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Deconstructing Culture Towards an Interactional Triad
Abstract: How may culture be defined? Numerous works and important contributions have been answering this crucial question for the past thirty years; yet the problem remains unsolved. When taking a close look at ‘intercultural communication’, we may see that some utterances might not be that cultural at all. If we have a clear definition of ‘intercultural communication’, then what is ‘intra-cultural communication’ (Winch 1997, Ma 2004)? Is there... [...] Read more
But we’re not all Vikings! Intercultural Identity within a Nordic Context
Abstract: The concept of ‘Scandinavian culture’ is not new: the implicit understanding is that all Nordic states have similar cultural values (Smith et al. 2003). Nevertheless, disturbing cultural differences may still surface even when representatives from similar cultures work together. The purpose of this paper is therefore to understand the intercultural landscape of the Nordic region today and to appreciate the unique cultural values of each... [...] Read more
Intercultural Dialogue Visions of the Council of Europe and the European Commission for a Post-Multiculturalist Era
Abstract: Intercultural dialogue was introduced at the European level through policy documents of the Council of Europe and the European Commission in the 2000s. This article explores the ways in which intercultural dialogue is developed as a model to handle cultural diversity in different areas. Furthermore it discusses whether intercultural dialogue can be perceived as an alternative model to the previous integration policies marked by... [...] Read more
Adopting a Critical Intercultural Communication Approach to Understanding Health Professionals’ Encounter with Ethnic Minority Patients
Abstract: Even in the Scandinavian countries, where welfare resources such as education and healthcare are offered wholly or partly free of charge, health disparities between the majority populations and ethnic minority groups challenge the national healthcare systems. The knowledge levels of health professionals and their approach to ethnic minority patients influence the accessibility of healthcare and availability of health prevention resources of... [...] Read more
Cultural Differences in Conflict Management Styles in East and West Organizations Employing Holism as a Cultural Theoretical Frame to Investigate South Korean and U.S. Employee Conflict Management Styles
Abstract: This study employed a new theoretical frame, holism, to distinguish cultural differences in conflict management strategy preference. Results indicated that S. Koreans showed more holistic tendencies than U.S. employees, and higher scores on a holism measure were positively related to ratings of the collaborative style (S. Korean preferred style) and negatively related to ratings of the avoidant style (U.S. preferred style). In comparisons... [...] Read more
Cross-Cultural Discourse Analysis and Intercultural Education in Foreign Language Teaching and Learning
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to bring about the role a contrastive approach called Cross-Cultural Discourse Analysis can play in the design and the implementation of intercultural education activities in the language classroom. The author briefly describes the methodology of Cross-Cultural Discourse Analysis in research and connects this methodology with intercultural education. She further explains how to proceed in a language and... [...] Read more
Face to Face Encounters Education and Engagement for a Shared Humanity
Abstract: Despite the prevalence of conflict and violence in the world, education offers hope for social transformation and a recognition of our shared humanity. Much of the hatred and violence has its origins in a fear of 'the other', while education has the potential to equip people with the knowledge and skills to overcome such fear, build social harmony, challenge injustice, and build bridges across cultural and religious barriers. Based on the... [...] Read more
Negotiation Styles - Similarities and Differences between American and Japanese University Students -
Abstract: This paper discusses similarities and differences in negotiation styles between Americans and Japanese based on the results of questionnaires administered to 96 students in the United States and 102 students in Japan. Both in negotiations with a family member or a friend and in a business context, universal factors and those specific to American and Japanese cultures are identified. Although the essence of negotiation is universal, Americans... [...] Read more
Teaching Intercultural Communication through Service Learning
Abstract: Interest in service learning has increased in past years because of more accumulated knowledge about its beneficial outcomes to participants and to society. The purpose of this paper is to describe one case of a service learning project with positive outcomes. Service learning was chosen as an assignment for an intercultural course at ___ University. A total of 97 responses were collected from students over two semesters. A content analysis... [...] Read more
Confucian and Protestant Work Ethics Among Polish and Korean Employees and Small Business Owners
Abstract: In this research, we investigated Confucian and Protestant work ethics (CWE and PWE) among 160 Polish and Korean respondents , distributed into balanced groups with regard to region, occupational status, and gender. We found that Koreans revealed higher levels of PWE than did Poles. CWE turned out to be not exclusive to Asian cultures , as Poles scored higher than did Koreans. The results support the necessity of reconciling... [...] Read more
Acculturation challenges that confront Sudanese former refugees in Australia
Abstract: This study investigated acculturation challenges that Sudanese former refugees faced as a consequence of settling in South-East Queensland, Australia. A total of 28 females and 11 males participated in focus groups. The findings indicate that both women and men face acculturation issues relating to successful settlement. The women were particularly challenged by low English language proficiency and parenting issues, while the men... [...] Read more
Has The Cat Got Your Tongue? Second Language Factors in Intercultural Difficulty Management
Abstract: Previous intercultural communication research has relatively underplayed the influence of second language factors. This underplaying arises for three reasons: 1) the over-emphasis on the influence of cultural differences in intercultural communication; 2) the prevalent assumption that communication style in intercultural communication is the same as that in intra-cultural communication; 3) the dominant (post-) positive research approach in... [...] Read more
Exploring Communication Competence and Psychological Health: A Study of Cross-cultural Adaptation among Young Korean Immigrants (1.5ers) in the U.S.
