Abstract: The Publisher has retracted this article in agreement with the Editor-in-Chief. Upon investigation, it was found that the submission involved fraudulent practices and unauthorized third-party involvement in the whole editorial process. Additionally, a third party was also involved in issuing the fake acceptance letter in PDF format. The journal has no affiliation with any third-party agent involved. This retraction is made in accordance with... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study analyzes sociocultural representations about French and U.S. citizens. Drawing on a word association methodology, a thematic and semantic analysis was conducted on a corpus of 4000 words, obtained from surveys completed by 200 Colombians. Findings indicate that representations of U.S. citizens relate to white-Americans’ physical traits, consumerism, economic, and political power whereas the French -save for their personal hygiene-... [...] Read more

Abstract: The collaboration between art and science provides a powerful avenue for addressing complex scientific challenges and fostering intercultural communication. However, the intersection of paleontology, surrealism, and paleoart remains underexplored, presenting a critical gap in art-science scholarship. This study investigates how paleontological inquiry can be inspired by intercultural surrealistic representations, focusing on the works of... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study investigates Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Kuwait, with a particular focus on the cultural awareness and communication adaptability of paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). EMS professionals routinely engage with patients from diverse sociocultural, linguistic, and religious backgrounds, complexities that are further heightened by the urgent, high-pressure nature of emergency care. Given Kuwait’s unique... [...] Read more

Abstract: Given recent international trends in globalized healthcare systems, an analysis of the cultural representations of patient and physician imagery was conducted on 66 medical tourism websites. Expectancy violations theory serves as the intercultural theoretical framework for exploring the medical tourism process overall, and quality of care expectations specifically. Results revealed the type of website and international region of care varied... [...] Read more

Abstract: The portrayal of migrants in the media is frequently shaped by a variety of discursive strategies aimed at influencing public perception. This study examines the discursive strategies employed by two prominent Turkish newspapers, Daily Sabah and Duvar , and the underlying ideologies that drive the selection and utilization of such strategies. The theoretical framework guiding this study draws upon Reisigl’s (2017) model, providing a... [...] Read more

Abstract: In this paper, I question the notion that "The Visual" is a culturally transparent means of communication (Neurath, 1937, 1948). I will be demonstrating how different cultures (Japanese and British) use the resources of visual communication, in ways that are related to their specific underlying value systems. In order to show this I draw on advertisements from both countries and use the visual grammar developed by Kress and van Leeuwen (1990,... [...] Read more

Abstract: : The street food content of YouTubers is an intercultural communication message to promote Chinese culture to viewers around the world.  This article aims to analyze cross-cultural interactivity in physical and online intercultural communication. The research uses a qualitative content analysis method continuously produced by non-Chinese-speaking YouTubers to communicate original Chinese culture to viewers outside China. The sample... [...] Read more

Abstract: Recent research on Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) has focused on the identity construction of agents within discourse. This study delves into intercultural communication through the lens of multiculturality and interraciality. Employing the CDA framework, the research investigates how online Filipino Chinese writers construct their identities and those of their readers, examining the dynamics of dominance and subordination in selected... [...] Read more

Abstract: In the contemporary landscape of new media, social media platforms, particularly exemplified by TikTok, offer female users accessible and cost-effective means for self-expression and communication. However, this study reveals that such platforms, despite their apparent openness and liberality, have not effectively challenged or changed the persistent and deep-rooted issue of gender discrimination that women face. This research adopts a... [...] Read more

Abstract: This article examines the coverage of migration topics in a selection of Russian newspapers with nationwide circulations in the first six months of 2005 and tries to answer to the question: how does the Russian national press represent people and features which are significantly different from so-called Russian character and national identity? The analysis is based on three main themes: immigration, the national project, and Russians... [...] Read more

Abstract: Despite extensive scholarship on colonial propaganda, the use of postage stamps as tools of imperial messaging remains underexplored. This study aims to examine how Belgium employed postage stamps to construct and disseminate propagandistic narratives about its African colony, the Belgian Congo. Using quantitative content analysis, the research analyses a corpus of 149 stamps issued between 1894 and 1960, tracing how visual themes evolved... [...] Read more

