1.

0 INTRODUCTION

According to (Patra, 2001), communication is the exchange of thoughts, messages, or

information, as by speech, signals, writing, or behaviour. It is the art and technique of using
words and other symbols effectively to impart information or ideas while human
communication is the field dedicated to understanding how people communicate with
themselves (intrapersonal communication), another person (interpersonal communication),
within groups (group communication), within organizations (organizational communication),
with masses (mass communication) and across cultures (cross-cultural communication).

Conforming to this journal article which entitled “The Understanding of Cultural

Differences through Intercultural of the Communication” written by Laode Muhamad Umran,
explains about the concept of culture influenced and verbal and non-verbal in communication
of several of region. Regarding to (Jr, 2014), culture can influence the way in which human
communicate. It can determine how one interacts with other members of society and within a
group, along with its implications, in addition to creating misunderstanding between cultures
when communication is misinterpreted.

In human communication context, culture is basically, a set of shared values that a

group of people holds. Such values affect how a person think and act and, more importantly,
the kind of criteria by which the person judge others. Cultural meanings render some
behaviours as normal and right and others strange or wrong. Every culture has rules that its
members take for granted (Cingi, 2012). While, both verbal and non-verbal communication
varies across cultures, and can provide information on the collective mores and values of a
particular group, whether it is age, gender, race, or geographic location.

Based on this journal, the culture of someone determines how they communicate, which
means the way a person communicates with others whether with the same culture and with
people of different cultures. This is because, cultural character has been embedded since
childhood that are basically difficult to remove as culture is a way of life developing and jointly
owned by a group of people and passed down from generation to generation. That is why this
journal will discover about three kind of issues which are the dissemination of message with
different languages, the types of communication field in context of intercultural and the effect
of difference culture of perception, verbal and non-verbal on the intercultural communication

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2.0 ISSUES
2.1 The Dissemination of Message

As stated by (Nordquist, 2019), in rhetorical and communication studies, a message is

defined as information conveyed by words whether in speech or writing, or other signs and
symbols. A message which can be transmitted by verbal or nonverbal, or both is the content of
the communication process. Besides, it can be also translated as an intentional, created,
polished attempt to overcome the challenges in a given situation with a specific audience on a
given issue to achieve a particular end. In other words, a rhetorical act is an effort the speaker
makes to persuade others of his or her point of view. In performing a rhetorical act, a speaker
or author creates a message whose shape and form are melded in an effort to persuade an
audience.

In this journal, as the languages of speaker is different than the receiver, it creates a
problem where the message cannot be transmitted to the receiver. This is because, message
was the same as the symbol of the culture that surrounds a particular personal when she
intercultural communication with such attitudes, behaviours and actions. For example, the
formality in verbal communication, which speaking can be formal or informal depending on
cultural norms. Informal cultures assume that everyone is equal, so people in these cultures
speak the same way to everyone. In more formal cultures, it is assumed that there is a hierarchy
among people and they are expected to a follow certain protocols depending to whom they are
talking.

In communication intercultural, the greater the degree of difference between cultures,

the greater the loss of opportunity to formulate a degree of certainty an effective
communication (Umran, February 2014). Cultural miscommunication often occur from
different and conflicting styles of speech and messages. For instance, a perfectly normal
intonation pattern for a native German speaker may seem angry and aggressive to a foreign
listener, but it is not like that to Germans. Other than that, the connotations of words, as well
as meanings of slang phrases vary greatly across cultural lines, and a lack of tolerance and
understanding of this fact often results misinterpretations in verbal and non-verbal
communication.

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 2.2 The Field of Communication in Intercultural Context

In this journal, the author also include all forms of communication between people from
different groups which come out with several narrow field of communication between different
cultures. It can be seen through seven fields which are firstly, communication between cultures
such as between the Chinese and Portuguese, or between France and Norway. Secondly,
communication between the races are different or sometimes mere interracial communication,
for example, among white men with blacks. Thirdly, communication between different ethnic
groups or sometimes called inter-ethnic communication such as among Americans of Italian
descent to the American people of German descent.

Fourthly, communication between different religious groups, for example, between

Roman Catholics with Episcope, or between Muslims and Jews. Fifthly, communication
between different nations or sometimes called international communications like between the
United States and Mexico, or between France and Italy. Sixthly, communication between
different subcultures and the dominant culture, for example, between the homesick and
heterosexual women, or between the elderly and young people and lastly, communication
between the sexes which is between men and women.

