lOMoAR cPSD| 30964149 lOMoAR cPSD| 30964149 Revision Cross Culture
giao thoa văn hóa (Trường Đại học Ngoại ngữ, Đại học Đà Nẵng) lOMoAR cPSD| 30964149
REVISION (CROSS-CULTURE)
1. What are the basic principles of culture ?
1) What is logical and important in one culture may seem traditional and unimportant in another.
2) On describing culture, people tend to focus on differences and overlook similarities.
3) Stereotyping maybe inevitable for people who lack frequent contact with another culture.
4) Culture differences exist due to genders, ages social economic status and education.
5) Understanding an another culture is a journey, not a goal.
Example (4) : For example, in some cultures, gender roles are more rigidly defined than in
others. In some societies, older people are highly respected and revered for their wisdom and
experience, while in others, youth is highly valued. Social economic status can also play a
significant role in shaping cultural differences. In some cultures, wealth and material possessions
are highly valued and seen as a sign of success, while in others, simplicity and modesty are more highly prized.
2. How important is cross-cultural communication ?
Cross-cultural communication is of utmost importance in today's interconnected world. With
globalization, businesses, organizations, and individuals are interacting with people from diverse
cultural backgrounds more than ever before. Effective cross-cultural communication skills enable
individuals to navigate through these interactions with ease, avoiding misunderstandings and
conflicts that may arise due to cultural differences. It also helps in building strong relationships,
improving collaboration, and fostering mutual respect among people from different cultures. In
the business world, cross-cultural communication is crucial for success in international markets,
where cultural differences can significantly impact business negotiations and partnership
agreements. Additionally, it promotes cultural awareness and sensitivity, which are essential in
creating a more inclusive and diverse society. In summary, understanding and practicing cross-
cultural communication are essential for individuals and organizations to thrive in a globalized world.
- Example : You can’t judge a book by its cover: Do not criticize anyone by looking at the
appearance of such a prejudice.
3. What essential principles are applied to cross-cultural communication ?
Culture is deeply ingrained in the fabric of society. These are essential principles are applied to
cross-cultural communication :
1. Maintain etiquette : Many cultures have specific etiquette around the way they
communicate. For example, every culture has its own specific way of indicating this formality:
reversing family and given names in China and the use of ‘san’ in Japan for men and women etc.
2. Avoid slang : Not even the most educated non-native English speaker will have a
comprehensive understanding of English slang, idioms and sayings. They may understand the lOMoAR cPSD| 30964149
individual words you have said, but not the context or the meaning. lOMoAR cPSD| 30964149
3. Speak slowly : Modulating your pace, speaking clearly and pronouncing your words
properly. Break your sentences into short, definable sections and give your listener time to
translate and digest your words as you go.
4. Keep it simple : there’s no need to make it harder for both of you by using big words.
Just keep it simple. Two syllable words are much easier to understand than three syllable words.
Say “Please do this quickly” rather than “Please do this in an efficacious manner.”
5. Involve employees in the process : Strong cross-cultural relationships don’t happen
overnight. Involve employees in the process of fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. For
instance, consult managers, and team heads ask about “What cultural barriers are reducing their
teams’ efficiency? Are there any cultural challenges they want to address or disputes they need to resolve? ”
4. Why do people think cultural adjustment can take so long ?
Experiencing new cultures and obtaining a better understanding of your own culture can result in
life-changing experiences you will have while studying abroad. Cultural differences can also be
overwhelming that you may need extra time to adjust. This is normal. The new cultural norms
that you encounter may be so different that they seem "shocking" in comparison to cultural
norms back home. Adapting to a new environment takes time, and the pace of transition varies
from person to person. Some people may consist of distinct phases: Honeymoon, Crisis,
Recovery, and Adjustment. Furthermore, another prime reason for the difficulty in adapting to a
new culture is the difference in language and the interpretation of words. For example, when a
student moved to England, he learned that they often said “You alright?” to start a conversation.
When he first moved there, in my head he thought “of course I’m alright! What, is there blood on
my face or something?” In his home culture, they would only ask if someone was alright if they appeared hurt or upset.
5. Distinguish cultural generalization from stereotypes. Give specific examples. Generalization Stereotypes
A principle, statement, or idea having general
A usually oversimplified conception, opinion, application.
or belief about a person or group, considered
to be typical or to conform to a unvarying
pattern or lacking individuality.
Flexible and allow for the incorporation of
Tend to be oversimplifications and do not new cultural information.
reflect the diversity and complexity of the groups involved.
A type of hypothesis, or guess, of what we
Based on factors such as race, nationality, and
expect to encounter when we interact with a sexual orientation. certain culture.
Help us to anticipate, sort, and make sense of
Can lead to prejudice, discrimination, and
the new information and sensations we stereotypes threat.
experience in intercultural situations. lOMoAR cPSD| 30964149
- Here are some examples of generalization in different contexts:
➢ Language learning: A person who learns to speak French fluently can use their
knowledge of French grammar and vocabulary to learn other Romance languages such as
Spanish, Italian or Portuguese more easily.
- Here are some specific examples of stereotypes that are commonly associated with certain groups of people:
➢ Italians are good at cooking and passionate.
➢ Example: An Italian individual is assumed to be a great cook or chef and passionate about
food because of their nationality.
6. What are typical symptoms of culture shock ? What should people do to overcome them ?
- Culture shock can produce a range of symptoms, which can vary greatly from person to person
in terms of scope and intensity. These may include: Being homesick, Feeling helpless, Feeling
isolated, Disorientation, Lack of concentration, Sadness, Sleep or eating disturbances.
- Time and habit help deal with culture shock, but individuals can minimize the impact and speed
the recovery from culture shock according to these few-easy-follow tips : be open-minded and
curious, remember that culture is relative, use observation skills, ask questions, give yourself
permission to make mistake, take care of your physical health , seek support from other people
and be supportive don’t try to understand everything immediately .
7. Choose one typical country. Explain some outstanding cultural features and taboos of the country
- Vietnam is a country with a rich and diverse cultural heritage that is influenced by various
factors, such as its geography, history, and religion. The dominant religion in Vietnam is
Buddhism, but there are also significant populations of Catholics, Protestants, and so on. The
Vietnamese language is tonal and has a unique writing system that uses the Latin alphabet with
additional diacritical marks to indicate tone and pronunciation. The traditional dress of Vietnam
is the ao dai, a long tunic that is worn with trousers. The ao dai is typically made of silk or cotton
and is often brightly colored with intricate patterns.
- Common taboos in Vietnam : if the mirror breaks for no reason, something bad is going to
happen; you can never ever hit your parents, or else thunder is going to strike you; no red clothes
to a funeral; complimenting a little child without saying "trộm vía" would attract evil gods to come kidnap them,...
8. What are major differences between formal communication and informal communication ?
Communication involves sharing information, but there are differences between formal and informal communication. lOMoAR cPSD| 30964149 No. Formal communication Informal communication 1. Setting
Used in professional or official
Used in professional or official settings settings 2. Rules and Follows established rules and
Has no set rules or procedures Procedures procedures 3. Structure
Generally structured, organized
Can be spontaneous and unplanned and planned 4. Language Uses proper grammar and
May use slang, colloquial language or vocabulary jargon 5. Information Convey specific information,
Conveys information in a clear and Delivery
such as instructions, policies or
concise manner. May use storytelling,
procedures and is generally done
jokes or humor to convey information in a more formalized manner 6. Mode of
Often written, such as in emails
Often spoken, such as in conversations Communication or memos or phone calls 7. Personal Avoids personal topics or
May include personal opinions or Topics opinions experiences 8. Tone Tends to be serious and
Tends to be lighthearted and relaxed professional
- Example of Formal communication :
Customer: Excuse me, Miss. I’m sorry to bother you, but I have a question.
Employee: Good afternoon, it’s not a problem. How can I help you today?
Customer: I need to return this item I bought yesterday. There’s a hole in it.
