ABSTRACT
Conflict arising from communication is an entirely natural aspect of communication and not in any way restricted or tied to intercultural communication. Conflict can arise on both a micro and macro level and these are often interconnected. Most macro conflicts also manifest on the micro level or even derive from individualized tensions, and most micro conflicts have the potential to escalate. Micro level conflicts, on the other hand, refer more to interpersonal and interactional conflicts between individuals, rather than to tensions with political and governmental institutions. Disagreement has essentially been construed as what linguists refer to as dispreferred speech act. Differences in attitudes invariably also impact behaviour. Behavioural differences are therefore equally as different as people’s perceptions and attitudes. A conflict-avoidant style can therefore become the impetus for conflict itself. A better understanding of such interactional mechanisms can facilitate intercultural attitudes and foster more accurate interpretations of other people’s behaviours and their intentions.
