Intercultural Contact Research Articles

Examining realised and unrealised contacts: theoretical thoughts on digital interculturality

ABSTRACT This article argues for a Digital Interculturality Studies by bringing together a variety of theories including postdigitality, platformisation, Jürgen Bolten’s concept of interculturality, agency theory and Foucaultian media archaeology. It is argued that the internet should be viewed as a postdigital patchwork of bordered platforms, in which human agents drift between digital culturality and interculturality in a type of digital cultural fuzziness. It also centres digital agentive fragments: pieces of human ‘doing’ ‘within’, ‘above’ and ‘around’ the internet, which are often embedded in systematic agency. It lastly argues that a Digital Interculturality Studies should be centred on the materiality of contacts, exclusions and also incorporate digital intercultural contacts which have not been realised or not allowed to be realised. A methodological sketch is proffered in relation to how this could be undertaken, combining a post-qualitative perspective with the philosophical area of counterfactual theories of causation.

Longitudinal examination of perceived cultural distance, psychological and sociocultural adaptation: A study of postgraduate student adaptation in Shanghai

Since the conclusion of the pandemic, scholars are prompted to reexamine the connection between perceived cultural distance and the cultural adaptation process. However, research in this realm remains limited, especially concerning the intercultural contact by students who move to new cultures for school. Employing a longitudinal design, our study explored how perceived cultural distance predict sociocultural and psychological adaptation in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing from the outcomes of a cross-lagged model involving 129 Chinese postgraduate students, we observed that perceived cultural distance at Time 2 negatively predicted sociocultural and psychological adaptation at Time 3, indicating greater perceived cultural distance with poorer sociocultural and psychological adaptation at Time 3. Remarkably, our findings supported the perceived cultural distance hypothesis, namely a time-lagged effect between perceived cultural distance and acculturation, a connection that only occurred after COVID restrictions ended. The findings carry significant implications for acculturation during the pandemic period and provide more longitudinal evidence supporting the theory of acculturation.

Barriers and facilitators to culturally sensitive care in general practice: a reflexive thematic analysis

BackgroundThis study investigated the perceived barriers and potential facilitators for culturally sensitive care among general practitioners in Flanders. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for improving healthcare quality and equity.MethodologyTwenty-one in-depth interviews were conducted with Flemish GPs. Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis was employed to develop and interpret themes that elucidate shared underlying meanings and capture the nuanced challenges and strategies related to cultural sensitivity in healthcare.ResultsTwo core themes were generated: GPs’ uncertainty and opposition. These themes manifest in emotional responses such as frustration, miscomprehension, and feelings of helplessness, influencing relational outcomes marked by patient disconnect and reduced motivation for cultural sensitivity. The barriers identified are exacerbated by resource scarcity and limited intercultural contact. Conversely, facilitators include structural elements like interpreters and individual strategies such as engagement, aimed at enhancing GPs’ confidence in culturally diverse encounters. A meta-theme of perceived lack of control underscores the challenges, particularly regarding language barriers and resource constraints, highlighting the critical role of GPs’ empowerment through enhanced intercultural communication skills.ConclusionAddressing GPs’ uncertainties and oppositions can mitigate related issues, thereby promoting comprehensive culturally sensitive care. Essential strategies include continuous education and policy reforms to dismantle structural barriers. Moreover, incentivizing culturally sensitive care through quality care financial incentives could bolster GP motivation. These insights are pivotal for stakeholders—practitioners, policymakers, and educators—committed to advancing culturally sensitive healthcare practices and, ultimately, for fostering more equitable care provision.

