An Intercultural Analysis of Iranian and American Websites in Light of Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory

Abstract

One of the most significant discussions in sociolinguistics has been intercultural competence which involves interactions between people from different cultural backgrounds. Undeniably, beyond the linguistic competence, one needs intercultural competence for an effective communication. An area which may be affected by intercultural competence is website design for target users. The purpose of the current review is to compare the cultural dimensions between Iran and the United States in terms of design from a variety of state and private sectors. As the theoretical framework, the study relies on Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theorywhich consists of 6 indices of power distance, individualism/collectivism, masculinity/femininity, uncertainty avoidance, long/short-term orientation, and indulgence/restraint. The results of the comparison of websites indicated that the way information is presented via Iranian and American websites differs to a great extent, each country reflecting its own cultural norms and values. The study implies that target users’ needs, interests, and cultural values should be taken into account in order to achieve an effective intercultural communication with target users.