Module 2
MODULE 2 REVIEWER
Practicing Communication Ethics and Navigating Cultural Diversity
INTRODUCTION: ETHICS OF COMMUNICATION
What is Communication Ethics?
Communication ethics refers to the moral principles that guide how we communicate with others.
It means communicating in a way that is:
Truthful
Respectful
Responsible
Fair
Example
If an organization hides important information from its employees, it is acting unethically because it lacks honesty and transparency.
Ethical communication helps build:
Trust
Loyalty
Credibility
Respect
Core Values of Ethical Communication
Value | Simple Meaning |
Honesty | Do not lie or deceive. |
Integrity | Make your actions match your words. |
Transparency | Be open about important information. |
Respect | Value the beliefs, opinions, and dignity of others. |
Responsibility | Be accountable for the effects of your message. |
Guidelines for Ethical Communication
1. Have a strong value system.
Base your communication on integrity, fairness, and respect.
2. Give complete and accurate information.
Make sure your information is correct, researched, and not misleading.
3. Disclose important information.
Do not hide details that people need to know.
4. Follow a code of ethics.
Follow the communication rules and standards of your school, organization, or profession.
EASY REMINDER:
HITRR
H – Honesty
I – Integrity
T – Transparency
R – Respect
R – Responsibility
LESSON 1: LOCAL AND GLOBAL COMMUNICATION IN MULTICULTURAL SETTINGS
What is Intercultural Communication?
Intercultural communication is communication between people from different cultural or linguistic backgrounds.
People communicate differently because they have different:
Cultures
Experiences
Beliefs
Values
Languages
Social backgrounds
Important Idea
Miscommunication does not always happen because of language problems.
Even if two people speak English fluently, they may misunderstand each other because of:
Cultural differences
Cultural biases
Different behaviors
Different communication styles
Goal of Intercultural Communication
To communicate successfully, we need:
Awareness
Empathy
Respect
Adaptability
Key Vocabulary
Take for granted – assuming something without questioning it
Cultural bias – a belief or judgment influenced by your culture
Domestic workforce – workers within the same country
Cultural overtones – hidden or subtle cultural meanings
Durable bond – a strong and lasting relationship
Grossly disloyal – extremely unfaithful or disrespectful
COMMUNICATING ACROSS CULTURES
1. Communicating across cultures is difficult.
We often think our own cultural practices are “normal” because we grew up with them.
2. Intercultural competence is becoming more important.
Because of globalization, people now communicate and work with people from many cultures.
3. Generalizations can help—but be careful.
Learning about cultural patterns can be helpful, but not every person behaves exactly like their culture.
KEY DIMENSIONS OF CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
1. High-Context vs. Low-Context Communication
High-Context Culture
Communication depends heavily on:
Body language
Tone of voice
Shared knowledge
Implied meanings
The message may not be said directly.
Examples: Japan, China, Arab nations
Low-Context Culture
Communication is more:
Direct
Clear
Explicit
People prefer to clearly say what they mean.
Examples: United States, Germany, United Kingdom
Easy Example:
High-context: “It’s getting late…”
→ May actually mean: “You should leave now.”
Low-context: “It’s getting late. You should go home now.”
2. Sequential vs. Synchronic Time Orientation
Sequential Culture
Time is viewed as linear.
People usually:
Do one task at a time
Follow schedules
Value punctuality
Focus on deadlines
Synchronic Culture
Time is viewed as more flexible.
People may:
Do several things at once
Prioritize relationships
Adjust schedules depending on the situation
3. Affective vs. Neutral Emotional Expression
Affective Culture
People openly show their emotions.
Example: Italy and, in some contexts, the United States
Neutral Culture
People usually control and restrain emotional expression.
Example: Japan and the United Kingdom
Important!
Neither style is better.
Someone being emotional is not necessarily rude, and someone being calm is not necessarily cold.
KEY TAKEAWAY
There is no single correct communication style.
Cultures are not better or worse—they are simply different.
Successful intercultural communication requires:
Respect + Awareness + Flexibility
LESSON 2: VARIETIES AND REGISTERS OF SPOKEN AND WRITTEN LANGUAGE
Varieties of English
English is spoken differently around the world.
The way English is spoken may be influenced by a person’s:
Mother tongue
Local language
Culture
Education
Social background
Three Levels of English Variety
1. Acrolect
The variety closest to Standard English.
2. Mesolect
The middle variety, between acrolect and basilect.