Abstract: Hall's encoding/decoding model has been widely used in mass media, but its potential in social media studies has not been explored thoroughly. To this end, this paper aims to broaden the fundamental principles and assumptions of the model and apply them to audience engagement and interaction in constructing cultural meaning through social media. By analysing the YouTube channel of Liziqi (Vlogger), this study adopts a two-stage content... [...] Read more

Abstract: As an embodiment of the shoujo , a specific Japanese representation of 'girl', the schoolgirl often appears as a central character in Japanese popular culture. With the import, and widespread availability, of Japanese cultural products in the West (such as comics called manga , animated movies called anime , toys and games), the Japanese schoolgirl has gained a visibility in Western popular culture, and perceived as cute and shy. In this... [...] Read more

Abstract: Occidentalism has traditionally been regarded as a theoretical perspective through which the Arab “self” represents the Western “other.” Scholars who have made critical and insightful contributions to the development of the concept of Occidentalism within Arab literary traditions include Hasan Hanafi, Rasheed El-Enany, Zahia Smail Salhi, and most recently, Ahmed Shalabi and  Yousef Abu Amrieh. Shalabi and Abu Amrieh have proposed a new... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study examines Pearl S. Buck’s English translation of Shui Hu Zhuan (All Men Are Brothers) through a contextual, paratextual, and textual lens, with particular focus on her ideological positioning as a Western female translator depicting Chinese women. Grounded in postcolonial feminist theory, the research aims to explore how Buck’s bicultural identity and ideological stance influenced her translation choices, especially in the... [...] Read more

Abstract: This paper looks at how Filipino “glocalizes” international brands in TV commercials and how it links to customers’ culture and norms in the Philippine context. Four TV commercials from the food industry were purposively identified as target samples. These samples were then compared to other TV commercials in two different contexts, namely, Thailand and the USA to see the process of glocalization and interculturality. Improvised tools from... [...] Read more

Abstract: Contextual synonymy plays a significant role in contemporary media discourse by shaping semantic emphasis and emotional framing through figurative lexical choices. While previous research has examined metaphorical and evaluative language within individual domains, systematic cross-discursive comparisons remain limited. This study investigates the mechanisms underlying the creation and functioning of contextual synonyms in medical, political,... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study examines the relationships between language and ideology and how such relationships are represented in the analysis of texts, following Systemic Functional Linguistics and transitivity analysis developed by M.A.K. Halliday. In this study, it is tried to show that news structures are working apparatuses of ideology and store meanings which are not always obvious for readers. Through a comparative analysis of an Iranian newspaper and... [...] Read more

Abstract: One way of studying group involvement is through the paradigm of communities of practice (CofP) (Lave 1988, Lave & Wenger 1991). Students on university campuses are simultaneously members of various CofPs. This article investigates the CofPs Japanese students were involved in while studying in the United States. It found that the whole notion of CofP involvement is framed (Bateson 1972; Tannen & Wallet 1993) differently by Japanese.... [...] Read more

Abstract: Prior research has shown that academic reading poses a significant challenge for university students. One of the primary explanations is the lack of a positive reading culture among university students. Several studies have demonstrated the positive and negative effects of various factors on reading cultures. Notably, some studies indicate that university students do not read books regularly, and their cultural surroundings discourage them... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study explores the metaphorical and metonymical expressions of sadness and joy in French idiomatic expressions, collected from various media sources and YouTube channels. Using a qualitative research design, it applies the Extended Conceptual Metaphor Theory to analyze how these emotions are conceptualized through image schemas, domains, and mental spaces. A type-based approach is used to categorize the source domains underlying these... [...] Read more

Abstract: For several decades, the use of the internet to frame stories has posed significant challenges for conventional media houses globally, including in South Africa. Moreover, what remains largely unexplored is the impact of using Indigenous languages to cover international events on social media platforms in South Africa. To address this research gap, this study examines the framing strategies employed by the South African Broadcasting... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study presents a contrastive analysis of the Graduation subsystem within Appraisal Theory, examining the strategic deployment of Force and Focus resources in newspaper editorials from two sociocultural contexts: Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat, Arabic) and the United States (The New York Times, English). While existing Appraisal research has largely emphasized Attitude and Engagement, the role of Graduation in shaping persuasive discourse... [...] Read more

