Questionnaire

QUESTIONNAIRE Misunderstandings in Cross-cultural Communication Note: This is a check-list type of questionnaire. While answering the questions, you can check more than one answer if necessary. If you are choosing the “other” option, you may write your explanation briefly next to it. The questions 8 and 9 are lickert-scale type of questions. So, choose the best option in those questions.

Your name & surname: ____________________________

1) Can you please write which nation/cultural background are you from? ___________________

2) Have you ever communicated with someone from another nation/cultural background? ____No ____Yes, indirectly. (online, on phone, by written ways, etc.) ____Yes, directly. (face-to-face) ____Other:

3) Have you ever been in a cross-cultural communication which ended up in misunderstanding? ____No ____Yes, I misunderstood the person I talked to. ____Yes, I was misunderstood. ____Other:

4) In cross-cultural communication, have you ever misunderstood someone and/or been misunderstood due to the causes indicated below? Check the applicable one(s). ____Verbal misunderstandings (misunderstanding the words/language used) ____Vocal misunderstandings (misunderstanding what is indicated due to the tone of voice) ____Non-verbal misunderstandings (misunderstanding the body language/gestures etc.) ____None ____Other:

5) In daily life cross-cultural communication, which type of misunderstanding below do you think is more common? Check the applicable one(s). ____Verbal misunderstandings (misunderstanding the words/language used) ____Vocal misunderstandings (misunderstanding what is indicated due to the tone of voice) ____Non-verbal misunderstandings (misunderstanding the body language/gestures etc.) ____Other:

6) In cross cultural communication, what is more important to you in order not to cause misunderstandings? Check the applicable one(s). ____Right choice of words ____Right use of voice ____Right use of body language (including facial expressions, gestures, etc.) ____None ____Other:

7) Do you think that speaking in the same language can overcome the misunderstandings in cross-cultural communication? ____Yes, speaking the same language is enough. ____Yes, if the language is spoken fluently it is enough. ____No, even if the language is spoken fluently it is not enough. ____Other:

8) While communicating with someone in the same language, I think his/her cultural background is important. (Choose the most appropriate one, circle the number under it.) Always 5

Usually 4

Sometimes 3

Seldom 2

Never 1

9) When different cultural backgrounds are involved, I feel like there are communicating barriers between me and the people I am communicating with. (Choose the most appropriate one, circle the number under it.) Always 5

Usually 4

Sometimes 3

Seldom 2

Never 1

10) If you feel as if there are communicating barriers, what do you think the main reason(s) is? ____Language related (not speaking the same language, not speaking a mutual language fluently, foreign accent, using wrong words, expressions, etc.) ____Culture related (being from very different cultural background, having different expressions, gestures, etc.) ____None ____Other: