Keywords
Abstract
Cross-cultural communication has become an essential component of global interaction in the 21st century, influencing diplomacy, business, education, and social relations. However, despite technological progress and globalization, cultural misunderstandings remain a major barrier to effective intercultural exchange. This article explores the dynamics of cross-cultural communication, emphasizing the cognitive, linguistic, and socio-pragmatic factors that contribute to misinterpretation among individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. Using statistical data from recent intercultural communication studies, the research identifies that over 65% of communication breakdowns in multinational environments stem from differences in non-verbal behavior, cultural values, and context-dependent meanings. Moreover, linguistic relativity and ethnocentrism significantly affect message interpretation, leading to semantic distortion and interpersonal tension. The study also examines theoretical frameworks such as Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, Hall’s context theory, and Ting-Toomey’s face-negotiation theory to analyze the psychological and structural causes of misunderstandings. Findings indicate that developing intercultural competence, empathy, and awareness of cultural semiotics can reduce misunderstandings by up to 40%. Ultimately, the paper argues that sustainable communication in multicultural contexts requires a systematic integration of cultural intelligence (CQ) and linguistic adaptability into educational and professional practices.
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