What is Intercultural Communication?

2312

Intercultural communication is defined as communication which “involves interaction between people whose cultural perceptions and symbol systems are distinct enough to alter the communication event” (Samovar, et al., 2009). It occurs when two people belonging to different cultures communicate. Studying about intercultural communication is important since the world is increasingly becoming a “global village.” This means that people of various nationalities and cultures can communicate with each other much more easily nowadays, either through a medium such as the Internet or through face-to-face interactions. In addition, the lack of communication across cultures has resulted in misunderstandings, resentment, and even violence. Knowledge about intercultural communication can help you adjust your communication style and language use to ensure understanding when you interact with people from other cultures.