Communication

across Borders

in the language but in the process of communication (reference frameworks, ways of sending a message, receiving and understanding a message and not to forget differences in body language and tone of voice). Language differences are an important aspect of communication across borders but they do not define the concept.

Communication is not a mere trick. One may approach it as such in exchanging messages but this will not result in real and authentic mutual contact. Communicating in that way is close to manipulation and once the other actor gets that impression more harm is done than gains achieved. Communication is a prime factor in coping with cultural diversity and requires a higher level of communication which both reconciles differences and commonalities (trans-cultural communication). Because cultural (de)coding presupposes cultural sophistication, communication across borders requires cultural competence.

In view of the discussion of communication, the difficulty of communicating across borders is easy to understand. Probably because of the myriad aspects no comprehensive study in the field is available, leave alone with practical tools. The Johari window (next page) demonstrates some of the difficulties. The study by Edward and Mildred Hall indicates some of the differences in this communication. In addition some specific aspects have been studied, such as direct versus indirect communication. And the study by Hoffman (the TOPOI model) allows us to analyse afterwards what went wrong in the communication (discussed on the website).

Communication across cultures involves by definition different ways of thinking, feeling and acting. Some researchers have defined the concept as the situation in which two people do not speak the same native language. If that would apply, British and American people do not have communication differences (and no related cultural differences) between them! The difference is not