ABSTRACT
In their 2002 essay, “Cultural Studies: An Orientation for Research in Profes-
sional Communication,” Charlotte Thralls and Nancy Blyler employ develop-
ments in feminist and poststructuralist studies to make a case for a broader view
of cultural studies. At the core of their argument is the fact that every cultural
representation is formed by a series of linkages with other discourses (social,
cultural, historical, technical, and so on), and is therefore not an isolated
entity. Rather, there is a larger ensemble contingent upon the several (usually
complex) relationships that form the whole (Thralls & Blyler, 2002). This notion
of interlinked discourses can help researchers in intercultural communica-
tion better understand the various factors that affect technical communication
practices in India. In this chapter, I use Thralls and Blyler’s ideas as a framework
for providing readers with a brief background on some factors that significantly
influence intercultural communication practices in India. In so doing, I also
highlight some rhetorical practices that Indian technical communicators have
developed to work in intercultural project setups. To achieve these objectives,
I draw upon my own experiences working in Indian technical communication
teams. In addressing these objectives, I will propose a set of strategies that
academics and practitioners in technical communication can further develop
to create seamless models for intercultural collaboration, communication, and
education that can be applied in a variety of international business and
educational settings.
