Communication and Cultural Diversity

Living in United Arab Emirates, where the expat community is more than the local population, I have been exposed to cultural diversity from my very small age. We are used to seeing different ethnicity on the streets, hear different languages in the super markets and relate with different nationalities at our work places on a daily basis.

 

Since, our thoughts, our gestures, our actions and reactions, the very way we perceive, reflect our unique experiences with our culture, the way we perceive or how we respond may not be the same way others perceive or respond. Therefore on a daily basis, I am obliged to apply different communicating skills with the different people I come in contact with. 

 

When communicating with people who are not fluent in the English language I try to speak in very simple English, avoiding big phrases and complicated sentences. 

 

When I communicate with my older uncles and aunts, I avoid speaking in English and speak in Malayalam, my native language so that they feel comfortable and at ease in speaking with me.

 

 My Bangladeshi cleaner boy who understands and speaks very little English puts on a smile on his face throughout his communication with me. I get irritated with his nonverbal behavior and communicate with him with a straight face without any expression ignoring his smile, using more non verbal skills such as gestures and body movements coupled with basic English words to communicate and put the message across.

 

 In my early childhood classroom, I am exposed to different parenting styles. Some of which I personally do not agree with. I try to in a very subtle way explain to the parents without offending them or exert my values over them. 

 

These are just few examples of the different ways I communicate with people from different groups and cultures. But culture has a wide range. These past two courses, have taught me that culture extends beyond the color of the skin, is deeper than what we see on the surface. Our emotions, our behavior, parenting styles, lifestyles are all related to culture. Based on my learning, I realize the need for more understanding than just recognizing external symbols like holidays, festivities, food and clothing to become an effective intercultural communicator. Especially as an early childhood teacher being a member of a diverse society, it is important for me to communicate appropriately and effectively with a wide variety of individuals. For this purpose, I would need to:

• Understand other’s perspectives, their practices and values better by looking at the situation through their eyes.
• Withhold judgment at the first impression and allow enough time to understand them.
•  Be more aware of nonverbal behaviors. Realize that nonverbal behaviors are different across cultures and in no way is my patterns of nonverbal behavior any superior to others.

Our perceptions are linked to the wide diversity we encounter in the world and culture is a powerful context of communication. To communicate effectively and appropriately in today’s world, we need to possess an understanding of and appreciation for people who perceive differently that we do.