Leveraging critical literacy on social media interaction in acculturation

AbstractAcculturation is the process of psychological and behavioral change that individuals go through during and after intercultural contacts. Social media have become a major space for cross‐cultural encounters, and are important venues of socialization for marginalized populations. Intercultural encounters on social media may benefit or detriment the acculturation process, and how marginalized populations make sense of their social media experience is pivotal in this respect. Nonetheless, there is a scarcity of research that examines non‐dominant ethnic groups' meaning‐making of and digital literacy practices on social media and how these practices relate to acculturation. To fill this research gap, this study collected data through semi‐structured interviews with 44 non‐dominant ethnic adolescents in Hong Kong. Through the theoretical lens of critical literacy, this study revealed various facets of literacy practices in which these underrepresented adolescents engaged and found that these practices, and the lack thereof, moderated their acculturation process on and beyond social media platforms. The findings suggest that critical digital literacy on social media interaction is critical to non‐dominant ethnic groups' acculturation process.

Bridging the gulf: How migration fosters tolerance, cosmopolitanism, and support for globalization

AbstractImmigration has been shown to drive ethnocentrism and anti‐globalization attitudes in native‐born populations. Yet understanding how global integration shapes intercultural relations also necessitates clear evidence on how migration affects the attitudes of migrants. We argue that migration can foster tolerance, cosmopolitan identities, and support for international cooperation among migrants who experience sustained contact with other cultural groups. We evaluate this theory with the first randomized controlled trial resulting in overseas migration, which connected individuals in India with job opportunities in the Persian Gulf region's hospitality sector. Two years after the program began, individuals in the treatment group were significantly more accepting of ethnic, cultural, and national out‐groups. Migration also bolstered support for international cooperation and cultivated cosmopolitan identities. Qualitative and quantitative evidence links these changes to intercultural contact overseas. By focusing on migrants rather than native‐born individuals, our study illustrates how cross‐border mobility can facilitate rather than undermine global integration.

Decoding the Dynamics of Cultural Change: A Cultural Evolution Approach to the Psychology of Acculturation.

Acculturation describes the cultural and psychological changes resulting from intercultural contact. Here, we use concepts from "cultural evolution" to better understand the processes of acculturation. Cultural evolution researchers view cultural change as an evolutionary process, allowing them to borrow tools and methods from biology. Cultural evolutionary mechanisms such as conformity (copying the numerical majority), anti-conformity (copying the numerical minority), prestige bias (copying famous individuals), payoff bias (copying successful people), and vertical cultural transmission (copying your parents) can cause people to adopt elements from other cultures and/or conserve their cultural heritage. We explore how these transmission mechanisms might create distinct acculturation strategies, shaping cultural change and diversity over the long-term. This theoretical integration can pave the way for a more sophisticated understanding of the pervasive cultural shifts occurring in many ethnically diverse societies, notably by identifying conditions that empower minority-group members, often marginalized, to significantly influence the majority group and society.

Is internationalization abroad a prerequisite for university students' intercultural competence development?

PurposeThis study aims to examine how intercultural competence (IC) among university students can be enhanced through two streams of higher education internationalization: internationalization abroad and internationalization at home (IaH). By doing so, it aims to improve university students' IC through identifying which factors are more effective in fostering IC.Design/methodology/approachThe study is not solely a literature review, but rather a conceptual exploration based on a selective review of the literature. Due to the exploratory nature of this study, we employed a thematic analysis approach to reviewing English language literature while incorporating relevant Chinese literature to ensure a more balanced representation.FindingsWe found that international students’ IC is influenced by their overseas learning experiences, which are closely related to the duration of stay, language proficiency, intercultural contact, university management and teachers and administrative support. On the other hand, domestic students’ IC has been influenced by various IaH experiences primarily within their home university campus, such as foreign language learning, international curriculum, extracurricular activities, communication between domestic and international students, integrated management of international students, the use of Internet and communication technology and so forth. Although a direct and definitive comparison is lacking, some comparative analyses suggest that IaH experiences may yield better results in enhancing the IC of domestic students.Originality/valueThis article advances the understanding of IC development. We call for further research that values the importance of IaH in the increasingly uncertain globalization and delves into comparative analysis of the effects of two streams of higher education internationalization.