Abstract: The present study examines the communication experiences of young Korean immigrants and their psychological adjustment in the United States. Y. Y. Kim’s (1988, 2001) Cross-cultural Adaptation Theory provides the basis for offering an explanation of the theoretical linkage between host communication competence, host/ethnic interpersonal communication, host/ethnic mass communication and psychological adjustment in the United States. A... [...] Read more
Interculturalised Japanese Logic and Values in the Aftermath of the March 2011 Crisis
Abstract: This paper examines the notions of Western versus Eastern logic by taking a closer look at the Japanese mindset giving examples from fields ranging from superstition to hygiene. Based on this evaluation, the ten major concepts of Japanese society are explained and analysed with the help of intercultural dimensions by researchers such as Hall, Hofstede and Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner together with empirical examples from cross-cultural... [...] Read more
It’s like a Mexican Bingo
Abstract: Much of Intercultural Communication (ICC) scholarship is interested in the "intercultural encounter": interaction between people who are from different cultures. Taking culture to be emergent in social interaction, in this paper we examine group interviews about health and diabetes which were conducted in the Southwestern U.S. with Hispanic adults. Using discourse analytic methods, we show how culture emerges in these group interviews,... [...] Read more
A song of identity: Yoik as example of the importance of symbolic cultural expression in intercultural communication/health care
Abstract: Yoik is the old Sami form of music/singing produced according to old conventions and used in various communication contexts. A yoik referring to a particular person, a so-called person-yoik, constitutes a musical expression of that person and may be a more powerful symbol of identity and connectedness than a person’s name and may awaken memories otherwise forgotten in patients with dementia. This paper is based on a qualitative interview... [...] Read more
Academic Hyper-mobility and Cosmopolitan Dispositions
Abstract: Academic hyper-mobility provides a chance for exploring intensified intercultural communication encounters and the ever growing spirit of cosmopolitanism. This article hypothesises that in the modern conditions of academic hyper-mobility, cultural patterns play a significant part in framing the processes of communication. The purpose of this research is to examine the role of two differing cultural patterns – collectivism and individualism -... [...] Read more
Science Education and Culture: Inquiry-Based Learning
Abstract: At a time when inquiry-based science education is finding increased acceptance, US classrooms are exhibiting a significant increase in diversity. This necessitates attention to the compatibility between the culture of inquiry teaching and the broad range of cultures that form students’ backgrounds. Although some research has considered students’ cultural backgrounds and the roles these might play in the effectiveness of an inquiry approach,... [...] Read more
How do Iranians and U.S. Citizens Perceive Each Other: A systematic Review
Abstract: Whenever we turn our TV news channel on, we are likely to hear about an Iran-U.S. conflict. Images of the leaders of these two countries intimidating each other can be seen in news channels all over the world. When we are talking about Iran-U.S. international relations, most people think of the political relations which this study takes as intergovernmental rather than international relations. In this study, as we are Iranian and U.S.... [...] Read more
The challenge of bilingualism in a multilingual society: The Bolivian Case
Abstract: Bolivia is a multilingual society recognising as many as 36 different ethnic groups with more or less different languages. The attitude towards bilingualism is based on experiences acquired over centuries through a history characterized by a minority ruling the majority. As in the other Latin American countries the ruling elite of Spanish descent has systematically neglected the culture and languages of the indigenous peoples. The Educational... [...] Read more
Towards a Scientific Model of Culture Shock and Intercultural Communication
Abstract: This article seeks to make an original contribution to the study of intercultural communication by examining the ‘culture shock’ model by means of scientific theories of behaviour. It will argue that although culture chock is built on both cultural determinist and cultural relativist foundations, it is broadly empirically accurate. However, it needs to be rendered consilient. Applying Genetic Similarity Theory to it renders it consilient and,... [...] Read more
Television Exposure, Model Minority Portrayals, and Asian-American Stereotypes: An Exploratory Study
Abstract: This exploratory study examines how television exposure influences White-American viewers’ attitudes toward Asian-Americans. Prior research reveals that the dominant image of Asian-Americans in contemporary television is that of the "model minority." Drawing on social identity, intergroup communication, and attributional theories, this study explores the negative outcomes of the seemingly positive Asian-American model minority stereotype.... [...] Read more
Health Service Provision in a Huichol Community in Mexico: an issue of Intercultural Communication
Abstract: In Mexico, there is a high incidence of health-related problems among indigenous ethnic groups that are otherwise prevented and have a low impact in non-indigenous rural communities. The Mexican Ministry of Health acknowledges that this problem may be in part due to the fact that the vision of the indigenous patient regarding health issues has been omitted from official programmes. In this paper we show that although understanding cultural... [...] Read more
A Comparative Study of Native and Non-native Body Language: The Case of Americans’ Kinesics vs. Persian English Speakers
Abstract: Body language is considered as one of the most fundamental components of communication. Many factors including culture, gender, age, and psyche can affect the use of body language among different people. However, related literature shows that culture and gender are more effective in causing variability of kinesics. This study is an attempt to examine the effect of these two factors on the nonverbal behavior of Persian EFL learners. In other... [...] Read more
More Different Than Similar: Values in Political Speeches of Leaders from Developed and Developing Countries
Abstract: With globalization, the understanding of different values and cultures has become vital. This study investigates differences and similarities in the use of values of political speeches from developed and developing countries. A content analysis was conducted on 48 political speeches of six leaders. Applying the list of Basic Human Values, we found that "benevolence," "universalism," "stimulation," "self-direction," and "achievement" were most... [...] Read more
Intercultural Communication Competence in Business: Communication between Japanese and Americans
Abstract: This paper summarizes the results of interviews and questionnaires of 20 American business people who have experience in doing business with Japanese people and discusses how Americans with a high degree of intercultural awareness made compromises or could make compromises in order to conduct business negotiations more efficiently. While acknowledging that one’s intercultural communication competence is context-dependent and there is no... [...] Read more
Impediments to cultural teaching in EFL programmes at a Saudi University
Abstract: Literature in a given language is the ultimate culmination of cultural expression. However, in Saudi universities, the literature of the English language, mainly British and American, is meagrely taught due to dogmatic religious considerations. This study reviews relevant research on culture and literature teaching in EFL, and further delves into an exploration of the perceptions and attitudes of faculty and students with regard to why... [...] Read more
Looking at You Looking at Me: An Autoethnographic Account of a Tattooed Female and (Re)appropriation of the Tourist Gaze
Abstract: As noted through Ury’s (2002) work, the tourist gaze serves as a literal and metaphorical construct describing the process involved in viewing the interculturally different Other. However, traditional understandings of the tourist gaze do not account for the reciprocity involved in the gazing process. Through the use of autoethnography enhanced with visual ethnographic artifacts, this essay dissects the presumed linear nature of the gaze,... [...] Read more
