94). Across cultures, some words and phrases are used in different ways. For example, even in countries that share the English language, the meaning of "yes" varies from "maybe, I'll consider it" to "definitely so," with many shades in between. The problem at root is that language is fundamentally ambiguous. While it is important for both speakers to distinguish between the main point and "small talk", there is nothing in the language used itself to say, this is the important point (Scollon 6). .
Individuals who are not comfortable with a certain language may not be taken seriously. Such is the case in the classroom, where a student who has a perfect knowledge of the subject in question may have difficulty expressing his idea due to his inability to write or communicate properly and therefore he would not receive the grade he truly deserves. Sociolinguists examine social and cultural influences on language barriers. Among the most important concepts to emerge are those relating to dialects and language standards. Sociolinguists have documented the presence of dialects in every language. These dialects, all of which are legitimate, are associated with educational, economic, social and historical conditions. Even if an individual studies all the possible dictionaries of a random language, he would still be somewhat of a stranger to that language since he is unaware of all the dialectal changes. .
What is culture? It is "the language, values, beliefs, traditions, and customs people share and learn" (Adler, et al. 329). Cultural diversity is considered to be the root of miscommunication in a culture. The way people think and behave is influenced by the values of their culture. In a multicultural society, it can be useful to learn about the values and communication styles of a different culture. Learning the significant and important values of another cultural could help to eliminate possible problems when interacting with that particular culture.
