See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/359820269

Intercultural Business Communication: The Implications of Language Barriers

Article in Journal of Education & Psychology · January 2021

CITATIONS READS

18 12,549

3 authors:

Eyitayo Francis Adanlawo Mike MEGROVE Reddy

North-West University University of Zululand
34 PUBLICATIONS 159 CITATIONS 25 PUBLICATIONS 74 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Hemduth Rugbeer

7 PUBLICATIONS 39 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by Eyitayo Francis Adanlawo on 08 April 2022.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION (2021) 58(5): 6281-6290
ISSN:1553-6939

Intercultural Business Communication: The Implications of Language

Barriers
Eyitayo Francis Adanlawo1, Mike Megrove Reddy2, Hemduth Rugbeer3
1
Department of Communication Science, University of Zululand, South Africa
francislawo4u@yahoo.com
2
Department of Communication Science, University of Zululand, South Africa
ReddyMM@unizulu.ac.za
3
Department of Communication Science, University of Zululand, South Africa
RugbeerH@unizulu.ac.za

ABSTRACT:
Effective intercultural business communication depends upon the application of a mutually understandable language; a
prerequisite that is almost non-existence in numerous businesses within and across our borders. Language is identified as one of
the most austere operational problems for most intercultural business. The study with the use of Shannon and Weaver’s theory
approached the barriers caused by language and its implications to intercultural business transactions. In order to gain insight into
various ways in which language could impede effective intercultural business communication, the study explored various
published research studies on the problem statement. Findings from the content analysis of the reviewed literature provided an
exhaustive and precise discourse of the effects and implications that language barrier could have on intercultural business.
Furthermore, the review highlighted how language affects the way by which business organisations deal with their tasks and their
relationship with foreign counterparts. The study concluded that inability to communicate effectively in intercultural business-
related transaction could pose challenges to business. The study therefore, recommends multilingual employees, language training
and repetition of information for clarification as ways to curb language barriers.

Keywords:
Business organisation, Intercultural business communication (IBC), Language barriers, Relationship, Shannon and Weaver Model

1. INTRODUCTION Tucker (2003); Ai and Wang (2017) identify language

Intercultural business transactions require the use of as a symbol of identity in which the speakers are proud
understandable language as a medium of of. Creese et al. (2008) explain that different languages
communication between the business entities and their come with different mentality, understandings and
potential customers/clients (Bodomo and Che, 2020). thought in grammatical expressions of each group’s
Language, therefore, is a critical means of smooth language. Thus, the researchers agree that expressions
business transactions (Adanlawo, 2020). According to of one’s thoughts or ideas differs in different
Ai et al. (2019), language is used as a medium of languages, and also the language spoken by each
communication in different forms, with the purpose of member of a group plays significant role in his
accommodating or communicating with all groups in interactions or relationships with others in different
business transactions. Fan et al. (2015) support that situations or contexts. Bhatata et al. (2013) agree that
language allows mankind to express opinions, views, grouping of different languages from different
decisions or feelings, while, it also indicates cultural geographical locations is an attempt to identify
identities. The importance of language cannot be over- common patterns in these languages to establish
emphasized as it is the means of cultural transmission diversity in languages across the world.
as well as continuity of cultural heritage. According to
Henslin (1999) in his study, reports that language is
Ai et al. (2019), language remains the only critical
learnt by people from the environment they find
means of transmitting or imparting cultural values,
themselves, thus, no one is born with any language.
identities/practices to the younger generations.
Similarly, Ai et al. (2019) concur with Heslin (1999)
Seemingly, Bourdieu (2004) avers that language is a
that people learn to acquire different languages
great asset of any tribe as it entails all the cultural
through their interactions with the speakers of the
identities and the realities that exist in their
spoken languages in their immediate environment.
environments.
Furthermore, cultural practices, beliefs, values and
6281
www.psychologyandeducation.net
PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION (2021) 58(5): 6281-6290
ISSN:1553-6939

