INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION Its not what you say, but the way that you say it

1
INTERCULTURALCOMMUNICATIONIts not what you
say, but the way that you say it
2
What is CommuniCation ?

• a dynamic process of coding and decoding which
  is influenced by culture
• shared background knowledge is a pre-condition
  for well functioning communication
• the process is very open for misinterpretations
• a large part of the process happens on an
  unconscious level

3
Own Culture Other Culture
4
(No Transcript)
5
Analysis Tool from Prof. Schulz von Thun
(Psychologist)

• 4 Messages are part of every interaction
• Relationship
• Appeal
• Content
• Self Disclosure

6
4 Levels of a Message

• Content

Self Disclosure
Sender
Empfänger
Receiver
Appeal
Message
Relationship
7
4-Ear Modell

Self - Disclosure-Ear
Content-Ear
Appeal-Ear
Relationship - Ear
8
THE 4-Ear Receiver

What kind of a person is he/she?
What are the facts?
What does he/she want me to do, how does he want
me to feel?
How does he talk to me? Who does he think I am?
9
Example A German woman asks a Chinese woman
whether she would like a cup of teaContent No
tea is wanted

No, thank you German interpr
Self-Disclosure I dont want any
Appeal I am fine
Relationship Thanks for your offer
10
Example
ContentThe refusal is part of the politeness
ritual

No, thank you Chinese interpr
Self Disclosure I dont want to bother you I
am a polite person
AppealIf you are serious just serve me some
Relationship I appreciate your offer, but as a
guest I must not make you work too much
11
OTHER IMPORTANT ASPECTS

• nonverbal Signals
• Mimic and Eye Contact
• Gestures
• Positioning of the Body
• Distance to the communication partner
• Touching and Non-Touching
• Dress
• and paraverbal Signals
• Voice Tone
• Modulation
• Speed of speaking
• Loudness

12
PAIR WORK

• ANALYSE THE MESSAGE
• HOW ARE YOU ?
• WITH THE 4 EAR MODEL BASED ON YOUR OWN
  CULTURAL RULES
• WRITE THE RESULTS ON A SHEET OF PAPER AND
• COMPARE

13
Listening with 4 EARS

• Often we tend to use one of the ears more than
  the others
• Decoding of the message is largely influenced by
  culture and relationship of the persons involved
• Successful Coding and De-coding can be trained

14
Intercultural Communication Tools
Content 1. Stay with the facts 2. Talk
clearly 3. Listen analytical
Appeal 1. Ask questions 2. Argue
convincingly 3. Lead in a fair way
Self- Disclosure 1. I - Messages 2. Disclose
Opinion 3. Clarify goals
Message
Relationship 1. Active Listening 2. Adress
emotions 3. Give and take Feedback