Intercultural communication is a vast subject with a long and textured history. It is important to first understand what intercultural communication is before delving too deeply into its many aspects. So, what is intercultural communication? The International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) defines it as:
“the process of shared Meaning making between people who see themselves as belonging to distinct cultures.”
In other words, it is the process of communication between people of different cultures. This can happen within a nation, as in the case of African Americans and white Americans, or between nations, as in the case of Americans and Japanese. It can also occur between people who have different religious backgrounds, such as Christians and Muslims.
Intercultural communication is not just about understanding different cultures; it is also about understanding how culture shapes communication. Each culture has its