identities are learnt through the spoken languages purpose and aim of this study. The study made use of
among different groups. To achieve an effective interpretive analysis of narrative data through content
intercultural business communication, it is thus analysis method which entailed coding of sources
necessary to understand the language of a particular according to the study aim, the codes were articulated
business counterpart in order to understand their into themes for discussion of findings (Kumar, 2019).
culture (Oetzel, 2017). Understanding cultural The interpretivist paradigm facilitates access to rich,
differences as posited by Kumar (2014) are more than detailed information which enables contextual
ever becoming critical as to guarantee solid economic meaning through interpretations of findings (Creswell,
growth and sustainability. 2014). Thus, according to Braun and Clarke (2006),
the data analysis followed a holistic approach to
Awareness of intercultural differences is a vital issue
problem-solving through emphasis on inductive
in intercultural business encounter. To conduct
processing.
business in an intercultural environment, there is need
to consider language-related aspects and pay attention 3. THEORETICAL
to specific patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaviour FRAMEWORK/RELEVANCE
which vary across cultures (Cordano et al., 2010). Shannon and Weaver Theory
Distefano and Maznevski (2000) avow that language Shannon and Weaver theory was used to underpin this
differences adversely affects relationship as people in a study; the theory was used to explain the need for clear
multicultural system tend to be influenced greatly by and understandable intercultural business
the dominating language. This implies that others have communication without any barrier. According to
to learn and accept dominating language as a Steinberg (2007), Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver
convenient medium of interaction (Kung, 2016). were engineers working for Bell Telephone Labs in the
Language differences, according to Bodomo and Che United States. They developed a model of
(2020) affect or influence business communication as communication which was intended to assist in
it may mars business achievement and growth. developing a mathematical theory of communication.
Language barrier, therefore, may be described as Their aim was to ascertain utmost efficiency of
inability to understand or communicate with others in telephone cables and radio waves. Hornsey and
a particular language; thereby, affecting smooth Fielding (2020) aver that Shannon and Weaver's model
relationship or cooperation in business spaces. As has a much wider application to human
indicated by Ai et al. (2019), language barrier remains communication than a purely technical one. Similarly,
critical across borders and a serious threat to business de Vries (2020) adds that the model is the best-known
activities among people of different languages. One example of the “informational' approach to
significant rationale for this research was to explore communication. This study considerShannon and
the challenges that language barriers can pose to Weaver model adequate as it describes the
smooth intercultural business transactions. communication process from a technical point of view.
Particular attention is paid to the noise source, which
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
was altered to describe the factors that may hinder
The study adopted qualitative method using
successful intercultural business communication.
exploratory approach. Reviews of previous studies on
language barriers have been carefully carried-out to As indicated by Sapienza et al. (2016), the model
build a theoretical basis for this study. The researchers consisted of five elements which are: the information
engaged a secondary data collection approach by source, the transmitter, a channel, a receiver and a
reviewing of extant literature According to Kumar destination. Al-Fedaghi (2012) identifies noise which
(2019) and Creswell (2014), the literature review is an is the sixth element as a dysfunctional factor. The
efficient method of providing a basis for any author describes noise as any interference with the
significant study, because it provides information, message which may lead to the signal received being
findings and basis from related studies to a current different from that sent. The theorists, Shannon and
study and analyse, argue, compare and contrast Weaver, opine that effectiveness of communication
existing information that can strengthen or give can be attained when both signals for transmitters (the
credibility to the newly acquired information. The sender) and the receiver aligned without any
researchers’ personal expertise and experience were noise/barrier (Shannon and weaver, 1949). According
also explored to generate unique, relevant workplace- to Eunson (2005), model use in communication theory
based knowledge with regards to language barriers to is to remove barriers in communication for effective
intercultural business transactions. human interactions. Steinberg (2007) affirms that
Shannon and Weaver’s model focuses on removal of
Data collection through secondary data sources which
all noise (barriers) in communication process to attain
include Internet, books, reports, journals, and articles
were carefully accessed and classified according to the
6282
www.psychologyandeducation.net
PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION (2021) 58(5): 6281-6290
ISSN:1553-6939

