As more and more is being written about various cultures and working amongst them, there are certain words and phrases that keep popping up quite often. Terms such as multicultural communication and cross cultural communication and intercultural communication are used almost interchangeably. Is there a difference? If so, what is it?
Each of these terms is different from the other, though the distinctions are small. In short, Intercultural communication is communication between two or more people, from different cultures. On the other hand, Intracultural communication is reserved for when people of the same culture are communicating. Inter is Latin for between or among and intra means on the inside, or within.
Cross-cultural communication is an area of study which looks at the communication tendencies of people from various cultural backgrounds. Another way to put it is the exercise of recognising the communication tendencies of various cultural groups in order to increase effective communication and collaboration.
Multicultural communication is a term that is used to refer to the communication between members of a society or group that live or work alongside each other. It is the coexistence with each other that denotes a multicultural group.
IC can be developed in many ways. Engagement is always a quick way to get started. By learning the language, you can get some insights into behaviour while increasing your ability to observe and participate. At Language Partners, we offer language training in over 52 languages, tailored to your organisation and team.
Why does this matter for your organisation?
Understanding the difference between these terms has real implications for how you manage international teams. An organisation that is merely multicultural, with people from different backgrounds working alongside each other, faces very different challenges than one that actively works towards intercultural communication.
The latter requires intentional effort: creating space for dialogue, building language skills, and developing awareness of different communication styles. Language training is one of the most effective first steps.
Does your organisation work with international or multicultural teams?
Language Partners offers tailored language training in over 52 languages — helping your people communicate effectively across cultures.
