Author Michelle Jimerson 4/3/17
Cross-Cultural Communication Problems
Because there is not a universal language, individuals from different cultures who speak different languages must find a method to communicate in a language that is understandable to the hearers. The most popular way to resolve language barriers is through provision of translators. Another option is non-verbal communication and sign language. The underlying problems with interpretation of the message is some statements are not translated correctly because some languages do not contain words used in other cultures and some words have different meanings in different cultures. It is also difficult to discuss salvation when other cultures have no prior knowledge of the Christian God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Some do not understand the significance of the Messiah’s return, Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension. Although all of humanity has sinned, the meaning of sin, God’s wrath, separation from God due to the fall of man, spiritual death, and Lucifer may need to be explained to an individual in the form of familiar items being used as object lessons, as parables, or with metaphors.[1]
Additional problems which occurs during cross- cultural communication are the assumptions that all within the culture understand what is being spoken, intimidation from more powerful community leaders to silence others, traditional gender role customs, different cultural values, and fear from those humiliated or tortured by another nation. The different classes within cultures also have different manners of communicating with each other and those considered outsiders. It is important for a global leader to become culturally aware of others values, customs, and means of communication. This will aide in avoiding assumptions.
Positive Aspects of Cross-Cultural Communication:
A biblical example of the power of cross-cultural communication is found in Genesis 11:1-9. In ancient Babylon, the people achieved great results when they worked together as one. God Almighty saw the determination of the people to build a tower to heaven and stated” “nothing will be restrained from them, let's go down to confound their language and scatter them throughout the world.”
Genesis 11:1-9 King James Version
1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar. 4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.6 And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
An article published in the Christian Courier[2] making references to historical evidence, and listing several scholars’ view of the biblical story of the Tower of Babel, notes the original language may have been Sanskrit or a language currently known as Endo-European. One of the goals of cross- cultural communication is to create a harmonious experience. This can be achieved when all have a common goal and each global participant brings valuable resources, expertise in different areas, spiritual giftings (1 Corinthians 12), knowledge, influence, love for others (1 Corinthians 13), and willingness to work with others .
Global Leaders’ Cross-Cultural Skills
In the United States of America care and empowerment is often communicated by how much is invested into meeting the needs of others or in other words, seeing, doing, knowing and being. In other cultures care may be communicated by respect for their traditions, helping the tribal chiefs, political leaders, influencers, and businesses solve problems, providing job opportunities in the community, teaching vocational skills, building schools furnished with updated learning tools to educate the youth, providing medical services, helping rebuild communities after disasters, or providing much needed resources in impoverished areas.
[1] Paul R. Raabe, “Cross Cultural Communication and Biblical Language” Missio Apostolica, no. 2, (November 1996) : 79-82. ATLA Religion Database with ATLA Serials. EBSCOhost, accessed 04/03/2017.
[2] The Christian Courier, “The Tower of Babel: Legend or History?” by Wayne Jackson, https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/140-tower-of-babel-legend-or-history-the, accessed 04/03/2017.
Also see: Acta Theologica, “Interpretation of the Tower of Babel in the African Context” by Dr. Mark Rathbone, http://www.scielo.org.za/pdf/at/v34n1/10.pdf, accessed 04/03/2017.
[3] Mark E. Mendenhall, Joyce S. Osland, Allan Bird, Gary R. Oddou, Martha L. Maznevski, Michael J. Stevens, and Gunter K. Stahl, Global Leadership: Research, Practice and Development 2nd Edition, ( New York, NY: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, 2013), pp 91-92, Table 4.5 “Managing People and Relationship Competencies”.