Cross Cultural Communication: Challenges and Remedies Cros Cross s cult cultur ural al comm commun unic icat atio ion n is a very very wide widely ly us used ed metho methodol dology ogy in global globaliza izati tion on of busine business ss.. As we move move forward into a new era of globalization, integration and syne sy nerg rgy y of coun countr trie ies, s, cros cross s cult cultur ural al comm commun unic icat atio ion n is turning into the catalyst of fostering business growth and taking business cycle into the pinnacle everyone expects it to be. But cross cultural communication has some barriers of its own. Not due to its negativity or ambiguity but because of the variety of aspects which differ from countries to countries. Now I am going to show ten challenges of cross cultural communication all over the world including their possible remedies. The barriers are:1. Language Language Barriers. Barriers. 2. Non-Verbal Communication. Communication. 3. Time Managem Management. ent. 4. Norms Norms and values. values. 5. Usage of Communication. 6. Level Level of Formality. Formality. 7. Behav Behavior ior..
Technology
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8. Age difference in workspace. 9. Feedback. 10.
Moral and Ethical Values.
Now I am going to discuss the 10 challenges and their remedies briefly and precisely with contemporary examples both from the context of Bangladesh and the World.
Language Barriers:Language is the medium by which people communicate with each other. Hence, it is a very important part of cross cultural communication. But among the few challenges of cross cultural communication, it is the problem with most occurrences. If there are problems understanding languages and accents, it would be very tough to communicate properly and it would even misinterpret correctly uttered word into something that is totally the opposite or does not even have any kind of resemblance. Example:- Any people from Dhaka would refer “PURI” to a tasty afternoon snack and might buy as much as they require. But if anyone from Dhaka goes to any tea stalls or restaurants in Sylhet and asks for some “PURIS” then he shall be beaten black and blue by people. Because in Sylhet, “PURI” means young girl. Due to accents there also might be problems. Many people from eastern and mid Europe, Africa, and East
Asia pronounce “Fork” differently. It really creates problems for people to understand them. Remedies:1. Using standard form of writing and speaking in a globally accepted language such as English in case of cross cultural communication. 2. There might be two or more different accents and dialects in a country. So whenever people in a country try to communicate with their fellow countrymen from another part of the country, they should be well aware of the dialect and accents.
Non-Verbal Communication:Although verbal communication plays an important part in most of the communication, many types of non-verbal communication might also play an important role in general and also in cross cultural communication. But it is also considered one of the barriers of cross cultural communication. Greetings, gestures, touch, eye contact, posture etc. vary from country to country and lack of knowledge about the variety of non-verbal communication might cause communication breakdown and problems as well as misunderstanding of different magnitudes. Example:- In Japan, direct eye contact is considered as a sign of arrogance but it is a sign of cordialness in USA.
The thumbs up sign represents “yes” or “nice job” in Many countries but it is an obscene gesture in Australia. Remedies:- To overcome this barrier, one must know the different non-verbal signals, postures, greeting of various countries so that there might not be any scope of making any kind mistakes which can be a barrier hampering business scopes and weaken business relationships.
Time Management:- Time is money. I don’t know who quoted the magic line. Many entrepreneurs, leaders, business magnets and all other successful people strongly believe in this motto. There is not a single person who has succeeded without making proper time management. Unfortunately, it is also a barrier in cross cultural communication. Without proper time management, anything would turn into a void conclusion. But in cross cultural communication, time management differs from country to country. Example:- Being late in a meeting by even 1 minute disappoints a German or Japanese. But it is not considered such a big problem in Bangladesh. So, if a Bangladeshi businessman meets a delegate from Germany or Japan, then he/she must meet in the exact time. Otherwise the meeting would result nothing. Remedies:- In order to remove this barrier, every country should be contemporary with the country which is very punctual in every sector and maintains time properly in a distinct manner. If we manage time and be punctual as
the German and Japanese, there might be stronger business opportunities for us.
Norms and Values:- Norms and values are those terms based on which the culture of a country grows and evolves. Every country has its unique norms and values. They are very integrated parts of a country’s culture and it also is a barrier in cross cultural communication. As different countries have different norms and values, it creates problem for people from other culture to be adapted with another culture. Example:- In Bangladesh it is quite unusual and considered obscenity for a woman to walk in the streets wearing miniskirts where in any developed country people are not bothered at all by this attire. In France, “Hijab” has been banned. So any Muslim woman entrepreneur wearing Hijab should re-think before going to a meeting in France. Remedies:- The norms and values of different countries should be respected. People should not force anyone to change his/her norms and values. So, norms and values should be adjusted up to the moderate level and different cultures should be studied in order to cope with the different norms and values.
