Abstract

This paper explores the two prevalent schools of thought in contemporary intercultural communication scholarship. Given the continuing discussions of world views, cultural perspectives, interventions, diversity in information processing, and interpersonal idiosyncrasies, the argument of this paper is that most theories of intercultural communication have a Eurocentric bias. After an explication of the Eurocentric orientation to intercultural communication, the paper examines some alternative perspectives, including the pitfalls and potentialities of an Afrocentric model that emphasizes the personal value of situation. Two significant intercultural communication situations that may lead to misunderstandings are identified: (1) temporary communication estrangement, and (2) historical cultural cleavage.

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