Inter-Cultural Harmony

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer argues that inter-cultural or cross-cultural harmony will always be hampered by differences in background and perspective simply because human beings' (and how they react to the gestures and communicative strategies of others) are the most volatile and unpredictable variable of all when it comes to assessing the possible problems and rewards of a communication exchange. With that in mind, the paper explores why cross-cultural communication is so difficult. The paper also looks at some arguments which insist that inter-cultural exchanges can be harmonious and "worry-free" if enough training and education is provided. Finally, the writer concludes by reiterating why there will always be certain difficulties in cross-cultural communication and the paper finishes by suggesting that such tensions are just a "part of life" and must be accommodated to the fullest extent possible.

From the Paper:

""Following this premise to its logical conclusion, it is clear that biological determinism, ecological factors, and simple evolution really are insufficient to wholly explain the nuances of each society - or at least to the satisfaction of a trained social scientist. Going further, each and every human being is a remarkably complex creature that will respond differently to essentially the same stimuli; consequently, it is impossible to avoid cross-cultural miscommunication because comments or gestures that someone else from the same culture finds tolerable might spark a highly unpleasant response from someone else who is also from that culture. In the end, the variables which constrain smooth cross-cultural communication are at least as numerable as there are people in the world.
"Still, some experts believe that cross-cultural communication does not have to be hampered by differences in background or by differences in perspective."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Adler, Nancy J., and Graham, John L. (1989). Cross-Cultural Communication: the International Comparison Fallacy? Journal of International Business Studies, 20(3): 515+. Retrieved March 11, 2007 from Questia database <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5000116639>
• Johnson-Winston, Pat. (2005). Guide to cross-cultural communication. Business Communication Quarterly, 68(3): 374+. Retrieved March 11, 2007 from Questia database <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5010939956>
• Keesing, Roger M. (1974). Theories of culture. Pp.73-97. (Additional bibliographic information not provided by client).
• Mulholland, Joan. (1991). The Language of Negotiation: A Handbook of Practical Strategies for Improving Communication. New York: Routledge.
• Ryen, Anne, and Silverman, David. (2000). Making boundaries: Culture as category work. Qualitative Inquiry, 6(1): 107-128.

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• Persuasive Essay # 102663 : "Cross-Cultural Communication"

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