Thesis (D.Ph.) -- Flinders University of South Australia, 1996

An exploration of the nature of intercultural communication and the use of English in international business correspondence is the principal aim of this study. Different aspects of intercultural communication in a sample of business correspondence consisting of letters, faxes and telexes in English written by business communicators from varied cultural backgrounds are investigated. These aspects include the deviation of linguistic features and expressions, the rhetorical structure of moves and steps with their linguistic exponents, the exchange structure of interaction and negotiation strategies, the organization of message or information, and theme and theme structure. Through the use of questionnaire and interviews, the business communicators’ perceptions of different facets of international communication and the use of English in this arena are derived to help the understanding of the dynamic process inherent in this international communication. The results reveal similarities in the product and the process of their communication which suggest that business communicators tend to develop shared language conventions, or a secondary culture of the use of English to fulfill their common goals in business dealings irrespective of the multiplicity of their linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The implications for teaching are suggested in the design of English for business correspondence courses which should be geared towards both the product and the process aspects of the intercultural communication through problem-solving tasks and activities drawing on students’ knowledge and ability, and promoting students’ adaptability. These tasks and activities should focus on both the overt and covert aspects of the negotiation of meanings which are activated via authentic tasks and activities incorporating topics, issues, roles, and linguistic exponents drawn from the socio-econo-cultural contexts of international business and trade.