Межкультурная коммуникация в сфере бизнеса. Практикум. Для студентов-бакалавров направления «Лингвистика», профиля «Теория и практика межкультурной ко
.pdfабсолютной бестактностью, хотя сплюнуть или сморкнуться на тротуар для китайца вполне приемлемо.
7.Каким бы увлекательным ни было путешествие в чужую страну, каждый, кто хоть раз ступал на новую территорию, знает, что она запросто может оказаться культурным минным полем, если вы не знаете правил поведения в этой стране.
8.Не заставляйте женщину слишком долго ждать, если в ее бокале заканчивается вино. Тем более, если у вас свидание. Будьте настоящим джентльменом.
9.В Америке вполне приемлемым является вальсировать по чужому дому в уличных ботинках. Хотя во многих других странах это не принято.
10.В ряде стран, где проживает много индусов, для принятия пищи используется исключительно правая рука. И для приветствия они тоже протягивают всегда только правую руку. По их мнению, левая рука считается «грязной», так как ею подмываются.
11.Конечно, нас не удивить публичным проявлением чувств, например, на улице или в общественном
транспорте. Но в ряде мусульманских стран такое поведение категорически не одобряется. Там даже в ночных клубах вы не встретите целующиеся (лижущиеся) парочки. В Индии за публичные поцелуи вас могут посадить в тюрьму за непристойное поведение.
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12.Азиатская культура проявляет огромное уважению к пожилым людям, поэтому им всегда разрешается выйти из помещения и войти в комнату первыми.
13.В Китае прийти в точно назначенное время - всё равно что опоздать, поэтому желательно появляться по крайней мере на 15 минут раньше запланированного срока. Во многих странах Латинской Америки все наоборот.
14.Подарить хозяйке дома букет желтых роз в Германии или во Франции означает намекнуть на то, что ее партнер изменяет ей.
15.Порою, очень сложно дождаться окончания тоста в ряде восточноевропейских стран. Но, как бы вы ни устали держать бокал, будьте терпеливы, дождитесь окончания тоста. Только после этого можно чокнуться и выпить до дна.
Task 3. Discuss in pairs the main mistakes that people make if they don’t know the rules of conduct in a foreign country. Use the above-mentioned vocabulary.
Text 2
Part 1
Task 1. Read the text and answer the following questions:
1. Why do you think it is so important not to underestimate the significance of being culturally sensitive in business?
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2.What does cultural sensitivity involve?
3.What does our culture affect?
4.What should start at the top of the business to show everyone the respect they deserve?
5. What should you offer your employees if your company does business with people from a particular country?
6.What tips are advisable if your company frequently deals with people who have different native languages?
7.What is one of the biggest barriers to cross-cultural business dealings? Give your reasons.
8.What is the difference between making eye contact during a business transaction in North America and in the Middle East?
9.Can lack of cultural awareness result in negative consequences in business?
10.Why is silence seen as a problem in a number of countries?
11.Give the examples of showing respect to employees or customers of other nationalities or religions.
The Importance of Cultural Sensitivity in Business
Dealings
In today’s global marketplace, it’s commonplace to do business with people from all over the world. Whether you’re dealing with manufacturers from another country or building an office on a different continent, it’s important to be aware of the cultural norms of the people around you. Your customers may
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be from different parts of the world even if they are all locally situated in one city, so don't underestimate the importance of being culturally sensitive.
Cultural sensitivity involves being respectful of other cultures. Understanding and knowing about different cultures and accepting the differences and similarities helps people to communicate more effectively and build meaningful relationships.
Our culture affects many aspects of our lives, from the way we speak to the way we use hand gestures. Our attitudes toward our colleagues and superiors come from our cultural viewpoint, as does the way we expect to be treated as customers.
Cultural awareness in business involves preparing and learning about the different cultures with which your business interacts. However, your business’s attitude toward cultural sensitivity should start at the top. Build the importance of cultural sensitivity into your company policy so that your employees know to show everyone the respect they deserve regardless of whether or not they are of different cultures. Establish consequences of not being culturally sensitive so that your employees understand the weight of this matter.
