Stereotypes in Transcultural Communication at Work

This article discusses how stereotypes affect transcultural communication, the types of stereotypes, and solutions to stereotypes. It also highlights the barriers facing transcultural communication.

TRANSCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
STEREOTYPES IN TRANSCULTURAL COMMUNICATION AT WORK
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TRANSCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
INTRODUCTION
Transcultural communication is a study field that involves looking at how people who
come from different cultural backgrounds communicate among themselves by use of similar or
different ways, and how they are determined in communicating across their cultures. It is an
interaction where the communicator uses a second or third language and requires a shared
language and strong intercultural awareness and skills (Hepp, 2015).
Transcultural communication started after the Cold War when countries which were
involved in the war opted to solve their differences hence leading to changes and advancements
in economic relationships and political systems which helped in breaking down the old cultural
barriers. Businesses embraced global capitalism by coming up with language training programs
that were meant to train employees on how they should act when abroad. Thus, transcultural
communication was first witnessed in businesses and governments whose intention was to
expand globally.
In as much as organizations have tried to develop programs which are aimed at making
sure that there is effective communication in the workplace, there are still barriers facing
transcultural communication (Robinson, & Gilmartin, 2002). These barriers include;
 Stereotypes
 Prejudice
 Exclusion of non-native speakers of English
 Discrimination
In this article, we are discussing on how stereotypes affect transcultural communication.

TRANSCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Stereotyping in Transcultural Communication
A stereotype refers to the generalization made about a certain group of people that over
simplifies their cultures. A stereotype is a belief that is widely held about a certain group of
people. As a result of stereotyping, people will tend to make assumptions about an individual
basing on the perceived image people have on the group that he or she belongs to. This makes
communication in such cases difficult since such stereotypes are injurious to individuals and
groups (Martin, & Nakayama, 2013). When groups from different cultural background meet, the
assumptions that they have about each other have a great influence on their interactions. People
may not be stereotyped based on their national culture only; individuals may also be stereotyped
based on their gender, age, social class, occupation, appearance, sexual orientation, level of
education, etc. These biases about people may constitute cultural barriers between individuals
thus they may influence their behavior and the outcomes of communication.
Stereotypes are of two kinds. These are;
i. Positive stereotypes
Stereotypes can be positive in the sense that most people tend to think that all attractive
people have social skills and are also smart. This may be problematic to those stereotyped
since the attractive people will be under pressure trying to fit in the stereotypes other
people have on them. This makes them strive to be good at something that they are
actually not good at.
ii. Negative stereotypes.
Other people are of the notion that some classes of people dislike doing some things. This
kind of generalizations may help in trying to interact with the named groups of people but
become harmful if they are rigidly held. Trying to interact with someone with the belief
that they do not like whatever you are taking them through will make one hold a negative
stereotype (Appelbaum, Wenger, Pachon Buitrago, & Kaur, 2016).
People hold stereotypes to help them in knowing what to expect from a certain group of
people and how to react about it. Stereotypes are picked up when one has some negative
experiences and through the media who tend to portray groups in a stereotypic manner.

TRANSCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Solutions to Stereotypes
Stereotypes can be solved using the following techniques;
a) Seek to find individual information that can help to counter stereotypes.
b) One should recognize the negative stereotypes that we all have.
c) Paraphrase what others say to be sure of your understanding.
d) Define terms to make it easier for one to understand.
e) Do not assume that everyone uses terms in the same way.
f) One should pay great attention to what the other party says and not the accent or style of
communication.
g) Seek for clarity, that is, ask questions where you don’t understand.
h) Try as much as possible to also consider what has not been said.
i) Consider asking open-ended questions which helps in giving your audience the
opportunity to share in whatever is being said.

TRANSCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
References
Appelbaum, S. H., Wenger, R., Pachon Buitrago, C., & Kaur, R. (2016). The effects of old-age
stereotypes on organizational productivity (part one). Industrial and Commercial
Training, 48(4), 181-188.
Hepp, A. (2015). Transcultural communication. John Wiley & Sons.
Martin, J. N., & Nakayama, T. K. (2013). Intercultural communication in contexts. New York:
NY: McGraw-Hill.
Robinson, M., & Gilmartin, J. (2002). Barriers to communication between health practitioners
and service users who are not fluent in English. Nurse Education Today, 22(6), 457-465.