1

The role of language in cross-cultural communication

Student Name

Instructor Course

Date
 2

Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................3
How language influences and is influenced by culture................................................................................3
Impact of language on cross-cultural communication.................................................................................4
Philosophy of language................................................................................................................................5
Psycholinguistics..........................................................................................................................................6
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................7
References...................................................................................................................................................8
 3

The role of language in cross-cultural communication

Introduction

Language plays a critical role in cross-cultural communication, serving as the primary

means by which individuals from different cultural backgrounds can exchange information and
ideas. However, language can also be a source of misunderstandings and miscommunication in
cross-cultural settings due to differences in language structure, vocabulary, and usage. Effective
cross-cultural communication requires a deep understanding of how language influences and is
influenced by culture. This includes understanding the impact of language proficiency, fluency,
and accuracy, as well as the role of nonverbal cues and cultural references in shaping the
meaning conveyed by language. In this context, the role of language in cross-cultural
communication is complex and multifaceted and requires a comprehensive understanding of the
linguistic, philosophical, and psychological dimensions of cross-cultural communication. By
understanding the role of language in cross-cultural communication, individuals and
organizations can develop effective strategies for communicating across cultural boundaries and
fostering intercultural understanding and respect.

How language influences and is influenced by culture

Language and culture are deeply interconnected and have a reciprocal relationship.
Culture shapes language by providing the context in which words and phrases are used and
understood. This can include specific linguistic expressions that are unique to a particular
culture, such as idioms, proverbs, and slang. In turn, language helps to transmit cultural values,
beliefs, and norms from one generation to the next. According to Redianis et al (2019), language
and culture have a direct relationship. In other words, he inferences that language is a product of
culture and that it has a meaning only in the context culture to which it is related. On the other
hand, the language spoken represent the values and characteristics of a given culture. This shows
that language influences culture and vice versa. This inference contradicts the theory of structural
linguistics by Noam Chomsky. Chomsky's theory of linguistic competence, which is also known
 4

as generative grammar, is central to his contributions to structural linguistics. According to

Chomsky, linguistic competence refers to an individual's innate knowledge of the language,
which enables them to produce and understand an infinite number of sentences in their language.
This knowledge, he argues, is biologically determined and is not learned through experience or
exposure to the language. Chomsky explicitly alienates the relationship between language and
society which is key to understanding language and cross-cultural communication. For example,
the way that people address one another in conversation can reveal cultural differences in terms
of power dynamics, social etiquette, and personal relationships. In some cultures, formal titles
and polite forms of address are commonly used, while in others, informal or even vulgar forms
of address are more common. On the other hand, Language also plays a role in shaping cultural
identity. For instance, people may identify with a particular linguistic community or dialect,
which can serve as a marker of cultural heritage and belonging. Additionally, language can be
used as a tool of cultural preservation, as communities work to pass on their cultural traditions
and language to future generations. Therefore, ignoring the relationship between language and
society is unrealistic when one needs to understand cross-cultural communication.

Impact of language on cross-cultural communication

The impact of language in cross-cultural communication is based on diverse dimensions

of linguistics. This includes language proficiency, fluency, accuracy, and the use of language to
convey meaning and express cultural identity. Language proficiency refers to a person's ability to
speak, read, write, and understand a particular language. This is a critical aspect as individuals
who are not proficient in a language may struggle to effectively communicate with others who
speak that language. Fluency, on the other hand, refers to the ability to speak a language
smoothly, accurately, and with ease. Fluency can greatly impact the success of cross-cultural
communication, as individuals who are not fluent in a language may struggle to express
themselves effectively and may experience misunderstandings or miscommunication. Accuracy
is also important in the linguistic dimension of intercultural communication, as it refers to the
ability to use a language correctly in terms of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. This is
crucial for avoiding misunderstandings and miscommunication, particularly in cross-cultural
settings where linguistic differences may be amplified. Finally, language is also used to convey
 5

meaning and express cultural identity in cross-cultural communication. Cultural references,

idioms, and other forms of nonverbal communication, such as gestures, can all impact the
meaning conveyed by language and can create barriers to effective communication in cross-
cultural settings. Brown et al (2014) cites that, these aspects are critical in influencing the
efficiency of intercultural communication. In their study, they measured the ability of one to
detect politeness by listening to phonetics and sound acoustics applied when speaking Korean.
75% of Korean-speaking people and 57% OF English speakers were able to detect politeness just
by listening to the acoustics applied (Brown et al, 2014). These studies infer that some acoustics
are recognizable across cultures while others are not. This impacts intercultural communication
negatively. As a result, for effective communication is critical to have fluency, proficiency, and
accuracy, and to identify the nonverbal cues applied. However, how does one gain this
understanding and skill? It is through understanding the philosophy of language.

Philosophy of language.

