Review: Britta Kalscheuer & Lars Allolio-Näcke (Eds.) (2008). Kulturelle Differenzen begreifen [Understanding Cultural Differences: An Interdisciplinary Perspective on the Concept of Transdifference]

Abstract

The 20 articles in this volume discuss, from different methodological and theoretical perspectives, the term "transdifference," which was introduced by Helmbrecht BREINIG and Klaus LÖSCH. This work is based on the first volume "Differenzen anders denken," which was published in 2005 and introduced the term to the scientific community. The current volume contains three sections: in the first, authors discuss transdifference with regard to other concepts in cultural studies. The second section addresses the importance of difference and differentiation for identity issues. In the final chapter, several authors and research groups present findings from fieldwork based on the concept of transdifference. Overall, the authors state that concept has great potential to assert transformation processes. Much further work on theoretical contextualization and empirical approval is needed. The volume addresses the scientific community and provides a deep insight into transcultural research but its high level of complexity mean it is only appropriate for teaching well prepared graduates. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0902107