Intercultural Communication

Intercultural communication studies communication between people of different cultures and the challenges and dynamics of cross-cultural interaction.

Scope

It covers cultural variability and values, nonverbal and contextual communication, intercultural competence, and communication across cultural boundaries.

Core questions

• How does culture shape communication?
• What dimensions distinguish cultures' communication?
• How do misunderstandings arise across cultures?
• How is intercultural competence developed?

Key concepts

• High- vs low-context communication
• Cultural dimensions
• Individualism-collectivism
• Nonverbal communication
• Intercultural competence
• Cultural variability

Key theories

Culture as communication

Hall analysed cultural differences in nonverbal and contextual communication (high- vs low-context).

Cultural dimensions

Hofstede identified dimensions (e.g., individualism-collectivism) along which cultures and their communication vary.

History

Intercultural communication was founded by Hall's analysis of culture and nonverbal communication and developed through Hofstede's cultural-dimensions framework, now central to global and organizational contexts.

Debates

Are cultural dimensions valid?

Whether broad dimensional models capture or oversimplify cultural difference.

Key figures

• Edward T. Hall
• Geert Hofstede

Seminal works

• hall-1959
• hofstede-1980

Frequently asked questions

What is high-context versus low-context communication?

Hall's distinction between cultures relying on implicit, contextual cues (high-context) and those relying on explicit, direct messages (low-context).