The "sense making" process structures humans' categorization, perceptual, and expressive processes. These "sense making" references are ultimately derived from four distinct "root metaphors": mechanism or mechanistic thinking (machine), formism or formistic thinking (similarity), organicism or organistic thinking (organic process), and contextualism or contextual thinking (ongoing act). When translated to intercultural settings, these metaphors address two questions: What functions do metaphors serve in the context of culture? and What are the implications of these metaphors to intercultural communication research? Metaphor is intricately linked to the subjective cultural system. The use of the root metaphors and the emphasis one places on them will influence one's perspective of reality and social order. Different epistemological orientations, in turn, will impact one's view of communication and culture in the context of intercultural communication research. From the machinery image of research, intercultural communication research is viewed as a purposeful, rational activity. In contrast, from the organismic imagery, such research is viewed from a goal-emergent model perspective. Knowledge structures that are produced under the mechanistic mode are usually law-like principles aiming for wide generalizability and application. Under the organismic imagery, knowledge structures attempt to present interpretive truths based on particular symbolic events and situations. The logic of such knowledge structures can be applied to particular situations within the complex fabric of local culture. (HOD)