On Cultures and Interactions : Theorising the Complexity of Intercultural Encounters

International audienceThis chapter echoes the need expressed by scholars to develop a new model for examining intercultural interactions, in order to distinguish cross-cultural and intercultural approaches. Arguing that nation-centric studies have difficulty accounting for the complexity of communication processes taking place between foreigners, the author suggests that communication science and a “semiopragmatics” approach to interpersonal interactions can be used to reconceptualise the relationship between cultures, identities and communication, taking into account the mediating role of the contextual factors specific to the encounter itself. The chapter thus aims to lay down the foundations of a much-needed theoretical framework for “culture-interaction” research, enriching the ‘post-Hofstede’ debate by focusing on the complexity inherent in interactions themselves, uncovering and seeking to understand the communication processes which characterise such encounters