Cross Cultural Communication

CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION

The Technical Writing Textbook has a detailed analysis of cross cultural communication. 
These are some basic points:

Individualistic culture 

I, not we-- individuals, not organization

Not emphasizing differences in hierarchy with behavior 

low context approach (text with comprehensive information)

Uncomfortable with uncertainty



Group oriented culture 

we, not I-- organization, not individuals

Emphasizing differences in hierarchy with behavior 

high context approach 

Comfortable with uncertainty


There are also cultures that are in between the two poles.


Question for discussion: Let's take a few cultures that several of you are already familiar with: 

What do you conclude about the culture in terms of each of the 4 criteria?

From the answers to the previous question, do you determine that the culture is individualistic, group oriented, or in between?

How will your assessment guide how you write to clients from that culture?





Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 27, 2020 at 12:55 PM

    I assume gender counts as a culture and its group oriented and we should write to all of them in a equal manner as there is no reason for not doing so as it could come off as demeaning and offensive

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom FinkMarch 28, 2020 at 4:16 PM

      My own sociopolitical view would totally agree with you, and I think MOST companies and organizations would as well, but there may be (unfortunate) exceptions.

      Delete

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