Obstacles in intercultural communication Essay

Introduction As industry and trade continues to spread globally and communities intermingle, the difficulty of language barriers becomes more prominent. This barrier includes non only language, yet a way of thinking also. Simply learn a language does not infer that the subtlety of the language learned is comprehended. This tush lead to major(ip) colloquy difficulties in all areas intercultural marriage, working or teaching abroad, relocating to another country, and negotiating any aspect of daily life.Intercultural communication demands much more than simply language a language it demands good listening skills, an open mind and the ability to step outside ones own culture mentally. This type of learning doesnt happen with everyone, notwithstanding with some sense of adventure and the willingness to see beyond ones own mind set, it is rewarding for both parties. This musical theme will look at various obstacles to intercultural communication, how they occur and suggested meth ods for circumventing them. Wherever we are born, our culture defines us.We whitethorn be American, but from the South, very different in culture from the West Coast. Every country has its own sections of culture, ethics, morals and dialects. When different cultures come together and attempt to communicate, even in each others languages, difficulties draw close due to culture more than language itself. Even though nations have varying cultures within them along with a common language, the variance is not ample to cause the difficulties that arise when people of two very different cultures interact.Perceptions, values and beliefs are the root of cultural differences (Anna Jones & Xuan Quach, 2004). First of all, bridging the gap in regard to intercultural communication involves perception. People of different cultures perceive things in different ways, according to the way they were raised. Perceptions in terms of beliefs and values are learned early in life, accordingly they beco me an integrated part of an individualists way of thinking the way the individual conducts his or her life will bring about social consequences that are wide and varied.According to Jones and Quach, awareness of perception is the beginning of understanding. What works well for one culture may disgust or offend another, and these things may not be obvious. What is common sense in one culture will not be to another. Therefore, knowing another language does not introduce an individual to a culture. Culture is easy to observe, but not to define, since it is based upon perceptions. Culture is basically learned behaviors shared among people who, for the most part, share the selfsame(prenominal) language and live in the same place (Richard Brislin, 2002).Culture is passed on from generation to generation not specifically through overt teaching and learning, but through familiarity and repetitive exposure. Culture is person-made behaviors, collectively. Contributors to culture may be cl imate, topography, economics and engineering (or lack of it), but is people that make the culture around these outer factors. An individual from a technologically advanced culture would have some amount of difficulty understanding an individual from a Third World culture, and vice-versa.The individual from the ease of high-tech life will have difficulty understanding the slower and less frenzied ways of a low-tech individual. In this case, we can compare Americans to rural Mexicans. Americans expect services and tasks to be accomplished expediently and efficiently. Rural Mexicans (and even Mexicans in cities) do not have the advantage of equipment and technology to expedite tasks such as landscaping, home repair, even making a driveway. They work with hand tools and the work is slow. They do not set time limits in terms of deadlines as Americans tend to do.Therefore, an American living in Mexico would need to understand that while the job will eventually get done, it might not get done as fast as it would back at home. This is an example of differences in value. Americans tend to value speed and efficiency, and do not prevail having to wait very well since technology has made nearly everything on-demand. A very good example of potential culture clashes can be illustrated in the following conversation, between an American living in Mexico and a Mexican technician who is to install a satellite dish (A = American and M = Mexican).