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10 - Sociological Approaches to Intercultural Communication

Exploring the ‘Silent Zones’

from Part II - Theoretical Approaches

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 February 2020

By
Uttaran Dutta  and
Judith N. Martin
Edited by
Guido Rings  and
Sebastian Rasinger
Guido Rings
Affiliation:
Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge
Sebastian Rasinger
Affiliation:
Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge
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Summary

Uttaran Dutta and Judith N. Martin’s chapter identifies influential sociological concepts and methods across various paradigmatic approaches, including the influential concept of Simmel’s ‘stranger’ as well as the contributions of European critical sociologists (e.g. Habermas, Foucault). In particular, this chapter is a plea for more attention to the ‘silent zones’ in intercultural communication research – the geographical and conceptual gaps in current scholarship. It identifies historically under-researched topics (e.g., hidden/forbidden cultural practices, posthumanism) and addresses issues of socioeconomic and structural disparities particularly in the ‘silent zones’ of the Global South region. The aim is to incorporate community authorship, alternate wisdoms and, ultimately, facilitate meaningful societal changes towards plurality, sustainability and the ecology of culture and languages.

Keywords

intercultural communicationsilent zonescritical sociologycultural practicesposthumanism
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Intercultural Communication , pp. 170 - 186
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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