Intercultural Communication Problems at Sulandia
Written by the book review writing service
Ethnocentrism is an assumption that one’s own culture is moral, right, and rational whereas the other cultures are inferior. It is expressed in the fact that Sulandia natives assume that foreign women who work as managers are not real women. In addition, they believe that since foreigners eat certain types of animals they are unclean. This is because Sulandia culture propagates that women should be confined to their homes and care for the family; it also asserts that eating certain types of animals is associated with cleanliness.
To solve the problem of ethnocentrism one should find out more about Sulundians’ culture in order not to run into problems with its authorities.
Prejudice is an act of pre-judging others because they belong to a particular group. According to Sulandia culture, women are the weaker sex, thus must obey their husbands. Similarly, Sulandia treats those who do not belong to the royal family as less important. It means that any foreigner who does not follow the correct protocol in communicating with the royal family is deported back to his/her country. In addition, foreigners are perceived to be unclean and therefore must stay within the compounds set aside for them.
The problem of prejudice can be solved by setting appropriate examples to the Sulundians. For example, those who assume higher positions should treat those working under them with respect.
Language Barriers. Despite having several interpreters, Sulundians do not see the need in learning international languages. Instead, they prefer that the foreigners should learn their native language, which is difficult to master. To solve language barrier, one should learn more about the Sulundia local languages.
Stereotypes refer to perceptions or beliefs that people hold about particular groups based on their previously formed opinions. Since some Sulundians are lazy, the authorities in the country believe that most people lack personal ambition; therefore, such persons must be threatened in order to work hard.
A possible solution to prejudice is proving to the Sulundians natives that the perceptions they have on the westerners are wrong. An effective way of doing so would be handling all assigned tasks with care.
Intercultural Communication Problems at Norotania
Lack of Exposure. Norotania natives have less experience in dealing with foreigners. As a result, they find it difficult to relate with them. For instance, since Norotania culture stresses that young people are less intelligent compared to elders, it would be difficult for foreigners whose skills are judged by their past performance to work with Noratinians. To solve the problem of lack of exposure, foreigners should find out more about Norotania culture.
Inadequate Infrastructure. Roads, electricity, and communication networks play key roles in the businesses management. Lack of these facilities in Norotania would largely affect operations of foreign firms especially those, which deal with perishable goods. In addition, the firms’ management would not be able to make informed decisions due to slow spread of the information throughout the country. Locating businesses in the areas where electricity and telephone lines are available could cope with inadequate infrastructure.
Personal Values. Norotanians are used to socialism techniques of conducting business where employees are mostly motivated by state quotas rather than individual rewards. Hence, foreigners who might secure employment in the local firms would feel less appreciated. In addition, Norotanians show great loyalty to close family members and friends thus foreign workers might feel some forms of discrimination. Therefore, foreigners should understand why the Norotanians behave the way they do in order solve the problem of personal values.
Language Barrier. Norotanians are taught rudimentary English whereas Americans speak Standard English. Consequently, interpretations might distort the information conveyed. The problem of language barrier can be resolved by finding out the difference between rudimentary and Standard English.
Hardship. Given that temperatures in Norotina fall and rise to extreme levels, inaccessibility to electric gadgets such as air-conditioners and heaters pose a great challenge to Americans intending to reside in Norotina. A possible solution to the hardship problem would be to stay in cities with electricity.
In conclusion, despite the fact that Sulandia is more developed than Norotina, it is easier for a foreigner to work in Norotina than in Sulandia. This is because in Sulandia a tourist or a businessperson can easily be deported and punished for no reasons. Similarly, international firms intending to operate in the country would not only feel hostility, but also incur unnecessary costs such as employing interpreters and bribing the royal families. On the other hand, Noratinians are friendly to foreigners. Furthermore, although most firms in Norotina rely on services of interpreters, at least the country offers Basic English lessons to its citizens.
