Co-constructing emergent common ground: The role of the intercultural mediator

Abstract

This research addresses the question of how multilingual interactants interpret and use figurative (or non-literal) language (i.e., formulaic, idiomatic, and metaphoric expressions) in intercultural interactions. Drawing on the socio-cognitive approach to pragmatics (Kecskés 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014), and focusing on the co-construction of Common Ground (CG), the analysis seeks to explore and explain the reasons underlying misunderstandings, communication breakdowns, and pragmatic missteps among interlocutors when dealing with nonliteral language in intercultural spoken interactions. The datasets come from transcribed conversational exchanges that took place between native (NS) and non-native speakers (NNS), with different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, who were using Spanish as their language in common, or as a lingua franca (SLF). I analyze and characterize the role of the Intercultural Mediator (IM), in transient multiparty, intercultural encounters, and reconceptualize this figure as that interlocutor who contributes to establishing a match between the interactants’ private/prior context, and the actual situational context. In doing so, the IM actively, and positively, contributes to the dynamic co-construction of meaning (Kecskés 2008), and the creation of emergent common ground (Kecskés 2014). The IM brings to light correlations between indicators of awareness of potential misunderstandings and figurative language processing. The findings also provide insight into pedagogic interventions for enhancing pragmatic awareness, intercultural social skills, and figurative language use in language learning.