3. Basilect
The variety that differs the most from Standard English and may be closer to a pidgin.
Easy Reminder:
Acrolect → Mesolect → Basilect
Closest to standard → Middle → Farthest from standard
Three Concentric Circles of English
Different countries use English differently because their local languages influence English pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.
English varieties may differ in:
Phonology – pronunciation and sounds
Lexicon – vocabulary
Syntax – sentence structure
Discourse – how ideas are communicated
Examples of Asian English Varieties
Singapore English
Examples of unique vocabulary:
actsy – showing off
missy – nurse
chop – rubber stamp
Philippine English
Examples:
deep – difficult to understand
stick – cigarette
high blood – tense or upset
blowout – treating someone
balikbayan box – box sent or brought by Filipinos from abroad
Malaysian English
Examples:
kachang – easy
slambar – relax
Philippine English
Philippine English is considered a legitimate variety of English because it has its own:
Grammatical features
Vocabulary
Sentence structures
Important Question:
When does an error become a feature?
If a form of English is widely and consistently used by educated speakers and becomes accepted within a speech community, it may eventually become a recognized feature of that variety.
Key Idea:
English changes and develops depending on the people and cultures using it.
Features of Philippine English
Lexical Features
These involve vocabulary and word choices.
Examples:
Preference for certain words
Unusual word combinations
Different preposition usage
Example:
“Results to” instead of “results in”
Syntactic Features
These involve sentence structure.
Examples include:
Word-order variation
Different article usage (a, an, the)
Noun usage differences
Pronoun-antecedent incongruence
Subject-predicate incongruence
Different verb classifications
Tense-aspect differences
LANGUAGE REGISTERS
What is Register?
A language register is the type or variety of language we use depending on the situation.
We change our language depending on:
Who we are talking to
Where we are
Why we are communicating
Whether communication is spoken or written
Three Elements of Register:
FMT
F – Field
What are you talking about?
Example: Science, law, religion, cooking
M – Mode
How is communication delivered?
Example: Spoken or written
T – Tenor
What is the relationship between the people communicating?
Example: Teacher to student, friend to friend
TYPES OF LANGUAGE REGISTER
1. Formal Register
Used in:
Academic writing
Speeches
Business letters
Professional settings
Project proposals
Characteristics:
Serious
Objective
Professional
Grammatically correct
Example:
“Good morning. Thank you for attending this important meeting.”
2. Informal Register
Used with:
Friends
Family
Close acquaintances
Characteristics:
Casual
Personal
Emotional
Conversational
Example:
“Hey! Thanks for coming!”
3. Neutral Register
Not too formal and not too informal.
Often used in:
Instructions
Explanations
Informative texts
Other Register Examples
Legalese
Language used in law.
Technical
Formal
Sometimes difficult to understand
Plain English
Simple language that is easy for most people to understand.
SMS/Textese
Language used in texting.
Examples:
LOL
BRB
IDK
Emojis
⚠ It is fast and convenient but can sometimes cause misunderstandings.
LESSON 3: EXPLORING TEXTS REFLECTING DIFFERENT CULTURES
Why is Cultural Context Important?
People from different cultures may:
Pronounce words differently
Use gestures differently
Interpret messages differently
Follow different social rules
Understanding cultural context helps prevent miscommunication.
PRONUNCIATION AS A CAUSE OF MISCOMMUNICATION
Different English varieties pronounce words differently.
Example:
Some speakers may simplify final consonant sounds:
left → lef
picked → pik
This may sometimes affect how people understand a message.
American English vs. Philippine English
Filipino speakers often pronounce words more clearly according to their spelling and use a syllable-timed rhythm.
American English often blends or reduces sounds and uses a more stress-timed rhythm.
American English | More Clearly Pronounced Form |
Gotcha! | Got you! |
Whatche say? | What did she say? |
Wherd yu go? | Where did you go? |
Can I getche a drink? | Can I get you a drink? |
CULTURAL BARRIERS
A cultural barrier is something caused by cultural differences that makes communication difficult.
It can involve:
Language
Pronunciation
Gestures
Customs
Beliefs
Values
Gestures Can Have Different Meanings
Thumbs-up 👍
Usually means approval in many cultures, but its meaning can be different or offensive in other cultural settings.
Circle Gesture 👌
Can mean:
“Okay” in some cultures
“Money” in Japan
Something offensive or threatening in other places
Important Rule:
Do not assume a gesture has the same meaning everywhere.
