Misunderstandings and impoliteness can occur among people from different countries because of differences in cultures and languages. Observations about British, American, and other European cultures concern set phrases, word connotations, intonation, forms of address and reference, grammar, and nonverbal behavior. (SW)

This study sought information regarding levels of cross-cultural interaction, barriers to successful interaction, and methods by which to increase interaction. The results are discussed in light of the need to promote intensive interpersonal interaction and open communication between American and foreign students. (Author)

An analysis of the generic characteristics of counseling reveals three variables that interact in such a way as to seriously hinder counseling with third-world groups. These are language variables, class-bound values, and culture-bound values. These generic characteristics are contrasted with value systems of various ethnic groups. Implications…

Demonstrates the need for cultural relativity in avoiding stereotyped reactions to the language of the lower-class black child. Appears in "The Florida FL Reporter special anthology issue, "Linguistic-Cultural Differences and American Education. The central portion of this essay is part of the opening argument of the author's forthcoming book…

Qualitative methods revealed six areas of need of minority ethnic deaf people (MEDP): (1) communication barriers; (2) a lack of recognition of the needs of MEDP; (3) inappropriate service delivery and lack of information about available services; (4) insufficient cultural sensitivity by service providers; (5) issues of user involvement; and (6) a…

As camps employ more international staff, effective intercultural communication becomes important. Tips include being aware of cultural differences in the meaning of smiles, eye contact, and hand gestures; speaking slowly and clearly; avoiding slang; explaining common camp phrases; asking people how they would like to be addressed; learning common…

Teaching intercultural communication differs greatly from teaching many other courses within communications and the larger curriculum. How the audience is impacted differs from most courses, and ignoring that reality short-circuits a professor's ability to maximize the learning experience. With goals of understanding and bridging cultural…

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.…

THE AUTHOR'S PROGRAM, COLLEGE ORIENTATION PROGRAM FOR ALASKAN NATIVES (COPAN), WAS DEVELOPED TO PROVIDE A SMOOTH TRANSITION FOR NATIVE ALASKAN STUDENTS INTO THE AREA OF WESTERN CULTURE, IN COLLEGE. THE FINE ARTS WERE UTILIZED AS A COMMUNICATION BRIDGE BETWEEN THE ESKIMO AND WESTERN CULTURES. THE MEDIA OF THE DANCE AND DRAMA WERE THE BASES FOR…

Each culture has its own nonverbal as well as its verbal language. Movements, gestures and sounds have distinct and often conflicting interpretations in different countries. For Americans communicating with Japanese, misunderstandings are of two types: Japanese behavior which is completely new to the American, and Japanese behavior which is…

This paper focusses on problems involved in adopting the newer modes of social science and professionalism. The complexities which precede these problems are recognized. It is mentioned that many recent entrants to these fields have made value commitments in their professionalism without very long detention at the portals of objectivity or…

Examined problems in communicating emergency information to multi-ethnic communities using a sample of flood warning recipients in a town with a large Mexican American segment. Results showed Mexican Americans were more skeptical, were less likely to evacuate and were less likely to interpret messages as indicating personal danger. (RC)

Found that particular college of undergraduate degree was a predictor of problems in orientation, academics, social-personal living-dining, student-activities and placement areas for Nigerian students. Except in the area of finance, undergraduate respondents reported more problems than graduate respondents. (Author)

This article presents a case study of a Vietnamese interpreter/health service worker working for a Head Start center. It describes the different role expectations of the various participants and the conflict that occurred because of these differences. Discussion examines the following cultural constructs: interpreter roles;…

Discusses the following topics in the context of academic advising of Japanese international students: (1) differences between Japanese and U.S. educational systems; (2) the complexities of cross-cultural communication; and (3) universal concepts in adolescent development. Suggests most of the problems faced by these students fall into one or a…