If your company does business with people from a particular country, for example, offer your employees training so that they can learn the cultural norms from that country. Lead by example and participate in the training.
If your customer service representatives frequently speak with people who have different native languages, consider learning a few key phrases in those languages together as a team. This shows your customers how much you value their business and shows your employees the importance of cultural sensitivity.
One of the biggest barriers to cross-cultural business dealings is communication. Your business stakeholders may speak a different language or dialect or use hyper-local phrases with
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which you aren’t familiar. Even though English is used as the international language of business, people have different levels of fluency.
In some parts of the world, speaking directly and plainly is common in business. In other parts, more nuanced phrasing is seen as proper business behavior. As a result, it’s critical to understand the way your business stakeholders communicate so you can ensure your message doesn’t get lost in translation.
Review Workplace Etiquette
Take time to figure out the workplace etiquette norms of your business stakeholders. Our cultures play a big role in how we use body language to communicate at work. In North America, making eye contact during a business transaction shows honesty and an effort to establish a connection.
However, in the Middle East, making sustained eye contact with a person of the opposite gender can be seen as inappropriate. In some parts of the world, frontline employees don’t make eye contact with their superiors because it’s considered rude. Lack of cultural awareness examples include making eye contact with people from cultures where it is frowned upon.
Sometimes, what is not said is also a cultural variation. In most Western countries, silence is seen as a problem. It signals that the person to whom you’re speaking is disinterested or not paying attention. On the other hand, silence can be used to show agreement in some Eastern countries. In some aboriginal cultures, it’s important to have a period of silence before answering a question.
Show Respect and Empathy
The key goal of being culturally sensitive is to show others respect. Make an effort to learn about the cultural customs your employees, customers and partners hold dear. Show them you value your relationship with them by sharing in their customs.
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For example, if a Muslim colleague is celebrating Eid, a major religious holiday, bring a treat to enjoy together. If a customer is from a different country and celebrates a national holiday, wish him well on that day. Small acts of kindness can go a long way in showing others the importance of cultural sensitivity in business.
Task 2. Find the English Equivalents in the text:
1.быть в курсе
2.недооценить значение чего-либо
3.культурная восприимчивость
4.различия и сходство
5.жестикуляция
6.отношение к коллегам и начальству
7.взаимодействовать
8.проявлять ко всем уважение, которое они заслуживают
9.более тонкая (более глубокая) постановка фраз
10.установить продолжительный (длительный, непрерывный) зрительный контакт
11.представитель противоположного пола
12.рядовой сотрудник
13.дорожить чем-то
Task 3. Use the following phrases for making a summary of the text “The Importance of Cultural Sensitivity in Business
Dealings”:
Summary (about 1/4 or 1/5 as long as the original)
The text / article under review is named … - Текст / статья,
которую мы рассматриваем, называется …
The text / article under the title … -
Текст / статья, озаглавленный (ая) ….
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The article is concerned with (deals with, covers, describes)… -
Статья касается (описывает, …)
The text highlights one of the vital issues… -
Текст освещает один из жизненных вопросов...
The problem/article is about… - Проблема/статья о… The text consists of three parts / paragraphs –
текст состоит из трёх частей / параграфов
The author draws our attention to the fact that … -
Автор обращает наше внимание на тот факт, что …
The author provides / gives the information on –
Автор информирует нас о …
The author provides / gives the example of –
Автор приводит пример …
At the beginning of the article the author describes (singles out, depicts, points out)… -
Вначале истории автор описывает (выделяет, изображает, указывает)…
At the beginning of the text / article the author writes / mentions / focuses on /describes / states / defines / stresses / enumerates -
Вначале текста / статьи автор пишет / упоминает / обращае т внимание на / описывает / утверждает / даёт определение / подчёркивает / перечисляет …
It would be wise to mention here… -
Здесь следует отметить...
Considering the situation it should be mentioned… -
Учитывая ситуацию, следует отметить...
