Cultural Aspects of Communication

Introduction

Cross-cultural (or intercultural) communication is a unique field of study that adds depth and additional dimensions to the existing challenges of communication. It goes beyond the barriers that are inevitably presented by language differences to include deeper social and cultural issues. It explores the questions of how individuals communicate with one another – including such issues as how they respond to direct questions, how they react to individuals with authority, and their abilities to say "no."

What is Culture?

Culture is anything and everything that makes a person unique. Race, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic background, education, sexual orientation, and even disability contribute to what it is that makes us unique as human beings. However, for the purposes of this section, we will look at culture as it relates to ethnicity and nationality. Although this doesn't discount any of the other contributing factors, it does emphasize those differences that play the biggest role in providing obstacles to communication in a world where communication for business knows no boundaries.