Intercultural Communication Analysis: US Language & Culture

This report delves into the multifaceted realm of intercultural communication, examining language variations within the United States, the influence of popular culture, the dynamics of virtual teams in a global business context, and personal experiences of culture shock. It highlights the diverse linguistic landscape of the US, noting the prevalence of languages like Spanish, Chinese, and others, and how regional dialects and societal norms shape perceptions. The report analyzes how popular culture, including entertainment and fashion, affects cross-cultural competence. It also addresses the challenges and strategies for effective communication within global virtual teams, emphasizing the importance of clear communication channels and the avoidance of cultural insensitivity. Finally, the report includes a personal reflection on the author's experience with culture shock, detailing the emotional stages encountered during an MBA program in Japan and offering insights into improving intercultural communication skills through active listening and feedback.

Running head: Intercultural Communication 1
Intercultural Communication
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Intercultural Communication 1
Language Variations in the US
There are almost 6 languages that are spoken in the United States. These includes
Spanish, English, Chinese, French, Tagalog and Vietnamese. Different regions have different
connotations with regard to the use of the language where they reside or where they move for
education and employment. For instance, besides English, Spanish is the most widely spoken
language in America. It can now be heard in cities as well as towns all across America. On
the other hand, major concentration of the Chinese speakers is particularly residing in San
Francisco as well as New York. In addition to this, a number of smaller cities in the US have
Chinatown. Regional dialects in the US are the result of a number of factors, such as
subsequent migration, patterns of settlement, as well as isolation.
Perceptions of people with regard to the use of language are formed and influenced by
the use of any particular language by maximum number of populations, i.e. societal norms.
There were different connotations based on the labels assigned to them. For instance, those
who speak Spanish are labelled as Latino, whereas, those speaking French are labelled as
prestigious. The perception of the people influenced with regard to language in particular to
the labels assigned. French became more and more popular as the label prestigious is
assigned to them.
To build intercultural relations, it is important to respect every culture and improve
communication skills as well. Greeting others in a friendly manner always attract them rather
than staying in ego by praising only our own culture. The style of communication and the
skills of leading any team helps in creating an impression on the members of other culture
therefore helps in making good and healthy intercultural relations.
Understanding of Popular Culture
In today’s movie, magazines and music, the most popular thing is entertainment.
Movies, magazines and music become popular depending on the attractive storyline as well
as new sound technology. The growing popularity is also a result of support from the
population to make movie, magazine and music huge hit. The concept of popularity has been
defined in terms of attraction, superiority, dominance as well as liking. Popularity is generally
decided by the mass population who when attracted towards something makes it popular by
spreading awareness about it. Examples of popular culture involves popular music of the
community, medium of entertainment, trends in fashion, advertising as well as television.

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Trends in fashion holds immense importance as it depends on the perceptions of the people
and have a good impression on me to change my fashion trends immediately rather than to go
outdated. Thus, I cannot resist change in fashion trends.
People have different perceptions of what is popular and what is not because of their
likes and dislikes towards that particular thing. Contemporary culture influences us in various
ways, particularly in terms of affecting cross-cultural competence. This is because people
belonging to a particular culture would do anything to make it popular than compared to the
other culture, either by getting into the changing trends or following the popular trends. The
strategy which can be used to attain cross-cultural and intercultural relation is improving
communication style and respecting the difference among cultures.
Virtual Teams in Business
As corporations have progressively become global, they have very well-recognized
the necessity for leveraging their intercontinental presence for the purpose of meeting the
needs as well as desires of the potential customers. By means of using global virtual teams,
companies have been able to increase their openness and awareness with regard to the
changes in the present day hyper-competitive markets. The virtual teams are generally
geographically dispersed. In addition to this, they involve member from diverse nations,
realms as well as cultures. There exists a number of problems which a multi-cultural virtual
teams experience. These may include time, lack of synergy, or also delays in replies, frequent
communications breakdowns among the cross-cultural team members, unresolved conflicts,
effective leadership, participation in functional decision and such.
The most challenging cultural difference for global virtual team is communication.
Even if all the team members speak English, they might not speak the same English. In other
words, it can be said that English language which is spoken in Australia might not be similar
in dialect and accent in other regions of the world. This creates immense problems and
challenging task for the management team to handle the virtual team effectively.
The most effective step which could be taken is creating multiple channels of
communication which will help in insuring that all the virtual members gets the best means to
understand every facts and ideas without any issues. In addition to this, uncommon dialects
and gestures should be avoided so that it does not hurt the sentiments of any member. Formal

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communication will allow the members to work effectively and improve their leadership and
confidence as well.
Culture Shock Experience
Culture shock is described as the situations and emotions of people when they
relocated into uncommon or new surroundings as well as conditions. The reactions of each of
us seems normal when visiting any new country. I have experienced a range of emotions
while I pursued MBA in Japan and difficulties in adapting to the foreign culture. The range of
emotions involved excitement, interest, frustration, depression as well as fear of unidentified
things.
Honeymoon
At the first stage, I was very excited to meet new people, make friends, curious, and
also anticipated about new and exciting experience. In addition to this, I also made my first
social contact with the people of host culture.
Hostility
The culture becomes confusing day by day, and I started feeling inferior to others.
The new systems were frustrating me every single day. As the high expectations made by
me remained unmet, I began to weep and complain my family about the bad situations which
I had faced in classrooms or at cafeteria.
Humour
I then become an explorer and assume responsibilities for my own adjustment with
the new culture. By now I had more balanced, and objective in my experience.
At Home
My language skills had improved noticeably as I felt easier to communicate with the
professors and fellow mates in Japanese language. Things are not same as before, as I have
developed more tolerance level.
For improving intercultural communication skills, it is better to avoid colloquialisms
and listen actively as well as observe what others are meant to say. Encouraging feedback, as
and also allowing for correction or final adjustments of message is of great help.

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