Cross-Cultural Communication

Cross-Cultural Communication

Lili Liang 0897479

1. Definition of Cross-Cultural Communication

Cross-cultural communication means the domestic communication between people and foreigners, but it also implies communication between the people which have different languages and cultural backgrounds. It is a field of study, which focusing on how people from different cultural context communication in similar and different ways, and how tough they endeavor to communicate across the different culture.

2. Barriers of effective cross-cultural communication

1) Noise

It makes the lack of attention and interest, adds distractions, or irrelevance to the receiver.

2) Personal barriers

Psychological distance

The use of jargon. Highly complicated, unfamiliar and technical terms;

Emotional barriers and taboos. Some people may find it is difficult to express their emotions and some topics may be completely 'off-limits' or taboo

Difference in perceptions and viewpoints.

3) Physical barriers

Ecological control

Not being able to see the non-verbal cues, gestures, posture and general body language can make cross-cultural communication less effective;

Physical disabilities like speech difficulties, hearing problems;

Cultural differences. The standards of social interaction vary greatly among different cultures, as do the way how emotions are expressed. For instance, the concept of personal space varies among cultures and between different social circumstances.

Proxemics

4) Semantic barriers

Semantics Language: difficulty and differences in understanding unfamiliar accents.

Inference: Prejudices and expectations which may lead to false stereotyping or assumptions. People often hear the thing they expect to hear rather than what is said actually and jump into false conclusions.

3. How can they be surmounted

1 Eliminate or reduce noises. Detect sources of the noise. If it’s possible to eliminate the noise, try to remove it. For...