Abstract: As a generalization it can be said that numbers are used in two different modes: 1) for calculating, 2) symbolically. In studying different branches of sciences one comes to the conclusion that numbers as symbols, in most cases, are connected to the same values. Interestingly the same values show up in the myths of all cultures. A similar connection can be made with geometrical forms. In archaeology one finds a strong correlation between a... [...] Read more

Abstract: The symbols and images projected through mass media shape and constrain an individual’s understanding of and interaction with their environment. Across cultures, road signs employ seemingly universal, generic, human symbols. Cross-cultural variance does occur, however, in the degree to which such icons include characteristically masculine, feminine, and gender neutral features. This investigation, a full scale study of an earlier pilot,... [...] Read more

Abstract: Despite the general global consistency of road signs, the depicted human icons possess varying degrees and types of gender by country. This paper proposes that greater gender typing in road signs communicates greater inequality in a cultures’ attitude towards women. Leveraging theoretical concepts from semiotics and Bandura’s social cognitive theory, this pilot study creates and measures a visual gender scale and completes a content and... [...] Read more

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

Abstract: This research investigates the impact of disgust towards culture mixing on acculturation and life satisfaction among mainland Chinese sojourners adapting to life in Hong Kong. In Study 1, drawing from previous research, we developed a measurement tool for assessing disgust towards mainland China-Hong Kong culture mixing and validated it in a sample of mainland Chinese students. We then conducted two longitudinal studies (Study 2 and 3) to... [...] Read more

Abstract: Hall's encoding/decoding model has been widely used in mass media, but its potential in social media studies has not been explored thoroughly. To this end, this paper aims to broaden the fundamental principles and assumptions of the model and apply them to audience engagement and interaction in constructing cultural meaning through social media. By analysing the YouTube channel of Liziqi (Vlogger), this study adopts a two-stage content... [...] Read more

Abstract: In this article, we propose a six-step iterative training cycle for intercultural trainers and trainees to understand the cultural codes underlying conflict in intercultural communication. We offer this training cycle, grounded in speech codes theory and ethnographic research methods, as a complementary alternative to traditional prescriptive cultural values approaches. Speech codes theory is a descriptive theory that conceptualizes culture... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study aimed to examine memes from a linguistic and cultural perspective, focusing on humor expressed through English and Arabic captions in memes collected from Facebook and Instagram. Using a mixed-method approach that combined quantitative and qualitative methods, corpus linguistics was employed to collect 60 memes—30 Arabic and 30 English. The study sought to highlight the similarities and differences in the methods used to express... [...] Read more

Abstract: The Publisher has retracted this article in agreement with the Editor-in-Chief. Upon investigation, it was found that the submission involved fraudulent practices and unauthorized third-party involvement in the whole editorial process. Additionally, a third party was also involved in issuing the fake acceptance letter in PDF format. The journal has no affiliation with any third-party agent involved. This retraction is made in accordance with... [...] Read more

Abstract: Orthography is a critical component of the English language and serves as a repository for its linguistic and cultural heritage. The evolution of English orthography can be traced through three major stages: Old English, Middle English, and Modern English, each reflecting the socio-political circumstances of its time. Written records from the Old and Middle English periods reveal that the complexity of English spelling arises from the... [...] Read more

Abstract: The focus of this research is to explore more deeply the values contained in Ume Kbubu as a cultural heritage that can be applied to school learning. The method used in this research is a qualitative method with an ethnographic approach to describe the values contained in the Ume Kbubu house. Data collection was carried out by conducting a literature study to find sources related to the history of Ume Kbubu; direct observation at the... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study advances a re-conceptualization of intercultural competence as an emergent, relational practice constituted within dynamic networks of interaction. Employing a conceptual methodology informed by Actor-Network Theory (ANT), it proposes a perspective that considers both human and non-human actors/actants, including technological artifacts, semiotic and linguistic resources, institutional structures, and spatial-material... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study explores the lived experiences of religious tourism and intercultural communication at the Loang Baloq Tomb in West Lombok, Indonesia—a sacred site where spiritual pilgrimage and local cultural practices converge. Using a phenomenological approach, the research investigates how visitors, caretakers, and community members interact, perform rituals, and make meaning within a shared sacred environment. Drawing on interviews with 25... [...] Read more

