(ROOT (S (NP (NP (DT The) (NN key)) (PP (IN to) (NP (JJ effective) (JJ cross-cultural) (NN communication)))) (VP (VBZ is) (NP (NN knowledge))) (. .)))
The key to effective cross-cultural communication is knowledge.
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
The
DET
DT
nsubj
Number=Sing
key
key
NOUN
NN
case
to
to
ADP
IN
amod
Degree=Pos
effective
effective
ADJ
JJ
amod
Degree=Pos
cross-cultural
cross-cultural
ADJ
JJ
nmod
Number=Sing
communication
communication
NOUN
NN
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
is
AUX
VBZ
root
Number=Sing
knowledge
knowledge
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (ADVP (RB First)) (, ,) (NP (NP (PRP it))) (VP (VBZ is) (ADJP (JJ essential)) (SBAR (IN that) (S (NP (NNS people)) (VP (VP (VBP understand) (NP (NP (DT the) (JJ potential) (NNS problems)) (PP (IN of) (NP (JJ cross-cultural) (NN communication))))) (, ,) (CC and) (VP (VBP make) (NP (DT a) (JJ conscious) (NN effort) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB overcome) (NP (DT these) (NNS problems))))))))))) (. .)))
First, it is essential that people understand the potential problems of cross-cultural communication, and make a conscious effort to overcome these problems.
advmod
NumType=Ord
first
First
ADV
RB
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
expl
Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
it
it
PRON
PRP
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
is
AUX
VBZ
root
Degree=Pos
essential
essential
ADJ
JJ
mark
that
that
SCONJ
IN
nsubj
Number=Plur
person
people
NOUN
NNS
csubj
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
understand
understand
VERB
VBP
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
potential
potential
ADJ
JJ
obj
Number=Plur
problem
problems
NOUN
NNS
case
of
of
ADP
IN
amod
Degree=Pos
cross-cultural
cross-cultural
ADJ
JJ
nmod
Number=Sing
communication
communication
NOUN
NN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
make
make
VERB
VBP
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
conscious
conscious
ADJ
JJ
obj
Number=Sing
effort
effort
NOUN
NN
mark
to
to
PART
TO
acl
VerbForm=Inf
overcome
overcome
VERB
VB
det
Number=Plur|PronType=Dem
this
these
DET
DT
obj
Number=Plur
problem
problems
NOUN
NNS
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (ADVP (RB Second)) (, ,) (NP (NP (PRP it))) (VP (VBZ is) (ADJP (JJ important)) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB assume) (SBAR (IN that) (S (NP (NP (PRP one) (POS 's)) (NNS efforts)) (VP (MD will) (RB not) (ADVP (RB always)) (VP (VP (VB be) (ADJP (JJ successful))) (, ,) (CC and) (VP (VB adjust) (NP (NP (PRP one) (POS 's)) (NN behavior)) (ADVP (RB appropriately))))))))))) (. .)))
Second, it is important to assume that one's efforts will not always be successful, and adjust one's behavior appropriately.
