Interculturele Communicatie

Intercultural communication is a fast growing interdisciplinary research field. Its interdisciplinary character leads to four types of linguistic analysis which build on each other: 1. contrastive analysis, 2. interlanguage analysis, 3. interaction analysis, 4. transfer analysis. In this article, Master theses using these types of analyses (except the interlanguage analysis) are presented in relation to each other. The studies are mosdy explorative because there are few methods, concepts that are readily applicable in this relatively new field. However, the studies show the relevance of each of the methods of analysis. The contrast of analysis supplies insights necessary for an interaction analysis, since the latter detects the effects of cultural differences in ongoing discourse. Moreover, the interaction analysis investigates structures that can not be traced back to the cultures in contact and result from the contact itself. The results of both contrast and interaction analysis are necessary to study how aspects of intercultural competence can be taught and learned, which the focus of transfer analysis is.