Language and culture cannot be separated. A good communicator knows this, and will speak with the cultural style of the listener. By mirroring someone’s communication style, you are affirming their values in that area. Contrarily, when parties don’t reciprocate each other’s “set of rules” for communication, it has a negative impact on the interaction.
The American communication style is often contrary to the style of Asian language speakers. Asian language speakers who want to improve communication with Americans may have adjust their style to adopt the following:
Speaking Strategies
- Aim for fluency before accuracy
Don’t pause looking for the perfect word or grammar structure. Slow speech seems choppy. Americans would rather hear fluid speech with some errors spoken at a normal pace than slow, monotone, carefully worded speech. - Be specific and explicit
Americans don’t read between the lines like many high context cultures do. Be sure to be clear and direct in all your communications, both spoken and written. - Speak with conviction
Use proper intonation. Statements should end in a falling tone. A rising tone at the end of the sentence makes the speaker sounds unsure or not confident. - Have assertive posture, volume and projection
Stand erect, open your chest, lift your chin and square your hips. Take up space. - Maintain eye contact
Maintaining eye contact is seen as a sign of honesty and character.
- Give a firm handshake
Like eye contact, how you give a handshake is seen as a sign of your character. - Learn to say no directly
Americans would rather hear no directly than have to guess what “maybe” or “perhaps” really means. They do not take direct speech as an insult.
- Get comfortable with small talk
Talk about the weather, sports, family, etc in short, simple, not too personal bits. - Stop apologizing
In many Asian cultures, apologies are seen as ways to create harmony and show humility. In the US it is seen as accepting personal blame.
- Confront differences explicitly
Bring up differences in opinions explicitly. Don’t expect the listener to “read between the lines.” You will only confuse and annoy them. A constructive yet contrary opinion is usually welcome and not taken personally.
Hello, I would love to translate this article into Japanese and repost on my blog. Of course I will give you link back and credit. Please let me know. Thank you.
just found your comment!! Sorry I didn’t reply sooner. Of course you can repost (with credits) I’m glad to help!
I created group Business English course , Master class developing,Case Study writing. on Linkedin.:
http://lnkd.in/JnnyqZ
I am an Asian!
It would be nice to post your 10 Communication Tips for Asian Language Speakers and discuss them there!
I just found your comment!! Sorry I didn’t reply sooner. Of course you can repost (with credits) I’m glad to help!
Hi Lauren. I’m a Filipino and a soft skills trainer and let me share where Filipinos are coming from as to why they commit what you mentioned when communicating with North Americans.
1. It’s definitely the fact that English is only the 2nd Language. There has to be a lot of careful thinking about accent, pronunciation, grammar, and word choice while speaking since words don’t come out naturally and it backfires as choppy delivery.
2. It’s in the culture of most Filipinos to beat around the bush to segue to something.
3. This is definitely MTI – Mother Tongue Influence. When Filipinos speak in the vernacular, Tagalog that is, you will notice that sentences mostly end with a rising tone.
5. This skill really has to be learned by Filipinos. For some reason, maybe historical or cultural, most Flips are uncomfortable with looking in the eye.
7. Filipinos are highly emotional that a “no” is a big deal that the impact could hurt, embarrass, or offend.
9. Filipinos tend to be submissive or are inherently submissive. This explains the too much apologizing and the too much giving in. Not everyone though. There are some who are highly-assertive.
The root causes are what need to be addressed. Once these are addressed, Filipinos can be better at communicating with North Americans.
Thanks for the interesting feedback. Since Filipino culture is high context, your reasons listed make total sense. However, I disagree that the “root cause needs to be addressed” I don’t believe Filipinos (or any one else) should change their beliefs or culture to suit someone else. It’s a matter of “putting on a culture” (like new clothes!) depending on the context, to help you reach your goal of good communication. My personality and my culture are both very direct, yet I know that in certain situations, especially with high context cultures, I need to use a more indirect approach to be successful. And it’s not easy to use a style that is not natural. It definitely takes practice!