Experiential Learning About Intercultural Communication Through Intercultural Communication: Internationalising a Business Communication Curriculum
Abstract: This paper reports on a rich, qualitative research study that aimed to discover how undergraduate and culturally diverse students experienced a collaborative, international, online, experiential project to learn about intercultural communication. Student participants in the study endorsed experiential learning in culturally diverse groups about intercultural communication through intercultural communication. The data... [...] Read more
Dubbing or Subtitling Interculturalism: Choices and Constraints
Abstract: The creation of audiovisual products is currently one the most visible manifestations of multiculturalism in the world. From documentaries to TV series, or even from videogames to software, the interaction of cultures has an unparalleled window from which it can be shown, understood and spread through audiovisual material. It is obvious that translation and translators play a crucial role in the transmission of such material, and in view of... [...] Read more
Rethinking Intercultural Network Communication as a Resource in Public Intercultural Health Communication
Abstract: There have been few studies on intercultural network communication. This article explores how intercultural network communication can become a key element in a re-thinking of public intercultural health communication. The article gives a critical review on previous attempts to conceptualise intercultural network communication and suggests a qualitative practice theoretical approach as an alternative to the former quantitative analysis.... [...] Read more
Assessing Cultural Representations of Physician and Patient Imagery in Medical Tourism Websites
Abstract: Given recent international trends in globalized healthcare systems, an analysis of the cultural representations of patient and physician imagery was conducted on 66 medical tourism websites. Expectancy violations theory serves as the intercultural theoretical framework for exploring the medical tourism process overall, and quality of care expectations specifically. Results revealed the type of website and international region of care varied... [...] Read more
Reshaping educational experience by volunteering in the community: Language learners in the real world
Abstract: This paper views tertiary language learners’ gaining a sense of cultural belonging and an awareness of intercultural communication through three prisms: (i) the metaphor of "investment", (ii) the notion of "community of practice" and (iii) the concept of "imagined community". Applied to environments of real world learning, specifically the volunteer sector, the notion of "community" holds a key to reshaping the cultural education experiences... [...] Read more
Global corporate communication and the notion of legitimacy
Abstract: When international companies seek to establish legitimacy, it involves different stakeholders locally and globally. This paper analyses corporate communication in order to trace the discursive construction of the customers, investors, staff and authoritiess from whom legitimacy is sought. It is argued that the notion of legitimacy hinges on accountability, i.e. on the selection of groups to whom the writers feel responsible. Annual reports... [...] Read more
You Think I am Stupid? Face Needs in Intercultural Conflicts
Abstract: Embedded in intercultural conflicts are identity or face-based goal issues (Rothman, 1997), which, when not effectively managed, may lead to unresolved conflicts. This study examined actual email interactions over a period of five months between an American visiting professor and an International Office staff member at a University in China. It showed three patterns of interaction that failed to manage each other’s face or identity needs and... [...] Read more
Host communication competence and locus of control of international students in the United States
Abstract: A survey of 169 international students was conducted at a large southern research university to investigate the relationship between host communication competence and students’ locus of control. Results of correlation and multiple regressions revealed that international students’ host communication competence was positively influenced by the internal locus of control. The independent sample t test showed that female and European... [...] Read more
West meets East: on the Necessity of local Pedagogies
Abstract: There is growing awareness that Western educational practices and language pedagogies cannot simply be exported to other parts of the world. The ethnocentricity of many teacher education projects that aim at introducing CLT to Asian societies have caused cultural conflicts and have led to the call for culturally appropriate methodologies. This paper presents an ethnographic analysis of three situations taken from two in-service teacher... [...] Read more
Telling the Truth about Culture: Intercultural Communication in Travel Writing
Abstract: We receive descriptions of meetings between cultures from a wide range of sources; for example, from the aspiring empirical objectivity of Intercultural Communication to the more entertaining portrayals of travel writing. But when travel writers employ the principles of Intercultural Communication in their descriptions, does this bring their travel writing closer to the truth about culture? My paper takes up this question through an... [...] Read more
Running head: Minority language survival
Abstract: We compared French speaking and South Asian (SA) immigrant families having preschool children in an English speaking region in Canada, with regard to the parents’ attitudes towards minority language (ML) maintenance, ML use at home, and exposure of children to ML media. Parents in both groups had positive attitudes about language maintenance, however, SA parents were less hopeful that their children would retain their ML and pass it on to... [...] Read more
International Trans-Editing: Typical Intercultural Communication Strategies at the BBC World Service Turkish Radio
Abstract: Whenever a piece of local news is transmitted to the global reader, it is not simply translated into another language, but becomes part of intercultural communication. The main aim in this paper is to investigate how international news stories written in English are prepared for Turkish readers. The comparative analysis of English and Turkish news stories from the BBC World Service’s websites shows that it involves a translating and an... [...] Read more
Uses of Mass Media for Adaptation Purposes: A Quantitative Study of Brazilian Immigrants in Los Angeles
Abstract: This research project used a survey to assess the impact of English- and Portuguese-language mass media on how Brazilian immigrants in the Los Angeles area adapt to their new environment. In addition to mass media use, the survey also took into account cultural preferences, language fluency, and demographics as possible predictors of cultural adaptation for Brazilian immigrants in a large and multicultural metropolitan area of the United... [...] Read more
Avatars and Sojourners: Explaining the Acculturation of Newcomers to Multiplayer Online Games as Cross-Cultural Adaptations
Abstract: Only in recent years have formal theories of immigrant and sojourner acculturation been developed. Could these theories be employed to study the acculturation of newcomers into the virtual cultures of massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs)? These gameworlds are inhabited by millions of people worldwide and have emerged as societies with their own cultural myths, schemata, argot, and communication practices. As such, new players may be... [...] Read more
Interpreters in Intercultural Health Care Settings: Health professionals’ and professional interpreters’ cultural knowledge, and their reciprocal perception and collaboration
Abstract: To learn how health professionals and interpreters perceive each other and collaborate. Based on this discuss the role of professional interpreters. Method : Narrative interviews with nurses, focus group interviews and questionnaire studies of medical nurses, psychiatric health professionals, and professional interpreters. Findings : Communication problems may be caused by language and by different horizons of understanding, medical... [...] Read more