Discussing Social Media Using Affordance of Young Chinese Ethnic Minority Group Users

The study explores young Chinese ethnic minority group (EMG) users’ social media using affordance for engagement when they engage in intercultural contact on social media platforms. Grounded on the affordances theory, the relationships between influencing factors and using affordance have been presented in the research framework. Through interviewing fourteen EMG participants, critical findings in this paper have also been discussed in the final section, such as young Chinese EMG users who understand the original language supporting multi-language engagement, focusing on cultural content and following EMG influencers. Based on the comparison among various influencing factors, several suggestions have been provided for social media platform designers and related departments.

PEDAGOGICAL STRATEGIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF LINGUOCONFLICTOLOGICAL COMPETENCE OF LAWYERS: MODERN CHALLENGES AND REQUIREMENTS

In today's multilingual and multicultural world, where globalization and intercultural contacts are becoming more widespread, linguistic and conflict-related competencies of lawyers come to the fore as key factors for professional success and effective interaction. The study highlights the need for a deep understanding of cultural and linguistic nuances in legal practice. The main purpose of this study is to analyze modern strategies and approaches to the progress of linguistic and conflict-related competencies of lawyers. The research is based on a set of methodological approaches, including a review of relevant literature, conducting surveys among lawyers, and experiments among law students. Surveys and experiments have identified key areas for further studying the impact of intercultural communication and conflict management on the professional activities of lawyers. In particular, the effectiveness of educational programs and pieces of training aimed at developing intercultural sensitivity and intercultural communication skills was evaluated. The study confirms the importance of developing linguistic and conflict-related competencies for lawyers in the context of globalization and cultural diversity. The results of the study serve as a basis for improving educational programs and preparing lawyers for successful work, emphasizing the need to adapt cultural and linguistic competencies in professional activities.

DEVELOPMENT OF INTERLINGUAL AND INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCES IN DIGITAL AND STUDY ABROAD CONTEXTS WITH FOREIGN LANGUAGE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

This article explores the development of interlingualism and intercultural competence in foreign language learning within digital and study abroad contexts. It compares cultural contexts and the transformation of intercultural identity in a foreign-language modern world. The study examines the concept of intercultural competence, encompassing the ability to function effectively across cultures, think and act appropriately, and communicate with people from diverse backgrounds .The research involved collaboration between Polish Master's students of English, Business, and Translation, and non-language majors from the University of Houston Downtown (USA), using the TAPP online platform. The project also included ERASMUS study abroad experiences. Drawing on Interaction Hypothesis, the article highlights the significance of interaction in language acquisition. It identifies common language problems faced by non-native English speakers and native Polish students translating English essays. The study further explores the transformations in student self-identity judgments, including a rise in foreign language competence, trust, openness, self-authorship, and self-understanding. Digital challenges posed by automation and the need for adaptable language policy are addressed. The article explores the use of language corpora for clarifying synonyms and introduces digital tools like the SKETCH ENGINE KAZAKH CORPUS and Qazcorpora.kz. The research emphasizes the importance of intercultural and digital skills, including translation and localization as identity-shaping tools. It highlights the growing role of technology and individual agency in a globalized world. The article concludes by advocating for a shift from analog to digital language practices, and underscores the need for educational policy to prioritize digital skills and intercultural contacts for professionalization and employability.

Students’ Intercultural Contact and L2 Motivation: A Case of Indonesian EFL Students

Objective: The present study aims to explore the relationship between EFL students' intercultural contact through social networking sites and their L2 motivation. Method: To do so, a number of 162 university students participated in answering three sets of questionnaires. A regression analysis identified correlations between L2 motivation and intercultural engagement through social networking sites during the learning process. Results and Discussion: Instagram and YouTube were determined to be the primary sources of intercultural contact among Indonesian EFL students. The study also revealed a substantial relationship between intercultural contact, the L2 motivational self-system, and its constituents. Originality/Value: Based on the findings, this study suggests that teachers employ social networking sites as often as possible in classroom activities to engage students with meaningful learning in their target language.

