The surprising paradox of intercultural communication | Helena Merschdorf | TEDxNelson

Summary

This script explores the complexities of intercultural communication, illustrating how a simple gesture or phrase can have vastly different meanings across cultures. It shares personal anecdotes and examples, such as a thumbs up being positive in the West but rude in Middle Eastern cultures, and the misinterpretation of 'Good for you' in Germany. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural nuances to prevent miscommunication and foster effective global collaboration.

Takeaways

• 📌 The thumbs up gesture has different meanings across cultures, from positive affirmation in the West to rudeness in some African and Middle Eastern cultures.
• 🌐 In Germany, Hungary, and other European countries, the thumbs up represents the number one, while in Japan it signifies the number five.
• 🏟️ In ancient Rome, the thumbs up gesture was used to decide a gladiator's fate in the arena.
• 🌍 The importance of being aware of cultural differences in communication to avoid serious miscommunication as global citizens.
• 🗣️ Language can be a source of connection or confusion due to the power of words and their connotations that vary by culture.
• 😔 A personal anecdote illustrates how the phrase 'Good for you' was misunderstood in Germany, leading to a cultural faux pas.
• 🤔 The paradox of intercultural communication is that even when speaking the same language, cultural backgrounds can cause miscommunication.
• 🧐 The need for a shared set of concepts to effectively encode and decode meaning in communication, which is often shaped by cultural and personal experiences.
• 💡 The suggestion that to improve intercultural communication, one must adapt language and nonverbal cues to suit the needs and cultural background of the conversation partner.
• 👥 The impact of personal and societal worldviews on how individuals interpret verbal and nonverbal signals in communication.
• 🛠️ The metaphor of a 'communication toolbox' highlighting the importance of adjusting verbal and nonverbal communication tools to prevent misunderstandings.
• 🌟 The call to action for individuals to recognize and adapt their communication styles to foster better relationships and collaboration across cultures.

Q & A

What does the thumbs up gesture generally mean in Western society?

In Western society, the thumbs up gesture typically signifies something positive, such as 'I like it', 'great', or 'keep going'.

What connotation does the thumbs up gesture have in West Africa and the Middle East?

In West Africa and the Middle East, the thumbs up gesture has extremely rude connotations, similar to the use of the middle finger in Western cultures, essentially meaning 'up yours'.

In which countries does the thumbs up gesture represent the number one?

In countries like Germany, Hungary, and several other European nations, the thumbs up gesture is used to represent the number one.

What does the thumbs up gesture signify in Japan?

In Japan, the thumbs up gesture represents the number five.

What was the original use of the thumbs up gesture in ancient Rome?

In ancient Rome, the gesture was used to decide whether a gladiator in the arena should live or die.

Why did the speaker's remark 'Good for you!' cause a misunderstanding with her German colleague?

The phrase 'Good for you!' was misunderstood because in German, 'Schön für dich' can come across as snarky and sarcastic, implying jealousy or begrudging of someone's success.

What is the 'surprising paradox of intercultural communication' mentioned in the script?

The paradox is that even when people speak the same language, their different cultural backgrounds can lead to severe miscommunication.

What is the role of shared worldview in effective communication according to the script?

A shared worldview is crucial for effective communication as it provides a common set of pre-existing concepts that help in encoding and decoding meaning.

How did the script illustrate the concept of invisible misunderstandings in communication?

The script used the example of an American company and a Chinese delegation where cultural misunderstandings led to a failed business deal due to differences in attitudes towards hierarchy and respect.

What are the two main communication tools mentioned in the script, and why are they important?

The two main communication tools are verbal and nonverbal communication. They are important because they are the ways in which we can encode and decode, send and receive messages, and they can be adapted to suit the needs of our conversation partners.

What advice does the speaker give for adapting language to avoid misunderstandings in intercultural communication?

The speaker advises using simpler language, avoiding jargon and confusing idioms, paraphrasing, repeating, telling stories, and asking clarifying questions to adapt language to the context and needs of the conversation partner.

How can recognizing and adapting to cultural norms and biases improve intercultural communication?

Recognizing and adapting to cultural norms and biases can improve intercultural communication by preventing misunderstandings, avoiding offense, and fostering a shared basis of understanding that leads to more productive collaboration and better relationships.