Project R-2082

INTERcCOM: Intercultural Communication in the Euregio Maas-Rhine (Research)

The Meuse-Rhine Euregio is part of a unique reality: 3 European languages are being used as a local language within relatively short distance.Furthermore, no less than 5 different cultures exist alongside each other. Apart from these native languages the EMR is also testimony to a broad demographic diversity. Population prognoses up until 2050 point out a new intake of Turkish, Moroccans and Polish in particular. The BAMA-structure simulates a geographical mobility in higher education. Studying or taking up an extra educational program abroad and seeking employment in a different country or region are after all enriching in several ways. Even at present we can state that an increasing number of Central European students come to the EMR to study at a college or university. This linguistic and cultural diversity of the Meuse-Rhine Euregio can be a real asset, economic or other. Nevertheless youngsters, mostly native, often have a negative perception of their knowledge of the two other regional languages. Another difficulty they might encounter: even if they master a foreign language up to a certain level, they often struggle with interference and other subconsciously recurrent mistakes. The linguistic false friends stand out most and often lead to embarrassing miscommunication. Day-to-day reality shows us that misunderstandings that can be attributed to cultural differences between the regions are legion. Even worse, negative stereotypes demotivate us to undertake something together.

01 October 2009 - 30 September 2012