Abstract: Yoik is the old Sami form of music/singing produced according to old conventions and used in various communication contexts. A yoik referring to a particular person, a so-called person-yoik, constitutes a musical expression of that person and may be a more powerful symbol of identity and connectedness than a person’s name and may awaken memories otherwise forgotten in patients with dementia. This paper is based on a qualitative interview... [...] Read more

Abstract: Considering words and the areas of the mind that they impact as two-dimensional shapes forms the theoretical basis from which intercultural communication between the West and Sub-Saharan Africa are examined. Unique shapes of words are illustrated as arising from their meeting with equally unique 'impactible areas' of people's minds, and cultures, resulting in transmitted and received shapes differing in a way related to lexical content at... [...] Read more

Abstract: This paper analyses how people negotiate representations of other cultures in the media, in particular those traits that can be considered controversial in the sense of generating strong opinions and opposing stances. A news story about an Egyptian television channel run by Egyptian women journalists wearing the niqab (Maria TV) was used to stimulate debate in four focus groups. Although most of the participants initially criticized the... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study examines Sulayman Al Bassam’s adaptations of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Richard III, and Twelfth Night, analyzing how his reworkings critique political leadership in the contemporary Arab world and deconstruct the Western discourse on Islamic terrorism. Al Bassam utilizes the disruptive elements in Shakespeare’s original works to engage with issues of religious extremism, Western opportunism, and authoritarianism in Arab/Muslim... [...] Read more

Abstract: This research investigates the impact of disgust towards culture mixing on acculturation and life satisfaction among mainland Chinese sojourners adapting to life in Hong Kong. In Study 1, drawing from previous research, we developed a measurement tool for assessing disgust towards mainland China-Hong Kong culture mixing and validated it in a sample of mainland Chinese students. We then conducted two longitudinal studies (Study 2 and 3) to... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study investigates the influence of gender and academic major on student performance in two English language assessments—the English Placement Test (EPT), administered by the National Center for Assessment (NCA), and the Preparatory Year Program Tests (PYPT), conducted in-house at a Saudi university. The primary aim was to examine whether these demographic variables significantly affect English language proficiency during the Preparatory... [...] Read more

Abstract: Reflexivity, the critical self-examination of one’s role in the research process, has become increasingly central as researchers navigate positionality, power, and methodological bias when working across diverse sociocultural and linguistic contexts. Yet, intercultural research often overlooks the affective, relational, and embodied dimensions of collaboration that shape how knowledge is produced. This paper examines how transnational,... [...] Read more

Abstract: The enabling and constraining roles of social media in crises motivate a dynamic approach to examining digital resilience, inherent in the interplay between technological properties and enabling conditions. To expand the literature on how migrant groups navigate digital resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study uses the concept of affordances as an analytical lens to examine how high-skilled international migrants in China used... [...] Read more

Abstract: The practice of telecollaboration has gained traction since the early 2000s as a means of facilitating intercultural communication across distant locations. However, its potential to enhance learning motivation and the acquisition of intercultural mediation competence remains underexplored. This study investigated the motivational components influenced by telecollaboration and examined the potential of lingua franca telecollaboration to... [...] Read more

Abstract: Misunderstanding (MU) is a central working category in Intercultural Communicaton (ICC) studies. Generally speaking, MUs have gained the role of a raison-d'être for studying ICC, in particular under the premise that the communication in question is between cultural others, thus transforming MU into intercultural MU. In other studies, conflicts, uncomfortable moments, and miscontextualization in terms of sociocultural knowledge become... [...] Read more