Ancient Travellers, Intercultural Contact, and the Fear of Gods

Although the fear of Yhwh has been presented as an intrinsic feature of the ancient Israelite religion, the fear of God(s) is not limited to the people of Israel in the Hebrew Bible, and similar ideas of fearing deities occur in various texts produced by neighbouring cultures in the ancient eastern Mediterranean. This article investigates the prosocial role of this virtue in situations of human mobility and intercultural contact in the light of the Hebrew Bible and the Odyssey. First, I analyse those Hebrew Bible texts in which the fear of God(s) characterizes or is presented as being intelligible to non-Israelite people in situations involving movement and cultural encounter (Gen 20:11; 42:18; Exod 1:17, 21; Deut 25:18; Jon 1:9). Second, I explore the fear motif in other texts from the ancient eastern Mediterranean region and argue that biblical scholars have overlooked illuminating intertexts found in ancient Greek literature. I especially highlight the interpretative importance of the Odyssey, which frequently stresses the prosocial role of the virtue of fearing deities in the context of travel and contact with outsiders. In so doing, the Odyssey helps us see how the Hebrew Bible texts portraying the fear of God(s) as a universalistic virtue are rooted in and belong to a broader ancient Mediterranean milieu.

Urban greenspace for social integration: Which types of greenspace do new-Swedes prefer and why?

Urban greenspace (UGS) is a key public resource offering a broad range of nature-based solutions and is increasingly looked to as a potential arena to promote social integration in Europe’s increasingly multicultural urban and peri-urban areas. However, relatively little research has explored the preferences and perceptions of immigrants in relation to UGS, especially in European contexts. Without such knowledge, planners risk entrenching planning structures that inadvertently result in segregation and environmental injustice. Using survey and participatory mapping methods with 261 immigrants in eight sampled settlements across Sweden, this study explores which types of UGS foreign-born immigrants in Sweden (i.e., new-Swedes) prefer and why. We found that new-Swedes are frequent users of a wide spectrum of UGS types, with the most preferred types including forests, large parks and lakes. The majority of respondents were satisfied with the quality (73%), availability (68%) and accessibility (76%) of UGS in their hometowns. Our regression analysis identified 51 key factors that had a meaningful effect on preferences for different types of UGS. Key factors were distributed relatively evenly across blocks of predictor variables concerning characteristics of UGS, socio-demographic factors, activity preferences, and perceptions. Our results indicate that new-Swedes’ UGS preferences are broadly comparable with those of the general population in Sweden. We found little evidence to suggest that ethnocultural factors played a major role in the preferences of our respondents. Furthermore, our results suggest that nature-connectedness might be an important determinant of new-Swedes’ UGS preferences. Based on these findings, we highlight several opportunities to further develop UGS strategies to support different dimensions of social integration, e.g., using popular UGS as interactive spaces for cultural learning, as a platform for intercultural contacts and for maintaining cultural traditions, and to contribute towards a greater sense of social membership in their new country. A crucial implication of our study is that the use of UGS to support social integration may further contribute to the increasing complexity of the UGS planning and management challenge. This implies the need for a systems perspective in UGS research, policy-making, planning and management to consider UGS as part of an integrated urban social-ecological system and to coordinate measures across sectors.

Acculturation Preferences in the Asturian Educational Context: A Study on the Direct and Interactive Effects of Gender and Stereotypes at School

As a consequence of globalisation, a large number of studies have been carried out on the attitudes and preferences of acculturation of immigrants and host societies, with the aim of observing the different changes that occur in this intercultural contact. These studies have been carried out in places with a large migratory flow; however, it was considered convenient to carry out the same type of studies in regions with less migratory flow, which is why this investigation focuses on a place with a lower migratory flow, such as the Principality of Asturias. Thus, the main objective of this work is to observe whether gender contributes to the creation of different attitudes and whether this is moderating the intensity with which stereotypes participate in the formation of the acculturation preferences of native students in compulsory secondary education. The analysis of acculturation attitudes was carried out on the dimensions of “adopting” and “maintaining” separately, in order to study how these dimensions are affected by each of the variables (gender/stereotype) in different domains. The exploratory results obtained through quantitative analysis reveal that stereotypes affect the dimensions differently in each of the domains. It is also found that gender affects both dimensions, and finally, it is claimed that gender can moderate the intensity with which stereotypes are involved in the creation of acculturation attitudes in almost all domains. These results are discussed in comparison with those found in other studies with different social and cultural groups.

