Transcript Analysis In Business Communication

Introduction

The following transcript analysis is based on an interaction of a business meeting between Australian and Indonesian company representatives, where they have met each other for the first time. I will identify, analyse and discuss the transcultural communication difficulties encountered between these two representatives. In addition to the identification of these difficulties, I will propose solutions. Difficulties were found due to the difference in cultural values and communication practices of two participants, which affected their use of politeness strategies as well as the rapport management.

Identified issues and possible reasons

One of the major issues found in this interaction is that two participants had different expectations

In their interaction, the choices of behaviour and language use gave rise to relational misunderstandings. First of all, face threatening behaviours are observed in positioning self and other due to the wrong usage of politeness strategies. Jonathan and Batara are representatives of the each company and therefore, they see themselves as being at the same social level (-P), which has a distance (+D) since they have ever met before. That is, they are expected to have a deference face system, where they would treat each other as equals and use a relatively high concentration of independence (negative) politeness strategies out of respect for each other and for their professional position (Scollon, Scollon & Jones, 2011). However, the strategies used in the interaction have not always been negative politeness strategies. For example in line 1, Jonathan addressed Batara with his first name, which is usually used more in solidary relationships (-D). This is because it is common to address business client with their first name in order to build an equal relationship in Australian business culture (Bargiela et al., 2002). On the other hand, in Indonesian culture, where rank and status are very important, it is usually polite to address each person using his/her title plus full name or first name such as Mr Batara.

Subsequently, they also need to develop their tolerance for ambiguity, their flexibility/adaptability, and respectfulness. In other words, both participants could have prevented cross-cultural conflicts by learning about cultural values as well as business communication styles of each culture beforehand. Jonathan should have been prepared to spend a good deal of time with Batara before getting down to the business talk. Batara also should have been prepared to discuss the proposal since Jonathan came all the way from Australia to talk about the proposal. Overall, they need to improve their mutual understanding to higher levels of trust among them by improving the interpersonal skill that leads to rapport management to build bridges between people from different cultures, develop and foster good relationships and