Abstract: Technology and society have been interconnected since the dawn of civilization. Literature has always served as an active medium to represent the interaction between these two fields. Fiction often utilizes technology as a backdrop for exploring societal conflicts. Science fiction, in particular, frequently depicts the complex interactions between technology and civilization. Nanopunk emerges as a significant genre within the realm of... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study investigates the framing of the Gaza conflict on social media in Jordan and its impact on public opinion. By employing qualitative methods, it explores the emotional, political, and ideological underpinnings of digital discourse through in-depth interviews with Jordanian social media users, journalists, and political analysts. The findings reveal that online conversations predominantly center on humanitarian and moral matters;... [...] Read more

Abstract: This paper presents a semiotic analysis focusing on the discursive level. This study investigates the figurative components, syntactical/grammatical features, and enunciative components of the signs embedded in Sundanese cultural spells, specifically Asihan Leugeut teuerup. A qualitative descriptive method was implemented to unveil the meanings and interpretations presented in the spells. The study discovered that: (1) the sign reference,... [...] Read more

Abstract: This research focuses on social media use by Asian international students in the U.S. and its impacts on their subjective well-being, social support, and cultural adjustment. In-depth interviews were conducted with 17 international students from six Asian countries who are studying in a Midwestern University in the U.S. The research finds that social media helps to compensate Asian international students for the loss of social support and... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study aims to explain the participative actions of researchers (ethnographers) in synergising culture and values between Public Relations Officers from the Bogor City Government, West Java, Indonesia, and Islamic religious leaders in handling the Covid-19 pandemic through integrated communication. The research method used is organisational ethnography to identify and find sociocultural barriers between informants (public relations... [...] Read more

Abstract: This article examines intercultural communication in the context of student social life at the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga. The undergraduate students at this institution represent all four major ethno-linguistic groups of the Baltics, their native languages being Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian and/or Russian. All of them are also fluent speakers of English, the only study language of the university. Through the analysis of survey... [...] Read more

Abstract: While the hiring of international faculty is increasing among competitive universities, some universities face a major challenge in doing so: their foreign hires do not speak the primary language of instruction of that university. This study examines the host country language skills of expatriate academics in two countries: Korea and Japan. Specifically, this study investigates (a) the study effort invested and (b) the language proficiency... [...] Read more

Abstract: This paper explores the impact of study abroad on the self-identity of Chinese doctoral students in the UK, with an emphasis on students’ agency and identity through the lens of Giddens’ (1991) reflexive project of the self’. Qualitative data comprising student perceptions and experiences of personal changes and development during their study abroad were collected through focus groups and semi-structured interviews involving 11 participants.... [...] Read more

Abstract: In order to make a fuller interpretation of second language socialization processes in intercultural communication contexts, this study looks into the basic assumptions of language socialization and the tenets of intercultural transformation studies before arguing for the feasibility of weaving the two research paradigms to create a more inclusive theoretical framework of intercultural language socialization. An elaboration of such a... [...] Read more

Abstract: The development of Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) has become a central component of successful second language (L2) use and social participation for all L2 learners. This is especially relevant for minoritized groups and forced migrants (i.e., refugees), as the social spaces they navigate produce challenges that traditional L2 learners may not face, and the stakes for their ability to effectively communicate are extremely high,... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate how digital technology integration, community participation, and innovation in performance formats influence the sustainable digital conservation of local performing arts, with a specific focus on Choy Li Fut martial arts. It also explored the mediating role of perceived authenticity and the moderating effect of digital literacy in enhancing preservation effectiveness and audience engagement. A quantitative... [...] Read more

Abstract: Cultural words usually pose some challenges to translators, especially when they translate texts into languages which are culturally different. This study investigates the translation of cultural items in The Forty Hadiths by Imam Al-Nawawi. It adopted the qualitative approach for selecting and analyzing the translation of culturally-bound items of the selected Prophet Mohammed’s hadiths posted on the Web by Sunnah.com. Moreover, it used... [...] Read more

Abstract: Legally, the law in Indonesia has regulated and mandated female representation of 30%, but in the Aceh election supervisory institution, the representation figure does not reach the threshold. Aceh, as a province that was given the privilege of Sharia autonomy, actually experienced a deficit of representation, not caused by theological reasons, but because of structural obstacles and institutional bias. This study aims to evaluate the... [...] Read more

