Barriers in

Intercultural
Communication
What is communication?

Communication is defined as the successful transmission or distribution of

thoughts and feelings in form of language or another medium.

Communication is fundamental to the existence and survival of

individuals, groups, societies, and nations. It is a process of creating,
exchanging, sharing ideas, information, opinions, facts, feelings,
experiences attitudes between a sender and a receiver.
Language in Intercultural Communication

The influence and power of language is meaningful to cultural and

ethnic group members. In each speech community -- ethnic, racial,
cultural or gender-related -- language use is of vital importance. Each
speech community has its norms, forms and codes for communication.

On the other hand, in every speech community there is a degree of

individual deviation from the norms. Not all group members
communicate in the same way.
Language in Intercultural Communication

Intercultural communication is the interaction between people with

different cultural backgrounds.

Intercultural communication takes place when interacting participants

represent a different communication system. Differences may occur in
verbal and nonverbal communication. They are potential sources of
clashes or conflicts in intercultural communication.
Language Barrier

Intercultural communication takes place when interacting participants

represent a different communication system. Differences may occur in
verbal and nonverbal communication. They are potential sources of
clashes or conflicts in intercultural communication.
Language Barrier Difference in Language

Difference in language is the most obvious barrier to

communication as two people speaking two different
languages cannot communicate with each other.

People tend to misinterpret each other’s meaning.

Regional Accents, Dialects and Pidgin

The accents and dialect of people belonging to different places differs

even if their language is same. Though the languages are technically
the same in people using different dialects and accents, the meanings,
implications and interpretations of words are different, which may
lead to various kinds of conflicts.

Pidgins are “on-the-spot” languages that develop when people

with no common language come into contact with each other.
Language Barrier No Clear Speech

People who speak soft or in a small voice cannot be understood. The

sender might be saying something whereas the receiver might
understand something else.
Language Barrier Use of Jargons and Slang

Jargons are the technical words used in communication. It might be

different according to different professions, specialty and technical
field of a person.

Similarly, the use of slang also makes communication ineffective.

Literacy and Linguistic Ability

Some people have low vocabulary and linguistic ability in a

particular language whereas some very high.
Language Barrier Grammar and Spelling

Grammar and spelling becomes a barrier in communication as people

from different parts of the world can be using it differently even in a
particular word.
Some language barriers can be overcome with practice or
other ways like translation, interpreter, language classes,
visual methods, and other else whereas some barriers act as
problems in a person’s whole life. These barriers must not
be present to make the communication effective.
Examining Relational Technology
and
Construction of Identities
 Examining Relational
Technology
and
Construction of Identities

Communication and
relationships increasingly
center on the use of
technology and media.
 Examining Relational
Technology
and
Construction of Identities

Technology has made the

world smaller, communication
made easier, people
proximally closer, and even
made the education more
advance.
Technology New media

Relational Technology
 Media generation

Snail mails, telegraph

telephone

Email

Text messaging, multi-media messaging

Social media
Technology and Social Network

Social networking is the use of internet-

based social media sites to stay
connected with
friends, family, colleagues, customer, or
clients.
 Technological Products and Service
Providers

Majority of people adopt technological devices

at relatively the same time.

The use of these devices allows people to associate

themselves with accompanying
perspective and attitudes related to these
technological products.
 Cellphone and Personal Relationship

Cell phones have come to represent constant

connection to those who possess your number,
and how freely people give out their cell phone
numbers varies.

Providing another person with your cell phone

number suggests a desire for
connection with that individual and perhaps an
indication of the type of relationship you wish to
establish.
 Constant Connection and Availability

Connection and availability are fully established

when calls are actually
made and text messages are sent.

Connecting with another person reestablishes the

existence and importance of the relationship,
confirming for both parties, its existence and value in
their lives.
Relational Uses and Functions of
Media

 Withdrawing From Interactions

 Enacting and Evaluating Roles

 Differentiating Relationships
Online Activity and Construction of
Identities
 Construction of Identities

Screen Name

This form of identity creation is

commonly found among online games,
role plays etc.
Email
 Construction of Identities

Email Address

This identifies an email box to which

email messages are delivered.
 Construction of Identities

Online content and creation of identity

The world of the internet acts like a new

dimension, different to that of ours, hence
many creates new identities within it.
 Self-disclosure

Is part of relational
development, and the self is
carried out through relational
connections.
Social Networking sites allow people to
connect with friends, families and others
in an existing social network while
establishing new connections and
forming relationships with people around
the world. Taking place on social
networking sites lead us to question many
classic studies and observations related to
disclosure. Social networking sites have
changed the way people think about self-
disclosure but also perceptions of social
value and belonging.
Thank you!