Articles
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Connecting with culturally diverse others The case of Malaysian students’ social interactions on campus
Abstract: Connecting with culturally diverse individuals require in-depth understanding and knowledge of intercultural competence. This paper focuses on the Malaysian students’ intercultural competence in the Malaysian campus to gain insights into their social interaction. Specifically, we highlight the Malaysian students’ reflection of intercultural competence based on their encounters with the international students in the Malaysian university... [...] Read more
Problematic encounters between Chinese nationals and black South Africans in the building industry in Johannesburg, South Africa An intercultural communication analysis
Abstract: China’s increased engagement with South Africa presents serious challenges to Chinese construction companies because of allegations about unfair labour practices. This study aimed to identify cultural differences between black South Africans and Chinese and explore the roles of the differences in their problematic encounters in the building industry in Johannesburg. The study concluded that cultural dimensions should receive due consideration... [...] Read more
Exploring national culture through international media The publication of a viral pro-LGBT image compared against a nation’s wealth, level of religion, and democracy
Abstract: Gay marriage is now legal in 22 countries around the world. However, homosexual acts remain punishable by death in 10 countries and are now illegal in a further 65 countries. Thus, there appears to be very clear national cultural distinctions in how local cultures consider the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. In 2016, an image of a 12-year-old boy who stood against a sea of anti-LGBT marriage protesters in... [...] Read more
Improving the Intercultural Communicative Competence of English Language Students
Abstract: Nowadays intercultural communicative competence (ICC) is an important tool in foreign language teaching and learning. The main goal of this article is to propose some tasks to improve the intercultural communicative competence in the English Language Course at Universidad Central “Marta Abreu” de Las Villas, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba. In so doing, the article provides some theoretical foundations of concepts related to culture,... [...] Read more
Relational practices in Norwegian students’ e-mail requests in English A focus on openings and closings
Abstract: The paper explores relational practices in openings and closings in Norwegian students’ e-mail requests in English. It investigates the range of opening and closing sequences and the frequency of their occurrence as well as their variation depending on the level of request imposition and social distance between the e-mail writer and the lecturer. The very high frequency of occurrence of openings and closings, considered to be optional e-mail... [...] Read more
Language as a site of search for common ground and power positioning in Chinese-Finnish negotiation
Abstract: This paper explores some language-related aspects in investment negotiation between Finnish and Chinese partners, such as language choices, the role of interpreters, and overcoming misunderstandings. These are seen as sites of both search for common ground in terms of positive politeness (affiliation) and power positioning in terms of negative politeness (autonomy) (Brown and Levinson 1987). This study is based on data obtained by... [...] Read more
Communication Efficacy as a Mechanism for the Chilling Effect on Complaint Avoidance A Cross-cultural Comparison of American and Chinese Romantic Relationships
Abstract: Complaint avoidance is a common response to relational conflict; yet, it can cause adverse personal and relational consequences. This study examined cultural (i.e., U.S. versus China) and relational (i.e., relational power, communication efficacy) factors predicting complaint avoidance. Hypothesizing that Americans engage in less complaint avoidance than Chinese (H1), relational power negatively predicts complaint avoidance via communication... [...] Read more