MULTILINGUALISM AND IMAGES OF THE OTHER: FROM CONFLICT BETWEEN NATIONS TO DIALOGUE OF CIVILIZATIONS
MULTILINGUALISM AND IMAGES OF THE OTHER: FROM CONFLICT BETWEEN NATIONS TO DIALOGUE OF CIVILIZATIONS

Summary/Abstract: In this era of war of words, multiple language acquisition and cultural awareness can be tools to end misunderstanding and conflicts between civilizations. Language barriers lead to poor communication, and establishing a multilingual society can eradicate misunderstanding stemming from lack of proficiency in one another’s languages and ways of thinking. This study investigates in detail the benefits of multilingualism for civilizational dialogue, and focuses on the importance of utilizing mass media to foster such communication. It addresses the relationship between multilingualism and constructive dialogue, proving that multilingualism is not a “problem” to be “solved.” Some historical and contemporary examples of the importance of language in civilizational dialogue have been introduced to prove the positive effects of multilingualism. These examples show how mastering more languages might have a positive impact on societies. Also, a total of 159 participants speaking more than one language were administered a questionnaire. The majority of participants agreed that multilingualism promotes civilizational dialogue more than monolingualism does. They agreed that political and religious clashes stem from cultural differences in the understanding of some words.

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