advmod
NumType=Ord
second
Second
ADV
RB
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
expl
Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
it
it
PRON
PRP
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
is
AUX
VBZ
root
Degree=Pos
important
important
ADJ
JJ
mark
to
to
PART
TO
csubj
VerbForm=Inf
assume
assume
VERB
VB
mark
that
that
SCONJ
IN
nmod:poss
Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
one
one
PRON
PRP
case
's
's
PART
POS
nsubj
Number=Plur
effort
efforts
NOUN
NNS
aux
VerbForm=Fin
will
will
AUX
MD
advmod
not
not
PART
RB
advmod
always
always
ADV
RB
cop
VerbForm=Inf
be
be
AUX
VB
ccomp
Degree=Pos
successful
successful
ADJ
JJ
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
VerbForm=Inf
adjust
adjust
VERB
VB
nmod:poss
Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
one
one
PRON
PRP
case
's
's
PART
POS
obj
Number=Sing
behavior
behavior
NOUN
NN
advmod
appropriately
appropriately
ADV
RB
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (NFP  ))
root
PUNCT
NFP
(ROOT (S (PP (IN For) (NP (NN example))) (, ,) (NP (PRP one)) (VP (MD should) (ADVP (RB always)) (VP (VB assume) (SBAR (IN that) (S (NP (EX there)) (VP (VP (VBZ is) (NP (DT a) (JJ significant) (NN possibility) (SBAR (IN that) (S (NP (JJ cultural) (NNS differences)) (VP (VBP are) (VP (VBG causing) (NP (NN communication) (NNS problems)))))))) (, ,) (CC and) (VP (VB be) (ADJP (JJ willing) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB be) (ADJP (JJ patient) (CC and) (VBG forgiving) (, ,) (CONJP (RB rather) (IN than)) (ADJP (JJ hostile) (-LRB- -LRB-) (-RRB- -RRB-) (CC and) (JJ aggressive) (, ,)) (SBAR (IN if) (S (NP (NNS problems)) (VP (VBP develop))))))))))))))) (. .)))
For example, one should always assume that there is a significant possibility that cultural differences are causing communication problems, and be willing to be patient and forgiving, rather than hostile () and aggressive, if problems develop.
case
for
For
ADP
IN
obl
Number=Sing
example
example
NOUN
NN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
nsubj
Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
one
one
PRON
PRP
aux
VerbForm=Fin
should
should
AUX
MD
advmod
always
always
ADV
RB
root
VerbForm=Inf
assume
assume
VERB
VB
mark
that
that
SCONJ
IN
expl
there
there
PRON
EX
ccomp
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
is
VERB
VBZ
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
significant
significant
ADJ
JJ
nsubj
Number=Sing
possibility
possibility
NOUN
NN
mark
that
that
SCONJ
IN
amod
Degree=Pos
cultural
cultural
ADJ
JJ
nsubj
Number=Plur
difference
differences
NOUN
NNS
aux
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
are
AUX
VBP
acl
Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part
cause
causing
VERB
VBG
compound
Number=Sing
communication
communication
NOUN
NN
obj
Number=Plur
problem
problems
NOUN
NNS
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
cop
VerbForm=Inf
be
be
AUX
VB
conj
Degree=Pos
willing
willing
ADJ
JJ
mark
to
to
PART
TO
cop
VerbForm=Inf
be
be
AUX
VB
xcomp
Degree=Pos
patient
patient
ADJ
JJ
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
VerbForm=Ger
forgive
forgiving
VERB
VBG
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
cc
rather
rather
ADV
RB
fixed
than
than
ADP
IN
conj
Degree=Pos
hostile
hostile
ADJ
JJ
punct
(
(
PUNCT
-LRB-
punct
)
)
PUNCT
-RRB-
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
Degree=Pos
aggressive
aggressive
ADJ
JJ
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
mark
if
if
SCONJ
IN
nsubj
Number=Plur
problem
problems
NOUN
NNS
advcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
develop
develop
VERB
VBP
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (CD One)) (VP (MD should) (VP (VB respond) (ADVP (RB slowly) (CC and) (RB carefully)) (PP (IN in) (NP (JJ cross-cultural) (NNS exchanges))) (, ,) (S (RB not) (VP (VBG jumping) (PP (IN to) (NP (DT the) (NN conclusion) (SBAR (IN that) (S (NP (PRP you)) (VP (VBP know) (SBAR (WHNP (WP what)) (S (VP (VBZ is) (VP (VBG being) (VP (VBN thought) (CC and) (VBN said))))))))))))))) (. .)))