understandable communication between the sender and political, cultural and historical. Hessels et al. (2019)
the receiver. aver that social contexts have a key influence on the
use of appropriate styles and contents in intercultural
business communication. Likewise, Berrocal et al.
(2016) affirm that situational context allow us to
predict expected behaviour and the required interaction
to meet both parties’ goals. According to the author,
Figure 1: Shannon and Weaver’s model of reception context does not exclusively determine
communication meanings; “writing' and 'reading" contexts in a
particular space and time may also affect meaning. The
same text can be interpreted differently within
different contexts. It is worth-noting that meaning only
arises in the process of listeners actively making sense
of what they hear (Hessels et al., 2019).
Similarly, Chandler (2002) avers that semiotics can as
well affect meaning in an intercultural business
transaction. The author defines semiotics as the study
of signs and signals, sign systems, and sign processes.
Elleström (2020) claims that messages are made of
signs and conveyed through sign systems called codes.
To derive meaning, according to Elleström, the
receiver of the message must understand the code. In
applying semiotics to visual communication, the
concept of interpretation is important. Though, visual
communication involves other types of meaning
beyond those in the intended/perceived schema. Visual
interpretation involves more than simple inference and
for an understandable meaning be reached in an
intercultural business communication, Galantucci and
Adapted from Hartley &Bruckmann (2002) Garrod (2011) aver that that a viewer must pass
through both denotative (realism, representation) and
The above model entails different components such as connotative (associations, attitudes, emotions)
information source, transmitter, noise source, channel, processes. Semiotics provides a unifying methods for
message, receiver, channel, information destination, use across culture, which include gesture, posture,
encode and decode. The emphasis of this model is to dressing and speech. Chandler (2002) asserts that
enhance effective communication (Spellerberg and semiotics reminds that nothing is ’natural’ about our
Fedor, 2003; Berrocal et al., 2016). The theory values; they are social constructs that changes with
established “Noise” as a predominant factor that can time but differ radically from culture to culture.
affect communication process. Dennis and Valacich
(1999) aver that interference of noise will cause In order for effective communication to be attained,
distortion which may lead to misunderstanding the concept of culture has to be considered. The
between sender and receiver. Noise can include intended message of the sender must be well
psychological distractions such as negative feelings understood by the receiver and both the sender and
towards the speaker. As opined by Soter (2016), receiver must agree that the message has been
thoughts and feelings are socio-culturally patterned, understood in its intended meaning. Shannon and
which can affect communication if not properly Weaver submit in their theory that message can be
considered. In intercultural business setting, the distorted by noise or any other disturbance; which this
context of “culture” is of essence. According to Manrai study classifies as barriers in intercultural business
and Manrai (2010), culture facilitates full communication. This theory is necessary in
comprehension of intercultural communication process understanding barriers that can affect effective
as it covers both the external (objective), internal intercultural business communication, and also why
(subjective) of individual culture which is determined communication in such intercultural contexts can be
by values, norms and morality. misunderstood by both the sender and the receiver
(Quintanilla and Wahl, 2011). Therefore, it is
According to Baek and Yoon (2017), meaning can be imperative to understand clearly the message, so as to
affected by contexts such as situational, social, give feedback that can be understood in same precise
6283
www.psychologyandeducation.net
PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION (2021) 58(5): 6281-6290
ISSN:1553-6939

context. Hartley and Bruckmann, (2002) postulate that people’s cultural identities and heritage must be
engagement of this mechanism enhances the concept respected in intercultural business dealings. Bassnett
of feedback, which is important to communication. (2003) asserts that every language is a cultural product
Seemingly, Seiler and Beall (2011) affirm that the of any group of people, and it strongly links to their
clarity of the message is significant to understandable culture. Language, therefore, is very important to
feedback as intended by the sender. Hence, every society. Seemingly, Shah (2004) opines that
communication in intercultural business transaction differences in language limit many business
attracts feedback that is influenced by the level of transactions across borders, thereby, leads to
understanding of the message by the receiver. misunderstanding and inappropriate feedback.
To receive a suitable feedback, Reddy and Adanlawo 5. CAUSES OF LANGUAGE BARRIERS
(2018), Romero-Trillo (2019) aver that the non-verbal These factors have been identified as causes of
behaviour of the sender must reflect the actual language barriers:
meaning of the message. Thus, non-verbal
5.1 Difference in language
communication can function to express meaning
Language is used to express or communicate ideas,
strengthening, replacing, or opposing the verbal
feelings, opinions, and decisions to others in
message (Andersen, 1999). Hence, non-verbal
meaningful contexts that can be responded to (Bodomo
communication can be used in influencing others as
and Che, 2020). As much as language can facilitate
well as to check conversational flow of messages
smooth business transactions, it can also be a serious
(Ntuli, 2012). It is established that non-verbal
barrier when there is no understanding among the
behaviours of people involved in intercultural business
parties. For example, business transactions between
activities can influence both the message from the
the people of Nigeria and China, or between South
sender and the feedback from the receiver and thus,
Africans and Japanese involves the use of a common
affect their business relationships. Unfortunately,
language which is understood by both groups. It
Shannon and Weaver model does not give room for
therefore, becomes a language problem when one of
relationships between people as communicators. The
the parties cannot understand or respond in a language
model is linear, it assign secondary role to receiver.
spoken by the other (Djite, 2020). According to Djite
The original model had no provision for feedback,
(2020), difference in language can be a critical
though, later added by other theorists.
challenge to business success when people find it
4. LANGUAGE AS THE MAIN BARRIER TO difficult to understand themselves in order to reach
INTERCULTURAL BUSINESS agreement in business transactions. This explains why
COMMUNICATION interpreters are usually involved in business
Communication is important in business, most transactions that involve individuals of different
especially intercultural business transactions. Kecskes languages. Ai et al (2019) identify this reason for the
(2015) recommends that parties involved in employment of bilingual employees by Chinese to
intercultural business communication should agree on expand their businesses in Africa nations.
a common language that can be understood and that
5.2 Regional Accents, Dialects and Lingo
can also ensure fulfilment of business goals. Ai et al.
Djite (2020) explains that language differences exist
(2019) assert that communication in intercultural
due to regional accents, dialects and lingo among
business has always been faced with the problem of
people who reside in same geographical areas. People
common language. This implies why language has
speak languages that indicate their accents and dialects
been established as a main barrier to intercultural
which showcase their cultural identities (Bhatara et al.,
business transactions across the globe (Bodomo and
2013). The languages sometimes may be technically
Che, 2020). Language as a significant barrier in
the same with people speaking same language in
business across the borders manifests in different
different dialects and accents; however, the meanings
aspects or phases of intercultural business activities;
and interpretations of words/messages are different,
which include business strategy, structure, and
these differences may result in some kinds of
techniques. Studies (Bodomo and Che, 2020; Ai, et al.,
misunderstandings in international business
2019; Wang et al., 2018; Tam et al., 2016) agree that
transactions (Chow and Schoenbaum, 2020). For
failure of some intercultural business revolves round
example, if a Scottish businessman communicates with
the lack of intercultural skills and competence, the
a British, they both have some words which have
inability to communicate effectively in a global
different meanings; though, they both communicate in
setting, and the failure to apply appropriate manners in
English.
business communication. This implies that business
across borders, must appreciate and acknowledge A word such as ham and bacon are used
cultural differences. To reach a mutual understanding, interchangeably in Scotland, but mean different things
6284
www.psychologyandeducation.net
PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION (2021) 58(5): 6281-6290
ISSN:1553-6939