Abstract: This research aims to determine whether or not it is possible to use artificial intelligence (AI) in English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) courses and review previous research pertinent to artificial intelligence in EFL/ESL instruction to present a comprehensive picture of the current degree of artificial intelligence in EFL/ESL instruction. Utilization of intelligent teaching systems, self-regulated learning, virtual reality,... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study examines audience interaction under a Finnish news article on Facebook, scrutinizing the influence of clickbait headlines and their contribution to Intercultural divisions. Utilizing positioning theory and the concept of ‘othering,’ the research enriches our comprehension of media framing, post-publication gatekeeping, and audience conduct in the digital realm. The comment analysis indicates that the audience primarily reacts to... [...] Read more

Abstract: The study aims to understand the influence of religio-cultural right-wing persuasion in intercultural communication, as exhibited in a novel representing Pakistani national culture and Parsee minority culture. The methodology involves directed qualitative content analysis of Bapsi Sidhwa’s novel “An American Brat,” using a conceptual model/framework adapting/extracting coding protocol from Morin and Renvoisé’s model to analyze communication... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study investigates the ideologies and strategies used in the news discourse on Arab women. Initially, it aims to analyze the macro strategies and then highlights the micro strategies used to achieve the macro strategies proposed by van Dijk. It also identifies the ideologies of the selected newspapers regarding Arab women. Four newspapers were selected: the Washington Post, Daily Mail, Arab newspaper, and Gulf Times. The findings reveal... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study aims to describe the dialogue with the ancestors in traditional events mot nini (burning candles), which is usually done by indigenous peoples in Noemuti Village, North Central Timor. The method that was used for this study is ethnographic analysis. The research used a qualitative research method by direct observation and interviews. The description of this study is also based on a realist ethnographic analysis. From the research... [...] Read more

Abstract: International students often face challenges in adapting to new living and learning environments. This study investigated the levels of acculturative stress and its contributing factors among Asian and African international students in five internationally recognized universities in Wuhan, Hubei. A total of 243 students participated in the study, completing a questionnaire based on an adapted version of the Acculturative Stress Scale for... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study investigates the challenges associated with implementing the Israeli Ministry of Education’s policy to integrate Arab female teachers into Hebrew-speaking schools, guided by Social Identity Theory and Realistic Conflict Theory. Employing a qualitative-phenomenological approach, the research is based on semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 23 teachers (14 Jewish and 9 Arab) working across various levels of the Hebrew education... [...] Read more

Abstract: Pottery making among the Awajún has historically been a feminine practice that intertwined technical expertise, symbolic prestige, and community legitimacy. In recent decades, however, this practice has been reshaped by market-oriented logics and "cultural rescue" initiatives that have altered its original meanings and social functions. This study explores how the transformation of traditional Awajún pottery, historically a ritual, feminine,... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study examines the use of suggestion speech acts in Instagram comments, with particular attention to how Saudi EFL users demonstrate pragmatic competence in digital communication. Drawing on Martínez Flor’s taxonomy of suggestion strategies, the study analyzes 103 suggestion-oriented comments selected from an initial dataset of 150 Instagram comments. A mixed-methods design was adopted: qualitative analysis was used to classify... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study examines the use and perception of taboo language in Tshivenḓa-speaking communities, with a focus on how cultural norms, social expectations, and digital communication shape linguistic behaviour. The aim is to explore the social and generational dynamics influencing taboo expressions, particularly in the context of evolving communication norms brought about by modernisation and social media. Rooted in Sociolinguistic Theory, the... [...] Read more

Abstract: The present study evaluated faculty and student perceptions of the challenges and benefits of intercultural and multicultural education in EFL college classrooms. Using the descriptive approach through survey, the study further investigates the benefits and barriers to inter/multicultural education in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, including content integration, acculturation pedagogy, and the incorporation of cultural knowledge in English as a... [...] Read more

Abstract: This research explores the intercultural competence of Mexican pre-service English language teachers, focusing on the dimensions of attitude, knowledge, skills of interpreting and relating, skills of discovery and interaction, and critical cultural awareness. Using a comprehensive model of intercultural competence as a theoretical framework, the study adapted a self-report questionnaire to assess these dimensions within a non-multicultural... [...] Read more

