Basic Terms

INTERCULTURAL: Concerning interactions of members of two different cultures.

INTERCULTURAL WORK: To assist target subjects – the participants of the situation at hand – in establishing an effective (intercultural) communication and adequately addressing actual problems. To help the subject in a weaker position to fully integrate into social networks within their environment and in the framework of the given situation.

COMMUNITY INTERPRETING: Interpreting which emphasizes the effectiveness of mutual understanding of the two parties from different socio-cultural backgrounds.

INTERCULTURAL ASSISTANCE: Intercultural work carried out in the framework of communication assistance between the client and another subject (authorities, experts, etc.). The assistant may interpret, consult, and assist in the implementation of the case, but the responsibility for decision-making in the given situation rests on the parties to which the intercultural worker assists.

INTERCULTURAL MEDIATION: In a broader sense, it means mediating communication between parties from different cultures. In a narrow sense, it is a method of out-of-court dispute resolution – mediation – managed professionally by a mediator among parties from different cultures.

INTERCULTURAL FACILITATION: A discussion or negotiations among more than two parties – group work – managed professionally by a facilitator among parties from different cultures.

INTERCULTURAL ANALYSIS: An analysis and a determination of the real impact of cultural factors on the situation or problem in question that shows how an intercultural worker can use his or her expertise in addressing them and where an intervention of other experts is needed.

COMMUNITY INTERCULTURAL WORK: A comprehensive solution of a situation and problems where it is necessary to involve several methods and tools of intercultural work – not only the mediation, interpretation itself etc.