Abstract: The present study aims to develop an intercultural competence (IC) instrument for Chinese students of Spanish as a Foreign Language (SFL). In order to do so, we took steps to modify the statements and confirm the validity of the IC instrument. The new instrument was validated by using exploratory factor analysis through a self-report methodology. The results showed that the instrument possessed adequate validity and reliability. The 28-item... [...] Read more

Abstract: This research explores the intercultural competence of Mexican pre-service English language teachers, focusing on the dimensions of attitude, knowledge, skills of interpreting and relating, skills of discovery and interaction, and critical cultural awareness. Using a comprehensive model of intercultural competence as a theoretical framework, the study adapted a self-report questionnaire to assess these dimensions within a non-multicultural... [...] Read more

Abstract: : The street food content of YouTubers is an intercultural communication message to promote Chinese culture to viewers around the world.  This article aims to analyze cross-cultural interactivity in physical and online intercultural communication. The research uses a qualitative content analysis method continuously produced by non-Chinese-speaking YouTubers to communicate original Chinese culture to viewers outside China. The sample... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study aims to describe the dialogue with the ancestors in traditional events mot nini (burning candles), which is usually done by indigenous peoples in Noemuti Village, North Central Timor. The method that was used for this study is ethnographic analysis. The research used a qualitative research method by direct observation and interviews. The description of this study is also based on a realist ethnographic analysis. From the research... [...] Read more

Abstract: The workforce in South Africa has seen significant transformation, with many organizations now collaborating with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. Cultural diversity influences behavior and interactions among employees, who may find it challenging to navigate communication with colleagues from different cultures. This article explores workers' perceptions of intercultural communication approaches in the workplace. Using a... [...] Read more

Abstract: The current study looks at the metaphors for rocks in Isabella Hammad's novel The Parisian (2019 ). It seeks to demonstrate how Isabella Hammad employs rock analogies to describe and provide an understanding into her characters, Midhat, Jamil, and Fatima. Midhat, who studied abroad, has a hyphenated identity and is portrayed as a compromise—less resistant, delicate, and adaptable. The inverse of the properties of the rocks/stones. The other... [...] Read more

Abstract: This sociolinguistic study explored the significance of language preservation through the use of indigenous forms of address by the Vhavenḓa in South Africa.  Indigenous forms of address are integral to the language and cultural identity of a society. Furthermore, they are indispensable in the preservation of the language and culture of any society. Ignoring the use of these forms of address can lead to language shift or even extinction. This... [...] Read more

Abstract: In today’s digital age, emojis have come to compensate for the nonverbal cues that speakers use to communicate their attitudes or emotions as they speak, and hence become an essential element of online communication. In the realm of WhatsApp, where written conversations with an immediacy level close to that of spoken are supported, an ironic or sarcastic message is likely to be misunderstood, as it involves decrypting a meaning that often... [...] Read more

Abstract: For a long time, Maluku civilization has been heterogeneous. It can be seen in differences in ethnicity, beliefs, language, and culture, creating conflicts. This research intends to identify and resolve conflicts utilizing local wisdom, particularly regional language, and cultural viewpoints. It is a descriptive qualitative study that adopts an ethnolinguistic perspective to analyze data. Data was collected through participatory observation... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study explores the metaphorical and metonymical expressions of sadness and joy in French idiomatic expressions, collected from various media sources and YouTube channels. Using a qualitative research design, it applies the Extended Conceptual Metaphor Theory to analyze how these emotions are conceptualized through image schemas, domains, and mental spaces. A type-based approach is used to categorize the source domains underlying these... [...] Read more

Abstract: The current study aimed to assess the intercultural competence (IC) of Chinese students of Spanish as a foreign language (SFL) using Chen's (2019) Chinese Intercultural Competence Scale (CICS), as well as to investigate which external factors influence the acquisition of IC in the field of SFL. The quantitative data from the study show that the participants' IC level was neither high nor low. Their level of IC was affected by age, study... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study investigates the implementation of cross-cultural communication through the Green ASEAN Culture Festival at Universitas Padjadjaran, positioning it as a strategic pedagogical tool for fostering intercultural competence in higher education. Employing a qualitative case study design, the research integrates data from 15 semi-structured interviews with student organizers and performers representing five academic programs, as well as... [...] Read more

