Abstract: With the development of world communications, different people from different cultural backgrounds have more opportunities than ever to get in touch with each other. However, people may have difficulties and obstacles in communicating successfully with each other. In order to achieve effective and smooth intercultural communication, it is necessary to recognize the nature of the main obstacles that tend to cause problems during the process of an unsuccessful communication. And here comes the seeking of proper solutions correspondingly. Starting with the concepts of intercultural communication, the paper analyzes the three major obstacles: assuming similarity, stereotypes and ethnocentrism and sees that a better understanding of those problems can help overcome the communicative barriers. The paper also suggests some strategies aiming to cope with the negative impacts of these obstacles and to improve communicative competence: knowing yourself, knowing the cultural settings and developing empathy.
Key Words: intercultural communication; obstacle; strategy
CONTENTS
Introduction: 1
1.Intercultural Communication 1
1.1 Communication 1
1.2 Culture 3
1.3 Intercultural Communication 4
2. Obstacles to Intercultural Communication 6
2.1 Assuming Similarity 7
2.2 Stereotypes 9
2.3 Ethnocentrism…………………………………………………………………………..11
3. Strategies for Coping With The Obstacles……………………………………………….14
3.1 Knowing Yourself………………………………………………………………………14
3.2 Knowing the Cultural Settings………………………………………………………….16