Cultural differences in verbal and nonverbal communication styles

Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication among Cultures

Influence of Culture on Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication

Language is often an immediate barrier to communicating with others of different cultures (Cox 2012). Even those who speak the same language may find problems with communication because of differences in culture. The differences very often lie in communication styles, either verbal or non-verbal or both. These styles may be in the form of facial expression, context, eye contact, formality and touch (Cox).

Every culture uses certain types of facial expression to convey a message in addition to formal language (Cox 2012). Americans smile to express or recognize friendliness towards or in others of a different culture. However, the Japanese do not smile at strangers. They view smiling as inappropriate for those who are not known to them. Women are especially expected to refrain from smiling at strangers. A communication style may hinge on context. In a high context culture, people assume that others of different cultures do not understand what is being said to them and need to have everything explained. In contrast, those in a low context culture assume that others of another culture already understand what is being said and omit the explanation. Eye contact is another style. Looking straight at the foreigner's eye conveys interest and attentiveness to what he has to say. Eye contact reflects honesty and avoiding eye contact means dishonesty or suspiciousness. In other culture, looking in the eye is insulting or an aggressive act. People of this culture only glance at the speaker occasionally to show interest and attention. Formality is also shown in communication. In a culture that is fundamentally informal, everyone is viewed as equal to everyone else. They speak alike to everyone. In a formal culture, people speak a certain way to others according to protocol. And touch or contact is another style. Those in contact cultures expect to be touched when they speak or stand close to another person. In non-contact cultures, touching is considered forward, improper and aggressive. They seldom stand close to others and seldom touch (Cox).

Cultural Gaps and Differences in Communication

It pays to know and understand these cross-cultural differences and gaps in insuring that the message being put across is understood (Sarfin 2012). These may be in the form of volume, the right words to use, body language, and gestures in addition to eye contact (Sarfin).

Canadians and Japanese normally converse in low tone and volume (Sarfin 2012). The people of Latin America, in contrast, often talk loud as a matter of habit and not because they are angry or quarreling. The correct choice of words can save a relationship or lose it. Furthermore, a person of another culture may put a lot of importance in his personal title. If this title is ignored or made light of, the owner can get offended. Peoples of different cultures largely vary in their respective gestures. Forming a thumb with the thumb and forefinger with the other three fingers held up straight by Americans means that they are fine. People of other cultures consider this vulgar, however (Sarfin).

Cultural Differences in Expressing Emotions

A study conducted revealed that Asians normally express their emotions more strongly than other races (Fernandez et al. 2000). They also exhibit lower gender differences although cultural masculinity characterizes them best. High-power cultures reserve the expression of their emotional reactions, like good feelings, when these respect and legitimize status. Results of the study suggested that both the verbal and nonverbal expression of emotion was more common among cultures characterized by individualism, femininity, low power distance and high level of uncertainty in the case of sadness. These peoples express their emotions freely or hide their true feelings. This attitude does not mean that they are sacrificing relationships. In contrast, collectivist cultures characterized by high-power distance, masculine and with low certainty avoidance level do not express their feelings as much, whether verbally or non-verbally. Further analysis showed that those enjoying a more developed quality of life, privacy and resources, such as earning, education and life expectancy, go through more intense emotional experiences (Fernandez et al.).

People in high-power distance countries or cultures do not question their leader's decisions (Fernandez et al. 2000). There is no close relationship between leader and follower. The follower expects to be dictated and the leader is expected to earn more and be respected. In contrast, people in low-power distance cultures are considered equal at least virtually. They have fewer leaders. These leaders also assign important tasks to their subordinates and both share the problem in case of failure and problems. Communicating their good feelings is found more among collectivist, high-power distance cultures. They tend to show and express more sympathy, harmony and respect than in low-power cultures. Study participants included Latin American and Asian collectivist respondents. They demonstrated less negative emotions than North American and European peoples but higher positive emotions, like joy. Latin Americans tended to withhold negative emotions while they felt free to express and communicate positive emotions (Fernandez et al.).