Abstract: In general terms, globalization has greatly contributed to a wider diffusion of languages, religions, and traditions, as well as a better understanding of the multicultural nature of countries around the world. It also highlights the importance of cultural diversity in the integration processes within contemporary societies. Motivated by this reflection and to analyze the importance of nonverbal communication in communicative interaction and... [...] Read more

Abstract: In the contemporary landscape of new media, social media platforms, particularly exemplified by TikTok, offer female users accessible and cost-effective means for self-expression and communication. However, this study reveals that such platforms, despite their apparent openness and liberality, have not effectively challenged or changed the persistent and deep-rooted issue of gender discrimination that women face. This research adopts a... [...] Read more

Abstract: Directed qualitative content analysis (QCA) is a qualitative analysis method that has been recently explained and employed practically by a few researchers at the international level. They employed it deductively in most cases, primarily within qualitative research guidelines. In contrast to the inductive method, which starts with a general hypothesis and builds upon it as it gathers data, the deductive method, also known as the directed... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study aims to the identification of cultural values contained in the Mbaru Niang traditional house as a guide in the life of the Wae Rebo community, which can be applied to learning. The methods of this research are qualitative, using an ethnographic approach, which can be applied in learning so that an in-depth description and analysis of cultural values is obtained. Data collection by interview guidelines, observation, and... [...] Read more

Abstract: This article examines the significant phenomenon of the use of what we term "Urban Ammani Arabic" (UAA) by most adult female speakers in the Amman metropolitan area, particularly when this dialect differs from the one they acquire or use in their domestic environments. To explore this, 132 adult female speakers were selected to participate in both sociolinguistic and semi-structured interviews. These interviews aimed to uncover the... [...] Read more

Abstract: Healthcare organisations are increasingly intercultural workplaces in which leadership, knowledge sharing, and innovation are shaped through ongoing communicative negotiation across cultural differences. However, much existing research treats culture as a static background condition and under-theorises how leadership communication constitutes organisational realities. Drawing on intercultural communication theory, the communicative... [...] Read more

Abstract: Although radio has traditionally been recognized as a medium dependent on listener engagement, social media platforms such as Twitter have introduced new forms of interactivity due to their real-time and networked characteristics, facilitating the emergence of novel engagement types. Employing a case study approach, this research delves into the various forms of engagement on @PRFMnews, the official Twitter handle of PRFM Radio in Indonesia.... [...] Read more

Abstract: Despite extensive scholarship on colonial propaganda, the use of postage stamps as tools of imperial messaging remains underexplored. This study aims to examine how Belgium employed postage stamps to construct and disseminate propagandistic narratives about its African colony, the Belgian Congo. Using quantitative content analysis, the research analyses a corpus of 149 stamps issued between 1894 and 1960, tracing how visual themes evolved... [...] Read more

Abstract: This research paper, based on Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), aimed to uncover how the opinion articles published on Pravda.ru discursively depicted the war in Ukraine and the parties involved. To achieve this, two elements of CDA analysis, namely presupposition and structural opposition, were examined. The first element was scrutinized to determine how Pravda.ru depicted the war in Ukraine (RQ1), while the second element was analyzed to... [...] Read more

Abstract: Most existing digital platforms for Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) suffer from low user engagement, limited interactivity, and insufficiently emotional or immersive content, factors that hinder their potential to sustain and promote traditional crafts. This study designs and evaluates a culturally informed bamboo weaving interface for ICH by integrating the Garrett User Experience (UX) Model with selected visual communication principles.... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study examines the use of suggestion speech acts in Instagram comments, with particular attention to how Saudi EFL users demonstrate pragmatic competence in digital communication. Drawing on Martínez Flor’s taxonomy of suggestion strategies, the study analyzes 103 suggestion-oriented comments selected from an initial dataset of 150 Instagram comments. A mixed-methods design was adopted: qualitative analysis was used to classify... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study aims to explain the participative actions of researchers (ethnographers) in synergising culture and values between Public Relations Officers from the Bogor City Government, West Java, Indonesia, and Islamic religious leaders in handling the Covid-19 pandemic through integrated communication. The research method used is organisational ethnography to identify and find sociocultural barriers between informants (public relations... [...] Read more

