Multilingual Crews and on Board Communication Creating Cross - Cultural Connections

Abstract

Communication is the most important tool for social interaction and also for safety at work on board ship. Cross-cultural communication refers to the many ways the different peoples of the world communicate with each other verbally and non-verbally. Multinational crews are very common for the vessels nowadays. Indeed, the verbal communication is made in English, but the levels of speaking skill in English differ substantially from one crewmember to another. They sometimes strive to formulate ideas, to exchange information and knowledge between individuals, and between crew and management ashore. Having this setback it is outstanding how people from different cultural backgrounds having different mother languages can overcome cultural barriers well enough to be able to even use humour on board.