DOI: 10.5176/2251-3566_L314.23
Authors: Cecilia B-Ikeguchi
Abstract: Intercultural communication competence (ICC) can be defined as a self-conscious cognitive, attitudinal, emotional and behavioral guidance scheme for impression and uncertainty management allowing members of different cultural systems to interact effectively and appropriately for mutually satisfying relationships. (Everett, et al, 2006). Different theoretical orientations have been advanced to examine the construct of communication competence. Most writers agreed however that the ability to understand is one basic dimension of communication competence (Wiseman, Hammer, Nishida, 1989). A second aspect of communication competence is the perceptual judgment made of self and others. Within an intercultural context, communication competence has been investigated with diverse foci as sojourner adjustment, immigrant acculturation, culture shock, international management and student advising (Wiseman, et al, 1989).
Knowledge of host culture and general attitude toward the host culture and its members has consistently been posited to play an important role in effective cross-culture communication (Wiseman et al, 1989). This study examines the influence of knowledge and attitude towards another culture on ICC of Japanese studying in the US. Knowledge of host culture has been found to be an important determinant of one’s ability to minimize misunderstanding (Gudykunst & Kim, 1984). Attitudes an individual has towards members of a foreign culture play a critical role in influencing his impression – positive or negative- of the other culture and its people.
Research literature suggests that much investigation has been done on the influence of knowledge of another culture, stereotypes, ethnocentrism, and social distance on various aspects of intercultural encounters but little research has examined their multivariate influence on ICC.
This paper examines factors that determine successful ICC of Japanese students in American universities through a relationship between pre-departure conditions and conditions in host culture. Pre-departure attributes focused on knowledge and attitude using the following scales: Social Anxiety (Myers et al, 2001), Perceived Cultural Similarity (Matsumoto, 2001) and World-mindedness (Wiseman, et al, 1989). Conditions in the host culture were measured using the following scales: Degree of Social Contact (Stephan & Stephan, 1985), Cross-cultural Adjustment (Matsumoto, 2001). The results show theoretical linkage between pre-departure and host conditions、as well as language competence, as co-influencing successful ICC.
Keywords: language competence, intercultural competence, social anxiety scale, perceived cultural similarity scale, world-mindedness scale
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