When engaging in oral communication, be alert to the possibilities for mis­understanding. Recognize that you may be sending signals you are unaware of and that you may be misreading cues sent by the other person. To overcome language and cultural barriers, follow these suggestions:

• Keep an open mind. Don't stereotype the other person or react with pre­conceived ideas. Regard the person as an individual first, not as a repre­sentative of another culture.

• Be alert to the other person's customs. Expect him or her to have differ­ent values, beliefs, expectations, and mannerisms.

• Try to be aware of unintentional meanings that may be read into your message. Clarify your true intent by repetition and examples.

• Listen carefully and patiently. If you do not understand a comment, ask the person to repeat it.

• Be aware that the other person's body language may mislead you. Ges­tures and expressions mean different things in different cultures. Rely more on words than on non-verbal communication to interpret the mes­sage.

• Adapt your style to the other person's. If the other person appears to be direct and straightforward, follow suit. If not, adjust your behaviour to match.

• At the end of a conversation, be sure that you and the other person both agree on what has been said and decided. Clarify what will happen next.

• If appropriate, follow up by writing a letter or memo summarizing the conversation and thanking the person for meeting with you.

In short, take advantage of the other person's presence to make sure that your message is getting across and that you understand his or her message too.

Speeches are both harder and simpler to deal with than personal conversa­tions. On the one hand, speeches don't provide much of an opportunity for exchanging feedback; on the other, you may either use a translator or prepare your remarks in advance and have someone who is familiar with the culture check them over. If you use a translator, however, be sure to use someone who is familiar not only with both languages but also with the terminology of your field of business. Experts recommend that the translator be given a copy of the speech at least a day in advance. Furthermore, a written translation given to members of the audience to accompany the English speech can help reduce communication barriers. The extra effort will be appreciated and will help you get your point across.