It is important to be aware that as a peer visitor you may be partnered with someone from a different cultural or ethnic background and to understand that the beliefs held by the individual may not align with yours and this needs to be respected. For example, body language cues may differ across cultures and therefore, no assumptions should be made.  Cross-cultural communication is a process of creating and sharing meaning among people from different cultural backgrounds using a variety of methods.  In addition to the challenge of bridging cultures in your communication, there may also be language barriers.

Cultural Barriers

Cultures form the foundation of how we view the world and dictate much of our behaviour and mannerisms. Because the guiding principles of cultures vary, they create cultural barriers that can impede people from understanding one another. In some cultures, it is disrespectful to touch the hand of a stranger, while in others it is standard practice and polite to shake hands when meeting. In one culture strong eye contact may be considered a sign of aggression and disrespect, while in others consistent eye contact is a sign of interest and engagement in a conversation.

• Ensuring your conversation is clear and polite
• Learning about different cultures
• Sharing knowledge.

Language Barriers

Think about the following:

• Is there a common language? Is it English?
• Is the person you are speaking with, able to understand the language/words?
• Are you using jargon?

When someone’s primary language differs from your own, you may have trouble understanding one another. Idiomatic phrases or expressions, where the actual meaning differs from what is literally said, do not translate well among languages and cause misunderstandings. Here are some strategies to improve communication when there are language barriers:

• Speak slowly and clearly
• Politely ask for clarification and avoid assuming that you’ve understood what has been said
• Frequently check for understanding, both your own  and the understanding of the person you’re visiting
• Avoid idioms. An example of an idiom is be ‘out in left field’
• Be careful of jargon including acronyms
• Be specific
• Be patient.

Instructor Notes: