Communication across accents is often treated as if it were the speaker’s responsibility alone. It is not. From the very first moment, communication is a shared responsibility. And when listeners “zone out” after a few seconds, this is rarely just about how something is said. It is about how communication is co-constructed or fails to […]
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Language, Shame, Guilt and Anxiety: When Speaking Hurts
When we make a language mistake, we may feel uncomfortable. This discomfort can be productive. It can lead to reflection, correction and even growth. But sometimes what emerges is not discomfort, it is shame. And sometimes it is anxiety or guilt. These experiences are related, but they are not the same. Language Guilt and Language […]
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Why Names Matter: Accurate Pronunciation Signals Inclusion and Respect
Practical strategies for educators, multilingual families, and policymakers to honor identity through name pronunciation.
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The Internet of the 16th Century
When we think of the internet today, we imagine a network that connect people, ideas, knowledge across the globe. In the 16th century, however, a different but equally informative network emerged in Europe: the printing press. For the first time in European history, texts could be reproduced quickly and distributed widely, connecting scholars, merchants and religious communities across borders.
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How to Handle Interruptions in Intercultural Communication
How can we handle interruptions in intercultural communications?
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