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MODULE 16: INTER CULTURAL COMMUNICATION

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 Understand the basics of intercultural communication.

 Understand and observe cultural differences in nonverbal behaviour.

 Understand the potential for intercultural miscommunication due to nonverbal
behaviour.

OVERVIEW

Communication is a dynamic and varied process that involves the sending and receiving
of information, ideas, emotions, and mental processes. Intercultural communication has become
more common and important than ever before as a result of globalisation (Wang, 2007).

English, as an international language, has played an important role in facilitating communication
among people from various cultural backgrounds. Intercultural communication appears to be a

success as long as the speaker has achieved high proficiency in English. Many studies,
however, indicate that failures or misunderstandings in intercultural communication are largely
caused by misinterpretation or misuse of nonverbal behaviours. As a result, it is absolutely
essential to raise awareness of nonverbal communication in the process of intercultural

communication.

3.8. DEFINITION OF CULTURE

The term "culture" is an abstract metaphor for the ways that each group develops to
meet survival needs. Culture, as a metaphor, refers to a wide range of ideas. Culture can be

used to describe activities or behaviours, to refer to a group's heritage or tradition, to describe
rules and norms, to describe learning or problem solving, to define a group's organisation, or to
refer to a group's origins (Berry, Poortinga, Segall, &Dasen, 1992; Kroeber & Kluckhohn,

1952/1963). Food and clothing; housing and technology; economy and transportation; individual
and family activities; community and government; welfare, religion, and science are all

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