Pragma-semantic Analysis for Researching Intercultural Communication

Authors

  • Arne Weidemann Technische Universität Chemnitz

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17169/fqs-10.1.1228

Keywords:

cultural psychology, symbolic action theory, horizons of comparison, relational hermeneutics, space of possibility, pragma-semantic web, interaction with beggars, tourism, India

Abstract

Based on Ernst E. BOESCH's symbolic action theory (1991), the concept of relational hermeneutics (STRAUB & SHIMADA, 1999; STRAUB, 2006) and within the framework of grounded theory methodology (GLASER & STRAUSS, 1967; STRAUSS & CORBIN, 1990) this paper presents an integrative approach to the analysis of complex (inter)cultural action and meaning relations. The objective of pragma-semantic analysis is the identification, differentiation and contextualization of phenomena by analyzing performed as well as potentially possible actions and objectivations. Pragma-semantic analysis tries to reveal from which sources resp. pools of symbols individually as well as collectively available denotative and connotative aspects of actions derived. Further it can be utilized to show how these meanings come to bear in interactions that—through the analysis—have to be identified as intercultural in the first place. Using the empirical example of a German tourist's narrative of her interaction with beggars in India, the paper will outline the approach and show to what extent the pragma-semantic web also allows conclusions on action-possiblities and potential meanings with regard to specific (inter)actions, that is to determine the subjective as well as objective space of possibility. Furthermore, the implications of this approach are discussed with regard to research on intercultural communication as well as the research practice itself. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0901373

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Author Biography

Arne Weidemann, Technische Universität Chemnitz

Dipl.-Psych. Arne WEIDEMANN ist wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter der Professur für Interkulturelle Kommunikation an der TU Chemnitz und Mitherausgeber des "Handbuchs interkulturelle Kommunikation und Kompetenz" (Metzler 2007). Forschungsschwerpunkte sind Kulturpsychologie, Symbolic Action Theory (Ernst E. BOESCH), Methodologie und Methoden qualitativer Sozialforschung, Repräsentation des Fremden, Tourismus; regionale Schwerpunkte: Indien, Taiwan.

Published

2009-01-28

How to Cite

Weidemann, A. (2009). Pragma-semantic Analysis for Researching Intercultural Communication. Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.17169/fqs-10.1.1228

Issue

Section

Application, Innovation, Reflection and Training of Qualitative Methods