Abstract

This paper argues that research in intercultural communication should be taken into account when we want to define what language is, what its nature is like, and how it functions. Standard linguistic and pragmatic theories based on L1 analysis assume that language use depends on there being commonalities, conventions, standards and norms between language users. These conventions of language and conventions of usage create a core common ground on which intention and cooperation-based communication is built. When, however, this core common ground is limited as is the case in intercultural communication interlocutors cannot take them for granted, there is reason to take up the question of how people go about formulating utterances and interpreting them when they have limited access to those conventions and frames, and in a sense, they are expected to create, co-construct them (at least a part of them) in the communicative process. The paper examines three important aspects of this issue: (1) definition of language, (2) changing role of context, and (3) a modified understanding of linguistic creativity.