The Ambiguities of Intercultural Dialogue: Critical Perspectives on the European Union’s New Agenda for Culture
Abstract: Throughout the last couple of decades various aspects of culture seems to affect the lives of European citizens more and more. As a reply the European Union (EU) in 2007 endorsed ' A European agenda for culture in a globalising world ’, evidently their first-ever strategy for culture. Zooming in on three areas – intercultural dialogue, culture as a catalyst to creativity, and culture as part of foreign relations – culture had for... [...] Read more
Interview without a subject: The Russian doll question and cultural encounters
Abstract: This article contributes to the rethinking of qualitative interview research into intercultural issues. It suggests that the application of poststructuralist thought should not be limited to the analysis of the interview material itself, but incorporate the choice of interviewees and the modalities for the accomplishment of interviews. The paper focuses on a discussion of theoretical and methodological considerations of... [...] Read more
Communication challenges in a multicultural learning environment
Abstract: Culture is an intricate concept, with many different classifications. Simply put, "culture" refers to a group or community with which we share common experiences that shape the way we understand the world. Each of us is shaped by many factors, and culture is one of the powerful forces that influence our lives. This paper offers a critique of problems experienced in multicultural learning environments and explores factors that inhibit... [...] Read more
Changing Stereotypes in Iran and Canada Using Computer Mediated Communication
Abstract: As part of a university course activity, one group of Canadian and one group of Iranian students were randomly partnered to exchange e-mail messages via the Internet for seven weeks. Before beginning their correspondence, all students completed a questionnaire measuring their stereotypes, attitudes, and knowledge about the people and culture of their prospective e-pals. Students from both countries then exchanged messages and photos. In... [...] Read more
The Hegemonic Role of the United States in the U.S.-China Copyright Disputes
Abstract: This paper examines the U.S. hegemonic role in imposing its copyright standards onto the Chinese, who hold fundamentally different cultural perceptions of copyright in terms of innovation, fair use, and the public domain. A thematic analysis of the transcripts of 45 in-depth interviews of the Chinese copyright holders and consumers via the theoretical lens of hegemony reveals the following. To obtain bigger market access and better protection... [...] Read more
From "Silent Minority" to Collective Protests in Real Life: Tension, Resistance and Online Identity Discourse of Overseas Chinese
Abstract: This study examines how overseas Chinese in the U.S used their online narratives to articulate their individual identities, and to form a shared group identity. What is more, during April 2008, rallies and protests were organized by these online discussion groups. The analysis of participants’ narratives demonstrates the emancipatory potential of the Internet, that is, online discussion helps members of a marginalized group form a united... [...] Read more
Going Home: Deculturation Experiences in Cultural Reentry
Abstract: This study tests the process of deculturation as identified in adaptation theory. The context used here is reentry into one’s previous culture. If the theoretical descriptions of deculturation are accurate, one would expect those who have adapted to another culture to experience issues of relearning upon return to the original culture. Subjects consisted of returned missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (afterward... [...] Read more
The blindspots and biases of intercultural communication studies: A discussion on episteme and doxa in a field
Abstract: As with other evolving fields within the realms of science the ontological assumptions and epistemological aspirations of intercultural communication studies are matters of debate and disagreement. Differently put, the very point of take-off from which studies in this field are conducted is seldom scrutinized. This being said, this paper identifies and discusses a number of blindspots and biases of intercultural communication studies – e.g.... [...] Read more
Resilience in Minorities
Abstract: In this study we compare the situation of two minorities, the San people of Botswana and the Travellers in Norway. We want to explore how their way of life, their culture, travelling then want to show how knowledge of resilience and protective factors can be important for the survival and development of minority cultures in general and for the life and education of children in particular. [...] Read more
Professional and personal identity at work: achieving a synthesis through intercultural workplace talk
Abstract: This paper analyses the ways in which professional migrants from different cultural backgrounds, using English as an Additional Language, manage the demands of constructing a positive professional identity while also negotiating the complex relational aspects of workplace talk. The well-established methodology of the Wellington Language in the Workplace Project was used to collect relevant data from migrant workers interacting in professional... [...] Read more
Chief Communications: Communication and Cultural Practices among Samoan Matais
Abstract: Samoa and American Samoa provide researchers a unique opportunity to explore acculturation and intercultural communication practices. However, this region has been the focus of comparatively few studies. This case study of Samoan chiefs provides insight into the way a culture has adapted its discourse practices to include those who have immigrated to other countries. By comparing the structure, context, and function of chiefs’ communication... [...] Read more
World Wide Journey of the Needle: Cross-Cultural Web Radio Experience
Abstract: This article examines cross-cultural web radio use of university students coming from strictly distinguishable countries (Turkey and the Netherlands) with respect to both cultural characteristics and the development of the radio cultures. Our research builds on a conceptual framework combining two interrelated variable sets: Cultural value orientations and the factors determining the formation of radio culture in these countries. The proposed... [...] Read more
Intertextual borrowings in ideologically competing discourses:The case of the Middle East
Abstract: This study examines ideologically driven intertextual borrowings in political discourse in light of political events related to the Middle East. Its primary concern is to explore the ideological struggle and power relations governing the production of political text. For this purpose, this study analyses a variety of texts on the Middle East in both Arabic and English. These texts are analyzed through a multi-dimensional approach of Critical... [...] Read more
Intercultural Language Trends at a Quadriethnic English-medium University in the Baltics
Abstract: This article examines intercultural communication in the context of student social life at the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga. The undergraduate students at this institution represent all four major ethno-linguistic groups of the Baltics, their native languages being Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian and/or Russian. All of them are also fluent speakers of English, the only study language of the university. Through the analysis of survey... [...] Read more
Representations of otherness in Russian newspapers: the theme of migration as a counterpoint to Russian national identity
Abstract: This article examines the coverage of migration topics in a selection of Russian newspapers with nationwide circulations in the first six months of 2005 and tries to answer to the question: how does the Russian national press represent people and features which are significantly different from so-called Russian character and national identity? The analysis is based on three main themes: immigration, the national project, and Russians... [...] Read more
Witnesses of Wealth.Development Workers, Intercultural Communication and Norwegian National Identity
Abstract: In this article the broader topic of communication and identity is addressed through a discussion of intercultural involvement and national identity in the case of Norway. The main research question is how Norwegian expatriate development workers discursively sustain, challenge and (re)construct Norwegian national identity. Discussing this I draw on material from a recent study where I interviewed twenty-three development workers (). In the... [...] Read more