The philosophy of language in cross-cultural communication refers to the study of the

nature of language and its role in shaping and influencing cross-cultural interactions. It
encompasses a range of philosophical perspectives and theories about the relationship between
language and meaning, and how this relationship impacts cross-cultural communication. One
perspective in the philosophy of language is linguistic relativism, which holds that language
shapes our perceptions and understanding of the world. This perspective suggests that different
languages can have different structures and vocabularies, which in turn can influence the way
people from different cultural backgrounds understand and experience the world. Sinha's (2021)
critical review expresses that the diversity of languages is not a diversity of sounds and sounds
but of worldviews. Therefore, language is based on the world views of diverse cultures.
Additionally, the study cites that language depicts both cultural patterns and world views while
influencing the behavioral thinking of individual members of any community. Considering this,
understanding the worldviews of various cultures is critical in fostering effective intercultural
communication. However, this can serve as a barrier to cross-cultural communication as
differences in language structure, vocabulary, and usage between different regions and ethnic
groups make it difficult for individuals to understand each other in cross-cultural settings.
 6

Another important perspective in the philosophy of language is pragmatism, which focuses on

the practical use of language in cross-cultural communication. This perspective emphasizes the
importance of context and the role of language in establishing shared meaning between
individuals from different cultural backgrounds. Domaneschi and Bambini (2020), explain
several pragmatic phenomena that are critical in promoting cross-cultural communication. These
include phenomena such as presupposition, turn-taking, metaphor, and irony. Understanding the
role of these phenomena and their impact on cross-cultural communication can help individuals
and organizations to navigate cross-cultural communication more effectively and foster
intercultural understanding and respect.

Psycholinguistics

Psycholinguistics is the study of the psychological and neurobiological factors that

underlie the acquisition, comprehension, and production of language. In the context of cross-
cultural communication, psycholinguistics can help us to understand how language and cultural
differences impact the way we process, comprehend, and produce language in cross-cultural
settings. For example, studies in psycholinguistics have shown that language proficiency and
fluency can play a significant role in determining an individual's ability to effectively
communicate with people from different cultural backgrounds. Research has also shown that
language differences can impact the way individuals process and comprehend language, leading
to misunderstandings and miscommunication in cross-cultural settings (Sabirova et al, 2019).
Moreover, Sabirova et al (2019) also explored the impact of nonverbal cues, such as facial
expressions, gestures, and tone of voice, on cross-cultural communication between an English
teacher and non-English speaking students. For instance, nonverbal cues can convey important
cultural information and can greatly impact the success of cross-cultural communication.
Furthermore, psycholinguistic research has also examined the impact of cultural differences on
language processing, such as the effects of cultural stereotypes and biases on the interpretation of
language in cross-cultural settings. This helps us to understand how cultural differences impact
cross-cultural communication and can inform the development of strategies for effective cross-
cultural communication.
 7

Conclusion

In conclusion, language plays a critical role in cross-cultural communication, shaping

how individuals and cultures understand and relate to one another. By providing a means for
individuals to convey information and ideas, and by influencing the interpretation of cultural
norms and values, a language is a powerful tool for fostering intercultural understanding and
respect. However, language can also present challenges for cross-cultural communication, as
differences in language structure, vocabulary, and usage can lead to misunderstandings and
miscommunication. Understanding the impact of language on cross-cultural communication, and
considering the cultural context in which language is used, can help individuals and
organizations to navigate cross-cultural communication more effectively. In addition, studying
the pragmatic phenomena of presupposition, turn-taking, metaphor, and irony can also help
understand how meaning is conveyed in language use and can provide insights into the role of
language in cross-cultural communication. Overall, the role of language in cross-cultural
communication is complex and multifaceted and requires a deep understanding of cultural
context, language use, and how meaning is created and conveyed. By embracing a holistic
perspective on the role of language in cross-cultural communication, individuals and
organizations can foster intercultural understanding and respect, and navigate cross-cultural
communication more effectively.
 8

References

Brown, L., Winter, B., Idemaru, K. and Grawunder, S., (2014). Phonetics and politeness:
Perceiving Korean honorific and non-honorific speech through phonetic cues. Journal of
Pragmatics, 66, pp.45-60.

Domaneschi, F. and Bambini, V., (2020). Pragmatic competence. In The Routledge handbook of
philosophy of skill and expertise (pp. 419-430). Routledge.

Redianis, N.L., Putra, A.A.B.M.A. and Anggayana, I.W.A., (2019). Effect of Culture on
Balinese Language Used by Employee Hotels for Foreign Travelers in the Sociolinguistic
Perspective. In International Conference on Cultural Studies (Vol. 2, pp. 39-4

Sabirova, D.R., Solovyova, E.G., Pomortseva, N.P. and Antonova, S.P., (2019). Comprehension
of the english national character in building professional linguistic culture. Journal of
Educational and Social Research, 9(3), p.101.

Sinha, C., (2021). Culture in language and cognition. In The Routledge Handbook of Cognitive
Linguistics (pp. 387-407). Routledge.