Cross-Cultural Communication

Paper Summary:

The paper argues that inter-cultural dialogue leading to inter-cultural harmony is possible if people are willing to embrace the humility and open-mindedness essential for healthy dialogue between themselves and others whose backgrounds differ from their own. The paper shows how differences in perspective and in background do not have to lead to complications in cross-cultural communication. The paper stresses the importance of students adopting an open and enthusiastic mind-set, so they can overcome the challenges inherent in cross-cultural communication.

From the Paper:

"It is tempting to argue that cross-cultural narratives are not the sort of things that can be overcome by education - no matter how well-intentioned. For example, even after years of trying, there is still much confusion and uncertainty complicating the relationship between Christians and Muslims, between blacks and whites, between former colonial subjects and former colonial masters, in western society and, indeed, in other societies, as well; simply put, human ignorance is more resilient than most of us might have thought possible at one time. With this in mind, the idea that it might be possible to overcome cross-cultural barriers through a more inclusive and responsive dialogue is one that understandably needs to be defended vigorously from its many critics."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Le Roux, Johann. (2002). Effective educators are culturally competent communicators. Inter-Cultural Education, 13(1): 37-48.
• Liberman, Kenneth. (1995). The natural history of some inter-cultural communication. Research on Language and Social Interaction, 28(2): 117-146.
• Shergill, Amritpal Singh. (1998). An evaluation of the social cultural competency training for success program for the acquisition of intercultural interpersonal competency skills among health care trainees. Dissertation Abstracts International, 59(2-B), 0590. (UBC No. AAMNQ25158). Abstract retrieved March 17, 2007, from PSYCinfo database.
• Thomas, Kecia M. (1996). Psychological privilege and ethnocentrism as barriers to cross-cultural adjustment and effective inter-cultural interactions. Leadership Quarterly, 7(2): 215-228.
• Zhu, Yunxia, Nel, Pieter, and Bhat, Ravi. (2006). A cross-cultural study of communication strategies for building business relationships. International Journal of Cross-Cultural Management, 6(3): 319-341.

More papers on Cross-Cultural Communication:

• Analytical Essay # 126018 : "Cross-Cultural Communication"
• Research Paper # 69500 : "Research Project in Cross Cultural Communication"
• Article Review # 116834 : "Cross-Cultural Communication"
• Research Paper # 60140 : "Cross-Cultural Communication: Turkey and Germany"

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