Abstract: The primary objective of any Business English course is to equip learners with the communicative competence required for professional environments. Accordingly, this study aimed to design and evaluate a technology-enhanced educational intervention to improve Business English proficiency among undergraduate economics students. Employing an action research methodology, the study was supported by post-tests, student surveys, and descriptive... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study examines the relationship between team performance and subjective well-being in multicultural organizational contexts, and the mediating role of cultural integration in these relationships. Existing research highlights that understanding well-being is essential in enhancing team outcomes, yet limited studies have explored this link across diverse work settings. These findings support using well-being as a significant predictor when... [...] Read more

Abstract: This paper aims to examine how the Arab-British novelist Leila Aboulela portrays the distinctive relationship between her protagonist, Akuany, and the Nile in her recent novel, River Spirit (2023), set during the Mahdist Revolution (1881–1898). This study employs the geocritical approach to examine the interaction between physical spaces and human experiences, highlighting how landscapes influence identity and memory. It analyzes the river... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study advances a re-conceptualization of intercultural competence as an emergent, relational practice constituted within dynamic networks of interaction. Employing a conceptual methodology informed by Actor-Network Theory (ANT), it proposes a perspective that considers both human and non-human actors/actants, including technological artifacts, semiotic and linguistic resources, institutional structures, and spatial-material... [...] Read more

Abstract: The present study investigates how positive and negative intergroup contact experiences relate to attitudes toward multiculturalism and assimilation, and examines whether these relationships are mediated by intergroup anxiety, intergroup threat, and pro-diversity beliefs. A secondary analysis was conducted using cross-sectional survey data from a sample of German university students. Structural equation modeling was applied to test the... [...] Read more

Abstract: Developing intercultural communicative competence among Chinese university students is essential in the era of globalization; however, disparities persist between ranked universities and general universities. While RUs benefit from extensive internationalization resources, general universities often lack structured intercultural communication instruction and opportunities due to resource disparities, prestige, or geographic constraints, and... [...] Read more

Abstract: This qualitative study investigates the persuasive strategies employed in 100 textual advertisements on OpenSooq, a major online sales platform in Jordan. Guided by Beebe and Beebe’s (2013) model of persuasive communication, the analysis examines how credibility, emotional, and logical appeals are discursively realized in Jordanian digital contexts. Using thematic coding supported by ATLAS.ti, the findings show a marked preference for... [...] Read more

Abstract: This sociolinguistic study explored the significance of language preservation through the use of indigenous forms of address by the Vhavenḓa in South Africa.  Indigenous forms of address are integral to the language and cultural identity of a society. Furthermore, they are indispensable in the preservation of the language and culture of any society. Ignoring the use of these forms of address can lead to language shift or even extinction. This... [...] Read more

Abstract: Intercultural Bilingual Education (IBE) seeks to provide an educational experience that respects and values the cultural and linguistic diversity of indigenous peoples. This study aimed to analyze the implementation of IBE across initial, primary, and secondary education levels in indigenous communities of the Amazon region. A qualitative methodology was employed, involving interviews with teachers at all three educational levels,... [...] Read more

Abstract: This investigation identifies contextual characteristics associated with meaningful intercultural interactions between domestic students enrolled in a 13-week intercultural communication course and international students. After participating in an international student welcome and games event and three cultural encounters, domestic students completed post-activity reflection surveys that included a quality intercultural interaction scale and... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study aimed to analyze the inclusion process for students from the Awajún and Wampis ethnic communities within conventional university education in Peru. A case study design with an interpretative qualitative approach was employed. Data were collected using semi-structured, in-depth interviews with five students—three from the Awajún community and two from the Wampis community—selected through convenience sampling. Additionally, two life... [...] Read more

