CULTURE IN LANGUAGES – MULTIPLICITY OF INTERPRETATIONS
CULTURE IN LANGUAGES – MULTIPLICITY OF INTERPRETATIONS

Summary/Abstract: The values of civilisation, the spirit of umanism and general human norms in Europe and beyond arepart of the efforts aimed at a harmonious coexistence of languages, cultures and nations. Various social institutionsrequire a means of common communication, seen as a shared understanding of a common goal that is themanifestation of common interests. On the other hand, any language is culturally rich in the sense that it containslinguaculture (Agar, 1994; Risager, 2008) or ‘culture in language’. Language communication is not only aboutmastering the language code and the respective culture, but it is also about applying the contents and its meaning,as well as the relationships between speakers which manifest the confrontation of their cultures and languages(Čok, 2008). By acquiring relevant linguistic and intercultural skills and competencies, individuals as well as socialgroups will be able to establish communication links needed for efficient cooperation. Cooperation and theexchange of knowledge and experiences, the mobility of people and ideas are the key factors in promotingknowledge, achievements and creative innovations. The new approaches in teaching and learning languages aredesigned to produce a plurilingual communicator, the intelligent listener and the intercultural mediator. AEuropean strategy for cross-cultural and plurilingual education must be rethought and presented for debate. Asrelations between the state, society and culture change, the interface between social and political contexts requiresnew management procedures. Broader cultural capabilities are required for politicians, civil servants and armyleaders. They have to be able to adapt successfully to any cultural setting. Meeting this capability, the developmentof culture-general knowledge and skills as a necessary complement to language skills and regional knowledge arerequired.

• Details
• Contents