FORMAL AND INFORMAL LANGUAGE
The register you use depends on:
Audience – Who are you talking to?
Purpose – Why are you communicating?
Context – Where and when are you communicating?
Example:
Informal:
“Thanks for the seat!”
Formal:
“Thank you very much, Sir/Ma’am.”
LESSON 4: COPING WITH THE CHALLENGES OF INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Why Does Intercultural Miscommunication Happen?
People from different cultures may have different:
Thought patterns
Beliefs
Values
Communication habits
Ways of interpreting symbols
Even if everyone speaks English, misunderstandings can still happen.
English as a Lingua Franca (ELF)
A lingua franca is a common language used by people with different native languages.
English is widely used internationally and is the working language of ASEAN.
However, speaking the same language does not guarantee perfect understanding because cultures still influence how people communicate.
Causes of Intercultural Misunderstanding
1. Speech Perturbations
Problems in speech, such as:
Hesitation
Mispronunciation
Speaking unclearly
2. Poor Turn-Taking
People may interrupt or fail to understand when it is their turn to speak.
3. Parallel Talk
People may continue talking without properly responding to what the other person said.
NONVERBAL SOURCES OF MISUNDERSTANDING
Miscommunication does not only come from words.
It can also come from:
Handshakes
Greetings
Facial expressions
Gestures
Body language
HANDSHAKES IN DIFFERENT CULTURES
Country/Region | Typical Handshake Style |
United States | Firm handshake |
France | Softer handshake |
Germany | Firm handshake |
Japan | Handshake combined with a bow |
Middle East | May involve placing the free hand on the other person’s forearm |
Important:
Different styles do not mean someone is rude. They may simply be following their cultural norms.
GREETINGS
Greetings also differ between cultures.
Examples:
Japanese people may bow differently depending on gender or social context.
German traditions may include bows as a sign of respect or recognition of authority.
Key Idea:
Understanding cultural practices helps us avoid unintentionally offending others.
SOURCES OF MISUNDERSTANDING
1. Ambiguity
The message is unclear and can have more than one meaning.
Example:
“I saw her duck.”
→ Did you see her bird or did you see her bend down?
2. Performance-Related Misunderstanding
Mistakes caused by:
Speaking too fast
Slips of the tongue
Mishearing
Unclear pronunciation
3. Language-Related Misunderstanding
Problems caused by:
Incorrect grammar
Incorrect sentence structure
Wrong word usage
4. Gaps in World Knowledge
People may not understand something because they lack background knowledge.
Example:
A joke about a local tradition may not make sense to a foreign visitor.
5. Local Context
Misunderstandings caused by:
Turn-taking
Conversation structure
Participant expectations
Different interpretations of the situation
APPROACHES TO UNDERSTANDING INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Learning about other cultures is important, especially when:
Traveling
Studying abroad
Working with international people
Communicating online
Living in diverse communities
Benefits of Cultural Awareness
It:
Broadens your perspective
Helps you respect differences
Reduces misunderstandings
Prevents cultural offense
Encourages peaceful coexistence
MOST IMPORTANT IDEA:
No culture is superior or inferior. Cultures are different, and understanding these differences helps people live and communicate harmoniously.
⭐ MODULE 2 QUICK SUMMARY
ETHICAL COMMUNICATION
Communicate with:
Honesty + Integrity + Transparency + Respect + Responsibility
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Communication between people from different cultures.
Requires:
Awareness + Empathy + Respect + Adaptability
CULTURAL COMMUNICATION STYLES
High-context → indirect and implied
Low-context → direct and explicit
Sequential time → strict schedules
Synchronic time → flexible schedules
Affective → openly expresses emotions
Neutral → controls emotional expression
VARIETIES OF ENGLISH
Acrolect → closest to Standard English
Mesolect → middle variety
Basilect → farthest from Standard English
LANGUAGE REGISTER
Choose language based on:
Audience + Purpose + Context
Types:
Formal
Informal
Neutral
Register is also influenced by:
Field + Mode + Tenor
MAIN CAUSES OF INTERCULTURAL MISUNDERSTANDING
Ambiguity
Performance problems
Language problems
Gaps in world knowledge
Local context
Nonverbal differences
ONE-LINE FINAL REVIEW:
Effective communication means being truthful and responsible while respecting cultural and linguistic differences and adjusting your language to fit the audience and situation.