Of various descriptions, it can provide the understanding that the people who influenced
different cultures and subcultures will communicate differently which also can affect the verbal
and non-verbal communication. It requires the sender to use their creativity to communicate
with the others and of course we need to understand and appreciate the differences as different
cultures and subcultures become a source for enriching the communication experience and not
as a barrier to interaction.

2.3 The Effect of Difference Culture of Perception, Verbal And Non-Verbal

On The Intercultural Communication

2.3.1 Perception

There are five important principles in perception which are perception based on
experience, selective, alleged, evaluative and contextual. For instance, in the West generally,
also most of Indonesia, burping while or after eating behaviour that is disrespectful, even in
Sweden a guest who burp after eating can make the hostess passed out, while in Arabic, Chinese,
Japanese, and Fiji, also in Aceh and West Sumatra, burp even the recommended because it
instils acceptance and satisfaction of eating food. Another example, the person or object that

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looks different from the others (contrast) will attract attention, like an albino. All of this will
give effect on how a person will communicate through verbal and non-verbal based on their
difference cultures.

2.3.2 The Verbal Communication

In Linguistic Relativity Theory explains that every language shows a typical symbolic
world, which depicts the reality of the mind, spiritual experiences, and needs of the wearer. So
different languages actually influence the wearer to think, look at the environment, and the
universe around it in different ways, and therefore behave differently. Furthermore, according
to (Umran, February 2014), the intercultural communication include when people talk, what
was said, notice it, intonation, stiff and poetic style, and indirect language. Because of lack of
attention to these differences will causing bad things, for example due to pronounce certain
words, which is interpreted differently by people of different cultures, causing
misunderstanding, hatred, and human relations cracks.

2.3.3 The Non-verbal Communication

Nonverbal symbols are very difficult to interpret when compared with verbal symbols.
Nevertheless, the nonverbal language tends aligned with verbal language, for example, every
movement in sync with speech, like we agreed is always accompanied by a nod of the head.
But, mostly nonverbal cues are also not universal, but still are bound by culture, so it is learned.
For instance, all human born and knows how to smile, but where, when, and to whom the
person show the emotions is studied, and thus affected context and cultural. When it comes to
using nonverbal messages there are several factors that affect intercultural communication
which are kinaesthetic, okulesik, hap tic, proksemik, kronemik, display, posture, paralinguistic
and symbolism

3.0 CRITICAL ANALYSIS

3.1 Understand the Message through the Culture

Supposedly, as a person when meet with the other different culture, he or she should
understand and examine the culture of the receiver first and not easily talk nonsense as it would
create a huge misunderstanding. As stated in this journal, according to Schraman quoted from
Mulyana and Mercy (2001), to achieve intercultural communication truly effective there are
some things that need an individual’s attention which are first, respect members of other

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cultures as a human which indicates that we are all same as a human need love, have a dignity,
tolerance, need to be understand, need the education and opportunity to become what he or she
wants. Thus, it will help a person to communicate in the right way to the other cultures.

Secondly, respect other cultures as it is and not as desired. According to (Axner, 2019),
every culture has its own uniqueness and each cultural groups has unique strengths and
perspectives that the larger community can benefit from. Bringing non-mainstream groups into
the centre of civic activity can provide fresh perspectives and shed new light on tough problems.
Thirdly, respect the right of members of other cultures to act differently from how to act. By
understanding cultures will help us overcome and prevent racial and ethnic divisions which
will drain communities of financial and human resources and distract cultural groups from
resolving the key issues they have in common which means it is not good for the individual,
society and country.

Lastly, cross-culturally competent communicators must learn to love to live with people
from other cultures. For example, in US, their cultural landscape has been shaped by Native
Americans and by African, Latin American, Polynesian, Asian and Middle Eastern countries
which requires them to know each other, understand and then the love will develop itself in all
heart of people. Sometimes a person might not know very much about geography or history
but by mingling and mixing with people from other cultures, they are given the opportunity to
possibly learn about the geography, religion and customs of different countries. Thus, it is vital
to have a deep understanding before make any conversations or judgements to avoid any
misunderstanding while involve in verbal and non-verbal communication.