Перевод в переводе: стратегии передачи инокультурности (по «китайским» детективам Р. ван Гулика)

This article presents an analysis of various methods of translating foreign cultural colouring in works of fiction. An exotic culture (Chinese) is mediated by the author’s native language (British English) and then serves as an object of translation for a foreign-language target audience (Russian-speaking). Such a double ethnolinguistic barrier is overcome by translators in different ways, involving various strategies. The analysis focused on Robert van Gulik’s novels The Emperor’s Pearl and Necklace and Calabash from the English-language crime fiction series about Judge Dee, translated into Russian by Zh. Grushanskaya, I. Mansurov and O. Zavyalova with a minimal time gap. The research methodology is based on comparative and contextual analysis as well as analysis of dictionary definitions using lexicographic sources. In addition, the methods of analysis and synthesis, generalization and abstraction, classification, interpretation, and description are applied. Realia as fragments of the linguistic and conceptual worldview of mediaeval China are actively used by van Gulik to create a specific colouring of Chinese culture, exotic for Europeans. From British English into Russian, they are translated by means of various techniques reflecting different translation strategies. The multiple solutions include foreignization with explanatory translation, domestication, omission and elimination of national specifics. The translation variability revealed is determined by the individual translation style due to the levelling of other factors of translation multiplicity, since the time gap between the translations is minimal, the target audience is homogeneous, and the direction of the interlanguage and intercultural contact is one-dimensional. The identified errors in translation solutions deviating from adequacy are caused by pseudo-equivalence traps and incorrect strategies for conveying foreign cultural realia in a doubly mediated translation.

Современное учебно-методическое обеспечение образовательного процесса на занятиях по иностранному языку в условиях цифровизации общества

Introduction: The article analyzes the problem associated with the emergence of digital tools in the digital era, which has led to the emergence of a new didactic tool for teachers to organize the educational process, which has improved the quality of teaching a foreign language. The purpose of the article is to assess the possibilities and ways to improve the educational process in the digital era with the help of modern educational and methodological support, including digital tools. Materials and methods of research: methods of comparison and analysis of teaching practice. The research materials were the results of a survey of foreign language teachers with experience in using digital technologies. Research results: the prospect of using modern educational and methodological support for the educational process in the era of digitalization of society is substantiated; The content of the concepts “digital educational environment”, “digital tools”, “digital technologies” and “digital educational resources” is revealed. As a result of the diagnosis, an increase in the level of development of communication skills in students was revealed on the basis of modern educational and methodological support. Discussion and conclusion: analysis of the results of the study showed a positive impact on the development of foreign language communicative competence in students. It is proposed to actively use digital tools that open wide access to high-quality educational digital content and bring the language training of future specialists in the field of intercultural contacts to a new level of quality.

From celebration to utilisation: How linguistic diversity can reduce epistemic inequalities

Working towards reconciliation, the undoing of structural inequalities and segregation often means transforming ‘white spaces’ into less white spaces, including but not restricted to Christian communities. However, it is often overlooked that greater representation of people of colour does not automatically challenge the epistemic authority that tends to rest with white people and/or Eurocentric knowledge systems.This was the backdrop of a study carried out in a multi-‘racial’ South African congregation. The purpose was to understand how white people conceptualised and worked for reconciliation in a context they were culturally dominating. A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to generate and analyse data through ethnographic methods and relationship-based learning of isiXhosa.This article presents the problem identified – the ‘coloniality of knowledge’ in ‘reconciling’ Christian communities. To challenge it and to render theologising more relevant in the intercultural contact zone, several concrete suggestions are subsequently made. They are focussed on creating environments favourable to embracing cultural-linguistic differences and to harnessing them for increased gospel relevance and epistemic equality. The value and the cost of such transformation will be discussed in the end with reference to the South African context.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: Seeking relationships on the terms of the ‘other’ enables more profound ways of sharing different experiences of the gospel. This approach of decolonising theology can increase cultural and epistemic justice with implications for practical and systematic theology, mission and reconciliation studies, and research in general in cross-cultural settings.

