Communication Styles – U.S. versus Latin America

Introduction

Communication that varies between different people with diverse backgrounds should comprise people going against the language barrier. Some culture cultural features which are not openly portrayed are the ones which later bring about conflicts and colliding among people. These cultural differences pose gravies problems due to their invisibility and ambiguity as they may alter the conveyed information and retrieved information in the business perspective.

The trade agreements and treaties which have been formed in the U.S.A, for instance, NAFTA, GATT, and MERCOSUL have accelerated their communication aspects between their business counterparts. This has been realized in the United States of America and the Latin America. Staying alert on the influence of the cultural features should not develop conflict but instead should create harmony with the business field. This is only achievable when the business first identifies particular roots that cause the conflict (Gudykunst, 2003).

Cross – cultural communications

When an individual conjure up an idea and then encodes it, whether in either verbal form or a non-verbal form, then conveys it to another individual of another culture ,the recipient of the message will in turn decode the message. This will lead to understanding the message and what it intends him to do. Encoding will comprise the process of evaluating the status of the recipient of the message, in terms of the background and then obtaining communication features which would be compatible with the analysis done on the recipient (Gudykunst, 2003).

A wrong analysis of the recipient may bring out distortion of the message intended to be passed across. This has been a factor that has developed rise of conflicts between business counterparts whose main characters are the Latin Americans and the U. S business men and women. Businesses which are set up in the United States of America are mainly based on the content of the communication. It is believed that the language that is developed in the business should be the one to determine the performance of the business of the business (Gudykunst, 2003).

The type of communication developed should not only be literal oriented but also business minded. This therefore, means it should be precise, unequivocal and avoid circumventions. In Latin America, communication in business is mainly focused on the on developing a cordial relationship that will enhance a social suitability. The choice of words, their meaning will in away determine the hierarchical ranking of the individual, the extent of trust between the parties and the location where communication took place. This will in away be fundamental to the Latin business counterparts (Gudykunst & Mody, 2002).

Regarding this, the Latinos in the United States may seem to be ambiguous to their counterparts United States business associate, while the United States Associates may also not be in clear terms with their business partners. This is all caused by the cultural differences between the two groups. One group may regard itself as being superior to the other.  The cultural aspect in Latin America, there is less contact between people as some of the cultures are against the cultures which may seem common to the group. The business attires use by the business people tend to embrace the present technology. This is because appears to be more designed and also vibrant (Gudykunst & Mody, 2002).

Most of the business operation prefers using the one to one communication, because this is the only method which would express one outlook and responses. In this case, the Latin Americans are known to be moved by emotions in their business transactions. On the other hand their counterparts are regarded to be cold and secluded. Cultural factors and personal characteristics should not reflect in the business as this may have an impact on the activities being carried out in the business (Gudykunst, 2003).

Reference

Gudykunst, W, (2003). Cross-cultural and intercultural communication, Chicago: Publisher  SAGE.

Gudykunst, W, & Mody, B, (2002). Handbook of international and intercultural communication, Edition2, London: abridged Publisher SAGE.