The Importance of Non-Verbal Communication

Whoever coined the famous and accepted line, "actions speak louder than words,' saluted to the importance of non-verbal communication (Ciubotaru 2012). This is specifically important in the current global situation. Different cultures interact, often through non-verbal communication and risk misinterpretations. It must first be understood that intercultural non-verbal communication pertains to all conscious or unconscious stimuli beyond the spoken word used in communicating. They comprise a huge 70% of communication material. Because of the equally huge risk of getting misinterpreted, non-verbal messages should be understood as much as verbal messages.

The social and cultural environment then dictates what non-verbal communication system should be applied. The four types are kinesics, proxemics, paralanguage, and chronemics (Ciubatoru).

The Types

Kinesics is body language or represents the body movements used in communication (Ciubatoru 2012). These include facial expressions, eye contact, hand gestures and touch. Proxemics refers to the use of space in non-verbal communication, ranging from architecture, furniture and distance between the interacting persons. Paralanguage consists of all the sounds produced by their voices and empty words and phrases. Sounds include laughter, tone and spacing in talking. Empty words include "umm" and "you know." An chronemics pertains to the use of time, such as the speaker's understanding of present, past and future (Ciubatoru).

Kinesics are ritualistic forms of communication, such as nodding when agreeing and greeting others (Ciubatoru 2012). Greeting is appropriately and customarily done in the United States by shaking hands; by a warm embrace in Latin America; "namaste" in India and bowing in Japan. A Japanese person points a finger to his face in referring to himself while a Chinese, to his nose, and a North American to his chest. A person of a given culture looks at the eyes or face of the person spoken to. Another person only gazes while another does not even gaze at all. One hugs a friend or family member when greeting according to his culture. But others of a different culture avoid touching when speaking (Ciubatoru).

Keeping a distance from the person spoken with differs among cultures too (Ciubatoru 2012). Increasing the space from the other person can be construed as coldness, condescension or interest. That person who wants distance is likely to interpret the effort of the other person to get closer as pushiness, disrespect or aggression. This is proxemics (Ciubatoru).

The speaker's vocal cues used when speaking all constitute paralanguage (Ciubatoru 2012). These cues include pitch, speed, volume, pauses and silences. They contribute to or heighten the emotional and intellectual message. The Chinese give more importance to silence than to speech. They believe in the power of silence to produce inner peace and wisdom. But North Americans see a lack of communication in silence. They see it as a sign of uncertainty in the silent person (Ciubatoru).

Chronemics refers to the time valuation among cultures in the way they do things. Western cultures quantify time and measure it in the pursuit of progress (Ciubatoru 2012). They deal with it logically, sequentially and moving away from the past and the present towards the future. In Eastern cultures, time is something continuous and unlimited. India sees time as going in circles of becoming and vanishing. It goes beyond human lifetime (Ciubatoru).

. Non-verbal communication occupies a key position in high-context cultures (Ciubatoru 2012). It performs many functions complementary to verbal communication. It repeats, emphasizes, complements and contradicts what is verbal. At the same time, it regulates interactions, such as signaling when someone should speak or stop speaking. Lastly, non-verbal communication can even take the place of a verbal message when the speakers do not share a common language. Each of the foregoing possesses characteristics, which influence intercultural communication. They either enhance the communication or create conflict and misinterpretation, which often lead to poor communication (Ciubatoru).

Cultural Difference in Non-Verbal Communication

Nonverbal communication can be as loud and clear or louder and clearer than verbal communication (JanetB 2012). Simply watching or observing a speaker can tell if he or she is bored, telling a lie, romantically attuned or showing any other emotion or inclination. The American culture gives less importance to the nonverbal aspects of communication than do other cultures, especially Asian culture. One more aspect that has not been briefly discussed is posture. Interpretations of posture during communication differ widely. Turks take offense when one's hands are in his pockets or when crossing one's legs. Thais consider showing the soles of the feet disgraceful. South Americans tend to stand close to the person speaking. On the other hand, a North American will instinctively seek much space from the other speaker (JanetB). #