in London. Likewise, lingo is an abridged word in a 5.5 Word Choice

language used between people with different Business communication allows choice of words.
languages. This implies that certain words and phrases However, cultural differences and respect for foreign
can have different meanings. However, this same counterparts must be considered in the use of words
language may be interpreted differently in intercultural during intercultural communication. Bodomo and Che
business transactions. Seemingly, Ai et al. (2019) aver (2020) advice against the use of words which can be
that differences in accents, dialects and other regional sarcasm in business communication as it can be taken
peculiarities remain language barriers to effective as negative in nature. Therefore, use of words which
communication among Africans and Chinese people can be interpreted with different meanings such as
during business transactions. Also, Charles and homonyms, homographs, homophones should be
Marscan-Piekkari (2002) assert that differences in avoided in business communication to avoid
accents present an additional challenge for oral misinterpretation or misunderstandings of words. The
communication over written communication as high- use of words with different meanings will not present
context communication is mostly adopted in the message as intended to the receiver and this is a
intercultural business transactions. Nations such as common language barrier in intercultural business
China, Japan and North Korea are more likely to prefer communication (Chow and Schoenbaum, 2020).
communication via e-mails than phone calls as they
5.6 Literacy and Linguistic Ability
will respond to e-mails at their own pace.
Construction of words in business communication
5.3 No Clear Speech depends on the competency level of both the sender
Language barrier may hinder intercultural business and the receiver (Ai et al., 2020). According to Chow
transactions especially when people speak in soft or in and Schoenbaum (2020), communication in business
a low voice (Bhatia, 2014). Speaking in soft or low transactions across borders involve the use of low
voice may lead to unclear speech, which may vocabulary in a particular language and very high
invariable results to misunderstanding between the vocabulary in different situations. Andersen and
parties in business communication. Bodomo and Che Rasmussen (2004) posit that literacy and education of
(2019) affirm that speaking common language does parties involved in business communication determine
not rule out unclear speech among people; speaking in how they communicate and also enhance their business
low or soft voice may as well lead to unclear speech vocabulary. Charles and Marschan-Piekkar (2002)
which will hinder meaningful understanding. Unclear aver that linguistic increases person capability to
speech during communication will hinder effective communicate effectively in a particular language with
intercultural business activities across borders others. Thus, a person with high vocabulary and
(Vigouroux and Mufwene, 2020; Ai et al, 2019). linguistic ability is able to communicate and negotiate
business across border with others with low ability,
5.4 Use of Jargons and Slang
although, people with low vocabulary may find it
Jargons may be described as technical words that are
difficult to understand the words used by high
peculiar to certain people. Because they are peculiar to
vocabulary person. An exception to this is when low
cetain people or professions, jargons may be
vocabulary is used for better understanding, otherwise,
interpreted differently at different times by different
language barriers may arise which will lead to
people. Jargons, such as medical terms used by those
misunderstanding in the business transactions.
in medical profession or legal terms used by those in
legal profession cannot be used in the same contexts 5.7 Grammar and Spelling
outside the professions as the intended meaning will Grammatical expressions and spelling in intercultural
not be understood. According to Vigouroux and business communication may become barriers to
Mufwene (2020), business transactions have some people from different parts of the world when using
business terms that must be clearly understood by all certain words differently (Luo and Shenkar, 2006).
parties; especially, intercultural business where Grammar and spelling mistakes can create serious
languages differ. Understanding business terms will communication barrier in written communication. For
generate appropriate feedbacks. Similarly, the use of example, in a business communication, typing done as
slangs in intercultural business communication can don, will change the whole meaning of the sentence.
lead to ineffective communication. Bodomo and Che Wrong use of metaphors or similes can hinder
(2020) aver that the use of appropriate language in effective communication (Luo and Shenkar, 2006). As
business communication strengthens relationships and indicated by Barner-Rasmussen and Aarnio (2011),
ensures successful business transactions across language barriers can deny business communication
borders. from being a productive and effective transaction. This
implies that communication will be severed and
business objectives will be unachievable (Lockwood,
6285
www.psychologyandeducation.net
PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION (2021) 58(5): 6281-6290
ISSN:1553-6939

