MINDFULNESS CONCEPT AS SOLUTION TO DECREASE INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION’S OBSTACLES (CASE STUDY OF SOCIAL INTERACTION AMONG INDONESIAN AND MALAYSIAN PEOPLE)

Abstract

This paper gives a short overview of the main concepts and theories in intercultural communication, focuses in intercultural inhibitors like ethnocentrism, stereotype, prejudice, and mindfulness. This paper has a significant relevancy in Indonesian and Malaysian intercultural communication context, noted has many similarities. The intercultural misunderstanding could be decreased if we know at least some facts about others languages and behavior, know the intercultural communication principles, and apply it in communicating with other people as well. This paper is trying to explain both a mindfulness concept and mindlessness in communication context between Indonesian and Malaysian people. It uses a cultural psychology instrumental concept, in order to decrease possible conflicts in intercultural communication interaction. The finding fact from some Indonesian informant students who study in Malaysia, almost all of them said that they have quite big obstacles, mainly in language use. They had no idea about how Malaysian language and Indonesian are very similar, both in writing and pronunciation, yet have pretty different meaning. They known that they (Indonesian student) first adapted with the Malaysian language and tried to mindfull so as could be avoided from the conflict, and could interact without obstacle. Because they visitors they ought to adjusted. Thus, it’s provides a brief introduction into the field of empirical research into culture-based value and variations, and also a short outline of the major works in this area.

Keywords: intercultural inhibitors, ethnocentrism, stereotype, prejudice, mindfulness