Campfire: What is the biggest problem, other than language, communicating with someone from another country?

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Permalink Reply by CrazyCheshireCat on June 7, 2008 at 7:20pm

Or by subtle nuances which vary with every language. Everything has a different word, every word has a different meaning.

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Permalink Reply by Moka on June 12, 2008 at 1:23pm

yes, I absolutely agree with that too, the way you put it is even more accurate.

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Permalink Reply by Tsuko on September 21, 2008 at 12:58am

I agree with this completely, specially when the language is Spanish -_-
With so many nations having it as first language, the amount of coloquialisms and double-sense words is insane.
On the other hand we're prone to get together and make friends quickly to a fault, so mess-ups are more an amusement than a problem.

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Permalink Reply by Chris on August 7, 2008 at 11:46am

I believe once you get past language barrier that a possible problem is cultural difference. Growing up submerged in certain ideas and beliefs can vary the way your percieve things, and your feelings or interpretations about certain subject matter. One small example is of me living in the United States and how divorce is such a common occurence in this country, but other countries divorce is not allowed. Growing up in these two completely different ideas and belief would change your perspective on relationships, marriage, love, and even everyday interaction with people close to you. I know that may have been a random example, but it is what I thought of off the top of my head.

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Permalink Reply by Lee R.E. on August 25, 2008 at 8:44pm

Cultural and Political perspective.

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Permalink Reply by Marvin Price on September 4, 2008 at 11:28am

My biggest problem when communicating with someone from another country is getting tongue tied while trying not to notice how freaking beautiful she is, and how that combined with her accent is causing me to have to remain seated.

Just Kidding.

I agree with Chris. I think he hit the nail on the head.

Culture and ethnicity.

My operating definition of culture is "how you view the world." This is why a person can be a culture of one. I.e. his own subculture. Cultures are amazing. Ever notice how many cultures you may or may not be a part of?

At the same time there is ethnicity. I have an operating view of "ethnicity" as well and it doesn't concern race. I am always annoyed when some government form asks me my "ethnicity." Ethnicity and race are not the same thing. I am black, but ethnically I'm American. I enjoy American food. I think like an American. I identify with being an American far more than I identify with being black.

I read somewhere that the stuffy book university types see ethnicity as a "product of interaction." I think that says it all.

When you communicate with someone from another country, that person will be someone who is of a different culture and ethnicity, most likely cultures and ethnicities you are unfamiliar with.

The trick is to just shut up.

That's what I do. Shut up and listen. If you are fortunate enough for them to speak English, just listen and you will get an accurate understanding.

Interestingly, in the example that Steve gave, open means to me, someone who has nothing to hide, or someone who isn't afraid to tell you anything so I think I was very close to the foreign meaning of "open."

"Open" and "Open minded" are definitely not the same thing to me.

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Permalink Reply by Christopher on September 14, 2008 at 9:10am

Trying to get around what the stereotype in that country thinks of yours. Biggest problem I face is the insane level of cultural difference.

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Permalink Reply by Pathogen on September 14, 2008 at 6:58pm

I find the biggest barrier is crossing stereotyping and preconceived notions. You almost always have some kind of image of a country in your head.

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Permalink Reply by Yoko on September 17, 2008 at 9:00pm

I think the biggest problem is preconceived notions and adjusting to be able to interact with people using different languages. I am a ASL user, but I am not Deaf. When people find out my primary language is ASL I am thought of as Deaf and left alone. People get it into their heads that they won't be understood or the won't understand and that is where the problems arise.

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Permalink Reply by excalipoor on September 18, 2008 at 5:11pm

sorry. what is ASL?

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Permalink Reply by Yoko on September 18, 2008 at 5:44pm

American Sign Language

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