ASSOCIATIVE LISTENING AS A BUG IN INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Abstract

Intercultural communication is communication between one or more parties from
different cultures. This type of communication is more subject to  misunderstanding and miscommunication. This misunderstanding and
miscommunication originates usually in the process of listening. Part of the
process of listening is interpreting the message/interaction by the receiver. This
interpretation takes place amongst others by 'associative listening‘. Associative
follows the meaning of psychologically associating, an association is a bond or
connection between two or more images, thoughts, ideas, or other psychological
phenomena, whereby the occurrence of one tends to bring to mind the other
(Christopher Morris, 1992). Associative listening means giving meaning to a
received message or interaction by means of association. Meaning is derived from the frame of reference, which is determined by individual development and
experience. Culture is the underlying basis or soil in which the frame of reference
develops. Frame of reference and culture are thus determining one‘s perception.
Culture is described by the findings of Hofstedeet all (Hofstede &Hofstede, 2005)
and communication is defined in a working definition. The findings in this paper
are gathered from literature study, observation and the writers experience and
understanding.
Keywords: intercultural communication, associative listening, culture