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PMAL201: Thinking and Working Across Cultures

Unit 6 - Learning Activity

Suresh Vaniya

239526940

Professor’s name: Wael Kechli

𝟎𝟗𝒕𝒉 June, 2024

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Reviews are an important tool in the field of literature because they help prospective readers

navigate a work's intellectual nuances and thematic landscapes. They either give fresh perspectives

or diverge, closely matching the readers' perceptions. Reviews of Roger Kreuz and Richard

Roberts' book "Getting Through: The Pleasures and Perils of Cross-Cultural Communication"

offer contrasting perspectives. Times Higher Education's review takes a critical stance, calling

attention to the book's reliance on generalizations as well as its lack of unique insight. Despite the

authors' good intentions, this review contends that their work falls short of providing a gripping

story or novel insights into the difficulties of cross-cultural communication.

The book's methodology has been criticized as an "irritating guide to manners," and the omission

of information about variations in English usage reflects dissatisfaction with the breadth of the

analysis offered. The review's viewpoint on the importance of more originality and recognition of

linguistic diversity may have a deeper resonance for readers who are fascinated by the nuances of

cross-cultural interactions. The book is recommended for translation students, which suggests that

it might be more of a basic introduction to the subject than a thorough guide.

The book's approach to intercultural communication is examined critically in the Times Higher

Education review. It implies that even though the book discusses the crucial subject of interacting

with different cultures, there are a few areas in which it fails. The critique draws attention to the

book's dependence on generalizations and anecdotes that support stereotypes, failing to adequately

address the nuances of linguistic variances between various locales, social classes, and genders. It

also mentions the writers' professional experiences—Roberts with the US State Department and

Kreuz as a psychology professor—but faults the book for being unoriginal and not delving deeply

into the subject.

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Finally, the Times Higher Education review more closely resembles what is expected of "Getting

Through." It offers a critical viewpoint that expresses the need for more depth and creativity in

intercultural communication. The review's focus on the dearth of original thought and the

incomplete acceptance of cultural diversity is consistent with the idea that literature on intercultural

communication ought to push boundaries and dispel stereotypes. Although the book's review

indicates that the authors' intentions are sincere, it falls short of offering a novel or insightful

analysis of cross-cultural communication, which makes it less appealing to readers looking for

depth and uniqueness in this area.

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Reference:

1. Adobe Acrobat. (n.d.). https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:17c6f370-6715-4607-

99f1-c7fbb1f2b4fd

2. Bassnett, S. (2017, September 27). Getting Through: The Pleasures and Perils of Cross-cultural

Communication, by Roger Kreuz and Richard Roberts. Times Higher Education (THE).

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/books/review-getting-through-roger-kreuz-and-

richard-roberts-mit-press