Issues of Cross-Cultural Communication

 

Communication
Studies are increasingly done on communications between people, people with agents, and agents with agents. This has not been the case in cross-cultural communication, more effort has been put into integrating human interface into agents for faster communication. Some software can adopt many languages, but what remains evident is the fact that these agents cannot predict the form of social interactions, causing barriers to effective cross-cultural communication.

Cultural forms are of the essence in communication, and this calls for its study to bridge the gap. Even people speaking the same language tend to have problems communicating effectively when they come from different cultures (Nantel & Glaser, 2008, p. 112-122). This paper will discuss the significance of verbal communication versus non-verbal communication in relation to issues of cross-cultural communication.

There are numerous cultures across the globe and they have different modes of communication depending on their social adjustments. Effective communication is attained when the two participants are on the same platform or understand both cultures. It is therefore imperative that people study other cultures to effectively contribute to cross-cultural communication. Besides, there are many factors that affect it and issues that may arise from this form of communication. These also depend on the components of communication which can be verbal or non-verbal. The need for cross-cultural study is therefore essential (Reisinger, 2009, 165-198).

Advancement in information technology has set the stage for interaction between varying cultures, and this justifies the need. Another reason that validates this study is the continued globalization which brings cultures more closely.

Social and economic developments slowly bring everyone onboard irrespective of their cultural affiliation. Multinational businesses need to reach out to more market base, this cannot be done without communication which requires study of the various cultures. Moreover, software used as agents or user interfaces that help in advertising and information transfer must be designed based on the culture of the targeted society to effectively execute its tasks. No wonder, most universities have incorporated cross-cultural learning in their programs to harness effective communication (Ferraro, 2010, p. 7).

Verbal communication involves the exchange of words either in written or spoken form. Advantages of verbal communication tackle various factors such as speed and feedback among others. Verbal communications are fast and the feedback is instant. When there is an interaction between the participants then it is called face-to-face, it can also be on through a medium like a telephone line. Dialogue between people from different cultures is quite interesting; they may think they are on the same page but end up misunderstanding one another (Reisinger, 2009, 165-198). This is because some words may be pronounced in the same manner but differ in their meanings.

An example is Japanese talking to an American; the latter will refer to a foolish thing as stupid while Japanese would most likely refer to it as funny. This would create misunderstanding. The use of expressions and body language during an interaction is very important in conveying your message in verbal communication; this can help someone of a different culture to understand you better. Any misunderstanding between the participants can be resolved as they are both present; it also saves time as there is a response to every question.