Navigating Cultural and Language Differences

Navigating cultural and language differences

We all take knowing the language for granted, especially when one is an English-speaking native. In Canada, you are not only in a dominant language society where all your friends, family and coworkers speak it, but the popular media, music and entertainment you access are usually also in English.

Now imagine if you were plucked down and nobody around you could speak English. You may have made substantial efforts to learn the official language of your host country, and you can communicate enough to get by with daily errands. But anything past a basic conversation would be complicated, and all your slang, expressions, and little nuances are entirely foreign to all those around you. 

That is the case for so many newcomers, whether refugees, Temporary Foreign Workers or immigrants on their way to permanent residency.

But with some self-awareness, you ensure communication goes smoothly with anybody, regardless of cultural background.

What do you do if the person has little to no English?

If you have the ability or desire to do so, learn that person’s native language. Not saying it is easy, but even just a few words or sentences can make a world of difference. It starts the pathway of communication and makes the newcomer feel welcome.

There are studies out there saying that learning a second language boosts your brainpower and helps delay cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s Disease. You can also impress strangers with your ability to speak multiple languages. Win-win-win.

So how can you learn? You can attend official classes, but Apps like Duolingo and Memrise are amazing and typically free substitutes.

Don’t have the time to learn another language? Entirely fair. 

You can still communicate using translation apps and websites. Some do have a fee attached, like iTranslate Voice 3, but others, such as Google Translate, are free. Say Hi even translate through speech. Both of you can then have a hands-free conversation. It’s a great option for business as well.

With apps, you may not be able to debate the finer points of Shakespeare’s legacy in the literary world, but you can certainly spark a friendly conversation.

If they have enough English to have a conversation, be aware that there may be a few discrepancies or grammar quirks that may change the entire sentence. If unsure, politely ask them to clarify. This is particularly true when slang is involved. 

Slang and turns of phrases

If you are Canadian-born or have lived in the country long enough, you know what loonie, double-double, tuque or two-four means. But newcomers don’t necessarily have the cultural context to know what these mean. Avoid them unless you cannot, and be ready to explain what they stand for.

Idioms are also something to avoid. Though it is easy to pepper your writing or conversation with them, they can be confusing to speakers of other languages. Even when translated, they don’t always make sense. 

Other countries have idioms of their own. Like in Germany, “to buy a cat in a sack” means that a buyer purchased something without inspecting it first. And in Portuguese, “Pay the duck” means “To take the blame for something you did not do.”

Both do not translate to English well. So be mindful of your own slang and idioms.

Cultural differences in communication

So, the newcomer has a good grasp of the English language. Perfect! You are good to go. There will never be any misunderstanding, right? 

Wrong.

Turns out communication styles aren’t the same across the world. They aren’t even the same throughout Canada. In Quebec, people are more expressive, have livelier conversations, and use more gestures, contrasting with the more reserved anglophones. People in the Maritimes are more open, friendly and welcoming, while those living in urban areas of Ontario can sometimes be standoffish.

If you are unaware of this, it can lead to misunderstandings or uncomfortable situations where you feel a person is too familiar or secretly dislikes you.

So, take the time to research their culture’s communication style, though keep in mind that everybody is an individual with their quirks and styles.

A quick hack?

According to the Intercultural Development Inventory, there are four cultural communication patterns. These usually arise during a conflict or debate but can be seen in everyday conversation.

• Discussion style, which is seen in North Americans of European descent, in Europe countries such as Denmark, United Kingdom, Germany and Sweden, Australia and New Zealand;

• Engagement style, which is usually seen in North Americans of African descent, in Europe countries such as French, Spain, Italy and Greece, in Central and Latin America such as Cuba and Puerto Rico, in Russia and Israel;

• Accommodation style, seen in Indigenous people, in Latin American countries such as Mexico, Costa Rica and Peru, and most of Asia; and

• Dynamic Style is typically seen in the Middle East.

Those with a dynamic communication style tend to be more direct and have less emotional expressiveness. Those in the engagement style tend to be more direct but have more emotional expressiveness. Those with an accommodating style of communication will be less direct and have less emotional expressiveness, while those with a dynamic style will be less direct and have more emotional expressiveness.

For example, an Asian coworker may compliment you on your ability to take charge of a room and mention how your presence overtakes everybody else’s, but this may be their way of politely telling you to tone down and let others speak.

This leads to the creator of most misunderstandings…

Non-verbal communication

Italian people use their hands to emphasize speech, Indians wobble their heads to say thank you, Vietnamese people avoid direct eye contact as a sign of respect, and French people kiss on the cheek as a greeting.

All of these are cultural examples of non-verbal communication.

Studies have shown that 70 to 93% of communication is non-verbal, so navigating the differences can mean the difference between a disastrous conversation and a great one.

Eye Contact: Understand that direct and sustained eye contact is a sign of confidence in the Western world. In many parts of Asia and the Middle East, it is a sign of aggression and can be seen as rude. In many cultures, it is also a sign of sexual interest when done to the opposite sex. So, if in doubt, don’t stare into a person’s eyes for a long time. Looking at a person’s lips, nose, or generalized facial area still shows attention and confidence but avoids any aggressivity. 

Touch: Obviously, it is inappropriate in all cultures to greet a stranger with a firm, wet kiss on the mouth. But touch is actually used in many conversational settings, and it can be difficult to figure out boundaries if unfamiliar.

In the Western world, many conversations start with a handshake. But that may be unwelcomed for those from countries like Japan who prefer bowing.

Some cultures have large “personal bubbles” while others nearly touch when standing next to each other.

Even in the business world, a friendly hug is welcome in certain Middle Eastern countries but would get somebody slapped with a sexual harassment lawsuit in others.

The best way to navigate this is to research their cultural mores and let them take the initiative. Gage your behaviour off theirs. It is better to be conservative with touch than to offend somebody accidentally. If you are uncomfortable with certain cultural practices regarding touch, you do have the right to speak out. No culture touch strangers or coworkers sexually. 

Facial expressions: Turns out facial expressions are innate and universal. Even babies can differentiate between happiness, anger and sadness. So, there should be no mistaking a person’s emotional state. Just be aware that expressing these emotions may or may not be acceptable depending on the culture and the situation. As an example, in Thailand, people often smile even when angry.

Gestures: Unlike facial expressions, gestures aren’t universal. Some very common gestures in North America can be viewed as rude or even obscene by others.

Gestures like the two-finger peace symbol, when outwards facing, are equivalent to giving somebody the finger in places like the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and India.

Many people already know that the OK sign, creating a ring with the thumb and index, is a no-go in certain places, even more so now that certain white supremacy groups have appropriated it. But who could have imagined that something as simple as a thumbs up could cause a violent outburst in places like the Middle East and West Africa?

So, when unsure about a particular gesture, it is best to forgo it. You wouldn’t want a gesture to turn a lovely conversation sour.

Though it may seem like a lot to remember, with a little effort, research, and a lot of understanding, navigating cultural and language differences is a piece of cake. Or, in Belarusian, it’s simpler than a stewed turnip.