Page 27 - CROSS CULTURE

standards exceeds the ability to imitate native speakers. Cross-cultural

understanding is an ability that positions language learners in the

position of a messenger or diplomat, who can see and communicate

with different cultures through the point of view of the person who has
the communication skills.

According to Jant (Jandt, 2004), cross cultural generally refers to

comparing phenomena across culture. Thus, a cross-cultural study of

women’s roles in society would compare what women actually do in
diverse culture. The difficulties in communication with people from

other culture are not only the problems in understanding their

languages that we do not master but also those in understanding their

cultural value.

Cross-cultural understanding is the ability to recognize the
(cultural) differences make correct interpretation and react properly to

people or situations in the communication with these communities

(Sugirin, 2009)

Hill (Hill, 2006) defines cross-cultural understanding as a

combination of knowledge about another culture at the cognitive level,
with a set of attitudes at the affective level. The knowledge in question

includes knowledge of one's own culture, the culture of others, and

knowledge of the similarities and differences that exist between these

cultures. This definition is similar to the definition put forward by

Heyward (Heyward, 2002) on cross-cultural literacy. Heyward defines
cross-cultural literacy as the competencies, understanding, attitudes,

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