One should respond slowly and carefully in cross-cultural exchanges, not jumping to the conclusion that you know what is being thought and said.
nsubj
NumForm=Word|NumType=Card
one
One
NUM
CD
aux
VerbForm=Fin
should
should
AUX
MD
root
VerbForm=Inf
respond
respond
VERB
VB
advmod
slowly
slowly
ADV
RB
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
carefully
carefully
ADV
RB
case
in
in
ADP
IN
amod
Degree=Pos
cross-cultural
cross-cultural
ADJ
JJ
obl
Number=Plur
exchange
exchanges
NOUN
NNS
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
advmod
not
not
PART
RB
advcl
VerbForm=Ger
jump
jumping
VERB
VBG
case
to
to
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obl
Number=Sing
conclusion
conclusion
NOUN
NN
mark
that
that
SCONJ
IN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs
you
you
PRON
PRP
acl
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
know
know
VERB
VBP
obj
PronType=Rel
what
what
PRON
WP
aux
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
is
AUX
VBZ
aux:pass
VerbForm=Ger
be
being
AUX
VBG
acl:relcl
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass
think
thought
VERB
VBN
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part
say
said
VERB
VBN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (NFP  ))
root
PUNCT
NFP
(ROOT (S (NP (NP (NP (NNP William) (NNP Ury) (POS 's)) (NN suggestion)) (PP (IN for) (NP (VBN heated) (NNS conflicts)))) (VP (VBZ is) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB stop) (, ,) (VB listen) (, ,) (CC and) (VP (VB think)) (, ,) (CC or) (SBAR (IN as) (S (NP (PRP he)) (VP (VBZ puts) (NP (PRP it)) (`` ``) (S (VP (VB go) (PP (IN to) (NP (DT the) (NN balcony))) (-LRB- -LRB-) (-RRB- -RRB-) ('' '') (SBAR (WHADVP (WRB when)) (S (NP (DT the) (NN situation)) (VP (VBZ gets) (ADJP (JJ tense)))))))))))))) (. .)))
William Ury's suggestion for heated conflicts is to stop, listen, and think, or as he puts it "go to the balcony ()" when the situation gets tense.
nmod:poss
Number=Sing
William
William
PROPN
NNP
flat
Number=Sing
Ury
Ury
PROPN
NNP
case
's
's
PART
POS
nsubj:outer
Number=Sing
suggestion
suggestion
NOUN
NN
case
for
for
ADP
IN
amod
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part
heat
heated
VERB
VBN
nmod
Number=Plur
conflict
conflicts
NOUN
NNS
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
is
AUX
VBZ
mark
to
to
PART
TO
root
VerbForm=Inf
stop
stop
VERB
VB
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
conj
VerbForm=Inf
listen
listen
VERB
VB
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
VerbForm=Inf
think
think
VERB
VB
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
cc
or
or
CCONJ
CC
mark
as
as
SCONJ
IN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
he
he
PRON
PRP
advcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
put
puts
VERB
VBZ
obj
Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
it
it
PRON
PRP
punct
``
``
PUNCT
``
conj
Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin
go
go
VERB
VB
case
to
to
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obl
Number=Sing
balcony
balcony
NOUN
NN
punct
(
(
PUNCT
-LRB-
punct
)
)
PUNCT
-RRB-
punct
''
''
PUNCT
''
advmod
PronType=Int
when
when
ADV
WRB
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
nsubj
Number=Sing
situation
situation
NOUN
NN
advcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
get
gets
VERB
VBZ
xcomp
Degree=Pos
tense
tense
ADJ
JJ
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (PP (IN By) (NP (DT this))) (NP (PRP he)) (VP (VBZ means) (VP (VP (VB withdraw) (PP (IN from) (NP (DT the) (NN situation)))) (, ,) (VP (VB step) (ADVP (RB back))) (, ,) (CC and) (VP (VB reflect) (PP (IN on) (SBAR (WHNP (WP what)) (S (VP (VBZ is) (VP (VBG going) (PRT (RP on)) (SBAR (IN before) (S (NP (PRP you)) (VP (VBP act)))))))))))) (. .)))
