Articles
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The Complexity of Intercultural Communication in Cross-cultural Management
Abstract: In this article an analytical frame model is presented, by means of which one can describe and understand the contents of important elements in an intercultural situation. The model accepts as fact that all individuals are affected by more than one culture at a time, even if by varying amounts, and introduces - for the purpose of being able to cope with this - the concepts of 'Cultural Categories' and 'Cultural Hierarchies'. In order to be... [...] Read more
The Practice of Intercultural Communication - reflections for professionals in cultural meetings
Abstract: In this article I will argue that the globalisation process has carried two major implications for intercultural communication research: 1) It has provided a new target group; professional practitioners in multiethnic societies. 2) It has made 'cultural identity' one of the most important concepts in intercultural research. The challenge for intercultural research today is to provide analytical tools for the practitioners - tools which are... [...] Read more
Is There an Essential Difference between Intercultural and Intracultural Communication?
Abstract: In this paper, I put into question the idea that there is an essential difference between intercultural communication and intracultural communication. After considering dominating assumptions and ideas leading to this dichotomy, I argue that communication should be explored in terms of particular instances of human action and reaction that are embedded in concrete life situation, and that culture should not be taken as a seamless whole which... [...] Read more
The Interpreter as Cultural Mediator
Abstract: This paper introduces the general scope and background of a doctoral research project on cultural mediation in business encounters mediated by an interpreter, and aims to show how the interpreter’s intercultural sensitiveness and competence can lead to better understanding between the two parties. The growing number of intercultural encounters that has followed globalisation and major immigration flows has led to rising interest in... [...] Read more
Revisiting Relevant Approaches for the Study of Language and Intercultural Communication
Abstract: This paper revisits relevant approaches used for the study of language and intercultural communication, in particular, in the area of comparing English and Chinese discourse structures. Kaplan's (1966) work has a great impact on the various approaches in this area such as Kirkpatrick (1991; 1993) and Zhu (1997). This paper specifically investigates the approaches focusing on Kaplan's proposal on the circularity and linearity of rhetorical... [...] Read more