Module 2 For Varieties of English

Purposive Communication

Exploring texts reflecting different cultures

In the previous lesson, you learned that intercultural communication has an important role to
play in effective communication. Indeed, awareness of the different varieties of English with
their features as well as understanding the registers of English should be the goal of everyone so
that there is less misunderstanding and miscommunication.
One cause of miscommunication is pronunciation. Speakers of different varieties of English have

different ways of pronouncing words this is so because of different phonology.
Kachru an Nelson (2006) claimed that in terms of pronunciation, most outer and expanding
circle varieties, similar to those found between regional dialects within the inner circle varieties.
These differences may lead to grammatical consequences affecting comprehension. For instance,
among Singaporean and Malaysian speakers of English, a feature noted is the simplification of
final consonant clusters, e.g (lef) for left and (pic) for picked. Such is also the case in the
Philippine English.
Interpretations then vary because of differences in pronunciation. If one says “hit it” instead of
“heat it” or “she ass” instead of “she asks” miscommunication is likely to happen.
In Philippine languages, every vowel is pronounced with a full, distinct sound. Filipinos
pronounce words as they are written or spelled out making it syllable timed and not stress-timed.
Americans on the other hand, blend syllables or sometimes even drop some sounds making the
syllables short. Below are some examples of this feature:
1. American English: Gotcha!

Philippine English: got you!
2. American English: whatche say?

Philippine English: what did you say?
3. American English: wherd yu go:

Philippine English: where did you go?
4. American English: ja hitit?

Philippine English: did you hit it?
5. American English: Can I getche adrink?

Philippine English: Can I get you a drink?
A cultural barrier does not only pertain to differing languages. It may also be in form of cultural practice
or even a bodily gesture. For instance, in English speaking countries and even in the Philippines, the
thumbs-up gesture signals approval. However, it is considered offensive in other countries such as
PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION Prepared by: JAMIE FRANCIS R.

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Greece, Italy, and in some parts of middle east. Likewise, making a circle with one’s thumb and
forefinger generally means okay in many western cultures but this is not so in countries like japan where
it is interpreted as a sign for money and in some Arab cultures as a threat. Thus, one should be careful in
using bodily gestures.
Acvtivity 1: Comprehension Questions

1. It is inevitable for us to meet people coming from other cultures. Cite at least three ways by
which you can avoid miscommunication or misinterpretation of ideas when talking to them. Type
your answers inside the box.
2. How does non verbal communication in general or bodily gestures in particular pose
communication between 2 persons coming from different cultures? Cite some examples that you
know. Type your answers inside the box.

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3. Give one situation when you should use formal language and another situation when you should
use informal language. What expressions will you use? How do they differ from each other?
Activity 2: Pronunciation
Below are two examples of varieties of English that focus on pronunciation. Classify them accordingly
and write them under the correct column.
1. elementary vs elementary
2. istreet vs street
3. brids vs bridge
4. ass vs asks
5. thought vs tot
6. closez vs closes
7. dat vs that
8. tin vs thin
9. measure vs measure
10. chip vs cheap
AMERICAN ENGLISH PHILIPPINE ENGLISH

1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.
6. 6.
7. 7.
8. 8.
9. 9.
10. 10.
COPING WITH THE CHALLENGES OF INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Challenges of intercultural communication
It has become a widespread notion that speakers’ use of different languages results in
intercultural miscommunication and misunderstanding. As Scollon and Scollon (1995) state:
When we are communicating with people who are very different from us, it is very
difficult to know how to draw inferences about what they mean, and so it is impossible to depend
on shared knowledge and background for confidence in our interpretations
Indeed, the lack of shared knowledge and beliefs and cultural diversity make it more complicated
to arrive at the correct inference or interpretation of meanings. But it can also be argued that

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English is now a global lingua franca. In fact, with the ASEAN integration, English has been
declared the official or working language of ASEAN. So with just one language to be spoken or
used by many countries including 10 member countries of the ASEAN.
It is thus important to emphasize that the ownership of English can’t be attributed to just one
country or to those who use it as a native or home language. The varieties of English spoken by
different speech communities have evolved for a reason. They use it for communal purposes.
These varieties have been heavily influenced by the local culture and its speakers.
Misunderstanding in intercultural communication may not always be caused by verbal
utterances. Misunderstandings may also occur due to wrong interpretation of the non-verbal
code. For instance, the handshake which is commonly done by people interpreted correctly as the
type of handshake varies from culture to culture.
Country or region Type of handshake
United states Firm handshake
France Soft handshake
Germany Firm handshake, for men, traditionally accompanied by a
slight bow
Japan Handshake with arm firmly extended, accompanied by a bow
Middle East Handshake and free hand placed on the forearm of the other
person
Sources of misunderstanding
1. Ambiguity- lack of explicitness on the part of the speaker in the form of problematic
reference and ambiguous semantics in which an utterance is open to different
interpretations
2. Performance-related misunderstanding- slips of the tongue and mishearing which may
be due to utterances spoken quickly and unclearly
3. Language-related misunderstanding- ungrammaticality of sentences
4. Gaps in world knowledge- gaps in content rather than language
5. Local context- turns and the turns within sequences produced by the participants
themselves and the orientation of the participants as well as the repair moves that follow
the displayed understanding
Social science or Interpretative Critical
functionalist
Discipline on which Psychology Anthropology Various

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approach is
founded
Research goal Describe and predict Describe behavior Change behavior
behavior
Assumption of External and Subjective Subjective and
reality describable material
Assumptions of Predictable Creative and Changeable
human behavior voluntary
Method of study Survey, observation Participant Textual analysis of
observation, field media
study
Relationship of Communication Culture created and Culture as a site of
culture and influenced by maintained through power struggle
communication culture communication
Contribution of the Identifies cultural Emphasizes that Recognizes the
approach variations; communication and economic and
recognizes cultural culture and cultural political forces in
differences in many differences should culture and
aspects of be studied in context communication;
communication but asserts that all
often does not intercultural
consider context interactions are
characterized by
power
Activity 3: NON-VERBAL CODE

List at least 10 differences between 2 cultures as regards to their non-verbal code
(name of country) (name of country)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

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9.
10.
Activity 4: Blending with foreigners

If you are to study or work in a foreign country in the future, what will be your considerations so,
that you will effectively blend with the people you mingle with?
Write an essay about these considerations and cite at least 3 strategies that you will adopt.

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Purposive Communication

Exploring texts reflecting different cultures

One cause of miscommunication is pronunciation. Speakers of different varieties of English have

1. American English: Gotcha!

2. American English: whatche say?

3. American English: wherd yu go:

4. American English: ja hitit?

5. American English: Can I getche adrink?

PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION Prepared by: JAMIE FRANCIS R.

Acvtivity 1: Comprehension Questions

PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION Prepared by: JAMIE FRANCIS R.

AMERICAN ENGLISH PHILIPPINE ENGLISH

COPING WITH THE CHALLENGES OF INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION Prepared by: JAMIE FRANCIS R.

PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION Prepared by: JAMIE FRANCIS R.

Activity 3: NON-VERBAL CODE

PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION Prepared by: JAMIE FRANCIS R.

Activity 4: Blending with foreigners

PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION Prepared by: JAMIE FRANCIS R.

PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION Prepared by: JAMIE FRANCIS R.

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