By this he means withdraw from the situation, step back, and reflect on what is going on before you act.
case
by
By
ADP
IN
obl
Number=Sing|PronType=Dem
this
this
PRON
DT
nsubj
Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
he
he
PRON
PRP
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
mean
means
VERB
VBZ
xcomp
VerbForm=Inf
withdraw
withdraw
VERB
VB
case
from
from
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obl
Number=Sing
situation
situation
NOUN
NN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
conj
Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin
step
step
VERB
VB
advmod
back
back
ADV
RB
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin
reflect
reflect
VERB
VB
case
on
on
ADP
IN
obl
PronType=Rel
what
what
PRON
WP
aux
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
is
AUX
VBZ
acl:relcl
Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part
go
going
VERB
VBG
compound:prt
on
on
ADP
RP
mark
before
before
SCONJ
IN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs
you
you
PRON
PRP
advcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
act
act
VERB
VBP
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (SBARQ (WHNP (WP What)) (SQ (MD could) (VP (VB be)) (VP (VBG going) (PRT (RP on)) (ADVP (RB here)))) (. ?)))
What could be going on here?
nsubj
PronType=Int
what
What
PRON
WP
aux
VerbForm=Fin
could
could
AUX
MD
aux
VerbForm=Inf
be
be
AUX
VB
root
Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part
go
going
VERB
VBG
compound:prt
on
on
ADP
RP
advmod
PronType=Dem
here
here
ADV
RB
punct
?
?
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (SQ (VBZ Is) (NP (NP (PRP it))) (ADJP (JJ possible)) (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD misinterpreted) (SBAR (WHNP (WP what)) (S (NP (PRP they)) (VP (VBD said)))))) (, ,) (CC or) (S (NP (PRP they)) (VP (VBD misinterpreted) (NP (PRP me)))) (. ?)))
Is it possible I misinterpreted what they said, or they misinterpreted me?
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
Is
AUX
VBZ
expl
Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
it
it
PRON
PRP
root
Degree=Pos
possible
possible
ADJ
JJ
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
csubj
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
misinterpret
misinterpreted
VERB
VBD
obj
PronType=Rel
what
what
PRON
WP
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs
they
they
PRON
PRP
ccomp
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
say
said
VERB
VBD
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
cc
or
or
CCONJ
CC
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs
they
they
PRON
PRP
conj
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
misinterpret
misinterpreted
VERB
VBD
obj
Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
me
PRON
PRP
punct
?
?
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (ADVP (RB Often)) (NP (NN misinterpretation)) (VP (VBZ is) (NP (NP (DT the) (NN source)) (PP (IN of) (NP (DT the) (NN problem))))) (. .)))
Often misinterpretation is the source of the problem.
advmod
often
Often
ADV
RB
nsubj
Number=Sing
misinterpretation
misinterpretation
NOUN
NN
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
is
AUX
VBZ
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
root
Number=Sing
source
source
NOUN
NN
case
of
of
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
nmod
Number=Sing
problem
problem
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (NFP  ))
root
PUNCT
NFP
(ROOT (S (ADVP (RB Often)) (NP (NP (NNS intermediaries)) (SBAR (WHNP (WP who)) (S (VP (VBP are) (ADJP (JJ familiar) (PP (IN with) (NP (DT both) (NNS cultures)))))))) (VP (MD can) (VP (VB be) (ADJP (JJ helpful)) (PP (IN in) (NP (JJ cross-cultural) (NN communication) (NNS situations))))) (. .)))
Often intermediaries who are familiar with both cultures can be helpful in cross-cultural communication situations.
advmod
often
Often
ADV
RB
nsubj
Number=Plur
intermediary
intermediaries
NOUN
NNS
nsubj
PronType=Rel
who
who
PRON
WP
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
are
AUX
VBP
acl:relcl
Degree=Pos
familiar
familiar
ADJ
JJ
case
with
with
ADP
IN
det
both
both
DET
DT
obl
Number=Plur
culture
cultures
NOUN
NNS
aux
VerbForm=Fin
can
can
AUX
MD
cop
VerbForm=Inf
be
be
AUX
VB
root
Degree=Pos
helpful
helpful
ADJ
JJ
case
in
in
ADP
IN
amod
Degree=Pos
cross-cultural
cross-cultural
ADJ
JJ
compound
Number=Sing
communication
communication
NOUN
NN
obl
Number=Plur
situation
situations
NOUN
NNS
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP They)) (VP (MD can) (VP (VB translate) (NP (CC both) (NP (DT the) (NN substance)) (CC and) (NP (NP (DT the) (NN manner)) (PP (IN of) (SBAR (WHNP (WP what)) (S (VP (VBZ is) (VP (VBN said)))))))))) (. .)))
They can translate both the substance and the manner of what is said.
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs
they
They
PRON
PRP
aux
VerbForm=Fin
can
can
AUX
MD
root
VerbForm=Inf
translate
translate
VERB
VB
cc:preconj
both
both
CCONJ
CC
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obj
Number=Sing
substance
substance
NOUN
NN
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
conj
Number=Sing
manner
manner
NOUN
NN
case
of
of
ADP
IN
nmod
PronType=Rel
what
what
PRON
WP
aux:pass
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
is
AUX
VBZ
acl:relcl
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass
say
said
VERB
VBN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (PP (IN For) (NP (NN instance))) (, ,) (NP (PRP they)) (VP (MD can) (VP (VB tone) (PRT (RP down)) (NP (NP (JJ strong) (NNS statements)) (SBAR (WHNP (WDT that)) (S (VP (MD would) (VP (VB be) (VP (VBN considered) (S (UCP (ADJP (JJ appropriate) (PP (IN in) (NP (CD one) (NN culture)))) (CC but) (RB not) (PP (IN in) (NP (DT another))))) (, ,) (SBAR (IN before) (S (NP (PRP they)) (VP (VBP are) (VP (VBN given) (PP (IN to) (NP (NP (NNS people)) (PP (IN from) (NP (NP (DT a) (NN culture)) (SBAR (WHNP (WDT that)) (S (VP (VBZ does) (RB not) (VP (VB talk) (ADVP (RB together)) (PP (IN in) (NP (PDT such) (DT a) (JJ strong) (NN way))))))))))))))))))))))) (. .)))
For instance, they can tone down strong statements that would be considered appropriate in one culture but not in another, before they are given to people from a culture that does not talk together in such a strong way.
case
for
For
ADP
IN
obl
Number=Sing
instance
instance
NOUN
NN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs
they
they
PRON
PRP
aux
VerbForm=Fin
can
can
AUX
MD
root
VerbForm=Inf
tone
tone
VERB
VB
compound:prt
down
down
ADP
RP
amod
Degree=Pos
strong
strong
ADJ
JJ
obj
Number=Plur
statement
statements
NOUN
NNS
nsubj:pass
PronType=Rel
that
that
PRON
WDT
aux
VerbForm=Fin
would
would
AUX
MD
aux:pass
VerbForm=Inf
be
be
AUX
VB
acl:relcl
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass
consider
considered
VERB
VBN
xcomp
Degree=Pos
appropriate
appropriate
ADJ
JJ
case
in
in
ADP
IN
nummod
NumForm=Word|NumType=Card
one
one
NUM
CD
obl
Number=Sing
culture
culture
NOUN
NN
cc
but
but
CCONJ
CC
advmod
not
not
PART
RB
case
in
in
ADP
IN
conj
another
another
DET
DT
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
mark
before
before
SCONJ
IN
nsubj:pass
Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs
they
they
PRON
PRP
aux:pass
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
are
AUX
VBP
advcl
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass
give
given
VERB
VBN
case
to
to
ADP
IN
obl
Number=Plur
person
people
NOUN
NNS
case
from
from
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
nmod
Number=Sing
culture
culture
NOUN
NN
nsubj
PronType=Rel
that
that
PRON
WDT
aux
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
do
does
AUX
VBZ
advmod
not
not
PART
RB
acl:relcl
VerbForm=Inf
talk
talk
VERB
VB
advmod
together
together
ADV
RB
case
in
in
ADP
IN
det:predet
such
such
DET
PDT
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
strong
strong
ADJ
JJ
obl
Number=Sing
way
way
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP They)) (VP (MD can) (ADVP (RB also)) (VP (VB adjust) (NP (NP (DT the) (NN timing)) (PP (IN of) (SBAR (WHNP (WP what)) (S (VP (VBZ is) (VP (VBN said) (CC and) (VBN done))))))))) (. .)))
