended to facilitate better communication, avoid offending people, and ensure that interactions are more comfortable and respectful.

What are some sources of misunderstanding in intercultural communication discussed in the video?

The video discusses ambiguity, performance-related misunderstandings, language-related misunderstandings, gaps in world knowledge, and local context as sources of misunderstanding in intercultural communication.

How can being aware of cultural differences help in intercultural communication?

Being aware of cultural differences helps in intercultural communication by allowing individuals to anticipate and avoid potential misunderstandings, adapt their communication style, and show respect for other cultures.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Challenges of Intercultural Communication

The paragraph discusses the difficulties encountered in intercultural communication due to language differences and cultural diversity. It highlights that misunderstandings often arise from the lack of shared knowledge and background, making it hard to accurately interpret the meaning behind words and actions. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural nuances and the variations in English used by different cultures to facilitate better communication. The example of English as a global lingua franca and its different varieties, such as Philippine English, is used to illustrate how local cultures influence language use and interpretation.

05:00

🤝 The Significance of Handshake in Intercultural Communication

This section of the script explores the cultural variations in the act of handshaking, illustrating how a simple gesture can have different meanings and interpretations across cultures. It contrasts the firm handshake common in the United States with the softer approach in France, and the formal, arm-extended handshake in Germany and Japan. The speaker also mentions the Middle Eastern custom of placing a free hand on the forearm during a handshake. The paragraph underscores the importance of understanding these cultural differences to avoid miscommunication and to ensure that gestures are interpreted correctly.

10:02

🌍 Navigating Intercultural Communication Barriers

The third paragraph delves into the sources of misunderstanding in communication, such as ambiguity, performance-related issues like slips of the tongue, and language-related misunderstandings. It also addresses gaps in world knowledge and the importance of the local context. The speaker suggests that to effectively communicate across cultures, one must be aware of cultural identities and backgrounds to avoid offending others. The paragraph concludes by advocating for the study of intercultural communication through various approaches, including functionalist, interpretative, and critical perspectives.

15:07

🎶 Conclusion and Call to Action

The final paragraph serves as a conclusion to the video, reminding viewers of the importance of understanding intercultural communication and the challenges it presents. The speaker encourages viewers to be aware of different cultures, especially when visiting new places, to avoid miscommunication and misunderstandings. The paragraph ends with a call to action for viewers to like, subscribe, and enable notifications for updates from the channel.

Keywords

💡Intercultural Communication

Intercultural communication refers to the exchange of information between individuals from different cultural backgrounds. The video emphasizes the challenges that arise from such exchanges, highlighting how different languages and cultural norms can lead to miscommunication and misunderstanding. The script mentions that even when people speak the same language, like English, the way they use it can vary greatly due to cultural influences.

💡Miscommunication

Miscommunication is the failure to convey or understand the intended message. The video script discusses how miscommunication often occurs in intercultural exchanges due to differences in language use, non-verbal cues, and cultural norms. An example from the script is the handshake, which varies in firmness and style across cultures, leading to potential misinterpretations.

💡Cultural Diversity

Cultural diversity acknowledges the variety of cultural practices, beliefs, and values within a society or globally. The script points out that cultural diversity complicates communication because it leads to a lack of shared knowledge and background, making it difficult to interpret meanings accurately. Understanding cultural diversity is key to effective intercultural communication.

💡Shared Knowledge

Shared knowledge is the collective understanding or information that a group of people have in common. The video script explains that a lack of shared knowledge between different cultures can make communication difficult because it's hard to draw inferences about what others mean. It suggests that understanding the culture of the person you're communicating with can help bridge this gap.

💡English as a Lingua Franca

A lingua franca is a common language spoken between people who do not share a native language. The script mentions that English has become a global lingua franca, particularly in the context of ASEAN, where it's been declared an official or working language. However, it also notes that even with a common language, misunderstandings can occur due to different varieties of English spoken in various countries.

💡Variety of English

A variety of English refers to a specific version of the English language spoken in a particular region or by a particular group of people. The video script uses the term to discuss how different countries have their own 'flavors' of English, which can lead to misunderstandings if one is not familiar with the local context and usage.

💡Non-Verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication encompasses all forms of communication other than the spoken word, including body language, gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact. The video script illustrates how non-verbal cues like handshakes can vary greatly between cultures, leading to potential misunderstandings if one is not aware of these differences.

💡Ambiguity

Ambiguity in communication refers to the presence of unclear or open-to-interpretation messages. The script explains that ambiguity can lead to misunderstandings because the receiver may interpret the message differently from what was intended. It's highlighted as one of the sources of misunderstanding in intercultural communication.

