Short paper

1-2 Short Paper: Intercultural Communication

Jashera Diaz

COM-321-11348-M01 Global Communication 2024 C-4

July 6, 2024

This essay delves into the complexities of global communication and highlights the various factors influencing domestic communication. It emphasizes the impact of intercultural nuances on global communication, particularly in fields like public relations and business. The essay explores intercultural communication within international organizations, illustrating its potential influence on future ventures. By dissecting the intercultural praxis model and its benefits to global audiences, the essay concludes that considering cultural diversity and employing this model can profoundly affect future business endeavors. The piece stresses the importance of understanding how interpersonal communication can differ across cultures due to verbal and non-verbal cues, language barriers, stereotypes, and other factors. It underscores the urgency of studying the intercultural communication model to foster understanding and avoid detrimental assumptions that could jeopardize potential partnerships.

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Intercultural communication plays a crucial role in global organizations by fostering better communication between leadership and employees. This positive environment cultivates feelings of joy, compassion, love, pride, and gratitude towards the employers. According to an article from Science Direct by Linjuan Rita Men, "Corporate communication and leadership communication have distinct influences on organizational and employee outcomes" (Sosnowski, 2019).

For instance, effective intercultural communication in corporate offices can lead to a hiring process that prioritizes diverse applicants, nurtures existing partnerships, and enhances interpersonal communication and relations within the team, focusing on diversity and inclusivity. Effective intercultural communication in public relations is vital, as the choice of words can significantly impact partnerships. Communication includes verbal and non-verbal cues, language, and emotions.

These factors and digital communications all contribute to the challenges of communicating across cultural boundaries. The intercultural praxis model, as outlined in "Globalizing Intercultural Communication," consists of six dimensions: inquiry, framing, positioning, dialogue, reflection, and action (Sorrells, 2016). The action dimension involves challenging assumptions, acknowledging privilege, and demonstrating compassion to create a more equitable environment. The model encourages introspection and consideration of our positions and privileges, fostering a fairer environment. Reflection centers on the capacity for introspection and observation.

As the title implies, dialogue focuses on creating a flow and a new understanding of communication across different communities and contexts. Positioning refers to how we are situated about others and where we stand in comparison. Framing emphasizes perspectives, contexts, and the framework within which we place ourselves and others. Lastly, inquiry fosters curiosity, encouraging questioning, learning, growth, and understanding—the environment. Effective intercultural communication in public relations is essential because words can make or break your partnership. Communication involves verbal and non-verbal mannerisms, phrases, and emotions.

These, as well as digital communications, all contribute to the difficulty in speaking across cultural boundaries. The intercultural praxis model, according to Globalizing Intercultural Communication, consists of six dimensions including inquiry, framing, positioning, dialogue, reflection, and action (Sorrells, 2016). Action is all about challenging judgments and viewing your privilege while showing compassion to create a more even environment. The model inspires us to reflect on our own positions and privileges, fostering a more equitable environment. Reflection revolves around your capacity to be introspective and observant.

Dialogue, as the title suggests, relates to creating a flow and a new understanding of communication across different communities and contexts. Positioning is how we are positioned concerning others and where we stand in comparison. Framing is focused on perspectives, references, and the frame we set ourselves and others in. Lastly, the inquiry is curiosity. It is all about questioning, learning, growing, and understanding.

References

Sorrells, K., & Sekimoto, S. (2016). Chapter 1: Studying and Practicing Intercultural

Communication. In Globalizing Intercultural Communication: A reader. essay, SAGE

Publications.