"I’ve learned so much": befrienders’ experiences of befriending minority ethnic young people
Abstract: Befriending is commonly regarded as a purposive form of relationship designed to benefit the befriendee. Little research has examined experiences of befrienders. We report findings from a study of the experiences of volunteer befrienders to children and young people from minority ethnic backgrounds. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 volunteers. Participants described benefits of the relationships, acceptance by befriendees’... [...] Read more
Communicative challenges in multinational project work:Obstacles and tools for reaching common understandings
Abstract: Focus of this article is communicative challenges in multinational project work as well as how such challenges can be managed. By analyzing their communication in so called reflective dialogues and email correspondence the discussion sheds light upon how the participants of one such project talk about the meaning and pedagogical fruitfulness of horizontal classroom dialogue, and the degree to which they themselves actually communicate in a... [...] Read more
On Negative Cultural Transfer in Communication Between Chinese and Americans
Abstract: Different nations in the world have their own cultures, and these cultures are characterized by both universality and particularity. The former provides a foundation and guarantee for intercultural communication, while the latter often leads to negative cultural transfer in communication if the speakers are unconscious of cultural differences. This paper makes a comparative study of negative cultural transfer in communication between Chinese... [...] Read more
A critical discourse analysis of the selected Iranian and American printed media on the representations of Hizbullah-Israel war
Abstract: This study examines the relationships between language and ideology and how such relationships are represented in the analysis of texts, following Systemic Functional Linguistics and transitivity analysis developed by M.A.K. Halliday. In this study, it is tried to show that news structures are working apparatuses of ideology and store meanings which are not always obvious for readers. Through a comparative analysis of an Iranian newspaper and... [...] Read more
Understanding Interpersonal Relationships in the Chinese Context
Abstract: The author draws upon personal experience and written sources to reflect upon the difficulties a Canadian of European extraction encounters when interacting with people of Chinese descent. Four themes are explored: friendship; connections (guanxi); personal space and privacy; and altruism. [...] Read more
Between English Humour and National Stereotypes – Translating Stephen Clarke’s Novel Merde Happens into Italian
Abstract: This paper discusses translation of texts about nonprofit organizations from English into Italian as a case study of intercultural communication. Firstly, we note the importance of adaptation as a valuable strategy for translation of nonprofit texts from English into Italian. Secondly, we describe the intercultural difference between the nonprofit sector in Italy and the United States in terms of paradigms, following Kuhn’s theory of... [...] Read more
Cross-cultural communication patterns: Korean and American Communication
Abstract: The most recent extant studies on Korean communication were carried out in the 1990’s. Thus, the purpose of this study is to test and thereby update research on Korean in contrast to American communication practices. Students in Korea and the US filled out questionnaires testing their direct, indirect, immediate, verbally aggressive and communicatively apprehensive communication. This study quantitatively tested the impact of culture on... [...] Read more
Korean Hybridity: The Language Classroom as Cultural Hybrid
Abstract: This paper looks at the Korean language classroom as a cultural hybrid of Korean and perceived American culture. It is based around the idea of the language classroom as a subculture. Through discussions of classroom geography, Confucianism, and identity construction, the paper concludes that this hybrid subculture offers an opportunity to explore new cultural identities within a subculture without having to join subcultural groups in normal... [...] Read more
Translation, Cultural Knowledge and Intercultural Competence
Abstract: The article suggests that translation can be a suitable activity to explore and develop aspects of foreign language students’ intercultural competence. This point is illustrated with a study into the translation processes of British university students of German. As the study indicates, cultural knowledge problems impinged on the students’ translation performance in various ways. Thus, frequently students did not seem to be sufficiently... [...] Read more
The Development of a New Instrument of Intercultural Communication Competence
Abstract: A review of past literature reveals that there is need for a measure of intercultural communication competence (ICC) that can be used in culturally diverse groups of participants. The present study describes the development and initial empirical testing of a new instrument of ICC. Student participants ( N = 302) from multiple cultural backgrounds were used. Using regression, factor, and correlation analyses, the instrument was tested... [...] Read more
Teaching cultural awareness in the intercultural classroom
Abstract: The paper presents a purely pedagogical application of Amin Maalouf's "identity check-up" as a tool which has proved to be useful in cultural mixed classes as a basis for self-analysis and discussion, and as a means of preventing the development of stereotypes and prejudices. Revised version of a paper given at the conference Changing Identities in a globalized world . 29th November – 1st December, 2007- Faculty of... [...] Read more
An Exploratory Investigation of Asian Students’ Sense of Dignity in a Non-native English Language Learning Context
A Case Study
Abstract: This paper explores how learning English affects Asian students’ sense of dignity in an Australian social environment, and how they deal with negative encounters at school, at work and at public places. The research methodology used was in-depth interviews with seven postgraduate international students from six different countries in Asia and a convenient snowball sampling. Regardless of the non-native students’ English proficiency test... [...] Read more
Transfer phenomena and intercultural movements of texts
Abstract: The complexity of contemporary international communication requires an analysis of the transfer phenomena occurring within it. This paper addresses the subject from the perspective of cultural approaches to translation by adopting the concept modes of discursive transfer, which refers to any form of text processing that can be produced within and/or across cultures and media (translation, summary, adaptation for children, comic strip or film,... [...] Read more
Being ill in a foreign country: International students’ trust in American physicians
Abstract: A survey with 169 international students was conducted to investigate the relationship between trust in American physicians and students’ locus of control, nationality, sex, and years of being in the United States, the number of American friends, the number of international friends, and the number of doctor’s visits. Results revealed that international students with an internal locus of control had a greater degree of trust in American... [...] Read more
The Influence of Confucianism and Buddhism on Chinese Business
Abstract: This paper addresses the influence of Confucianism and Buddhism on Chinese business against the background of China´s economic integration into the world. Considering the relationship between Confucianism, Buddhism and business from an intercultural perspective in the context of economic and cultural globalization, we present some modern Chinese business people, including some overseas Chinese, who behave in accordance with Confucianism, pray... [...] Read more
Internet use ad cross-cultural adaptation.Testing a Model of Internet Use in the Cross-Cultural Adaptation Context
