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Ineffective Communication in the world today has emphatically been attributed to cultural beliefs. Many people in business, schools, colleges and other formal places cannot effectively communicate due to their different cultures. Cross-cultural communications may lead to poor relationships between business partners, shareholders, customers and others. The languages are different in various cultures and people may not be in a position to converse effectively. Behaviors, arts, languages, ideas and beliefs are all directly related to culture. In addition, people think and react according to their cultural beliefs. In essence, different cultures provide different meanings to ideas, norms and traditions. People often see and interpret different occurrences in the ways their cultures dictate. Besides, meanings of words differ from one culture to another. If a person was brought up in a community that ascribes to particular cultural beliefs, his/ her communication would be influenced by that culture. The purpose of this document is to establish how cultures affect proper communication and information sharing by different people across the world and how it can be avoided.

Problem

There are many different cultural barriers to effective information sharing. For instance, there are many languages world over that people use to communicate. Languages act as cultural heritage of various categories of people (Jentoft, 2003). Most people in the world people pride themselves with the kind of language they use to communicate. They are reluctant to change it merely because they are coerced to do it by others. This leads to misunderstanding among the parties involved.

Beliefs and behaviors are also part of cultural inclinations that leads to ineffective communications among different people. Each culture has well outlined rules on how people should behave. Cultures may guide the people on how to relate to with others while communicating. However, these rules on how to behave are not the same for different cultures. Such barriers affect manners, reasoning and language of individuals, leading to poor communication. Consequently, they unequivocally influence both verbal and written communication.

Stereotyping is another cultural barrier to communication. It is how people try to make negative and personal assumptions about another culture. Stereotyping is making or creating a broader picture and generalizing people who belong to a particular culture as stated by Bonilla-Silva,(2014). It can also involve forcing people to follow the norms and believes that a person from a different culture follows. Stereotyping leads to poor relationships at personal or even professional level. As a result, communication between the people involved is also affected.

Religious beliefs: religion, just like stereotyping leads to poor communications. People from a particular religion may consider themselves as superior to others thereby undermining them. Some people may devalue or judge others negatively for believing in other religious beliefs other than their own. In most cases, religious beliefs and views give directions into how people regard others. This leads to disruption of communication due to varied conceptions about the religions that differ.

Solutions to problems

However, no matter the extent to which these barriers have affected effective communication, they can be overcome. People who have been affected by these barriers may adopt these solutions to avert the effects. To start with, people should accommodate and respect others from different cultures. When addressing them even if they cannot understand, it is important to do it in an ethical and responsible manner to avoid colluding with them. Violation of cultural beliefs is a sure way of stopping the vice. People should be aware of other cultures for them to avoid interfering with the people who believe in the same cultures. This can be of substantial help in deciding how to communicate with others.

Communication workshops: In an environment where people from different cultures operate, workshops that can provide people with the much needed understanding of their counterparts' language are necessary (Stringer & Cassiday, 2009). It is a necessary thing since people act and behaves according to how their cultural values dictate. Cultural barriers exist since people behave only in the ways that are dictated by their cultural value. This can be stopped through such workshops and trips as people can learn other languages. Such an opportunity would help people to communicate what is viewed as wrong and abusive. As a result, cross-cultural barriers can be avoided while communicating.

People should learn about other cultures to avoid miscommunication. People should be open to learning new ideas about other cultures through different channels such as books and the internet. In so doing, they can equip themselves with enough information about other cultures and the issues associated with them. It is the solution to a fruitful relationship with another person who associates himself to that culture. In addition, one can gain insight into a particular cultural belief through interacting with an individual who has enough knowledge about it (Schein, 2010).

Conclusion

In summation, if people don't have an idea of the existence of such cultural barriers, they can also be affected, no matter their position or roles in the society. It is, therefore, necessary that these obstacles be stopped to prevent differences from emanating from within a relationship of people with different cultural beliefs. Having knowledge about diverse cultures and understanding them must be entrenched in an organization. Cultural barriers to communication are avoidable if people remain committed and willing to avoiding them and upholding other cultures. We are all equal and such mere prejudices should not dictate how our interactions are. It is critical to focus on listeners' perspectives and appreciate them at every step.

References

Bonilla-Silva, E. (2014). Racism without racists: color-blind racism and the persistence of racial inequality in America. Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield.

Jentoft, S. (2003). Indigenous peoples: resource management and global rights. Delft: Eburon.

Schein, E. H. (2010). Organizational culture and leadership. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Stringer, D. M., &Cassiday, P.A. (2009).52 activities for improving cross-cultural communication. Boston, Mass: Intercultural Press.

References