Final answer:
The intern's mistake was a semantic error because 'post' has different meanings in British and American English, which shows the importance of understanding language nuances in communication.
Step-by-step explanation:
The error made by the intern from the United Kingdom working at an American software company when she mailed a memo instead of posting it on the bulletin board is a matter of semantics. Semantics pertains to the meaning of words and phrases within a particular context or culture. In this case, the word 'post' has a different meaning in British English (to mail) compared to American English (to display on a bulletin board). This diversity in meaning led to the misunderstanding between the intern and her boss.
Communication glitches such as this highlight the importance of understanding context and cultural language differences. In professional settings, it is crucial to clarify terminology to avoid such errors. For instance, a recent college graduate in the United States might craft a résumé highlighting their experiences and educational background in a technical language that fits the job market's standards and then post this online, in this case, meaning to publish it on a job-seeking website.