Abstract: The growth of new communication technologies has presented new challenges to traditional cross-cultural adaptation (CCA) research. Guided by uses and gratifications (U&G) theory, we proposed a model of Internet use in CCA, investigating how individual differences, Internet use motives, and Internet use influenced Chinese students’ CCA. Eight Internet use motives were identified in the CCA context, including social... [...] Read more
Cross-Cultural Representations of Hegemonic Masculinity in Shall we Dance
Abstract: One way of studying group involvement is through the paradigm of communities of practice (CofP) (Lave 1988, Lave & Wenger 1991). Students on university campuses are simultaneously members of various CofPs. This article investigates the CofPs Japanese students were involved in while studying in the United States. It found that the whole notion of CofP involvement is framed (Bateson 1972; Tannen & Wallet 1993) differently by Japanese.... [...] Read more
Ideology Complexity Model: Towards the soul-searching communication
Abstract: In communication studies, ideology seems only legitimate in the critical perspective and discussed in a contested manner. However, ideology as an important and unavoidable dimension of cultural identity has profound influences on communication at all levels and in all contexts. The present study is an attempt to theorize about the ideological issues of intercultural communication in Ideology Complexity Model (ICM) based on the current... [...] Read more
A Linguistic Case for the necessity of Enculturation in Theological and Economic Teaching based on the ‘Shape of Words’: including a case study comparing Sub-Saharan Africa with the West
Abstract: Considering words and the areas of the mind that they impact as two-dimensional shapes forms the theoretical basis from which intercultural communication between the West and Sub-Saharan Africa are examined. Unique shapes of words are illustrated as arising from their meeting with equally unique 'impactible areas' of people's minds, and cultures, resulting in transmitted and received shapes differing in a way related to lexical content at... [...] Read more
Creating Synergy between Collectivism and Individualism in Cyberspace: A Comparison of Online Communication Patterns between Hong Kong and U.S. Students
Abstract: In recent years, studies have proposed the use of intercultural communication to promote understanding among students across geographic distances and foster students’ global awareness and international experience. This study compared Hong Kong students’ WebCT discussion postings with those of U.S. students to investigate differences in their online communication patterns. Results showed that while Asian students were more interactive by... [...] Read more
The Cantonese apology style for personal offences in native and second languages in electronic communication
Abstract: The paper examines Cantonese tertiary students’ email apology style for personal offences to teachers in their native language (L1, Cantonese) and second language (L2, English) learnt at school by testifying three hypotheses. Firstly, the Cantonese students’ L1 and L2 apologies are always multi-componential, with at least two parts in one apology email, in spite of the fact that there is no statistically significant difference between... [...] Read more
SME internationalization as a challenge to interpersonal communication competence
An analysis of interpersonal communication competence in networking and collaboration
Abstract: This paper investigates how the internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) poses a challenge to the interpersonal communication competence of SME owners, managers and employees. Interpersonal communication competence is discussed particularly in the contexts of networking and business collaboration. Collaborative arrangements even with competitors are needed in today’s global business world. Through collaborative... [...] Read more
Cultural Differences in Conversational Strategies-Japanese and American University Students
Abstract: This paper deals with cultural differences in conversational strategies between Japanese and American university students. Based upon a questionnaire distributed to 106 Japanese students with intermediate English proficiency and 97 American students, the paper examines specific problems caused by the differences in expectations, and identifies several culturally held values. At the same time, it also mentions individual differences in... [...] Read more
Acculturation and Identity in Adolescents in Norway
Abstract: This survey is inspired by the International Comparative Study of Ethnocultural Youth (ICSEY), a comprehensive study which has looked at acculturation and cultural identity in adolescents from immigrant families across 13 countries. In the present survey 16 immigrant youths from two different ethnic minority groups in Norway – Somali and Albanian – were interviewed to find out more about their acculturation attitudes and experiences and their... [...] Read more
Unintentional Humour in the Translation of Jordanian Shop Signs
Abstract: This paper examines unintentional humour, as a non-bona-fide instance of communication, in the translation of shop signs in the Jordanian public commercial environment. It shows that unintentional humour not only permeates a shop sign's translated version, but is also indissolubly linked to its lingua-cultural and social context. Closer scrutiny reveals that unintentional humour, just like intentional humour, essentially emerges... [...] Read more
Expatriate Power – a counteractive factor of intercultural Learning?
Abstract: Due to the advancement of globalization , overseas assignments are becoming increasingly necessary for the coordination of international subsidiaries or to guarantee the transfer of knowledge, among other things. However many of these assignments are unsuccessful in that either the business expatriates return earlier as planned or they do not perform as well as expected. Multiple reasons for the failure of such assignments have been... [...] Read more
Identity and health in transcultural mediation: The Model of Culture-Synergetic Transcultural Mediation and its Impacts
Abstract: Over the past decades, interest in the field of conflict research has developed worldwide. A broad range of literature evaluates conflicts as stressors with negative health effects. Particularly in transcultural situations conflict parties experience stress due to the lack of transcultural understanding, differences in value-orientations and culture-specific attitude and behaviour. This article introduces the model of "Culture-Synergetic... [...] Read more
Values, Cultural Identity and Communication: A Perspective From Philosophy of Language
Abstract: Problems of communication in intercultural dialogue typically arise when the communicators understand concepts of meaning and identity in strikingly different ways. This article employs influential assumptions in modern philosophy of language to discuss fundamental aspects of these problems. Drawing on a distinction between beliefs and values, it is argued that intercultural communication typically fails when communicators have different... [...] Read more
Service telephone call openings: a comparative study on five European languages
Abstract: The paper presents the results of a comparative study on how speakers of different languages (English, French, German, Italian and Spanish) manage the opening of service phone calls. Previous research has focussed on cross-cultural variability in telephone conversations, but this is the first attempt to systematically compare several European languages at the same time. The communicative strategies speakers use in each language are analyzed... [...] Read more
Re-imaging Understanding of Intercultural Communication, Culture and Culturing
Abstract: The paper examines intercultural communication as the management of messages across cultures. Our understanding of culture, culturing, and intercultural communication enlarges our understanding of what being human means and, moreover, expands moral action by locating our humanity within a constantly changing world. This emergent quantum understanding brings a closer look on intercultural theory and the phenomenon of culturing, thus,... [...] Read more
Analysis of EFL elementary textbooks in Syria and Germany: cognitive, affective and procedural aspects in their inter-cultural context
Abstract: This study attempts to explore and compare the cognitive, affective and procedural aspects of EFL elementary textbooks in Syria and Germany. It analyses a corpus which consists of three Syrian elementary textbooks, Starters I-III , and their German counterparts, Kooky I-II . Based on the paradigmatic change from instructivism to constructivism, a descriptive-analytical approach is used to examine the content-material in terms of... [...] Read more
