Semiotics of Intercultural Communication in The Study of International Relations

This article discusses the use of a semiotics approach in the study of International Relations. Semiotics is the study of signs and sign processes (semiosis), indication, designation, resemblances, analogies, metaphors, symbolism, meaning and communication. Semiotics approach is widely used in the studies of cultures, including in intercultural communication. In a simple term, intercultural communication is defined as human flow across national boundaries. Intercultural communication generally refers to face-to-face interaction among people of diverse culture. Intercultural communication is not a phenomenon that only takes place in the domestic sphere of a country, but also occur within the scope of global or international relations. International relations, according to some scholars, is a cultural phenomenon and the processes that occurred in international relations is essentially an intercultural communication or cross-cultural communication. Therefore, the processes in international relations can be explained using a semiotic approach.