cross-cultural
Spanning different peoples
Cross-cultural describes interaction, comparison, or exchange between different cultures: cross-cultural communication, cross-cultural studies.
The term appears frequently in academic and business contexts where understanding differences between societies matters: The merger required cross-cultural sensitivity.
It emphasizes bridging or examining the space between distinct cultural groups rather than operating within one.
Between different cultures
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
- understandingMental comprehension of something
bridge · connection · collaboration · interaction · immersion · exposure · encounter · fusion
Fitting to new conditions
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- empathySharing another's emotions
- opennessQuality of being accessible
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
respect · mindfulness · navigation · adjustment · acculturation · integration · coping · resilience
Study of human cultures
- ethnographySystematic study of peoples
- comparativeInvolving measured contrast
- studyDeliberate learning effort
- analysisMethodical study of parts
fieldwork · methodology · survey · psychology · sociology · linguistics · observation · qualitative
Including multiple ethnic traditions
- globalRelating to entire world
- internationalConcerning relations among countries
- cosmopolitanCulturally sophisticated, internationally fluent
- pluralisticAllowing coexisting differences
multiethnic · transnational · worldly · diverse · inclusive · heterogeneous · varied · multilingual
Failure to grasp meaning
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- conflictOpposition between parties
- miscommunicationFailed exchange of meaning
stereotype · prejudice · ethnocentrism · bias · friction · tension · assumption · taboo
intercultural
Between different cultures
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
understanding · bridge · connection · collaboration · interaction · immersion · exposure · encounter · fusion · sharing
adaptation
Fitting to new conditions
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- empathySharing another's emotions
- opennessQuality of being accessible
tolerance · respect · mindfulness · navigation · adjustment · acculturation · integration · coping · resilience · negotiation
anthropology
Study of human cultures
- ethnographySystematic study of peoples
- comparativeInvolving measured contrast
- studyDeliberate learning effort
analysis · fieldwork · methodology · survey · psychology · sociology · linguistics · observation · qualitative · framework
multicultural
Including multiple ethnic traditions
- globalRelating to entire world
- internationalConcerning relations among countries
- cosmopolitanCulturally sophisticated, internationally fluent
pluralistic · multiethnic · transnational · worldly · diverse · inclusive · heterogeneous · varied · multilingual · borderless
misunderstanding
Failure to grasp meaning
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- conflictOpposition between parties
miscommunication · stereotype · prejudice · ethnocentrism · bias · friction · tension · assumption · taboo · offense
- cultural diversityethnic enclave, ethnic neighborhoods, Chinatown, Little Italy, international district
- culturesMediterranean cultures, subculture, multicultural, counterculture, underground
- cultural exchangestudent exchange, intercultural, exchange program, student exchanges, exchange programs
- cultural harmonytolerance, diversity, inclusion, unity, respect
- multiculturalismmulticultural, multiethnic, ethnic diversity, diverse, pluralism
- Teaching Abroadteaching abroad, exchange programs, language schools, international schools, host family
cross-culturalmonocultural
Of one culture only
ethnocentric · parochial · insular · provincial · narrow
cross-culturalisolationist
Advocate for national seclusion
separatist · closed · exclusionary · xenophobic · nativist