2015). However, language barriers in business information from the source text and communicate the
communication can be avoided or minimised through information into a target text in a second language.
translation, interpreter, language classes, and visual According to Tarditi Jr et al. (2009), machine
methods (Harzing et al., 2011). Chow and interpreter (MI) is a recent machine translation kernel
Schoenbaum (2020) postulate that for smooth with a speech-recognition front-end (in the source
intercultural business transactions to be ensured, language) and a post-translation speech generation
barriers relating to language must be avoided at all cost module (in the target language).
6. POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO LANGUAGE 6.4 External translators or interpreters
BARRIERS
External translators or interpreters could be used to
Language barriers can be avoided or minimized in
curb language barriers that could hinder effective
intercultural business transactions if the following
intercultural business communication. External
strategies are adopted:
translators are primarily used for significant
6.1 Repetition documents, like, to translate, and interpret technical
Repetition can be encouraged between sender and languages because of the high cost of engaging the
receiver in oral business communication for clarity of service of the professional ones (Harzing et al., 2011)
messages that are unclear. Partners can be asked to External translators are valuable to business
repeat words or statements for clear understanding. transactions that cut across borders (Yoshihara et al.,
You can ask your business clients in an intercultural 2002).
business transaction to repeat what is said, or provide
6.5 Language training
an illustrative examples for clear understanding
Language training is considered by many business
(Levin, 2005).
organisations as an important strategy to overcoming
6.2 Code-switching language barriers (Yoshihara et al., 2012). The
Code-switching enables second language users to researchers are of the opinion that if business
communicate with others in their native language. organisation representative across the borders are well
Chow and Schoenbaum (2020) assert that code- trained in the art of language and conversation, it will
reduce the challenges that language could pose in
switching enhances business transactions for
intercultural business encounters.
parties who are able to code-switch between two
languages when transacting business. In Harzing
and Feely (2008) view, code switching can lead to
exasperation, uneasiness and suspicion when the
other party does not understand the switch
language.
6.3 Machine Translation (MT) and Machine
Interpretation (MI)
Machine transmission is another practical solution for
written communications. According to Gu et al.
(2018), this portable translation machine is mostly
usable in a situation where the parties involved in
intercultural business communication do not
understand each other’s language. Kumano et al.
(2002) describe machine translation system as “a
system” which includes a database for storing various
information, database management section for
performing database management, a bilingual
correspondence data record subsystem for performing
recording/learning processing of translation examples,
a translation subsystem for performing translation
processing, and dictionary management for performing
dictionary management and database
transmission/reception processing. Mikolov et al.
(2013) assert that MT is cost effective in business
transactions, for most translation objective is to extract
6286
www.psychologyandeducation.net
PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION (2021) 58(5): 6281-6290
ISSN:1553-6939

