Explain and give examples for two of the barriers to effective intercultural communication

What will be an ideal response

Assuming superiority: Ethnocentrism is a belief that our own culture, its values and assumptions, are superior to another culture. This may lead to negative interpretations of another culture's traditions and lead to the communication of superiority. If I were to travel to a Latin country, I might find their easygoing approach unacceptable and an indication of laziness. This attitude could inhibit communication and create a negative or hostile atmosphere.

Assuming similarity: Different communication codes may result in confusion due to simply not knowing the symbols and their meanings. Even if you can translate the language, the use or meaning of the terms or concepts may vary. In England, the word "boot" is a term used to refer to the trunk of a car. An American might be confused if asked to put something in the "boot."

Assuming differences: It can be just as detrimental to assume someone is different from you, as it is to assume that we are all alike. Research has indicated that there are many similarities that all cultures share such as beliefs about death, division of labor by sex, childhood fear of strangers, experience of certain emotions such as envy, pain, jealousy, shame, and pride, etc. Communication effectiveness is diminished when we assume we are different in every way.

Stereotyping and prejudice: They are based on inaccurate and negative impressions that we have of others that do not allow for individual or cultural differences. They tend to be all encompassing categories applied to members of a group. A stereotype that identifies Africans as ignorant and backward people could seriously impair economic or humanitarian interactions. Assuming similarity can impact intercultural communication by identifying similarities in beliefs and behavior that are not there. While human beings have certain similarities, cultural differences can generate wide discrepancies in how people understand the world and act. Americans tend to place great emphasis on timeliness, other cultures do not. Assuming that someone adopts the same approach to timeliness may result in considerable frustration and ill will.