Mixed ethnic pairs of subjects (French/English) and same ethnic pairs (French/French and English/English) performed an experimental task designed to assess communication efficiency. Results show that both French and English were used almost equally and positive attitudes about communication were evidenced. (Author)

Reports the results of four studies examining how Afro-Americans perceive interethnic communication with Whites. Uses an interpretive, cultural perspective in questionnaires and interviews as well as quantitative and qualitative analyses to identify seven issues of communication satisfaction and five conversational improvement strategies,…

Suggests some specific things to consider when preparing print, interactive electronic, or visual materials for clients outside of North America. (SR)

The authors examine the effects of service barriers on the health status of older Chinese immigrants in Canada. A survey was completed in seven Canadian cities by a random sample of 2,214 older Chinese immigrants age 55 years or older. Service barriers related to administrative problems, personal attitudes, and circumstantial difficulties were…

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…

Discusses cultural disintegration and religious, political, and social disputes in light of Columbus' quincentenary. Cites historical encounters between Europeans and native populations of the United States (inability to recognize the human nature of strangers, misunderstanding sexual mores, and rapid degeneration from friendship and simple…

One of the most important differences between American and Japanese cultures is the difference in group interaction. The Japanese have been described as group-oriented and Americans as individualistic. In Japan, groups are hierarchical and usually make decisions by consensus. Japanese groups play an important role in the lives of their members,…

Many large Japanese-owned multinational corporations have established successful subsidiaries in the United States, but distinct ethnic and cultural differences have caused communication problems between Japanese managers and American laborers and business people. Many top executives of the Japanese subsidiaries are sent to the United States on a…

When a Japanese speaks to an American, the former changes his concepts into signs with associations based on Japanese culture, while the latter translates those signs into concepts with associations based on American culture. Thus, without understanding American patterns of association, no Japanese can communicate with an American effectively…

Cites recently declassified Vietnam case studies suggesting that hidden cultural assumptions seriously hindered the C.I.A.'s ability to perform advisory functions effectively. (MH)

Argues that the generation gap is the collision of two distinct cultures--a youth culture and an adult culture. Each culture is expressed through verbal and nonverbal norms that enhance a feeling of group kinship but hamper communication with members of the other culture. (JG)

Describes difficulties between teacher and classroom to understand one another verbally, oftentimes due to different cultural backgrounds, and some philosophical solutions. (MM)

Results of intensive interviews with close friends or relatives of the decedent indicated that at least 60