Identifies a number of ways that teachers and students can misunderstand and confuse each other with their language-based communications in the classroom. Cultural variations in the formats for teacher-led lessons and child-generated personal experience narratives are described, using research findings from Canadian Inuit and Algonquin…

Examines the impact of culturally conditioned conversational strategies on student-teacher interactions. Contrasts conversational patterns with patterns demanded by the essay form. Notes that teachers should view a student's work as a process of translation from the student's conception of everyday conversation toward academic discourse. (MM)

This paper reviews how sociocultural theory conceptualizes teaching and learning, fundamental constructs of the theory and methodology, and basic guidelines for discourse analysis. It applies these concepts to three research areas: the social construction of disability, contingent instruction between adults and learners, and miscommunication…

Presents a business communication scenario for students to role-play and analyze, using a systematic process for identifying communication roadblocks occurring on the job, especially when communicating with people from diverse backgrounds and other countries. Discusses ways to improve the communication process to enable students to develop…

This study demonstrates that communication in multilingual settings demands more than the knowledge of several languages. The paper further elucidates multilingualism and multiculturalism, interactional competence, models of multilingual communicative behavior, and sources of misunderstanding in intercultural communication and presents cultureme…

Examines conflicts and communication problems that can occur in cross-cultural supervisory relationships when cultural issues are not addressed. Recommendations for cross-cultural supervision are discussed. (Author)

This paper suggests that language training should be founded on an initial student familiarization with the dimensions of intercultural communication. Using as exemplars problems encountered by Japanese familiar with English but unfamiliar with communication theory, the paper argues that while limited linguistic competency may make it difficult…

The concept of language barrier has its derivations in the fields of dialectology, sociology and psychology. In contemporary usage however, the concept has two meanings i.e. regional-cultural barrier and socio-cultural barrier. (Text is in German.) (DS)

This investigation concerned specific verbal and nonverbal sources of communication problems between blacks and whites in the U.S. Army. Special reference was made to the problems which lead to misinterpretations and social offensiveness. (SW)

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 workbook serves as a map to guide Peace Corps trainees through their cross-cultural experience and as a record of thoughts and feelings as they live and work in their host country. The workbook examines the behaviors and values of people in the host country in relation to those of the people in the trainees' native country; it does not intend…

Various types of translation problems in cross-cultural research are translation of questions or other verbal stimuli, vocabulary equivalence, equivalence in idiom, grammar, syntax, and back-translation. (Author/SB)

Twenty-five Indian patients at a Public Health Service clinic indicated that inadequate communication influenced by age, English fluency, and cultural differences contributed to abuses in the health care system. Journal availability: see RC 503 481. (DS)

This paper discusses some cultural differences that may affect cooperation in Europe. It maintains that it takes a least one year before a multinational working group begins to be productive, if no special provision is taken to minimize communication problems and to integrate the different cultures involved. (MLW)

Challenges of teaching graduate nursing students for whom English is a second language include language and communication problems, writing difficulties, and social and cultural sensitivities. (SK)