Usage of Technology for Communication:Technology is a necessity in today’s world. Can world without technology be imaginable? No would be the answer. We all know how important technology is in every sector of life. And we should also know that the
usage of technology can be a barrier in cross cultural communication. Example:- The CEOs and Top management of companies in Bangladesh don’t have the tendency to use technology for communication frequently compared to the CEOs and Top management of companies in developed countries. So if both types of CEOs coincide and start collaboration or conglomeration then there would be a communication gap. Remedies:- Secretaries with sound communication capabilities with the help of technology can be hired. Besides training sessions might be arranged for the top management to be more familiar with technology as an effective tool of communication.
Level of Formality:- Level of formality varies from country to country and it can be an effective barrier in cross cultural communication. Because, without knowing the level, one cannot address anyone properly with appropriate etiquette. Example:- It is quite natural for students in developed countries to call their teacher by name. But it is quite unimaginable in Bangladesh. The same thing goes for corporate culture in developed countries. Executives and even workers there might call their superiors and even the CEO by name but it is impossible in Bangladesh. Remedies:- I think it is a problem which has the easiest solution and I think most organizations of Bangladesh and other developing nations are getting used to it. This
problem can be easily solved by letting the person from another culture and country, the way people are addressed in that particular country.
Behavior:- Behavior is a very important part not only in the business sector but in every sector of life. Behavior is the attribute which can build relationships, goodwill, connection, network etc. On the other hand, lack of proper behavior or inappropriate behavior can do many damages. Behavior is also a barrier in cross cultural communication. Example:- If a British comes to Bangladesh and seeks help from a policeman, he/she would find the behavior inappropriate. In fact, he/she would find inappropriate behavior as soon as he enters the immigration section of the airport. But if a Bangladeshi goes to UK or any other developed country, he/she would find proper behavior and help. Remedies:- In order to foster business relationship and enhance cross cultural diversity, proper behavior must be ensured from the lowest order of service of a country. By ensuring minimum training to people concerned who are not that much trained to behave well there might be an expectation that behavioral excellence might be boosted up.
Age difference in Workspace:- Age difference in workspace is a common fact in all the countries. The fact is that, it is pretty severe in some countries where it is
balanced in some. It is also a barrier in cross cultural communication. Example:- In Bangladesh, most CEOs and people from top management are pretty aged. Because in Bangladesh, age and experience are very much emphasized. So the relatively young people find it difficult to share their views with the top management. So it creates a communication barrier. Remedies:1. Creating opportunities for young, dynamic people to join the top management. But there should be no compromise on the quality. 2. The top management should be a mixture of both energy and experience. 3. Relatively old bosses should be proactive and ask the newer recruits about their perception.
Feedback:- Feedback is an important tool of communication and it has a lot of impact in effective communication. Constructive feedback creates new opportunities and finds out the flaws of a system or subject. But the lack of Feedback can be a barrier in cross cultural communication. Example:- A Bangladeshi customer can put his insights about a facility or service provided by a company in a developed country. So the concerned authority is connected with the Bangladeshi customer. But the thing is totally different is Bangladeshi perspective. In
Bangladesh, except the multinational companies and international food chains, very few companies have the facility for customers to provide feedbacks. Remedy:- Without proper feedback the bridge of communication cannot be established properly. So the system of feedback must be implemented and introduced in every industry and measures should be taken to see into that the feedbacks are constructive.
Moral and Ethical Values:- Moral and ethical values are those values, based on which the culture develops. They are different country wise. They can be a barrier in cross cultural communication. Example:- Bribing is common in Kenya but it is strictly prohibited and maintained in the Scandinavian countries. So if a Kenyan goes to Norway and tries to give bribe to a policeman then the Kenyan will be put in the jail. The opposite will happen if anyone from anywhere tries to do some bribing in Kenya. So there is a definite barrier. Remedies:- Any person going abroad should have the knowledge of the ethical and moral values of that country, otherwise there might be problems as described in the example.
I tried to give 10 examples of barriers in cross cultural communication. There might be some lacking in my total work. As the topic is so diversified, there might be some
other important barriers that I have missed. Hopefully the barriers will be overcome and one day the world would literally be known as one big happy nation.
