Intercultural Communication: A Critical Introduction

by Ingrid Piller

Migration, tourism, and global media have brought different cultures and languages into contact more than ever. Intercultural Communication offers an up-to-date, critical introduction to intercultural communication from the perspective of discourse-analysis and sociolinguistics. It makes two key grounded in discourse analysis and anthropological linguistics, it treats cultural identity, difference, and similarity as discursive constructions; and centered on sociolinguistics, particularly bilingualism studies, it highlights the use of different languages and language varieties in intercultural communication. In doing so, the volume call attention to the differential prestige of languages and language varieties, along with the variety of access that speakers have to them. Case studies from around the world give the volume international appeal. Each chapter includes learning objectives, key points, exercises, and suggestions for further reading.

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2010

Reviews

[em]

quite interesting, and i really enjoyed the class that used this textbook

[Mat Davies]

This book is quite helpful as it begins by offering a simple way to think about intercultural communication whilst tackling the problems that the word 'culture' presents. I focused on the business communication part of this book but there are many topics that are explored here. The chapter about business communication was useful.

It was useful because it explained the way research has changed over the decades in three specific chunks. Another chapter which was important included exploring the ways that intercultural communication is sold. This encourages the reader to think critically and reflectively about the field which can sometimes feel sidelined.

My only critique of the book is that at particular points the author seems to view things through a Marxist lens which means that a lot of words such as capitalism and its traits such as advertising come across in a solely negative light. However, it is not suffocating and as mentioned there is enough reflection and counter points to make this an enjoyable and enriching book.

[Amal Amra-Tutuianu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book by Ingrid Piller where she tackled the essence of the linguistic and semantic shades that is possible to occur in an intercultural environment. Very simple to understand and to read with a lot of tasks at the end of each chapter. Recommended even for non-specialits.

[Dajana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant approach to a wide array of issues related to intercultural communication through the lens of social justice and White supremacy.

[Livia Terra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to Intercultural Communication aspects and concepts, full of real life examples of social and cultural issues, from a socio-linguistic approach.