A study investigated the issues that Blacks perceive as salient to their satisfaction and dissatisfaction with communication with Whites, and whether these issues were independent of age, biological sex, and income. Two groups of subjects, selected from economically determined working class students in a large introductory speech communication…

An investigation of the process of language teaching as communication in a cross-cultural context shows that there is potential for misunderstanding. Examples of types of errors that are pragmatic rather than grammatical are discussed. A model is presented to help understand the pragmatic error. (DF)

This paper describes the efforts of American social service personnel and volunteers to help the new and relatively small group of immigrants who have come from the USSR. The author suggests that three major areas must be examined before social workers can successfully help the Muscovites resettle: (1) cultural linguistics; (2) opposing value…

A study was conducted to examine core Japanese communication patterns, as viewed from insider and outsider perspectives. Using a semistructured interview method and a theme analysis method, four Japanese cultural communication themes were uncovered during the four month study: (1) communication style--concealment versus revelation, (2)…

Examines the Japanese concept of "ma" (a gap or interval representing a collapse of time and space). Compares it to the Western perception of time and space. Discusses the implications it carries for the study of intercultural and intracultural communication. (SR)

Differences in the attitudes, social organization, thought patterns, interpersonal distance, time sense, nonverbal communication, and human factors of different cultures can pose communication problems. Since Saudi Arabians generally do not score well on tests of English as a second language, reading at only about the fourth grade level, technical…

Presents several case accounts of misunderstandings between Blacks and Whites that result from culturally based differences in communication styles. Contends that misperceived verbal messages and nonverbal cues, which lead to estrangement among students and staff members, may be identified and clarified by school social workers. (Author/LLL)

Discusses the differences of perception and interpretation of visual aids between African and Western students and considers the implications for designers and producers of learning materials for African students. (Author/JJD)

Five American cultural characteristics hinder communication in foreign cultures: feelings of Anglo-American superiority, a myopic and insular mentality due to geographic isolation, lack of international perspective, chronic anti-intellectualism, and snobism attributed to the speaking of foreign languages by those who do not. Professionals teaching…

Images that nations have of each other become barriers to effective intercultural communication if they are overgeneralized, oversimplified, or unfairly exaggerated. The communication difficulties between Japan and the United States, for example, exemplify how images negatively influence the political and economic relations between two countries.…

Cross cultural research concerns nearly every teacher because of the proliferation of multicultural public schools and the fact that cultural differences cannot be ignored in the classroom. Communication in this situation requires a recognition of the cultural differences and in many cases the enhancement of these differences. To facilitate…

McGuire's model of persuasive communication in public communication campaigns provides a framework for examining input variables in HIV/AIDS prevention education with Hispanic populations. Source, message, channel, and receiver factors associated with HIV prevention are analyzed with regard to design and implementation of culturally appropriate…

The communication style of Asians is less "self exposing" than that of Americans, because Asian culture places more importance on the group than the individual. Integrating American-style adventure-education programs into Asian culture would require an understanding of adventure learning stripped of its cultural influences, understanding…

A study examined Japanese-American intercultural communication at the beginning stage from the perspective of Japanese participants. Data were collected in interviews with 50 Japanese visiting students to a large southwestern university for their account of their short-term (5-week) experience in America, which consisted of incidents, events, and…

Examines the sociolinguistic aspects of Saudi greeting rituals, discussing the phraseology and nonverbal signals employed by greeter and greetee in various situations. Also explores the communication problems that Saudis and Americans have when communicating in each other's language and culture. (MDM)