Misunderstanding Misunderstanding: Exploring the Depth of Hindrance to Cross-Cultural Communications

Abstract

Those who have endeavored to engage cross-culturally understand that the process is neither simple nor straightforward. Apart from the obvious problems associated with understanding and misunderstanding a different language, at times we fall into the trap of not comprehending the real depth of our cultural misunderstanding, which in turn inhibits our engagement with those in the other culture and the effectiveness of our ministries. This article examines some of the deeper aspects of engagement relating to alterity, relational directionality, occupied “spaces,” pretheoretical assumptions, and the fusion of horizons of understanding.