Achieving mutual understanding between individuals and groups is one of the main objectives of human communication. Language as an important medium and facilitator of communication, however, can also constitute a major obstacle to realising understanding and, in consequence, interaction and cooperation. This dual role of language becomes particularly pertinent in cross-cultural communication in the context of migration and integration where it deserves special scholarly attention: How can the language be both a medium of understanding and a source of misunderstanding and which measures can be undertaken to facilitate communication and realize genuine understanding?

This workshop, organized by members of the Academics in Solidarity Network, will discuss the use of language in multi- and cross-cultural contexts shaped by different linguistic and cultural backgrounds of the communicating parties analyze (mis-) understandings in the context of migration and integration with the intention to identify factors that can support genuine understanding. The workshop will direct special attention to the role of “thick concepts” and diverging yet implicit (normative) assumptions and to the often overly simplistic opposition between secular and religious backgrounds of “hosts” and “migrants” in the context of migration to Europe.

More information and the program can be found here.