6.6 Bilingual employees as intermediaries or mutual understanding, and to find acceptable ways of
translation machines organising interaction and cooperation.
Business organisation that transacts business
8. RECOMMENDATIONS
across borders should consider hiring employees
that are able to speak different languages as Questions should be asked repeatedly whenever
message communicated is not clear or well
connecting pins to their business associates in understood. It should be noted by the parties that ‘No
foreign countries. This could serve as a way to crime in asking’. To attain an effective intercultural
avoid language barriers. These employees would business communication, messages not clear should be
act as communication nodes for the business asked to be repeated for clarification.
organisation. Multi-lingual employees should be employed by
business organisations that indulge in businesses
6.7 Locally hired non-native personnel
To reduce language barriers in intercultural business, it across borders. Employees that are able to speak
is advisable that business organisations should hire different languages will be able to negotiate on behalf
local non-native personnel for effective business of their employers (business organisations) in a
transactions. These non-native personnel will be community/country where the language and culture are
residents in the host country. They are locally hired understood with no extra cost. This will help to
and not expatriates. For example, a residing South alleviate the cost of incurring an interpreter for
African in Japan could be hired by South African business transaction across the borders.
company when transacting business in Japan to ease Business organisations should organise training on
language difficulties. The familiarisation of these languages and cultural appreciation for their expatriate
locally hired personnel with cultures and languages of employees. Short courses and training on languages
the both nations make them perfect to act as
and culture will help in reducing the barriers that
intermediaries.
language might infringe on intercultural business
7. CONCLUSIONS transactions. These training will introduce the
This discursive study explored language barriers as a
employees to the custom and norms of the nationals
significant hindrance to effective intercultural business
transactions. The study emphasis that language barriers they intend to transact business with. Through regular
slow down business processes, incurring additional trainings, employees will be exposed to cultural issues
cost and can invariably leads to loss of business that can make them appreciate and respect the customs
partners. Ineffective communication, cultural and norms of their host business partners.
incompatibility between local business organisations
and foreign counterparts are believed to be significant There is a need to create a model of intercultural
barriers to successful intercultural business business communication that will identify the nature of
transactions, more especially, when both parties come intercultural interaction, necessary communicative and
from different backgrounds and speak different behavioural skills/competence toward effective
languages. Language difficulty hinders effective intercultural business communication. Future research
communication, relationship and adherence to business could focus on primary research on challenges faced
strategies. Language barriers, therefore, can frustrate by business organisations in non-English speaking
or limit business transactions across the borders. As countries and as well on how language differences
discussed in this study, language problems are affect business across borders especially in different
common due to inability of most businessmen to context communication cultures (High context culture
understand the language of their host business partners and Low context culture).
in foreign land. Poor and improper communication REFERENCE
could as well obstructs business transactions and  Adanlawo, E.F. &Rugbeer, H. (2019). The Role
invariably leads to misunderstanding which can of Communication in the Viability of Shopping
severely affect business relationship (Adanlawo and Centre/Mall Business, Library Philosophy and
Rugbeer, 2019). Inability to communicate effectively Practice (e-journal). 2786.
in a business-related communication across borders https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/2786
can have negative consequences on businesses. The  Adanlawo, E.F. (2020). The role of innovative
mentioned communicative and behavioural abilities intercultural business communication for the
presented in the theoretical relevance in our opinion improvement of Nigerian and South African dairy
should help to systematise the process of viable industries. Unpublished Doctoral Thesis,
intercultural business communication, to establish University of Zululand, South Africa.
productive contact with foreign partners, to achieve
6287
www.psychologyandeducation.net
PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION (2021) 58(5): 6281-6290
ISSN:1553-6939

 Ai, B. & Wang, L. (2017). Transnational Business  Charles, M. &Marschan-Piekkari, R. (2002).