💡Performance Related Misunderstanding

Performance related misunderstanding occurs when errors in speech, such as slips of the tongue or mishearing, lead to confusion. The video script mentions this as a source of misunderstanding, emphasizing the importance of clear speech and attentive listening in intercultural communication.

💡Language Related Misunderstanding

Language related misunderstanding happens when grammatical errors or unclear language usage leads to confusion. The script points out that even when speaking the same language, different grammatical structures or word choices can cause misunderstandings in intercultural communication.

💡World Knowledge

World knowledge refers to the background information and prior knowledge that individuals possess about the world. The video script discusses how gaps in world knowledge can lead to misunderstandings because speakers may assume shared knowledge that does not exist. It's important for effective intercultural communication to be aware of these gaps.

Highlights

Intercultural communication challenges arise from differences in language and culture.

Miscommunication is common when interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds.

Shared knowledge and background are crucial for effective communication across cultures.

Cultural diversity complicates the interpretation of meanings in communication.

Understanding the culture of the person you're communicating with can improve message clarity.

English as a global lingua franca doesn't eliminate cultural differences in communication.

Ownership of English is not exclusive to any one country or native speakers.

Different speech communities have evolved their own varieties of English.

Local culture heavily influences the way English is spoken and understood.

Understanding the variety of English spoken in different countries is key to clear communication.

Non-verbal communication, such as gestures, can also lead to misunderstandings across cultures.

A handshake's interpretation varies significantly from one culture to another.

Ambiguity, performance, language, and world knowledge gaps are common sources of misunderstanding.

Studying the local context is essential for successful intercultural communication.

Intercultural communication can be approached functionally, interpretatively, or critically.

Being aware of cultural identities and backgrounds helps avoid misinterpretation.

The challenge of intercultural communication lies in understanding both verbal and non-verbal codes.

Studying other cultures beforehand can help solve challenges in intercultural communication.

The video provides practical insights into overcoming intercultural communication barriers.

Transcripts

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welcome back to my channel my name is

