Research on Non-verbal Graphic Symbol Communication of Cross-Border e-Commerce

Promoting e-commerce in Southeast Asia and South Asia has language barriers. There are many languages in the region that have a very limited number of speakers. And not many ordinary people use English for their communication purposes. Online translation software does not include such languages like Burmese and Laos. Therefore, it is necessary to explore alternative methods for instant network communication. This paper explores the use of non-verbal graphic symbols for instant communication in the cross-border e-commerce context by borrowing theories and methods from linguistics, psychology, semiotics, graphic design and computer science to enrich this approach.

This paper designed and implemented three experiments: (1) the cognitive effect of non-verbal symbols and network graphical symbols experiment, (2) the cognitive efficiency experiment of non-verbal graphic symbols and a global language such as English and (3) a simulated communication experiment using graphical symbols. Experimental results show that designed non-verbal graphical symbols are recognizable can be used as media for simple communication purposes in e-commerce after some training.

This study has the potential to contribute to cross-border e-commerce by less educated groups of small regional language speakers. It may also contribute to special purpose communications as well as providing an embodiment of the need to use graphic expressions.