Employee: Let me take a look. Ah, I see, it’s a manufacturing defect. Would you like to exchange it for a different item?
Customer: Actually, I was hoping to choose a different color.
Employee: Of course. These are the options we have available right now.
Customer: Great, I’ll take this one.
Employee: I’ll wrap it up for you right away.
Customer: Thank you very much.
9. What are major differences between oral communication and written communication?
Oral communication and written communication are two different forms of communication that
have their own unique characteristics and differences. Oral communication Written communication Meaning
Exchange of ideas, information and
Interchange of message, opinions message through spoken words. and information in written or lOMoAR cPSD| 30964149 printed form. What is it ?
Communication with the help of
Communication with the help of words of mouth. text. Literacy Not required at all. Necessary communication. Transmission of Speedy Slow message Proof
No record of communication is there.
Proper record of communication are present. Feedback
Immediate feedback can be given Feedback takes time. Revision Not possible Possible Receipt of Yes No nonverbal cues Probability of Very high Quite less misunderstanding
- Examples of oral communication : a phone call, a political discussion, a meeting of parents in a
school, a radio show, the presentation of a project,…
- Examples of written communication : emails, text messages, blog posts, business letters, reports, proposals,…
10. What does “the complexity of people’s cultural identity” mean ? Explain the
four settings of cultural resources
In recent years, cultural identity has become the main focus of public attention. People tend to
believe that there is a noteworthy aspect of “the complexity of people’s cultural identity”.
Cultural identity is self-identification, a sense of belonging to a group that reaffirms itself that
consists of values, meanings, customs and beliefs used to relate to the world. Therefore, each
country has its own cultural identity. However, within each country, there are different groups of
people with separate identities. For instance, the United States of America is a united country
where many groups of people come from many different countries. Another typical example is
the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. Each ethnic group has its own customs, but in general, they are
still Vietnamese with sacred traditions such as eating betel nut, wearing ao dai,... All of which
forms the complexity of people cultural identity.
11. What does silence indicate in conversations ? lOMoAR cPSD| 30964149
- Silence can indicate different things in conversations, depending on the context and the
situation. Here are some possible meanings of silence in conversations: thoughtfulness,
disinterest, agreement, disagreement, confusion, awkwardness.
- Sometimes silence can be awkward or uncomfortable, but at other times it can be a time for
reflection or contemplation. In some cultures, silence is valued as a way of showing respect or
contemplation. It is important to be aware of the different types of silence and their meanings to
fully understand the conversation and the emotions and thoughts of the speakers.
- For example : "Silence speaks louder than words": means that sometimes remaining silent can
be more powerful and meaningful than speaking.
12. Culture does not explain all behavior. Explain this.
- The concept of "culture like an iceberg" refers to the idea that there are both visible and
invisible aspects of a culture. Just like an iceberg, where only a small portion is visible above the
water, there are elements of a culture that are readily apparent, while there are deeper and hidden
aspects that are not immediately visible.
- The visible aspects of culture include things like language, clothing, food, music, and art. These
are tangible expressions of a culture that can be observed and experienced. However, beneath the
surface, there are deeper layers that shape a culture, such as beliefs, values, norms, and
traditions. These elements often influence behaviors, attitudes, and social interactions, but they
may not be immediately apparent to an outsider.
13. What are basic elements of where we come from ?
The elements of where we come from are diverse and can vary greatly from person to person.
These elements include geography, culture, family, education, and society. Depending on these
elements, each individual has a unique background and set of experiences that shape their
identity and sense of belonging. For example, two individuals from different regions may have
different cultural traditions and values, or someone from a lower socio-economic background
may have different educational opportunities than someone from a higher socio-economic
background. These differences can lead to different perspectives and experiences, and highlight
the importance of recognizing and respecting diversity. Understanding and appreciating these
differences can help us build stronger connections and foster a more inclusive society.
14. How many classrooms seating arrangements are there ? What are they ? Which
is preferable for language learning ?