Abstract: The study sought to evaluate women’s lived experiences of informal street trading in East London with specific reference to the coping strategies they adopt and their challenges within the industry.   A qualitative method was used, adopting a case study design. Interviews were conducted with fourteen street trader women participants who were purposefully selected because of the artefacts they displayed for sale. Data collected through... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study, grounded in a mixed-methods framework, examines the hindrances affecting the speaking skills of low-proficiency ESL undergraduates at a public university, with a specific focus on the perceived role of language anxiety. The study collected quantitative data by using a well-structured questionnaire, whereas qualitative insights were captured through semi-structured interviews to examine learners’ reported classroom experiences.... [...] Read more

Abstract: Public mobilization through digital media is reshaping civic participation worldwide, yet the underlying mechanisms remain underexplored in non-Western, collectivist societies. This study examines the viral video Peringatan Darurat, narrated by journalist Najwa Shihab, which triggered mass protests across Indonesia in response to proposed amendments to the Regional Head Election Law (UU Pilkada). Drawing on an integrative framework that... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study examines the sociopragmatic functions of ostensible commissive speech acts in Saudi spoken Arabic, focusing on invitations and offers. Using a mixed-methods approach that combined participant observation and recall interviews, we analyzed 58 naturally occurring instances through the lenses of speech act theory, politeness theory, and the joint pretense model. The findings reveal eight core communicative functions: signaling... [...] Read more

Abstract: The spirit of Islamic economics has recently developed in Indonesia, which is the context of this study evaluating the culture of using conventional accounting and economic systems. The objective of this study is to determine how the Islamic economy applies mainstream accounting and financial systems culturally. Our study explored the applicability of standard accounting and economic systems from an Islamic perspective. Initially, we gathered... [...] Read more

Abstract: The current study investigated the intercultural communication challenges among Indonesian seafarers with foreign crews at international shipping companies. Data collection was conducted through a mixed-questionnaire method, with each questionnaire consisting of 10 items distributed in Google Forms to 171 respondents. The findings revealed that the language barrier was a significant issue among Indonesian seafarers to communicate and... [...] Read more

Abstract: Although radio has traditionally been recognized as a medium dependent on listener engagement, social media platforms such as Twitter have introduced new forms of interactivity due to their real-time and networked characteristics, facilitating the emergence of novel engagement types. Employing a case study approach, this research delves into the various forms of engagement on @PRFMnews, the official Twitter handle of PRFM Radio in Indonesia.... [...] Read more

Abstract: Intercultural competence (ICC) is now widely recognized as essential to living and working in an increasingly globalized and multicultural world. As a result, considerable attention and resources are devoted to programs for enhancing and assessing ICC, particularly within post-secondary institutions. Concomitantly, these efforts have spurred a massive increase in the volume of publications focused on fostering students’ ICC.  Yet, recently,... [...] Read more

Abstract: Face negotiation theory has been an influential theory of intercultural conflict management. However, as a theory of functional approach, it has limitations in analyzing dynamic conflict management process. Using repeated episodic interviews, this paper attempts to combine this theory with Spencer-Oatey’s (2007) face and identity model as well as post-structural perspectives of identity to analyze the dynamic and complicated conflict... [...] Read more

Abstract: This paper investigates the interplay between language and intercultural communication with a special focus on the importance of working knowledge of foreign languages other than English for a satisfactory experience during longer sojourns abroad. Its authors present a revised understanding of the role of lingua franca English and a local language (here Polish) in intercultural relationships, especially the crucial influence of local... [...] Read more

Abstract: The present study examines the contemporary validity and applicability of Hofstede's power distance dimension. Since the introduction of Hofstede's cultural value framework in the early 1980s, cultural, social, political, and commercial relationships among countries have undergone substantial transformation. These changes may have influenced how individuals perceive and enact power relations across intercultural contexts, making a... [...] Read more

Abstract: China is a culturally diverse country with a significant population of ethnic minority groups. In recent years, the government has emphasized tourism as a strategic tool for fostering education and entrepreneurial awareness, particularly among Generation Z. This study aims to investigate the extent to which liberal arts courses influence students’ multicultural attitudes and entrepreneurial motivation in the tourism sector. The research... [...] Read more

