Today, in the process of globalization, intercultural contacts are becoming more and more frequent. In this new world cross-cultural communication is a must. An interpreter plays a role of exceptional importance as a bridge between cultures. Certainly, cross-cultural communication can’t be put into effect without language understanding. But sometimes, we make a mistake, thinking that language is the only thing we need when communicating with people of other nations and cultures.

1. THE RELATION BETWEEN INTERCULTURAL
AWARENESS AND INTERPRETER
“The reasonable person adapts himself to the world, while
the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world
to himself”

3.  An interpreter plays a role of exceptional
importance as a bridge between
cultures, people, relaying tone, intentions and
emotions.
 We commonly associate interpreting with linguistic
skills, but the work of an interpreter can be
effective only combining a carefully examined
language and intercultural awareness.
 A huge responsibility lies on the arms of
interpreter, because he or she has to act as a
diplomat while interpreting, therefore interpreters
must demonstrate great professionalism and
diplomacy

4.  Cultural differences are reasons for many
miscommunications.
 “You can easily become proficient in language, but
you’ll stumble over the culture”.
 “Interpretation isn’t only interaction of languages,
but it’s also interaction of cultures.”
 “The language is a spirit of a nation”.

5.  Each culture has its own rules of communication. A
French executive would probably be offended if a
new acquaintance were to address him by his first
name. Giving the "thumbs up" signal in Australia is
impolite. And a display of frankness so common to
Americans perpetuates the Japanese impression that
the American people exhibit a lack of discipline.

6. Where to begin?

7.  One theoretical model which may be useful
for analyzing broad cultural differences in
approach is set out by Richard D. Lewis in his
book When Cultures Collide. He divides
cultures into three main categories as follows.
Many cultures are a mix, but tend to
dominate in one or two categories:

9.  The relative positions of cultures can be roughly
arranged in a triangle, as a guide to which
negotiation approaches may work best

11.  In the same way the surgeon operating on
the heart can’t neglect the body surrounds
it, so the interpreter treats the text isolated
from the culture at his peril.

12. RESEARCH
In order to find out whether
people who surround us are aware
of cross – cultural communication
or not, we made a little survey.
So, here you can see sample
questions which we’ve asked
people.

14. Parents say “you “in
respect form to their
children in France.

15. The word “Gracias” means
goodbye in Spanish .

16. Punctuality is very
important for Italians.

17. Spaniards like to maintain
eye – contact during the
conversation.

18. The thumbs up means
“OK” in Argentina.

19. Arabs expect their gifts to
be opened in front of the
giver, while most Europeans
prefer opposite of it.

20. Most Scandinavians start
their bargaining with what in
their opinion, the fair price.

21. You tip your plate away
from you when eating soup in
Britain.

22. Some nationalities greet
people without using any
words.

23. White roses are given at
funerals in Japan.

28. Here are the results of our survey…
6.8
5.6
Cross-cultural communication
Women
Men

29. Here are the results of our survey…
5.9
6.3
Cross-cultural communication
The adult
The young

30. 6.7
5.5
Cross-cultural communication
The students of the
UWED
Not students of UWED