Abstract: This paper presents a semiotic analysis focusing on the discursive level. This study investigates the figurative components, syntactical/grammatical features, and enunciative components of the signs embedded in Sundanese cultural spells, specifically Asihan Leugeut teuerup. A qualitative descriptive method was implemented to unveil the meanings and interpretations presented in the spells. The study discovered that: (1) the sign reference,... [...] Read more

Abstract: The collaboration between art and science provides a powerful avenue for addressing complex scientific challenges and fostering intercultural communication. However, the intersection of paleontology, surrealism, and paleoart remains underexplored, presenting a critical gap in art-science scholarship. This study investigates how paleontological inquiry can be inspired by intercultural surrealistic representations, focusing on the works of... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study investigates the framing of the Gaza conflict on social media in Jordan and its impact on public opinion. By employing qualitative methods, it explores the emotional, political, and ideological underpinnings of digital discourse through in-depth interviews with Jordanian social media users, journalists, and political analysts. The findings reveal that online conversations predominantly center on humanitarian and moral matters;... [...] Read more

Abstract: The current study focuses on the effects of English language instruction using Education 4.0 in Telangana's engineering institutions. Telangana has many educational facilities that offer Education 4.0, or technology-based learning. It fosters creativity in education. At the fundamental level, students can learn by being provided with a self-learning opportunity. The majority of the subjects were learned through Education 4.0. As a result,... [...] Read more

Abstract: This article explores the experiences of Chinese postgraduate students in a UK university using the lens of rhythmanalysis. This study goes beyond intercultural interactional moments and examines how intercultural experience is organised through temporal, spatial, and emotional rhythms. The data were generated through narrative interviews with four students, and narrative rhythmanalysis was employed for analysis. Findings show that students’... [...] Read more

Abstract: Culturally and linguistically diverse patients face an increased risk of developing mental health disorders due to pre- and post-migration stress and are more likely to experience unequal medical treatment and higher rates of misdiagnosis, contributing to a persistent treatment gap. Cultural competence training has been shown to improve the quality of care for these patient populations. This study aimed to develop and implement a... [...] Read more

Abstract: Amid the resurgence of exclusionary nationalism and intercultural tensions, understanding how linguistic diversity shapes social attitudes has become increasingly vital. This study investigates how multilingual experience influences nationalism-related affective orientations among Chinese participants, focusing on the ways in which multilingual exposure interacts with mental aggression and intercultural communicative attitudes to shape... [...] Read more

Abstract: In the context of increasing globalisation and workforce diversity, organisations face growing challenges in fostering effective intercultural communication, collaboration, and cohesion among employees from varied cultural backgrounds. Poor intercultural communication can lead to conflict, misunderstanding, and decreased organisational performance. This study aims to propose a comprehensive Intercultural Communication Management Framework... [...] Read more

Abstract: This research aims to analyze how beauty brands communicate their messages through Instagram advertisements and determine whether Indonesian beauty standards have changed. This research uses a qualitative approach because it is still uncommon for a qualitative approach that analyzes how and why messages are formulated in beauty advertising. This research also uses a semiology analysis method to explore the meaning of communication messages... [...] Read more

Abstract: The distinction between the Self and the Other is a foundational concept across disciplines such as sociology, philosophy, cultural studies, anthropology, and psychology. This study examines the dynamic processes by which individuals position the Self and the Other in intercultural communication, with particular focus on how people interpret artistic works from unfamiliar cultures through processes of categorization and identity assignment.... [...] Read more

Abstract: Among the animated series that became very popular and witnessed tremendous success in the Arab world is the Japanese Detective Conan, which was first dubbed in 1998 and redubbed in 2013 to convey Islamic values. However, the re-dub did not attract wide viewership and remained infamous among the Arabic anime community. This study is an attempt to investigate the differences between the two versions with a particular emphasis on technical... [...] Read more