They can also adjust the timing of what is said and done.
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs
they
They
PRON
PRP
aux
VerbForm=Fin
can
can
AUX
MD
advmod
also
also
ADV
RB
root
VerbForm=Inf
adjust
adjust
VERB
VB
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obj
Number=Sing
timing
timing
NOUN
NN
case
of
of
ADP
IN
nmod
PronType=Rel
what
what
PRON
WP
aux:pass
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
is
AUX
VBZ
acl:relcl
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass
say
said
VERB
VBN
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part
do
done
VERB
VBN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (S (NP (DT Some) (NNS cultures)) (VP (VBP move) (ADVP (RB quickly)) (PP (IN to) (NP (DT the) (NN point))))) (: ;) (S (NP (NNS others)) (VP (VBP talk) (PP (IN about) (NP (JJ other) (NNS things))) (ADVP (RB long) (RB enough) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB establish) (NP (NP (DT a) (JJ close) (NN relationship)) (PP (IN with) (NP (DT the) (JJ other) (NN person)))))))))) (. .)))
Some cultures move quickly to the point; others talk about other things long enough to establish a close relationship with the other person.
det
some
Some
DET
DT
nsubj
Number=Plur
culture
cultures
NOUN
NNS
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
move
move
VERB
VBP
advmod
quickly
quickly
ADV
RB
case
to
to
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obl
Number=Sing
point
point
NOUN
NN
punct
;
;
PUNCT
:
nsubj
Number=Plur
other
others
NOUN
NNS
parataxis
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
talk
talk
VERB
VBP
case
about
about
ADP
IN
amod
Degree=Pos
other
other
ADJ
JJ
obl
Number=Plur
thing
things
NOUN
NNS
advmod
Degree=Pos
long
long
ADV
RB
advmod
enough
enough
ADV
RB
mark
to
to
PART
TO
advcl
VerbForm=Inf
establish
establish
VERB
VB
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
close
close
ADJ
JJ
obj
Number=Sing
relationship
relationship
NOUN
NN
case
with
with
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
other
other
ADJ
JJ
nmod
Number=Sing
person
person
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
The key to effective cross-cultural communication is knowledge. First, it is essential that people understand the potential problems of cross-cultural communication, and make a conscious effort to overcome these problems. Second, it is important to assume that one's efforts will not always be successful, and adjust one's behavior appropriately.  For example, one should always assume that there is a significant possibility that cultural differences are causing communication problems, and be willing to be patient and forgiving, rather than hostile () and aggressive, if problems develop. One should respond slowly and carefully in cross-cultural exchanges, not jumping to the conclusion that you know what is being thought and said.  William Ury's suggestion for heated conflicts is to stop, listen, and think, or as he puts it "go to the balcony ()" when the situation gets tense. By this he means withdraw from the situation, step back, and reflect on what is going on before you act. What could be going on here? Is it possible I misinterpreted what they said, or they misinterpreted me? Often misinterpretation is the source of the problem.  Often intermediaries who are familiar with both cultures can be helpful in cross-cultural communication situations. They can translate both the substance and the manner of what is said. For instance, they can tone down strong statements that would be considered appropriate in one culture but not in another, before they are given to people from a culture that does not talk together in such a strong way. They can also adjust the timing of what is said and done. Some cultures move quickly to the point; others talk about other things long enough to establish a close relationship with the other person.