Cultural orientation, social support, and discrimination in regard to adjustment among foreign workers in Denmark

With contemporary acceleration of globalization, both majority and minority groups are experiencing increased intercultural contact. Globalization has motivated an expanding number of foreign workers, who are psychologically and socioculturally adjusting to new cultural contexts. Such adjustment, which represents a component of acculturation, centers on heritage cultural maintenance and destination cultural acquisition. During acculturation, foreign workers’ cultural orientation is modified through interaction with others and through the extent to which one feels included and supported within the local and national contexts of reception. In the present study, experiences of social support and discrimination were examined as mediating the associations of cultural orientation with both psychological and sociocultural adjustment difficulties among foreign workers in Denmark (N = 259). Results indicate that heritage cultural orientation was positively, and Danish cultural orientation negatively, associated with sociocultural difficulties. Furthermore, perceived discrimination was positively associated with perceived stress and with sociocultural difficulties. Danish cultural orientation was indirectly linked with lower levels of stress and sociocultural difficulties through social support from friends. The present study contributes to our understanding of the dynamic and complex interplay among individual and contextual factors shaping foreign workers’ intercultural adjustment. Results highlight how interpersonal conditions, in the form of social support and discrimination, can affect psychosocial adjustment and, consequently, the retention of foreign workers within a given country.

Exploring University Students’ Intercultural Contact within the Framework of the Sino-German Joint Study Program

Exploring University Students’ Intercultural Contact within the Framework of the Sino-German Joint Study Program

Оружие ближнего боя народов Северо-Западной Сибири периода средневековья как историко-культурное явление

: the article considers the various aspects of the armory tradition of the Ob Ugrians and Samoyeds of the XVI–XV centuries, reflected in folklore and historical sources: the composition of close-quarter weapon, its tactical and technical characteristics; complex of weapons as the social status of a warrior; symbolic role of individual types of weapons. The lexical parallels in the names of weapons and metals used for their manufacture are especially notable. This indicates active intercultural contacts between the peoples of the taiga Ob-Irtysh region with the Ural and Turkic tribes, which were both peaceful and conflicting in nature. Objective: to identify the originality of armory representation in Ob-Ugric and Samoyed folklore in the aspect of intercultural interaction. 150 Вестник угроведения. Т. 14. № 1 (56). 2024. Research materials: folklore collections, reference books, oral reports of informants, handwritten materials by P. E. Sheshkin. Results and novelty of the research: on the materials of Ob-Ugric and Samoyedic folklore, close-quarter weapon are correlated with historical realities, and the ways of their penetration into the folklore tradition are determined. 13 weapons are considered and systematized into 5 groups: cutting and thrusting, cutting, taper-cutting, thrusting, and impacting weapons. The involved military vocabulary of the Turkic languages testifies to the active contacts of the Ob Ugrians with their southern neighbors – the tribes of the Indo-Iranian and Iranian worlds (in particular, the names of metals). The conclusion is formulated that the southern influence left a noticeable mark on the armory culture of the Ob Ugrians and Samoyeds, but at the same time, the weapons of the taiga people are not without local originality. The novelty of the study lies in the fact that for the first time the weapons of medieval warriors are comprehended comprehensively in a regional-ethnic aspect with the involvement of folklore and historical sources, as well as linguistic data as a reflection of intercultural contacts. Unpublished materials from the handwritten heritage of P. E. Sheshkin related to early epochs (according to his periodization), where weapons combine the functions of universal hunting and combat equipment, have been introduced into scientific circulation.