For learners to communicate efficiently in the L2, they must avoid pragmatic failure. In many cases, teachers' praxis centres on the learner's performance in the L2 or his role as a speaker, which neglects the importance of his role as interpreter of utterances. Assuming that, as hearers, learners also have a responsibility to avoid…

This study demonstrates that communication in multilingual settings demands more than the knowledge of several languages. The paper further elucidates multilingualism and multiculturalism, interactional competence, models of multilingual communicative behavior, and sources of misunderstanding in intercultural communication and presents cultureme…

Examines a cultural phenomenon of "freier," or "sucker," in Israeli society, reflecting almost diametrically opposed values of American immigrants and native Israelis. In 47 interviews with American immigrants concerning communication interactions, insight was gained into the status and posture of the immigrants in the host…

This collection of articles on intercultural communication and pragmatics includes: "Peut-on traduire la publicite? L'exemple des annonces romandes et alemaniques" ("Does Advertising Translate? The Example of Romansch and German Ads") (Marc Bonhomme, Michael Rinn); "La construction de l'image de l'autre dans l'interaction.…

A discussion of interpersonal communication examines how uncertainty is used in interaction, develops the concept of ambivalence, and considers the implications for cross-cultural interaction. Two types of ambivalence are distinguished: strategic and genuine. It is shown that ambivalence may be realized not only at the utterance level but also at…

A study investigated translation problems arising in physician-patient interviews conducted in two languages with the help of an interpreter. Subjects were four adult native speakers of Gujarati, aged 42-70, whose physician interviews were videotape-recorded and translated, and the discourse was analyzed. Patients spoke in Gujarati, and the…

Proposes an agenda for organizing and incorporating a foreign language's cultural aspects into the language curriculum and explores how faculty development, undergraduate and graduate study, and research are affected by the addition of this important element. (CB)

Argues that native English speakers who work in the Third World as academic or technical experts often face conflicts with locals because of communications difficulties arising out of differing understandings of linguistic code. It is suggested that native English speakers should undergo training in interethnic and intercultural communications…

Four first-year secondary school commercial French textbooks were analyzed for the number and type of pictorial references to diversity in race, class, and gender, with particular attention given to how French-speaking countries other than France are portrayed. It is concluded that while some of the books represented a pluralistic society better…

A study applied Relevance Theory to interpretation of texts written in Ghanaian English, particularly those intended for reading by multiple audiences. The nature of such "hybrid" texts is examined and key principles of Relevance Theory are outlined. Relevance is defined in terms of contextual effect and processing effort. Contextual…

Major common language problems arising in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet bloc are outlined, as identified in recent literature, and pressing language-related issues in specific former Soviet states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan,…

A comparative study of turn-taking in North American and Spanish conversation investigated (1) differences in styles for the two cultures and (2) any resulting misinterpretation of communicative intentions. Data for the first were drawn from two dinner parties, one with four American women, conducted in English, and one with four Spanish-speaking…

Discusses the strategies that the former Soviet states are evolving to balance the interests of dominant ethnic groups with those of linguistic minorities while constructing a national identity, highlighting language policy in action and focusing on acculturation processes and geographic mobility among groups. A case study of Estonia is also…

The research reported here seeks to explain communication failure between Whites and Aboriginals in Australia, based on an examination of fundamental concepts underlying the world view of each group. The research arose from the observation that in Aboriginal-White encounters, each group had different expectations of and conclusions about the same…

The working papers contained in this volume include the following: "Intercultural Communication and the Analysis of Conversation" (Nessa Wolfson); "Methods of Inquiry into Cultural Expression in Speech Behavior" (Ruth Benander); "'I Really Like Your Lifestyle': ESL Learners Learning How to Compliment" (Kristine…