The Role of Languages and Culture in Intercultural Business Communication

Abstract

Language is a means, a medium to understand any message but not the only one. However, will-ingness to adapt to the other culture and understand the other is quintessential. Developing trust and sharing a common goal aids in effective communication. Cultural literacy is indispensable to be aware of the language being used. Having a common goal is important to aid future commu-nication. Thus, intercultural knowledge and a good comprehension of some languages is the need of the hour to transact business, develop relationships and minimise mis-interpretations. This pa-per would throw light on Communication intricacies, variations, needs and aspects pertaining to the development of inter-cultural competence for smooth execution of intercultural business. Awareness regarding various facets such as multilingualism, cultural sensitization, difference between high vs low context cultures, variations in correspondence rules, collocations will be brought out in this review; so as to mould the perception towards the role language plays and its marriage to cultural bonding; with respect to effective intercultural business communication.