Final answer:
Samovar and Porter suggest that language, values and beliefs, and norms are the three most influential cultural elements in cross-cultural communication, essential for navigating the complexities of interactions between different cultures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Samovar and Porter identify three cultural elements that significantly impact cross-cultural communication: language, values and beliefs, and norms. Language is a powerful tool that not only enables communication but also defines a culture's worldview. Cultural values and beliefs are central to shaping behaviors and interactions within a society. Norms consist of the expectations by which a society governs behavior, including laws, mores, and folkways. In cross-cultural communication, understanding these elements is essential in appreciating the differences and commonalities between cultures.
Cultures also include elements like symbols, practices, and artifacts that contribute to the identity of a society. Observing these cultural elements can lead to greater empathy and effective interaction in a globalized world, where communication across cultural barriers is increasingly common. It's important to practice cultural relativism—evaluating other cultures based on their own standards and context—rather than imposing one's own cultural standards (ethnocentrism) or assuming another culture is superior (xenocentrism).