44. What is the main topic of this passage?
(A) The joys of working in a foreign country.
(B) Overcoming cross-cultural communication barriers.
(C) The differences between American and British English.
(D) The importance of being patient when talking with others.

   Cross Cultural Communications is the field of study which seeks to explain and resolve(解決)the problems, conflicts(衝突), and barriers that result from people of different cultures communicating with each other. One of the most tenacious(頑強的) cross-cultural communication barriers is language.

    Most people assume that all cross-cultural problems associated with language stem from the fact that the two parties are speaking different languages. However, this is not always the case. People from England and the United States speak English, but the form of English used in these two countries contains some variations. It is now a generally accepted fact that American English is a separate language from British English. As a result of these different usage(用途) patterns, there are a number of misunderstandings which can occur when conducting a negotiation or chatting. Now imagine a person from England attempting(嘗試) to negotiate, in English, with a person from say, Brazil. Whether the two parties speak Brazilian Portuguese or British English, there are bound to be barriers created by the fact that at least one party is using a foreign language. 

    Most people acknowledge(承認) that finding an efficient method of communicating one’s meaning as clearly as possible is only the first of many steps in resolving cross-cultural communication barriers. The hiring of interpreters(口譯員), the studying of the language used in the discussion, and the use of translation software are a few of the available methods. Beyond this rather empirical(經驗) first step, parties involved in a cross-cultural communication situation are well-advised to remember that patience and sensitivity are also critical to the success of the communication. A smile and genuine interest in the other party’s well-being are often more important than any other single factor. 

     The future of cross-cultural communication looks set to be one in which technology plays a greater and greater role. The technology already exists to convert speech from one language into speech in another, and companies like Microsoft and Google are frantically(發狂地) working to develop ways of making such communication technology more efficient and affordable. Still, whatever role technology may come to play in facilitating(促進) intercultural communication in the future, virtues(美德) like patience, tolerance and openness(坦誠) toward the other will surely remain paramount(至上的).