You’ve got mail! Using email technology to enhance intercultural communication learning
Abstract: As organizations become increasingly globalized and workforces increasingly culturally diverse, the use of "global virtual teams" is becoming more and more common. To be prepared to work in such a team, students need to develop skills in both intercultural communication and the use of modern computer technologies. This paper reports on a project that involved intercultural communication students in the U.S.A. and New Zealand corresponding... [...] Read more
Intercultural Communication and Ethnic Identity
Abstract: This study’s main objective was to identify reactions triggered when individuals partaking in an intercultural communication interaction believe that there is a discrepancy between the way they identify themselves ethnically and the way they are perceived. In addition, I examined how their reactions can influence the interactions in question. The study showed that reactions caused by perceived misconceptions of one’s ethnic identity are... [...] Read more
Intercultural Communication in the Japanese Language Classroom in Singapore: A Comparison of Students’ and Teachers’ Perceptions
Abstract: Exploring the communicative behavior of teachers and students in the Japanese language classroom in Singapore is one important way of looking at intercultural communication between Japanese and Singaporeans. Ease in effective communication is often hindered by differences in expectations resulting in communication gaps. In this study, attempts were made to explore the differences in perceptions held by students and Japanese teachers of (i) a... [...] Read more
Do media matter? A social construction model of stereotypes of foreigner
Abstract: In an attempt to build on and make more complete existing models of stereotype formation, which have largely been cognitive in nature, this paper proposes a social construction model of stereotypes of foreigners, which includes a number of social factors, and in particular, the media, where media is defined as a complex variable composed of several exposure, nature of sources, content, and perceived effect. [...] Read more
Traditional Mapuche education. Contribution for an Intercultural Education
Abstract: The intercultural education is presented as an initiative of our society to incorporate ethnic groups in the vision of the world, which is constructed through education. Unfortunately, the main contribution that the ancestral cultures make to the curriculum is based on some idiomatic aspects and cultural manifestations (rites and ceremonies). According to our point of view, this vision is rather restricted, because it ignores or does not know... [...] Read more
A Linguistics for Ethnography. Why Not Second Languaculture Learning and Translation?
Abstract: Language and ethnography have always gone hand in hand. In this article two kinds of linguistics are explored that seem to have a close relationship to ethnography, namely, second languaculture learning and translation theory. The article shows how the former resembles the ethnographic research process while the latter is similar to the usual ethnographic product. The irony is that neither of these two kinds of linguistics have played much of... [...] Read more
Interpreting, mediation and mediation in multilingual Basel Dealing with diversity and foreign language skills - survey among leaders of public institutions
Abstract: As European countries become more diverse, so do the client populations in public institutions. Switzerland has, like all modern societies, been affected by major cultural and social changes, characterised by a pluralisation of lifestyles, ways of life, languages and value systems. For Swiss society as a whole and for its public institutions, this raises questions about how this pluralistic society can be held together and, more specifically,... [...] Read more
A Longitudinal study on intercultural awareness and Foreign Language acquisition in the Netherlands
Abstract: In a longitudinal study we assessed the effect of a four-year International Business Communication program at a university in the Netherlands on students’ intercultural awareness and foreign language acquisition. In pre-test and post-test a measurement instrument featuring everyday (monocultural and intercultural) dialogues involving business associates was used to assess intercultural awareness in a group of 39 students. In addition,... [...] Read more
Obstacles to Innovative Interaction: Communication Management in Culturally Diverse Organizations
Abstract: Cultural diversity has often been described as yielding competitive advantages like, for example, innovation resulting from the combination of different cultural perspectives. However, there are also substantial organizational problems related to managing cultural diversity, which need to be overcome in order for diversity to be a useful asset. Based on an empirical study of Danish multicultural companies, this article argues that the... [...] Read more
Introducing non-verbal communication to Japanese university students
Abstract: Non-verbal communication is an important aspect to teach Japanese English language students if they are to communicate effectively in English. The purpose of this research is to determine which aspects of non-verbal communication would be important to teach Japanese university students studying English. Literature regarding Japanese use of non-verbal communication is described and used as a basis to determine aspects of non-verbal which would... [...] Read more
Power in Intercultural Education: "Education in Bolivia – from Oppression to Liberation"?
Abstract: In this article I will consider the discussion on the educational system in Bolivia. Education is a potentially powerful way of communication. The educational reform of 1994 was a radical reform making it possible for the Indigenous peoples to receive education in their native languages. Nevertheless the government of Evo Morales abolished it as soon as they were in position, starting the process of making a new law with the slogan... [...] Read more
The Image of Europe as Advertised in Russia
Abstract: This contribution analyses the image of Europe passed on in current TV-advertising in Russia. This image is only understandable in the context of the current social discussions about national identity and builds on the national self-images. While Russia is very markedly different to Europe in terms of size and importance, tradition and history as well as community and shared identity, the image of Europe is depicted as a homogenous,... [...] Read more
Cultural Fluency as a Guide to Effective Intercultural Communication: The Case of Japan and the U.S.
Abstract: Intercultural communication serves a vital role in that it can forestall miscommunication and misunderstanding. Because of increased intercultural contact and interdependence, people in the world are forced to "rethink" intercultural communication in order to acquire effective intercultural communication competence. The present paper provides a critical discussion of the conceptualization of intercultural communication and the commonly... [...] Read more
Cultural Marginality: Exploration of Self-Esteem and Cross Cultural Adaptation of the Marginalized Individual: An investigation of the second generation Hare Krishnas .
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore the cross-cultural adaptation of a sample of adults raised in the Hare Krishna culture. Fifteen second generation ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) adults were asked to describe their family, peer, and social interactions and the perceived impact on their cross-cultural adaptation. An analysis of participant responses generated the following fifteen themes: (1) age and context of... [...] Read more
An Exploratory Study of “Fairness” in Educational Settings —American and Japanese University Students—.
Abstract: This paper deals with differences and similarities in the perception of "fairness" in e ducational settings between American and Japanese university students. First, data was collected through open-ended questionnaires and interviews as to the words and actions of Native English-Speaking (NES) teachers that Japanese students regarded as unfair, and those of Japanese students that American teachers found to be unfair. Based on the responses, a... [...] Read more
Rules and regulations: is culture-learning like language -acquisition?
