COPING WITH THE CHALLENGES

OF
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
 It has become a widespread notion that
speakers’ use of different languages results
in intercultural miscommunication and
misunderstanding.

 Note that misunderstanding in intercultural

communication may not always be caused by
verbal utterances. Misunderstandings may
also occur due to wrong interpretation of the
non-verbal code.
THE HANDSHAKE
Country or Region Type of Handshake
United States Firm Handshake
France Soft Handshake
Germany Firm handshake, for men,
traditionally accompanied by a
slight bow
Japan Handshake with arm firmly
extended, accompanied with a
bow
Middle East Handshake and freehand placed
on the forearm of the other
person
GREETINGS

JAPANESE BOW
GERMAN BOW
SOURCES OF
MISUNDERSTANDING
AMBIGUITY

 A word or expression that can be

understood in two or more possible
ways :an ambiguous word or expression
PERFORMANCE-RELATED
MISUNDERSTANDING

 Slips of the tongue and mishearing

which may be due to utterances spoken
quickly and unclearly.
 LANGUAGE-RELATED
MISUNDERSTANDING

 Ungrammaticality of
sentences.
GAPS IN WORLD
KNOWLEDGE

 Gaps
in content rather than
language.
LOCAL CONTEXT

 Misunderstanding of local
routine.