There is a total of 19 seating arrangements for the classroom namely pairs, grid, presentation,
groups of four, corner work, u-shape, double u-shape, u-shape large classroom, conference small
classroom, conference large classroom, herringbone, rows, computer combination, butterfly, eye,
circle, large groups, horseshoes, and banquet. lOMoAR cPSD| 30964149
According to research, the most formal and popular arrangement is the row. This is because this
type of classroom seating is suitable for a class structure that is teacher-centered instruction and
presentation. This form of arrangement increases the interaction between teacher and students as
well as the relationship between the students in the class. Moreover, it encourages individual
work and productivity which will rise learning efficiency. When it comes to language learning,
those classes require flexibility, creativity, and classroom activities. Therefore, circle or
horseshoe layouts are preferred for language learning because of the fact that learners can make
eye contact with everyone else in the group and thus interact much more naturally.
15. What are the main advantages and disadvantages of globalization ?
- Globalization has both advantages and disadvantages, depending on the perspective and
context. Here are some of the main advantages and disadvantages of globalization: Advantages Disadvantages Transfer of technology Growing inequality
Promote the Standardization of living Lead to job displacement Development of infrastructure Erode cultural diversity
Higher Contribution to world GDP growth
Contribute to environmental degradation rate Boost Economic growth
Trigger social unrest or political instability
- One idiom related to globalization is "It's a small world." This idiom suggests that due to
advances in communication, transportation, and technology, the world has become more
interconnected and people are more easily able to connect with each other across long distances
and cultural boundaries. The phrase "It's a small world" can be used to express surprise or
amazement at how easily people can communicate and travel across the globe, and how
interconnected our world has become.
16. Explain a certain proverb
- The proverb "everybody laughs in the same language" means that humor is a universal
language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers. Laughter is a natural human response to
humor, and it is something that people from all cultures and backgrounds can understand and
appreciate. This proverb suggests that despite differences in language, religion, customs, and
traditions, we all share the ability to laugh and find joy in life. Laughter can bring people
together, break down barriers, and create a sense of unity and connection. The proverb
"everybody laughs in the same language" reminds us that despite our differences, we all share a
common human experience, and that laughter is a powerful tool for building understanding and empathy.
17. Distinguish a melting pot from a mosaic. Give specific examples. lOMoAR cPSD| 30964149 A melting pot A mosaic
a metaphor for a society in which different a metaphor for a society in which different
cultural groups blend together to create a cultural groups coexist side by side, homogeneous culture.
maintaining their individual identities and
contributing to the overall cultural diversity of the society
individual cultural identities are subsumed
cultural differences are celebrated and
and assimilated into a dominant culture.
preserved, and there is no expectation that
different cultural groups will assimilate into a single dominant culture.
An example of a melting pot is the United Vietnam is a mosaic society because of
States, where people from many different culturally diverse country with over 50
cultures have come together to create a shared different ethnic groups, each with its own American culture.
unique customs, traditions, and language.
18. How many kinds of conversational distance are there ? Explain them.
- There are four main types of conversational distance:
➢ Intimate distance: This is the closest distance between people, typically between 0-18
inches (0-46 cm). This distance is reserved for close relationships such as romantic
partners, family members, or close friends.
➢ Personal distance: This is the distance between people who have a personal relationship
but are not as close as intimate relationships. The personal distance ranges from 18 inches
to 4 feet (46 cm to 1.2 meters) and is typically used in conversations with friends,
acquaintances, and colleagues.
➢ Social distance: This is the distance between people who do not have a personal
relationship and is typically used in formal or business settings. Social distance ranges
from 4 to 12 feet (1.2 to 3.7 meters) and is used in situations such as job interviews, presentations, or meetings.
➢ Public distance: This is the distance between people who are not in a conversation but
are in the same space, such as a lecture hall or a public square. Public distance ranges
from 12 feet (3.7 meters) and beyond.
- It’s important to note that these distances can vary depending on cultural norms and individual
preferences. For example, in some cultures, people may stand closer together than in others.