Cultural barriers

Cultural barriers, a result of a lack of appreciation of cultural differences and the reasons behind different customs, bolster misunderstanding and conflict. One of the most solid cultural barriers is language. Ideological conflicts due to different economic, political, religious or social systems also divide cultures. Customs and traditions can vary so widely between cultures, that, for example, a gesture which would elicit a favourable response in one place may be considered insulting in another; consequently, many cross-cultural development programmes, having a "one-sided" design, are doomed to failure.

In every country where there has been immigration, there are likely to be cultural barriers between the original and the new population. Immigrants often react to discrimination and isolation by clinging to their former culture as a source of unity and strength, thus feeding the misunderstandings between the two groups.

1. Obstacles to satellite communications
2. Lack of international understanding
3. Cultural fragmentation

1. Untransferability of books between countries and cultures
2. Restrictive channels of cultural interchange
3. Language as a barrier to communication
4. Inter-cultural trade barriers
5. Barriers to the international flow of knowledge and educational materials

1. Socially unintegrated expatriates
2. Misunderstanding
3. Inter-cultural misunderstanding
4. Culture shock
5. Communication breakdown

1. Lack of variety of social life forms
2. Destruction of human heritage

1. Forced assimilation
2. Cultural invasion

1. Destruction of natural barriers

1. Using cultural barriers
2. Transcending cultural barriers

1. Independence
2. Dependence
3. Barrier