Annerledeslandet

Abstract

Leaming a foreign language implies far more than the acquisition of grammatical structures and a new vocabulary. Above all it means to master a whole range of language skills in a cultural context. Understanding ·the other culture' will therefore be essential in the process of a intercultural communication.The concept of 'culture· should be based on a relativistic attitude involving the description of"the complete way of life of a people" - its inherited ideas and values. An ethnocentric attitude, however, involves the evaluation of 'the others' according to one 's own values and leads to intolerance, lack of respect for ' the others', ultimately leading to xenophobia and racism.