It becomes obvious that… - Cтановится очевидно, что...
An important point is that ... - Важным является то, что ...
The author gives a detailed analysis of … -
Автор проводит подробный анализ …
In the first (second, third )paragraph / part –
Впервом (втором, третьем) параграфе /части…
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Afterwards (formal)/ Then (after that, further, further on, next)–
После этого, следующее…
In addition – В дополнение к … Moreover – Более того, …
It makes sense (to) … - Имеет смысл …
By the way, … - Между прочим, … / Кстати, …
As a matter of fact, ... - По сути дела, ...
In brief… - Вкратце…
It’s a striking example of… - Это яркий пример...
On the one hand, ... , on the other hand, ... - С одной стороны,
... , с другой стороны, ...
To conclude (to sum up, to summarize),… - В заключении, …
Part 2
Task 1. Read the text and answer the following questions:
1.Enumerate seven barriers to communication.
2.Can you name any physical barriers to communication? How can they affect the communication in business?
3.How can we avoid these physical barriers? Give the examples.
4.Are perceptual barriers more complex than physical ones?
5.What do perceptual barriers often cause? Give the examples.
6.Can you name any types of emotions that take over when people are communicating due to a lack of selfconfidence?
7.Why do some individuals lack the confidence?
8.Why do many businesses face cultural barriers?
9.What measures should businesses take to enable employees to converse effectively?
10.What language barriers can appear in business communication?
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11.What can lead to gender barriers in communication?
12.What is it important to do to avoid gender barriers in communication?
13.What barrier is one of the most difficult to overcome? And why?
14.Give the examples of interpersonal barriers that can prevent people from communicating effectively.
15.How can the company help such people to prove themselves?
Seven Barriers to Communication
Effective communication in business is vital to success. Communication takes place daily among employees, prospects, customers, the media, retailers and other external stakeholders. Communication helps individuals and groups to understand one another and meet business goals. However, there are seven barriers of communication of which organizations should be aware. Identifying and actively avoiding these barriers helps businesses to successfully communicate its message.
Physical Barriers to Communication
Physical barriers of communication happen as a result of the surroundings in which the communication takes place. Elements such as loud background noise or flickering lights can cause distractions and affect how people communicate. Closed doors and walled-in offices can also hinder communication in the workplace. In addition, physical distance between employees can also be a barrier to communication.
Physical barriers such as geography or office setup are often unavoidable. It’s not always feasible to change the layout plan of an office or remove doors and walls in certain areas of the building. Ways to work around physical barriers that cannot be changed include implementing open-door policies in the workplace and encouraging employees to communicate freely by visiting colleagues in walled offices. Some companies
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choose to build more collaborative work spaces with an openconcept layout to encourage communication.
Some physical barriers like noise, for example, can be avoided. If you and a colleague are having an important business conversation in the lunch room where it is loud and boisterous, a simple solution would be to move the conversation to a quieter location like in the hallway or at your desk.
Perceptual Barriers to Communication
While physical barriers are easy to spot, perceptual barriers are more complex. These kinds of barriers to communication take place in the mind. They include preconceived notions about the person with whom you’re talking. Perceptual barriers often cause misunderstandings and tension.
For example, if you’re going to speak with a colleague who you think does not value your ideas, you might be tempted to talk to him in a defensive or dismissive tone. If that person doesn’t harbor negative feelings about you, he may be taken aback and begin to feel uncomfortable, not listening to the conversation taking place.
Due to the perceptual barrier in this situation, the message is not conveyed clearly. In order to avoid perceptual barriers, it’s important to communicate with an open mind and get rid of any preconceived notions that can harm the conversation.
Emotional Barriers to Communication
One of the seven barriers of communication is emotion. Fear, vulnerability and mistrust often take over when people are communicating due to a lack of self-confidence. Often, people are taught from a young age to carefully watch what they say. As a result, some individuals lack the confidence to speak clearly and confidently.
Emotional intelligence is a valuable quality in the business environment. Not only is it important to be in touch with your own emotions and how they affect the way you
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