Communication and Identity Work in Australia. Language training for enhanced horizontal
IEEE Transactions on Professional communication: A challenge for MNCs. Business
Communication, 60 (2), 201-213. doi: Communication Quarterly, 65(2), 9–29.
10.1109/TPC.2017.2656658.  Chow, D.C.K. &Schoenbaum, T.J. (2020).
 Ai, B., Cui, C. & Wang, L. (2019). Language, International Business Transactions: Problems,
Identity, and Transnational Communication: Cases and Materials. New York, Wolters Kluwer
Chinese Business Expatriates in Africa. IEEE Law & Business.
Transactions on Professional Communication, 62  Cordano, M., Welcome, S., Scherer, R., Pradenas,
(2), 178-191. doi: 10.1109/TPC.2019.2893463. L. & Parade, V. (2010). Understanding cultural
 Al-Fedaghi, S., Alsaqa, A. & Fadel, Z. (2009). differences in the antecedents of pro-
Conceptual model of communication. environmental behaviour: a comparative analysis
International Journal of Computer Science and of business students in the United States and
Information Security, Vol. 6 (2), 29-41. Chile. The Journal of Environmental Education,
 Andersen, H. & Rasmussen, E. (2004). The role 41(4), 224-238.
of language skills in corporate communication.  Creese, A., Bhatt, A., Bhojani, N. & Martin, P.
Corporate Communications: An International (2008). Multicultural, Heritage and Learner
Journal, 9 (3), 231-242. Identities in Complementary. Schools Language
 Baek, T. H., & Yoon, S. (2017). Guilt and shame: and Education, 20 (1), 23-43.
Environmental message framing effects. Journal  Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design:
of Advertising, 46, 440–453. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods
 Barner-Rasmussen, W. &Aarnio, C. (2011). approaches(4th ed.). Asia: Sage Press.
Shifting the faultiness of language: A quantitative  de Vries, G. (2020). Public Communication as a
functional-level exploration of language use in Tool to Implement Environmental Policies. Social
MNC subsidiaries. Journal of World Business, 46 Issues and Policy Review, 14(1), 244-272. DOI:
(3), 288-295. 10.1111/sipr.12061
 Bassnett, S. (2003). Translation Studies. 3rd  Dennis, A. &Valacich, J. (1999). Rethinking
Edition. London. Routledge. Media Richness: Towards a Theory of Media
 Berrocal, J., Garcia-Alonso, J., Canal, C. Synchronicity. Proceedings of the 32nd Hawaii
&Muurillo, J. (2016). Everything involved at a International Conference on System Science-
particular situation. International Conference on 1999.
Web Engineering, 476-483.  Distefano, J. &Maznevski, M. (2000). Creating
 Bhatara, A., Boli-Avetisyan, N., Unger, A. Nazzi, value with diverse teams in global management.
T. &Hohle, B. (2013). Native language affects Organizational Dynamics, 29 (1), 45–63.
rhythmic grouping of speech. The Journal of  Djite, P.G. (2020). Economy and Language in
Acoustical Society of America, 134(5), 3828- Africa: In Vigouroux, C.B. &Mufwene, S.S. (eds)
3843. Bridging linguistics and Economics. Cambridge,
 Bhatia, V.K. (2014). Analysing Genre: Language University Printing House.
Use in Professional Settings. London, UK:  Elleström, L. (2020). The Modalities of Media II:
Routledge. An Expanded Model for Understanding
 Bodomo A., Che D. (2020). The Globalisation Intermedia Relations. In Beyond Media Borders:
of Foreign Investment in Africa: In Comes the IntermedialRelations among Multimodal Media,
Dragon. In: Anthony R., Ruppert U. (eds) Volume 1, ed. Lars Elleström, 3–91. Basingstoke:
Reconfiguring Transregionalisation in the Palgrave Macmillan.
Global South. International Political Economy  Eunson, B. (2005). Communicating in the 21st
Series. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham Century. Milton: Wiley.
 Bourdieu, P. (2004). Distinction: A Social  Fan, S.P., Liberman, Z., Keysar, B. &Kinzler,
Critique of the Judgment of Taste. London. K.D. (2015). The exposure advantage: early
Routledge. exposure to a multilingual environment promotes
 Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic effective communication. Psychological Science,
analysis in psychology. Qualitative research in 26(7), 1090-1097.
psychology, 3(2), 77-101.  Galantucci, B. & Garrod, S. (2011). Experimental
 Chandler, D. (2002). Semiotics for beginners. semiotics: A review. Frontiers in Human
UK: Routledge. Neuroscience, 5, 11.

6288
www.psychologyandeducation.net
PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION (2021) 58(5): 6281-6290
ISSN:1553-6939

