Intercultural Communication
Arab/Islamic
culture
Joud Shafiq
WORDS
ACTIONS
DRESS
DO’S
AND
DON’TS
COLLECTIVISM
CULTURAL
DIMENSIONS
COMMUNICATION
STYLE
TIME/SPACE
Age
Modernity
Expats
Islamic
practices
Arab traditions
Diversity
WE
NEED TO
Generalization/
stereotyping
KEEP AN
OPEN MIND.
Collectivism
Communication
Arab
Islam
Hospital
Setting
Time/Space
Collectivism/Individualism
Hofstede
Collectivism
Indonesian
Chinese
Arabs
Russians
Iranians
Moroccans
Japanese
Spanish
Polish
German
German-Swiss
French
Dutch
Canadian
English
American
Individualism
IDENTITY
INTERDEPENDENCE
RELATIONSHIPS
DECISIONS
LOYALITY
COMMUNICATION
• Context/Content.
• Direct/Indirect.
Hall
HIGH CONTEXT
Japanese
Chinese
Arab
Greek
Mexican
Spanish
Italian
French
French Canadian
English
English Canadian
American
Scandinavian
German
German-Swiss
LOW CONTEXT
Family
Listener/Speaker
Conflict
Management
Face Saving/indirect
Yes/No
Intermediaries
Time/Space
Polychronic
Monochronic.
Need less
Need more.
Arabs
Hall
Dutch,U.S., Switzerland
Germany, Scandinavia
ENGLISH
Collectivism
Communication
Arab
Islam
Hospital
Setting
Time/Space
Collectivism
Tribalism
Qataris
Arab Expats
Arab Expats
Islamic
practices
Communication
Translations
Quran
Repetition
Exaggeration
Significance of the “Right”.
Interaction between the sexes.
Preventative
measures
Modesty
Life
Faith
Aims of Islamic
Shareeah
wealth
Genealogy
and chastity
Intellect
Physical
touching
Front
Back
Dress code
Body
Language/
Gazing
M/F alone
Time/Space
Islam
Friday
Praying
Gift
Fasting
Worship
Collectivism
Communication
Arab
Islam
Hospital
Setting
Time/Space
Illness/Treatment
• Patients perception of the disease (causes, symptoms and
treatment) is affected by previous community experiences.
• Illness is a test and a trial/Can affect treatment
decisions.
• Cure is granted by GOD/Quran, Supplications.
• Treatment is sometime weighed against what is best for
the whole family and not just the individual.
• Decision making will take longer.
• Who do you tell the prognosis to.
• Be aware of the Social stigma of the disease.
• Literal translation of symptoms.
Interactions
• Care-Giver is a person of authority, solutions are
expected without too much effort from the
patient.
• Loyalty to ones group in good or bad.
• Conflect managment/exaguration/use of
intermediaries.
• Respect/Saving face while giving the diagnosis.
• Shaking hands/Dress code/eye contact./Khulwa.
• Privacy/Modesty with both sexes.
• Practice your social skills/a bond of trust.
Services
• Relationships take precedence.
• Status of mothers/Female names.
• The Number of visitors/Special
arrangments.
•
References:
•
Al-Omari J., Understanding the Arab Culture ,A Practical Cross-Cultural Guide to Working in the
Arab World, UK, How TO Books,2008.
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Hall Edward T,The Silent Language,U.S.A., Anchor Books, 1990.
Hofstede G and Hofstede G.J., Cultures and Organizations Software of the Mind, Intercultural
Cooperation and Its Importance for Survival, , 2nd edition, U.S.A., McGraw Hill,2005.
Jammal Elias, Leistikow M. and Kilian-Yasin K., Trust and Culture, Conceptualization and
Intercultural Training Implication in German-Arab Business Relationships, Aachen, Germany
Shaker Verlag, 2010.
Lewis Richard D. ,When Cultures Collide, Leading Across Cultures, 3rd Edition, London, UK
Nicholas Brealey International.2010.
Williams J., Don't They Know It's Friday? A Cross-Cultural Guide for Business and Life in the
Gulf, 2nd edition, UAE, Motivate Publishing, 2010.
http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/uae.htm.
http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/
Nasir,L.S.and Abdul-Haq A., K. Editors, Caring for Arab Patients a biopsychosocial approach,
Radcliffe Publishing Ltd, United Kingdom, 2008.
Joud Shafiq
Joud88@gmail.com
Joud4shafiq.wordpress.com
MA
• What God wills.
• When they encounter something
good.
• They invoke God's protection.
• If God wills.
• Asking for God's help.
HARAM
• Religiously forbidden.
• Abused expression.
• To exaggerate the effect.
ALHAMDULLILAH
• Praise be to God.
• Everything comes from God.
• To express satisfaction and
contentment.