Abstract: The article attempts to tease apart Regulative, Constitutive, Prescriptive and Descriptive Rules, and pinpoints their respective role in First and Second Language Acquisition as well as in Culture Learning. It is proposed that the proportion of Regulative Rules is generally under-estimated, while the incidence of Constitutive Rules tends to be over-estimated. The paper puts forward the Rule Category Substitution Fallacy, a hypothesis... [...] Read more
Fables and ICT: Intercultural Communication and E-Language Teaching.
Abstract: This paper presents an experimental workshop held as part of an annual university teacher training course directed at Italian teachers involved in teaching Italian as a second language in multicultural classes mainly from primary and secondary schools. Its objective is to train teachers in an intercultural methodology through the use of fables and fairy tales as they have been proven to be an educational tool with a great intercultural power... [...] Read more
The Discourse of Philanthropy in Italy and The United States: A Case Study of Interparadigmatic Translation.
Abstract: This paper discusses translation of texts about nonprofit organizations from English into Italian as a case study of intercultural communication. Firstly, we note the importance of adaptation as a valuable strategy for translation of nonprofit texts from English into Italian. Secondly, we describe the intercultural difference between the nonprofit sector in Italy and the United States in terms of paradigms, following Kuhn’s theory of... [...] Read more
Student Language Teachers as Intercultural Learners in CMC-Based Project Work
Abstract: This paper emerged from a larger study and analyzes the reflections of a transatlantic group of future language teachers who communicated with each other via the bulletin board and chat functions of FirstClass ® to design a joint website module. The author employs the Grounded Theory method and engages in action research in order to identify and analyze instances displaying cross-cultural engagement. Data triangulation... [...] Read more
Intercultural Communication in Letters of Recommendation
Abstract: The letter of recommendation (LR) as a means to communicate across different cultures for the purpose of applying for entering a university can be problematic. Using contrastive rhetoric analytic framework, this paper compares LRs written by Chinese and English native speaker professionals. Discussion of culturally situated interpretations of the LRs is based on interviews with university professors who have been on the admission committee.... [...] Read more
Identity’s Playground: Linking Second Language Use with Strategic Competence.
Abstract: This case study examines how a French immigrant of Senegalese descent negotiates his L2 identity at a multicultural and multilingual workplace environment in the United States. The article is the result of a six-month qualitative case study in which the subject was shadowed and interviewed at his place of employment. The study explores the relationship between strategic competence and social identity and examines how the participant’s social... [...] Read more
An Investigation of Chinese Students´Difficulties in Intercultural Communication and its Role in Elt.
Abstract: This study discusses the intercultural communication competence of Chinese students who were studying at an Australian University. The study specifically explores the frequency of interactions between Chinese students and students from other countries; the difficulties they encountered and the reasons they attributed to these difficulties. Research results, derived from questionnaires and interviews, reveal that the Chinese students... [...] Read more
Nonverbal Affiliative Phenomena in Mandarin Chinese Conversation
Abstract: Based on naturally occurring audio-video data collected from university campus settings, this study has identified four nonverbal actions ¾ zhùshì "gaze", diantóu "head nods", wexiao "gentle smile" and shouchù " hand touch" employed by Mandarin Chinese speakers in their interpersonal communication. Detailed data analysis and discussion reveal how Mandarin Chinese speakers manage their affiliation and attachment nonverbally with the... [...] Read more
Collaborating and Communicating Online: A Cross-Bordered Intercultural Project between Taiwan and the U.S.
Abstract: This study explored the collaborative process of an online cross-cultural communication project between Taiwan and the U.S. The behaviors of the cross-cultural teams were analyzed and compared. The results indicated that the U.S. participants enjoyed interacting with their group members more, had developed a better sense of community, and were more comfortable with online communication. However, more of the U.S. participants lurked online. It... [...] Read more
Culture, Common Knowledge and Post-Conflict Reconstruction.
Abstract: Post-conflict reconstruction is one of the most relevant policy issues in the world today. It is argued that widespread coordination characterizes a successful reconstruction. Critical to this outcome is common knowledge among citizens, which facilitates the coordination of activities on a set of beliefs aligning with the aims of reconstruction. The nature of common knowledge in the post-conflict context and its importance in coordinating... [...] Read more
Accidental Humor in International Public Notices Displayed in English
Abstract: This paper examines accidental humor as it manifests itself in international public notices displayed in English. It shows that accidental humor, just like intentional humor, essentially stems from script opposition and script overlap (Raskin, 1985). However, it lacks intentionality, which plays a key role in contrived humor. In this way, accidental humor is based on the interaction between the text and the receiver, apart from the producer.... [...] Read more
A Comparative Look at Scandinavian Cultures: Denmark, Norway and Sweden and Their Encounters with German Refugees, 1933-1940.
Abstract: This article is a comparative study that points to the differences between national cultures in Scandinavia, as they are reconstructed from source material left over from the encounter between Scandinavian insiders and German outsiders in the pre-World War II period. This article uses a variety of memoirs, notes, interviews, and other records produced by German refugees in Scandinavia, and by Scandinavians who encountered German refugees in... [...] Read more
Politeness in Intercultural Email Communication: Australian and Korean Perspectives
Abstract: This paper presents initial results from analysis of data collected on the topic of politeness in intercultural email communication from a large cohort of Australian academic and general staff at an established metropolitan university. We were interested in the language used by these staff members while they conducted their initial email communication with their contacts overseas. The contacts overseas were, for example, fellow professional... [...] Read more
Changing intercultural attitudes over time
Abstract: Diversity is increasing within the Europe, and in Portugal in particular, and higher education will likely play a key role in preparing people to function in this new environment. This study assessed the effectiveness of an Intercultural Relations course at changing student levels of attitudes towards diversity and feelings of self-worth. The results indicated that the course had a positive impact on the multicultural ideology and increased... [...] Read more
Cultural communication styles and accuracy in cross-cultural perception: A British and Japanese study
Abstract: This study examines the effects of cultural communication styles on cross-cultural perceptual accuracy. In Experiment 1, the communication accuracy of British and Japanese participants was assessed within their own cultures and compared across five interpersonal contexts: age, competition, intimacy, kinship and status. The results showed that the British were significantly more accurate on intimacy scenes while the Japanese were significantly... [...] Read more