Abstract: The Tobelo ethnic group in North Halmahera faces increasing deforestation driven by mining activities and illegal logging, despite their longstanding cultural traditions dedicated to forest preservation. This study aims to explore the forms of local wisdom that continue to guide the Tobelo community in sustainable forest management. Using a qualitative ethnographic approach, data were collected through field observations, in-depth interviews,... [...] Read more

Abstract: As an expatriate-majority state with a diverse multicultural and multilingual environment, Kuwait offers a distinctive opportunity for examining intercultural communication competence (ICC). This study examines the extent to which cognitive, affective, and behavioral predispositions toward ICC are present within the context of higher education by examining multilingual student populations at three local universities. Using survey data from... [...] Read more

Abstract: Global migration continues to reshape demographic and societal landscapes, requiring close attention to refugee integration and the intercultural communication it demands. This study aims to understand how social professionals navigate intercultural encounters with refugee families in the context of family education and counselling. Using a qualitative longitudinal design, we conducted repeated expert interviews with professionals from 33... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study examines how Vietnamese postgraduate students interpret (im)politeness during clinical consultations with doctors in English-speaking countries. Drawing on narrative reflective reports from 14 Vietnamese university academics who completed their doctoral studies in TESOL and Applied Linguistics abroad, the research analyzes participants’ retrospective accounts of critical medical encounters in which they evaluated native... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study investigates the implementation of cross-cultural communication through the Green ASEAN Culture Festival at Universitas Padjadjaran, positioning it as a strategic pedagogical tool for fostering intercultural competence in higher education. Employing a qualitative case study design, the research integrates data from 15 semi-structured interviews with student organizers and performers representing five academic programs, as well as... [...] Read more

Abstract: The business world is faced with the need to create new strategies in order to identify a global mentality and an international motivation in professionals who hardly work anymore in monocultural environments. This study investigates the characteristics of international career aspirations in order to identify multicultural personality traits that may predict interest in working abroad. An empirical research has been carried out with 243... [...] Read more

Abstract: This research comprises two studies that examined cultural differences in nonverbal expressivity between Japan and Korea. While prior research has highlighted East–West contrasts, less attention has been given to distinctions within collectivistic cultures. Employing the psychological construct of self-construal (subjective, objective, and autonomous selves), which is thought to distinguish Japanese and Korean cultures, we investigated how... [...] Read more

Abstract: Among the animated series that became very popular and witnessed tremendous success in the Arab world is the Japanese Detective Conan, which was first dubbed in 1998 and redubbed in 2013 to convey Islamic values. However, the re-dub did not attract wide viewership and remained infamous among the Arabic anime community. This study is an attempt to investigate the differences between the two versions with a particular emphasis on technical... [...] Read more

Abstract: This sociolinguistic study explores the power dynamics reflected in Tshivenḓa heritage forms of address in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Power dynamics refer to the ways in which power is distributed, exercised, and negotiated within social relationships, organisations, and broader societal structures. They encompass how authority is allocated, how individuals or groups assert influence, and how power shifts or is... [...] Read more

Abstract: This research aims to investigate the structural mechanisms underlying tourist loyalty in emerging ecotourism destinations. Using the Stimulus-Organism-Response framework, it examines how cognitive and affective dimensions of destination image influence loyalty intentions, while exploring the mediating role of cultural intelligence. A quantitative design was deployed, based on a survey of 720 ecotourists in Tunisia, with Structural Equation... [...] Read more

Abstract: The paucity of studies on plagiarism in some under-explored contexts, such as Afghanistan and Tajikistan, highlight the necessity of conducting this study. To this end, 200 Iranian, 185 Afghan, and 170 Tajik EFL students, who share certain commonalities regarding culture and language, participated in the study. The iThenticate (2013) questionnaire and two essay-type questions on the main reasons for committing plagiarism and possible ways to... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study examines the negotiation of cultural values in Lombok Islamic boarding schools through an intercultural perspective. Its main focus is to analyze how pesantren become an intercultural space for negotiating cultural diversity amid modernization, using Bourdieu's theory. A qualitative approach with critical ethnographic methods was used. Data were collected from 36 participants, in-depth interviews with key informants, and document... [...] Read more