Building a theoretical framework for intercultural communication in technical communication pedagogy

Abstract

In order to understand cultural differences and be able to function in an international environment, technical communication students need complex conceptual frameworks that are up to the task of helping them succeed in such environments. Building these theoretical frameworks from the perspective of technical communicators' needs is a daunting but necessary task. Theories that can inform this process come out of several fields including international management, speech communication, and anthropology. These theories can be organized by the underlying assumptions about culture-whether culture is seen as dimensional, learnable, or interactional. The paper presents a variety of intercultural communication frameworks that can help us begin the process of forming a coherent theoretical base for technical communicators which provides a flexible and comprehensive framework to accommodate a sophisticated understanding of intercultural communication in the technical communication classroom, and thus help prepare students for the global workplace.