Cultural Variability in Communication

TLDR

Culture is examined as the foundational context for communication studies. The article aims to introduce the study of cultural variability in communication, both broadly and within this special issue. The author reviews emic and etic methods and major dimensions of cultural variability, then examines individual-level processes mediating culture’s influence on communication. The article concludes by summarizing the issue’s articles and noting their alignment with current trends in cultural variability research.

Abstract

My purpose in this article is to introduce studying cultural variability in communication in general and this special issue in particular. I begin by examining the nature of culture. Next, I review the emic and etic approaches to studying communication and culture with a focus on the major dimensions of cultural variability used to explain communication across cultures. Following this, I examine individual-level processes that mediate the influence of culture on communication. I conclude by overviewing the articles included in this issue and discussing how they are consistent with current trends in the study of cultural variability in communication.