Articles
-
National language planning, why (not)?
Abstract: This paper will focus on national political views on the appropriateness of language planning in relation to respectively the status, the corpus and the acquisition of various languages. In the light of concrete `language policy events' and the debates - parliamentary, in the media and in academic discourse - in relation to these, the aim of the paper is to discuss which domains within language matters are considered objects of national... [...] Read more
From fever to flu: the rhetoric of reporting Asia in a Swedish business magazine
Abstract: Stereotypes are generally considered to be the opposite of good information, which of course should be accurate and have some degree of complexity. At their worst stereotypes spread prejudice, at the best they may contain a 'kernel of truth'. However, as globalization moves on the demand for simplified understanding of complex, large-scale phenomena grows. In our article an analysis of some aspects of east-west image making is offered showing... [...] Read more
The development of communicative abilities within small group contexts: a cross cultural perspective
Abstract: As higher education institutions throughout Europe continually search for innovative approaches to teaching and learning, not least as they seek to maximise increasingly scarce resources, students are likely to be encouraged, even obliged, to take more responsibility for their own learning. This will be manifested through such activities as the negotiation of learning experiences with their tutors, completion of projects through collaborative... [...] Read more
Finns in interaction with non-finns: problematic phenomena perceived as critical incidents
Abstract: This study focuses on Finns' perceptions of problematic phenomena in their communication with non-Finns. The aim of the study is to examine intercultural face-to-face encounters experienced as critical incidents by the respondents. Critical incidents are communicative events which have been experienced as embarrassing, irritating, funny, strange etc. and which are therefore remembered vividly. People are often not aware of "the obvious"... [...] Read more
Managing cultural diversity within higher education: a South African perspective
Abstract: The first democratic elections in the history of South Africa have taken place, the Government of National Unity has been installed, and as the country at last starts moving towards establishing a non-racial society based on a constitution that embodies equal rights for every person, the need to establish an equitable and effective higher education system becomes a top priority. Redressing historical imbalances relating to staff... [...] Read more
Visual Communication across Cultures
A study of visual semiotics in Japanese and British advertiments
Abstract: In this paper, I question the notion that "The Visual" is a culturally transparent means of communication (Neurath, 1937, 1948). I will be demonstrating how different cultures (Japanese and British) use the resources of visual communication, in ways that are related to their specific underlying value systems. In order to show this I draw on advertisements from both countries and use the visual grammar developed by Kress and van Leeuwen (1990,... [...] Read more
Business Writing in Mainland China: A Look at the Development of Sales Genres
Abstract: This paper sets out to examine the development of Chinese sales genres in relation to the changing social context. An approach embracing both social context and communicative purposes (Swales, 1990) is proposed and used in this paper. Fundamental changes have taken place in Chinese business context since the economic opening-up in 1978. In response to these changes, sales letters have emerged to meet the communicative needs of business. An... [...] Read more