The lingua-interactional phenomenon of Languaging in tourism

This article aims to examine the lingua-interactional phenomenon of languaging in tourism. Languaging refers to the dynamic process of language use and its interaction with social, cultural, and cognitive contexts. In tourism, the use of multiple languages and the negotiation of meaning between tourists and local people shape the communication process. This article explores the dimensions of languaging in tourism, including multilingualism, interactional practices, and power dynamics. Using ethnographic data from tourism contexts, this article demonstrates how languaging can enhance intercultural communication and foster social relationships. However, it also highlights the potential for language-based discrimination and power imbalance in tourism interactions. This article concludes by discussing the implications of languaging for tourism management and suggests the need for a nuanced approach to language use in tourism.

Keywords: languaging, multilingualism, interactional practices, negotiation of meaning, linguistic imperialism, tourism management.

Introduction:

Tourism is a global industry that generates significant economic, social, and cultural impacts. According to the World Tourism Organization (2021), international tourist arrivals reached 1.1 billion in 2019, and the industry accounted for 10.4 % of global GDP. Tourism involves the interaction between tourists and local people in different cultural and linguistic contexts. The use of multiple languages and the negotiation of meaning are fundamental to the communication process in tourism. This article aims to explore the lingua-interactional phenomenon of languaging in tourism, focusing on its dimensions, dynamics, and implications.

Languaging refers to the dynamic process of language use and its interaction with social, cultural, and cognitive contexts. In tourism, languaging involves the use of multiple languages and the negotiation of meaning between tourists and local people. Languaging can be conceptualized in three dimensions: linguistic, social, and cognitive (Jorgensen, Karrebæk, & Madsen, 2015).

Languaging in tourism involves the use of multiple languages, including the tourists' native language, the local language, and lingua franca. Lingua franca is a common language used by people who do not share a mother tongue. English is widely used as a lingua franca in tourism contexts (Heller, 2010). The use of multiple languages in tourism requires language switching, translation, and negotiation of meaning.

Languaging in tourism is a social practice that involves the negotiation of identity, power, and social relationships. Tourists and local people may have different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, leading to social distance or misunderstanding. Languaging can be used to bridge social distance and establish social relationships. For example, using local greetings or learning some basic phrases in the local language can signal respect and interest in the local culture.

Languaging in tourism is a cognitive process that involves the use of language to make sense of the world and to communicate with others. Tourists and local people may have different cognitive styles and schemas that affect their understanding and interpretation of linguistic and cultural cues. Languaging can facilitate cognitive flexibility and cross-cultural understanding.

Interactional practices in languaging:

Languaging in tourism involves various interactional practices that shape the communication process. These practices include code-switching, translation, negotiation of meaning, and accommodation.

Translation: Translation refers to the process of rendering the meaning of a text or speech from one language to another. Translation can facilitate communication between tourists and local people, especially when they do not share a common language. However, translation may also distort the original meaning or cultural context.

Negotiation of meaning refers to the process of clarifying and establishing shared understanding between speakers in a conversation. In tourism, negotiation of meaning is crucial due to the diversity of languages and cultural backgrounds involved. Tourists and local people may have different expectations and assumptions about the communication process, leading to misunderstandings or misinterpretations. Negotiation of meaning can involve clarification requests, repetition, paraphrasing, or non-verbal cues.

Accommodation refers to the process of adjusting one's language or communication style to match that of the interlocutor. Accommodation can signal respect, solidarity, or social distance. In tourism, accommodation can involve adapting to the local language, accent, or communication style to establish a rapport with local people.

Languaging in tourism is not only shaped by linguistic and interactional practices but also by power dynamics. Power refers to the ability to influence or control others, and it can manifest in various forms in tourism interactions.

Linguistic imperialism: Linguistic imperialism refers to the dominance of a particular language or language variety over others, leading to the marginalization or suppression of minority languages or cultures. In tourism, linguistic imperialism can be observed in the privileging of English or other dominant languages over local languages, leading to a loss of linguistic and cultural diversity.

Tourist gaze refers to the way in which tourists perceive and construct the local culture and people in tourism contexts. Tourist gaze can involve stereotyping, exoticizing, or objectifying local people and their culture, leading to power imbalance and cultural appropriation.

Local agency refers to the ability of local people to resist or negotiate the dominant discourse or power relations in tourism. Local agency can involve the use of the local language, cultural practices, or tourism entrepreneurship to assert their identity and control over tourism development.

The phenomenon of languaging has important implications for tourism management. Firstly, tourism managers need to acknowledge the linguistic and cultural diversity of their destinations and develop language and cultural training programs for tourism stakeholders. Secondly, tourism managers need to adopt a critical perspective on the power dynamics in tourism interactions and promote language and cultural sensitivity among tourists and local people. Thirdly, tourism managers need to support local agency and participation in tourism development and empower local communities to shape their own tourism narratives and practices.

Conclusion:

This article has examined the lingua-interactional phenomenon of languaging in tourism. Languaging involves the dynamic process of language use and its interaction with social, cultural, and cognitive contexts. In tourism, the use of multiple languages and the negotiation of meaning shape the communication process. Languaging has dimensions of linguistic, social, and cognitive, and involves various interactional practices and power dynamics. Languaging can enhance intercultural communication and foster social relationships in tourism, but it also has the potential for language-based discrimination and power imbalance. Tourism managers need to adopt a nuanced approach to language use in tourism and promote language and cultural sensitivity among stakeholders to ensure sustainable and responsible tourism development.

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