Language and culture clash of a 'stranger': A study in communication avoidance among international students in the United States.

摘要

This is a study of how communication behavior of international students changes after they arrive in the United States and begin interacting with US Americans in English. Since all people grew up in distinct cultural environments with different set of values, beliefs, and norms, they have different frames of reference, different thinking and communication patterns. This study focused on the link between communication and culture. It took a deeper look into international students' communication anxiety and willingness to communicate in English with US Americans. International students were more apprehensive about communication and less willing to communicate in English than in their native languages. Further, English proficiency, frequency of interaction with US Americans, and perceived adjustment were found major factors in communication anxiety.