3.2 Differentiate the Communication Context

From the issue above, there are seven field of communication context. Thus, to perform
a good verbal and non-verbal communication, a person must differentiate the communication
context. For example in communication between different religious groups, in Chinese
wedding ceremony, wearing black blouse or shirt signed a death which means bring
catastrophic to the bride and groom. Thus, other person with different culture and belief should
aware of this belief and avoid wearing a black clothes on that day.

Other than that, communication between different nations such as France and Italy,
Malaysia and South Korean which have a big differences in languages, belief, norms, and so
on will affect they of they communicate. For example, a famous case on a singer named Dua
Lipa comes from Albania, wishing her father’s birthday in Instagram in a sentence “Happy

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Birthday Babi” which in Albania translated as my beloved father but to Malaysian, it is a worse
scratched and started to banning and insulting Dua Lipa because calling her father as “babi”.
This example shows that, Malaysian should understand the difference of meaning in other
languages and do not easily to stereotype and shame themselves.

So, the best way to overcome this problem is a person must firstly differentiate the field
of communication so that they can easily use the right verbal or non-verbal, knowledge and
intonation according to the context.

3.3 Learning about Others Culture And Practicing Tolerance

With all the difference in cultures, we must set in our mind that there is no way to avoid
misunderstanding unless understand it carefully. So, we have to learn about the others culture
and in the same time, practising tolerance.

3.3.1 Perception

Firstly, learn about the culture beforehand such as if an individual have time before
embarking on a trip or meeting with someone from another culture, try to take time to learn the
basic “do’s and don’ts” of that culture. Another example according to (Bernstein, 2017), in
non-verbal understanding, eye contact which in many Asian cultures, avoiding eye contact is
seen as a sign of respect. However, those in Latin and North America consider eye contact
important for conveying equality among individuals. In Ghana, if a young child looks an adult
in the eye, it is considered an act of defiance.

Secondly, according to (Bernstein, 2017), be respectful and tolerant as each culture has
its own set of dominant values, beliefs, and prejudices. Signs of these may emerge when
communicating with people from other cultures. Basic communication, however, it is not the
time to judge people based on these differences. Instead, respect them for what they are, and
tolerate them and then we may even learn something new.

3.3.2 The Verbal Communication

To overcome the obstacles in verbal communication, firstly, be proper, polite and use
formal modes of address depending on the cultures that are interacting. This may include
addressing others by first and last name, by last name alone and with a title such as “Mr.” or
“sir” which is common to be used in every culture. For instance, if a person met a Japanese, it
is still common to call him with the title Sir Wataro as it shows respect and hierarchy.

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 Secondly, avoid slang and profanity. This is important, unless a person is absolutely
sure how it is used in another culture. Using non-standard or obscene language improperly can
make a person hard to understand, and may be perceived as very offensive. Since a language’s
slang and profanity are complex and highly dependent on context, it is best to avoid them
altogether.

3.3.3 The Non-verbal Communication

Regarding to (Taylor, 2019), some ways to overcome the non-verbal communication is

use “open handed” gestures. In some cultures, pointing with an index finger, giving the “ok”
sign, and other common gestures can be seen as offensive. Since we may not know which
gestures could be mistaken in this way, stick to “open handed” gestures. For instance, try using
a whole hand if we need to point to something.

Second is understand rules regarding touching. Some cultures may expect more
physical contact between people when communicating than other cultures do. For example,
European cultures may shake or touch hands more willingly than others such as Arabic.
Furthermore, we must do not take it as offensive if another culture is more or less physical than
we are used to when communicating.

4.0 CONCLUSION

Culture are merely different, not deficient, and each cultures norms and practices should
be assed only from the perspective of the culture itself, not by standards embraced by another
culture. 1t is the idea that one cannot make judgments about a culture just because they are not
a part of that it. Outsiders should be able to see the cultural from a neutral perspective and not
judge the culture before understanding it. Each culture should be viewed with respect and as
an equal because no one culture is better than any other. They should be allowed to practice
their own beliefs, what a cultures believes to be true, and values, a shared view about is right.

Moreover, as a human, we must being open to learning about different cultures also can
encourage people to have diverse friend groups that include people of all different races,
ethnicities, religions and sexual orientations. Never being stereotype about another cultures
who the people less in smiling, eye contact, touching and gender dominate. Thus, we will be
better in communicate in intercultural communication