Question

5. What are two ways that you can show respect for cultural differences when you are communicating with people from diverse backgrounds

Answer 1

Ans) 5) Strategies to adopt when working with people who are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds:

- Consider your choice of language. Some idioms or slang language may not be understood by people from another linguistic background (or people within the same linguistic group but from a different generation).
- The ‘rules’ relating to non-verbal communication are generally understood within a certain culture but vary from culture to culture and from generation to generation. These rules are particularly relevant in the areas of touching and the use of personal space. Take the time to understand these for the different cultures you are working with.
- If colleagues do not share English as their first language, make sure you give adequate time in communication and obtain feedback to clarify understanding.
- Avoid inappropriate or gratuitous references to a person’s culture, etc. For example, ‘The new person who will be starting work next week is a woman by the name of Mary Connolly. She’s Anglo-Indian.’
- If it is not necessary to identify a person’s cultural identity, simply use the term ‘Australian’. By mentioning people’s ethnic group, race, culture or religion, we are communicating that they are ‘different’—from the ‘norm’. If it is necessary to identify a person’s cultural identity, use terms such as ‘New Zealand-born’ or ‘Arabic-speaking’.