Abstract
Intercultural communication is the exchange of information between two people or groups who are from different cultural backgrounds (Oktaviani & Mandasari, 2020). It is the process where people from other cultures create shared meanings. Intercultural communication is beneficial to individuals as it fosters inclusivity in society, fosters respect, and mutual understanding. Intercultural communication is an essential component of every relationship in the modern world. However, intercultural communication barriers can offer significant challenges to these relationships. Cultural differences in non-verbal communication, individualism versus collectivism, and the evolution of national identities cause intercultural communication barriers. This paper seeks to create ways of navigating intercultural communication barriers in modern society.
Being a Citizen of the World
Being a citizen of the world means that one does not let their race or ethnic background deter them from interacting with other people (Casmana et al., 2023). People who believe that they are the citizens of the world will freely interact with other people from different countries on the globe. It involves a shared humanity regardless of the diversity in ethnic or racial backgrounds that leads to understanding and respect for each other. Ethnicity refers to a shared cultural identity where people have common beliefs, speak a similar language, and have the same traditions and heritages (Casmana et al., 2023). Historical, social, and geographical factors shape ethnicity. On the other hand, race is the classification of people based on their physical characteristics, such as skin color, facial features, and hair texture. Race and ethnicity are the top barriers to intercultural communication.
Understanding the Concept of “Face” in High Context Cultures
In high-context cultures, the concept of face is highly valued. High context cultures like the Asian and Middle Eastern countries believe that face shapes the way one is perceived by the society particularly those people that individuals interact with in their daily lives (Lakshmi et al., 2021). Face refers to one’s respect, dignity, and honor in society. Communication in these societies is done in a manner that promotes a cheerful face. Nevertheless, direct criticism and confrontations might lead to loss of face. Navigating the differences between high and low contexts requires open-mindedness, empathy, and a critical understanding of the various cultural norms and communication styles that shape these two contexts. In high-context cultures, individuals should prioritize building rapport in every relationship and maintaining harmony while communicating (Lakshmi et al., 2021). It shows that one is dedicated to fostering etiquette and has respect for all demographic groups. In low-context cultures, communication is direct and more explicit. This phenomenon is seen in Western societies. Individuals should be direct to the point and avoid using terms of non-verbal cues that create misunderstandings.
Touching and Gestures as Nonverbal Communication
Touching and gestures are among the most powerful non-verbal communications, and they are perceived differently in most countries (Lakshmi et al., 2021). In Southern Europe and Latin America, touching is a highly accepted phenomenon, and it is used to show empathy, understanding, and closeness. However, in East Asian societies, physical touch is preserved for two people, especially those who are in a romantic relationship or a fatherly, motherly, or brotherly love (Lakshmi et al., 2021). Not all people touch each other randomly like in the Western societies. Gestures have special meanings in most societies. While some gestures can be understood, some others are misinterpreted and taken as offensive. Sub-cultural groups interpret gestures differently. For example, a moose is interpreted differently by hunters, vegetarians, and politicians. For hunters, a moose sign is a symbol of resilience and natural beauty. For vegetarians, a moose is a sign of compassion for animals and ethical considerations. Lastly, for politicians, a moose stands for the context of their ideas and power. The moose example shows how different subgroups perceive different gestures.
Manifestation of Individualism and Collectivism in the Business/Workplace Setting
In organizational settings, individualism and collectivism influence the organization’s work. Individualistic cultures, such as those in Western societies like the United States, place emphasis on personal achievement and self-expression (Günsoy et al., 2020). In business contexts, individualism can be seen when employees are encouraged to set personal goals that will help them become ambitious. Individualistic cultures value individual contributions. Secondly, individualism promotes independence in decision-making. Employees in these settings are given the opportunity to set goals that align with their expertise. Lastly, communication in individualistic contexts is direct and shows the assertiveness of those speaking. East Asian and African societies mostly embrace Collectiveness. It emphasizes consensus decision-making, where the agreement makes a decision of several individuals within the organization. Also, employees are encouraged to prioritize group goals and collaborate. Lastly, collectivism in an organization emphasizes building and maintaining interpersonal relationships. Present-day examples include the tech-savvy Silicon Valley, where individuals embrace their strengths and values to foster a culture of innovation. Individual creativity is the center of business. On the other hand, Japanese multinational corporations emphasize teamwork and collective responsibility. Their focus is building harmony among people working in these corporations.
