Q1. Individual cultural variables are very important to comprehend intercultural communication. Justify the statement with the
help of three individual cultural variables.
Answer
Culture is a set of behaviors of individuals in group or in a community. People have different habits, manners, life style, thinking
patterns and decision making styles in different culture. These cultural difference lies due to ethnic diversity, speech, dresses,
food, manners at home and work etc.
Mainly there are seven cultural variables which effects business communication.
1-Time
2-Space
3-Food
4-Dress
5-Manner perception
6-Decision making
7-Verbal and non verbal communication
We will discuss 3 variables among the above mentioned 7 cultural variable
1-Time
Value of Time is considered different in different cultures. In some cultures people treat time casually and in some with
promptness. Even in specific seasons time treatment differs in different countries. Difference of value of Time and its treatment
can also be observed in social gathering of different cultures.
Example Arabs take time more casually than Americans, in Pakistan people usually comes late at social gathering, Germans are
time precise. In Latin America and in Buddhist culture you may wait an hour to meet the person, coming late is a social custom.
When ever communicating in other cultures these differences must be kept in mind. Is the concept of time in business is linear or
circular? And what is the impact of time in business. What is the value of time is it taken valuable or treated casually.
2-Space Proximity
Space and length between two persons while communication with each other. How much near they can stand or sit for
communication. This space varies in formal and informal communication. Space between official relations and personal relations
vary in different cultures
American like 1.8 inch space for business communication. Australians like 1 arm length in business and half arm length in
relationships. Personal space varies in different cultures in
1-gender
2-status
3-Role
4-Position
In Muslim countries communicating with females requires reasonably more space than in western countries. Before interacting
with other persons of different culture we must kept in mind proximities of that culture.
Manners Perception
Manner of greetings, wishing, paying respect to elders and table manners etc are different in different cultures. In some cultures
hugging is acceptable and in some cultures it’s not allowed or not taken as a good act. In Japan status of the family members are
strictly considered, younger are considered not to speak or express their opinion in front of elders. In subcontinent Red roses are
given to express love but these are avoided in Germany.
These manners vary culture to culture and must be known before communicating. A good source of learning these manners of
that specific culture is to observe the children of that culture.
Q2. Fill in the blanks with suitable words. (5)
1-The principle of correctness relies not only on grammar and spelling but on balance as well.
punctuation
commas
balance
None of the above
2-Even a harsh response from your respondent demands a tactful answer on your part out of courtesy.
straight
tacful
shorttactful
All of the above
3-To be mild in tone, respectful and sincere is a way to address which can be termed as courteous as a whole.
courteous
concrete
humble
benign
4-To explain a message in as minimum words as possible is called conciseness.
conciseness
concreteness
clarity
None of the above
5-Clarity is the first principle to be followed in any message failing which would confuse the addressee.
addressee
addresser
both
None of the above