Extra vocabulary
| language barrier cultural difference communiciation channel | shrug (shoulders) glance |
1. Match the following possible reasons for communication breakdown with the examples. Can you add in some more reasons and examples?
A. language barrier
B. cultural differences
C. a lack of communication channels
1. Woman: If you go down the corridor, you will see a sign saying Entrée...
Man: What does Entrée mean? I'm afraid I don't understand.
1. Woman: If you go down the corridor, you will see a sign saying Entrée...
Man: What does Entrée mean? I'm afraid I don't understand.
3. I can't contact him by mobile phone – the network signal is so weak here.
4. We haven't heard from him. It takes several weeks for the post to arrive in that area.
5. What is he texting here? I can't understand this crazy shorthand!
6. In some countries, yellow roses mean happiness and friendship, but in Russia, if you send someone yellow roses it means a separation.
Look out!
Communication breakdown means a lack of communication or failure to exchange information.
2. If you don’t understand body language, communication breakdown may happen. Match the body language with the meaning. Add more examples if you can.
a. “I'm angry.”
b. “I'm happy.”
c “I don't know.”
d. “It's wonderful! I'm so excited!”
e. “Sorry, I need to go now.”
3. Using abbreviations for online chatting and texting is not always easy to understand. Can you decode the following sentences written in texting/ chatting style without looking at the cues?
1. Where r u? We r @ Lotte on 2/F.
2. I'll b 5 mins late. CUS.
3. Wanna c a movie this wkd?
4. Pls call me rite bck. Thx.
5. Hi! Wot R U doin 2nite?
6. Did u c it? LOL.
CUS: See you soon
LOL: Laugh out loud
rite: right
pls: please
thx: thanks
Wot: What
4. Ideas Bank. Work in groups. For each communication breakdown mentioned in 1, think of a future technology idea that will help avoid it. Share your ideas with the class.
Example: Language barrier:
We will use an app on a smartphone to automatically translate what we are saying into the language of the listener.