 Giles, H. & Johnson, P. (1981). The Role of  Levin, M. (2006). Language as a barrier to care
Language in Ethnic Group Relations. In J.C. for Xhosa-speaking patients at a South African
Turner and H. Giles (eds.). Intergroup Behaviour. paediatric teaching hospital. South African
Oxford: Blackwell, pp. 199-243. Medical Journal, 96, 1076-1079.
 Gu, J., Hassan, H., Devlin, J. & Li, V. (2018).  Lockwood, J. (2015). Virtual team management:
Universal neural machine translation for What is causing communication breakdown?
extremely low resource languages. ArXiv preprint Language and Intercultural Communication,
ArXiv: 1802. O5368. 15(1), 125-140.
 Harzing, A. & Feely, A. (2008). The Language  Luo, Y. & Shenkar, O. (2005). The multinational
Barrier and its Implications for HQ-Subsidiary corporation as a multilingual community:
Relationships. Cross-cultural Management: An Language and organization in a global context.
International Journal, 5 (1), 49-60. Journal of International Business Studies, 37 (3),
 Harzing, A., Koster, K. & Magner, U. (2011). 321-339.
Babel in Business: The language barriers and its  Manrai, L. A. &Manrai, A. K. (2010). The
solution in the HQ-subsidiary relationship. influence of culture in international business
Journal of World Business, 46 (3), 279-287. negotiations: A new conceptual framework and
 Henslin, J. (1999). On becoming male: managerial implications. Journal of Transnational
Reflections of a sociologist on childhood and Management, 15(1), 69-100.
early socialization. In J. M. Henslin (Ed.), Down  Mikolov, T., Le, Q.V. &Sutskever, I. (2013).
to earth sociology: Introductory readings (10th Exploiting similarities among languages for
ed.). New York, NY: Free Press. machine translation. ArXiv preprint
 Hessels, R.A., Holleman, G.A., Kingstone, A., ArXiv:1309.4168.
Hooge, I. &Kemmer,C. (2019). Gaze allocation in  Moriarty, S.E. (2002). The Symbiotics of
face-to-face communication is affected primarily Semiotics and Visual Communication. Journal of
by task structure and social context, not stimulus Visual Literacy, 22(1), 19-28.
driven factors. Cognition, 184, 28-43.  Ntuli, C.D. (2012). Intercultural misunderstanding
 Kecskes, I. (2015). Intracultural communication in South Africa: An analysis of nonverbal
and intercultural communication: are they communication behaviour in context.
different? International Review of Pragmatics, Intercultural Communication Studies, 21(12).
7(2), 171-194.  Oetzel, J. (2017). Effective intercultural
 Kumano, A., Nogami, H., Miike, S., Adachi, H., workgroup communication theory. The
Shin-ya, C. & Yokohama, A. (1992). Machine International Encyclopaedia of Intercultural
Translation System. United State Patent. Patent Communication, 1-5.
Number, 5,019, 876.  Quintanilla, K. & Wahl, S. (2011). Business anon
 Kumar, V. (2014). Understanding cultural verbalnd Professional Communication: Keys for
differences in innovation: a conceptual framework Workplace Excellence. London. Sage Publication.
and future research directions. Journal of  Reddy, M.M. &Adanlawo, E.F. (2018).
International Marketing, 22(3), 1-29. Communication’s module: Inclusion within all
 Kumar, R. 2019. Research methodology: A step- undergraduate qualification in higher education
by-step guide for beginners. Netherland: Sage institution. Gender and Behaviour, 16(2), 11359-
Publications Limited. 11376.
 Kung, F. (2016). The reorientation of  Romero-Trillo, J. (2019). Prosodic pragmatics
international expatriates’ language and cultural and feedback in intercultural communication.
identities from a religious ethnic community Journal of pragmatics, 151, 91-102.
institution and community of practice: a  Sapienza, Z. S., Veentra, A.S., Kirtiklis, K.
multicultural and multilingual &Giannino, S. S. (2016). The transmission model
perspective, Language and Intercultural of communication: towards a multidisciplinary
Communication, 16 (4), 535-551. explication. ETC: A Review of General
DOI: 10.1080/14708477.2016.1158830 Semantics, 73(4), 321.
 Lagerström, K. & Andersson, M. (2003). Creating  Seiler, W. & Beall, M. (2011). Communication:
and sharing knowledge within a transnational Making Communications. 8th ed. Boston: Pearson.
team: the development of a global business  Soter (2016). Soter, M. (2016). Theoretical
system. Journal of World Business, 38, 84–95. Modelling of Intercultural Communication
Process. Journal of Advocacy, Research and
Education, 6(2), 87-92.
6289
www.psychologyandeducation.net
PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION (2021) 58(5): 6281-6290
ISSN:1553-6939

 Spellerberg, I. &Fedor, P. (2003). A Tribute to

Claude Shannon (1916-2001) and a Plea for More
Rigorous Use of Species Richness, Species
Diversity and the 'Shannon-Wiener' Index. Global
Ecology and Biogeography, 12 (3), 177-179.
 Steinberg, S. (2007). An introduction to
communication studies. Cape Town: Juta & Co
Ltd.
 Tam, J.L., Sharma, P. & Kim, N. (2016).
Attribution of success and failure in intercultural
service encounters: the moderating role of
personal cultural orientations. Journal of services
marketing,
 Tarditi, Jr, D.R., Endres, R.E. &Sewelson, V.
(2009). Interpreter for simplified programming of
graphics processor units in general purpose
programming languages. US Patent, 7,598, 953.
 Tucker, G. (2003). Language Contact and
Change: Summary Observations. Annual Review
of Applied Linguistics, 23: 243-249.
 Vigouroux, C.B. &Mufwene, S.S. (2020).
Bridging linguistics and economics. Cambridge:
Cambridge university press.
 Wang, Q., Clegg, J., Gajewska-De Mattos, H. &
Buckley, P. (2018). The role of emotions in
intercultural business communication: Language
standardization in the context of international
knowledge transfer. Journal of World Business,
100973.
 Yoshihara, H., Okabe, Y. &Sawaki, S. (2001).
Eigo de Keieisuru Jidai – Nihon Kigyo no Chosen
(The age of business management in English -
The challenge for Japanese companies). Tokyo,
Japan: Yuhikaku Publishing Co. Ltd.

6290
www.psychologyandeducation.net
View publication stats