Six Common Misunderstandings You Need to Avoid When Dealing with Language Diversity - Part 2

In the previous segment, we discussed how challenging communicating across differences can be.

Non-native speakers, for example, worry if they will fully understand instructions or how they will be perceived because of their accent.

Compounding these worries is the fact that there can be a lot of misconceptions regarding non-native speakers.

In this newsletter, I will address the last three of these misconceptions. 

Misconception 4:
Internationals are rude and demanding.

This misconception has to do with the fact that certain languages lack some of the softening phrases that English does.

Many languages, for example, do not have the equivalent of words such as “could” or “would,” which can be used to make requests less demanding. Compare the difference between

Complete the order now.

Could you complete the order now?

The former sounds more like a command while the latter is more in line with a request.

We also must consider the fact that some groups are more emotionally expressive than others. That is, they may speak louder, use a lot of gestures, and even maintain closer physical distance during a conversation.

Add these all up and, no doubt, the potential for misunderstandings grows exponentially, especially if you do not see these for what they are -- differences in communication styles. 

Misconception 5:
They are deliberately trying to exclude me by speaking another language.

Being in an environment where you have to constantly speak a language other than your native language, can be very stressful.

You are constantly thinking: Am I using the right words? Will they understand me? Do I make sense? How will they perceive me?

Being able to speak your native language, even if for a short period of time, is actually a relief. It allows individuals to relax, and be themselves, without all the stress that accompanies the use of another language.

So, next time you hear a group speaking another language, it is very likely they are doing that simply to relax. They are not trying to be rude or deliberately excluding others from the conversation. Think of it as taking a much-needed break. 

Misconception 6:
They often lie.

You say something, assume you were understood (at least, based on the head nods), then later you find out your directions were not fulfilled as you expected.

Tempting though as it may be to assume they lied to you, there is another possible logical explanation you need to consider.

And it has to do with the concept of saving face. You can learn a bit more about this concept by reading my post on this subject. 

Three Things You Need to Consider When Communicating Across Differences

There is no doubt that contact with persons from other cultures can be frustrating. In fact, there is a great deal that can go wrong, and good intentions are not sufficient to ensure success. 

Here are some things you can do to ensure you communicate effectively across differences: 

1)   Never assume similarities 

Many individuals naively assume that just because we are all humans, by default, communication should be easy, even across cultural differences.

Yes, indeed we are all humans, and all humans have common biological and social needs (i.e., need for food, shelter, and security). However, just because we have these needs in common, it doesn’t mean we are all alike.

For example, you may smile at someone when you pass them by on the corridor or on the street. However, smiling at a stranger in Japan is considered impolite. 

2)   Understand that, in any communication, there is far more that needs to be considered beyond the verbal message 

Languages differ in many ways – vocabulary, syntax, idioms, slang, dialects, and so on. All these aspects can cause difficulty in the communication process.

In any communication, it is equally important to pay attention to differences in nonverbal behavior.

For example, I ask my assistant a question and he nods his head. I may assume he is agreeing with me when, in reality, he may simply be signaling he heard me and not necessarily agreeing with me.

Understand that between 50 to 93% of all communication is accomplished through nonverbal channels. 

3)   Recognize Our Tendency to Judge Others from Our Own Perspective or Worldview 

We often look at situations assuming our own culture is the norm. This bias only prevents us from examining the situation from the other’s point of view.

Take for example the practice of midday siesta.

While some may look at it as a lazy habit, others may find it a very practical and economical solution, especially considering that in some locations, midday temperatures may reach 115 F.

It simply makes more sense to close your business during the hottest part of the day and come back later in the evening when it is cooler. 

The bottom line is that, when working across differences, we need to understand why someone thinks and acts differently from us. You don’t have to agree with, accept or adopt that perspective. You need to recognize those differences and find workable solutions around them.