ultra

this is fit the mind tv so today

we are going to talk about the

challenges of intercultural

communication

so what are the challenges that we are

going to encounter in terms of

communication

between one culture to another it has

become a widespread notion that speakers

use of different language results and

intercultural miscommunication and

misunderstanding

so we are familiar with those

miscommunication

wherein we encounter these challenges

especially if we're

talking to different culture different

nationality

and it's really hard for us to

communicate well so when we are

communicating with people who are very

different from

us it is very difficult to know how to

draw inferences about what they mean

and so it is impossible to depend on

shared knowledge

and background for confidence in our

interpretations

kazinga every culture has its own way on

how

they will be able to enter pratik

same thing with the action and it's hard

for us

to understand

misinterpretation based on what we know

atyou background duns information

agustin

so the lack of shared knowledge and

beliefs and cultural diversity make it

more complicated to arrive at the

correct

inference or interpretation of meanings

especially

so by sharing the knowledge and belief

by understanding the culture of

that person it's easy for us to have

that

good communication

in terms of sending and receiving the

message

so even though that english is now a

global lingua franca

in fact with asian integration english

has been declared as the official or

working language of asean

so with just one language to be spoken

or used by many countries including the

10-member countries of the asian

what else can go wrong sununu gaganda

and saba gagara not in

one official language which is young

english language

so it is important to emphasize that the

ownership of

english cannot be attributed to just one

country alone

or to those who use it as their native

language

so these varieties of english spoken by

different speech communities have

evolved for a reason

or philippine english same thing with

the other country

that way

madrid nothing might interpret

because we have our own variety of

english

so manga philippine we have our own

philippine english

it's easy for us to interpret the

meaning

of that specific word nagina gamet

in terms of the english language seeing

variety of english

it's just for us

same thing goes to the other country and

they have their

own variety of english so we have to

understand

where they come in from we have to

understand ku anubiyu manga varieties

that way hindi natin pedingam is a new

word

not indeed when it comes to talking to

different nationality

that they might have a different meaning

with that specific word

so by understanding its culture and how

every culture use

its word in terms of the english

language

and we have to understand all of those

varieties of english

so these varieties have been heavily

influenced by the local culture

and its speakers sutina muditus we have

our accent we have our own way on how we

will be able to use

english sometimes young meaning known

word

so note that the misunderstanding and

intercultural communication may not

always be caused by

verbal occurrences misunderstanding may

also occur

due to wrong interpretation so it's not

just about the words that you're saying

names and names interpret

but sometimes actions among a gestures

misunderstanding because ibayan

interpretations

based on the action that you just did so

for example the handshake which is

commonly done by people

introduced to each other by a third

party should be done

and interpreted correctly as the type of

handshake

varies from culture to culture suma gata

ibayong interpretation on how the way

na maghan sheikh tayo ibayan meaning

so we're gonna talk about that but

before we are going to proceed

if this is the first time that you visit

my channel please don't forget to like

subscribe and hit the notification bell

to get

updates coming from this channel so

going back to the handshake

so there are different way on how people

around the world

do the handshake so for example young

united states

young american when they do the

handshake

it's a firm handshake so firm silacon

mug handshakes

that's their normal way on how they do

the handshake

while in france bhagnaghan sheikh sila

soft malambutlang that's the difference

between

american handshake and french handshake

so on young friends soft you american

firm

so for the people from germany fermion

handshake nila for men

traditionally accompanied by slight ball

same thing with japan so handshake with

arm firmly extended

arm when they do the handshake then

sila my counting pagapada is among the

germans

but the only difference is extended

young arm nila

so for those people from the middle east

kummagahan shikhnaman sila is

freehand placed on the forearm of the

other person

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forearm of the other person while they

do the shake hand

when it comes to handshake so by knowing

this

we will be familiar on how we will do

the handshake properly

interpretation

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because for them it should be firm

handshake especially if you're

talking to a

shaking so aside from the gestures

sources of misunderstanding in terms of

communication so first one

ambiguity so this is the lack of

explicitness on the part of the speaker

in the form

of problematic reference and a big was

semantics in which an assurance is open

to different interpretation

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or manga sentence were in its open to a

lot of

interpretation madame meaning the

painting maginda hilan

for the

we should not do this kind of

conversation we're in

madame paydenma interpretation

that way we will be able to avoid

misunderstanding

next performance related

misunderstanding slips of the tongue and

mishearing which may be due to eternity

spoken quickly and unclearly

suminsan it's about how we will be able

to

get the information name insane hindi

not in madinignan

means

and it should be clear so both the

speaker

and the listener should do it properly

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at the same time if you are the one

talking it should be clear

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and every word that you are trying to

say next

language related misunderstanding

grammar or malima grammar that you're

saying

so it should be clear

for the other person to easily

understand what you're trying to send

in terms of communication in terms of

the message that you're trying to

provide to the listener fourth gaps in

world knowledge so these are the gaps in

content

rather than the language

knowledge prior knowledge that we have

name

exactly

if you do not know your audience

in terms of the topic that you are

trying

turns and the turns within sequences

produced by the participants themselves

and the orientation of the participants

as well as the repair moves that follow

the displayed understanding

so there should be an understanding or

young turnaround on conversation

sometimes it's easy for

us to understand kong young listener i

my chance namagastan question

at the same time or ma

address nang speaker young tina tanong

or yong

hindi in

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in terms of explaining so that's for the

local context

so for the approaches to study

intercultural communication why is there

a need to understand

intercultural communication it is easy

to say that people belong to diverse

cultures

hence the need to understand others

but it is easier said and done

some people take it for granted to read

about and study first the country's

culture before they go and travel to the

place

so most of the foreigners now buying

visitors attenbonsa

they try to study they try to understand

our culture

before sila magbisitasaten before

they try to travel here in our country

that way it's easy for them to

communicate

to go along

they know how to deal with us they know

how to talk

to communicate well in terms of

us it might not be in terms of

talking straight in english but they can

use gestures

they can use human action sign languages

and by studying our culture massimo de

lisa kanilang

communicates saturn there is a need to

be aware or

conscious of other cultures especially

those that you will visit so you can

avoid offending people that is true

so due to misinterpretation

miscommunication of course

likewise it is suggested that you become

aware of cultural identities and

backgrounds

you know their background you know their

culture and you know how to avoid

being misinterpreted

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because of what you're saying or because

of your action

it is always challenging to deal with

people from different cultures the

challenge is lies in the way

of understanding that only on the verbal

code

but also the non-verbal code so it's not

just about the language but it's all

about

human non-verbal code action manga

gestures we have to be aware of that

misunderstanding between people of

different culture it can be caused by

the following first

as i was saying earlier the ambiguity

performance related misunderstanding

language related misunderstanding gaps

in the world knowledge

and local context so we have to remember

all of these things

so intercultural communication can be

studied through the functionalist

approach

interpretative approach and critical

approach so we have to know

how to deal with different culture by

having this kind of approach

in terms of intercultural communication

so by knowing the other culture before

we proceed

or we visit that culture or that place

because of our action and by doing that

these challenges in terms of

intercultural communication

maori solvent must solve nathan because

we are aware

in terms of talking to different types

of people

i hope that you learned something from

this video and please don't forget to

like

subscribe and hit the notification bell

to get

updates coming from this channel again

my name is ultra

this is feed the mind tv

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do

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you