Skip to main content

Dimensions of Understanding in Cross-Cultural Communication

  • Chapter
Global Englishes in Asian Contexts

Abstract

Although we may never be able to totally understand another’s feelings or perspective in a cross-cultural situation (B. Kachru 1992, 2005; Y. Kachru and Smith 2008; Nelson 1995), we can attempt to increase our likelihood of understanding or at least decrease the possibility of our misunderstanding by developing a greater awareness of three of the dimensions of understanding (intelligibility, comprehensibility and interpretability).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Gaudart, H. 1999. The Trouble with Names: Forms of Address in Asia. Singapore: SNP Editions Pte. Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kachru, B. B. (ed.) 1992. The Other Tongue: English across Cultures (2nd edition). Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • —. 2005. Asian Englishes: Beyond the Canon. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kachru, Y. and L. E. Smith. 2008. Cultures, Contexts, and World Englishes. New York and London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, C. 1995. ‘Intelligibility and world Englishes in the classroom.’ World Englishes, 14(2), 273–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ogden, C. K. and I. A. Richards. 1923. The Meaning of Meaning, 1989, Orlando, FL: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peck, M. S. 1987. The Different Drum, Community Making and Peace. New York: Touchstone, Simon and Schuster.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, L. E. and C. Nelson. 2006. ‘World Englishes and Issues of Intelligibility.’ In B. B. Kachru, Y. Kachru and C. Nelson (eds) The Handbook of World Englishes. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, pp. 428–45.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Trifonovitch, G. 1972. ‘The Four Hs of Culture Learning.’ A presentation during the August orientation for new participants at the Culture Learning Institute, East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuckman, B. W. 1965. ‘Developmental Sequence in Small Groups.’ Psychological Bulletin 63(6), 384–9. American Psychological Association.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Copyright information

© 2009 Larry E. Smith

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Smith, L.E. (2009). Dimensions of Understanding in Cross-Cultural Communication. In: Murata, K., Jenkins, J. (eds) Global Englishes in Asian Contexts. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230239531_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics