Question 1

Discuss the issue of culture in the conventional communication model.

Accepted Answer

The conventional model for communication of sender-channel-receiver plus feedback loop has no specific place for culture. Yet culture affects every aspect of communication. Culture is present in the mental categories or mental database of the sender,and in the choice of code (language)in which the message is sent. Culture also often influences the choice of channel. Culture is present in the mind of the receiver,who has to decode the message (perhaps from another language),put it in a mental category and assign meaning to it. Meanings come from culture. In a sense,culture should be pictured in the model as the context for every step in the communication process.

Question 2

Indirect plan organization means putting the main message in the first sentence.

Accepted Answer

Indirect plan organization involves starting with background information, leading up to the main message, and then concluding with further details. The main message is not placed in the first sentence.

Question 3

Explain what the indirect plan is and discuss reasons for its choice,with reference to cultural dimensions of at least two cultures.

Accepted Answer

The indirect plan begins with relationship-oriented and contextual expressions. Then it may go into explanations (historical background,reasons,and benefits to the reader). Only after the writer has presented this content does the writer get to the main point of the message. In Japanese correspondence,the opening paragraph refers to the season,giving a context for the message and establishing common ground between writer and reader. In Islamic correspondence,the writer often begins by invoking a blessing upon the reader. This also establishes common ground,and nurtures the relationship. Indirectness is also used in results-oriented cultures when the purpose of the message is to persuade or to communicate unwelcome news. The indirect plan,with its attention to relationship,buffers bad news and creates a context of trust for persuasive messages.

Question 4

Developing a context for a business message is important to most Asian communicators.

Accepted Answer

Developing a context for a business message is considered important in Asian culture, as it helps provide the necessary background and build rapport with the receiver of the message. Understanding the context helps the receiver interpret the message better and respond appropriately.

Question 5

Clarity and conciseness are important characteristics of business messages in any culture.

Accepted Answer

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Question 6

Technological developments have changed the way businesspeople use communication channels. Discuss the effect of culture on business communication in telephone text messages,social media posts (such as on Facebook and Twitter).

Accepted Answer

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Question 7

"Choosing the right channel is a communication skill." Discuss internal and external channels,oral channels,and structured behavior channels in relation to relationship-oriented versus results-oriented cultures.

Accepted Answer

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Question 8

Describe the direct plan for organizing messages and discuss the cultural reasons for preference (or distaste)for it in at least two cultures.

Accepted Answer

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Question 9

The why in business communication refers to the purpose for which a message is written.

Accepted Answer

The why in business communication indeed refers to the purpose for which a message is written. It is important to clearly identify the purpose of the message in order to craft an effective communication that achieves the intended objective.

Question 10

Formal and hierarchical messages often go together;informal and horizontal messages often to together. Explain,using examples from specific cultures.

Accepted Answer

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Question 11

Choose one low-context culture and one high-context culture and discuss the way words are regarded in the two cultures,taking into account
a)trust in words to communicate meaning
b)choice of words
c)calculated impact of words.

Accepted Answer

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Question 12

Logic based on facts is the only way people in collectivist cultures are persuaded.

Accepted Answer

People in collectivist cultures are more likely to be persuaded by appeals to social norms, group harmony, and interpersonal relationships rather than purely logical arguments based on facts.

Question 13

The place for culture in the communication model is at the decoding stage,to make the 	model complete.

Accepted Answer

Culture influences both encoding and decoding stages in the communication model, as it affects how messages are created and interpreted.

Question 14

Channel choice (email,face-to-face,telephone)for communication is not affected by culture.

Accepted Answer

Culture can play a significant role in choosing a communication channel, as different cultures may have different preferences and norms when it comes to communication. For example, in some cultures, face-to-face communication is preferred for important or sensitive matters, while in others, written communication may be seen as more appropriate. Additionally, the use of technology and social media may be more or less prevalent in different cultures, which can influence channel choice as well.

Question 15

Low-context cultures generally use indirect plan for persuasive messages.

Accepted Answer

Low-context cultures rely on explicit communication and prefer direct language, including in persuasive messages.

Question 16

Discuss persuasion in messages from at least two cultures from among these three different regions: Western Europe,East Asia,and Arab cultures

Accepted Answer

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Question 17

The idea is what travels from sender to receiver.

Accepted Answer

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Question 18

To communicate successfully across cultures,the communicator has to make assumptions about meaning.

Accepted Answer

Since every culture has its own set of norms, values, beliefs, and customs, the communicator has to rely on assumptions about the meaning of the message being communicated to bridge the cultural gap. These assumptions may not always be accurate, leading to misinterpretation and misunderstandings in cross-cultural communication.

Question 19

Discuss storytelling,analogy,and bargaining discourses as ways to communicate about problems.

Accepted Answer

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Question 20

The way a language is structured seems related to the structure of thought. Discuss,using examples.

Accepted Answer

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Quiz 5: Organizing Messages to Other Cultures