Development of “Americanism” from Diverse Immigrant Influx
The United States has been known to be harbored by people from diverse backgrounds, mostly from other countries. These people have come together to embrace the identity of Americanism. Americanism is the culture of assimilation where individuals from various parts of the world adopt American values and culture as they also contribute some of their cultural beliefs and habits to the Americanism identity (König & Rinke, 2022). Various factors shape the assimilation process. First, the melting pot theory is a metaphor used to show that immigrants in the United States adopt the beliefs and traditions of the people in the United States as they also embrace and contribute to their indigenous beliefs. Second, the USA embraces cultural pluralism, which is the state of recognition of people from diverse backgrounds from other countries dwelling in the USA (König & Rinke, 2022). Lastly, social mobility is also a factor that shapes the United States. It is the acceptance of living with people who have come to America to seek an upgrade in their lives and that of their families. At the heart of Americanism is the concept of the American dream. It is where immigrants relocate to the USA to embrace the economic opportunities in the country and upgrade as entrepreneurs. The American dream is encompassed by opportunities in terms of economic prosperity, freedom in terms of speech, religion and expression, and equality.
English’s Dominance in Global Communication
English can be described as an aggregate of various languages, and thus, it has a potential for global dominance. English has long been used in historical, political, and economic settings by British and American societies (König & Rinke, 2022). As multiculturism is increasingly getting accepted, it offers a challenge to English as people are seeking opportunities to promote their native languages. This trend challenges the dominance of a single language. As globalization intensifies, languages such as Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic have gained prominence in international trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange. Global pop culture, including music, social media, and television, plays a critical role in promoting English. English is a universal language, and thus, it amplifies the voices of diverse cultures and encourages diversity.
Common Ground and Shared Values
Muslims and Christians have shared beliefs, and this anchors their peaceful coexistence globally (Banchoff, 2022). Both religions emphasize peace, compassion, and social justice. The first way in which faith-based people are similar is through interfaith dialogue, where people from both faiths engage in open conversations on shared values, address misconceptions, and build understanding amongst themselves. Promoting education on how to coexist with each other promotes a peaceful coexistence among Muslims and Christians. Lastly, Muslims and Christians can embrace collective initiatives like building hospitals, advocating for equal rights, and also promoting peaceful politics in their countries to facilitate a peaceful coexistence between them. These two religions share standard practices in their beliefs and values. Both value a peaceful existence and promote social justice. They also believe in a supreme being that is more powerful than humanity.
Impact of Modern-Day Gender Stereotypes
Global advertising plays a critical role in reinforcing the universal beliefs and perceptions of gender especially the feminine gender that is women (Hamdani et al., 2023). Stereotypes contribute to inequality and discrimination and show the opportunities available for women globally. Modern perceptions of women define them as homemakers, caregivers, and objects of beauty. They have little recognition of women as people of change in various industries and places of work. With progress being made towards recognizing women as strategic changes in various aspects of life, cultural perceptions of women are a huge hindrance to this. (Hamdani et al., 2023) However, women have continued to define their roles as being more than just homemakers by actively advocating for equal rights and the ending of gender-based violence. The future of women in the USA is likely to be better as compared to other countries. First, women in the USA have managed to raise awareness of their rights, and they have also shown to be exceptional leaders whose ideas and values are game-changing in all industries (Hamdani et al., 2023). Also, the spirit of Americanism is a key changer in ensuring that American women are positively recognized by their male counterparts. Most countries are letting go of the traditional perceptions of women though in a reluctant manner. There is a need to embrace diversity, like in the USA, so that new perceptions about women are greatly accelerated in society. Significant global perceptions of women are manifested when women are given political roles as heads of their states and are recognized in global awards for their contributions in industries such as the art industries, entertainment industries, and business industries, among others.\
Conclusion
Effective communication calls for mandatory learning and exposure to different cultures. Understanding the beliefs and cultures of different people helps one tailor their verbal and nonverbal cues to ensure that they pass the intended message without causing possible conflicts. Also, embracing a common language enables people from different religious and cultural backgrounds to live in harmony and understand each other. Institutions like schools should promote intercultural communication to build a world where people are more interconnected.
References
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