Cultural Phenomena Seen from the Perspective of Language Issues (Globalisation, Multiculturalism, Interculturalism and Transculturalism): Preliminary Reflections for Cultural Studies

Abstract

In the wake of developing methods of cultural research, the language of cultural studies is undergoing evolution and enrichment as well. This phenomenon obviously applies to all evolving academic fields, but in the area of the humanities a particular impact, consisting of the (sometimes deliberate) creation of successive cultural spaces, is manifested. For example, the introduction of a new concept may result in the initiation of a trend in the description and categorisation of reality. This is what happened, for example, with the concept, now very fashionable, of gender, which refers to cultural phenomena (which does not necessarily mean, however, that it has a particular referent) that sometimes must be created (interpreted) anew. In other words, these phenomena do not simply exist, but rather are inferred from observations (literally: they would not exist without suitable interpretation). These are followed by further activities, such as the construction of a new axiology and ethics, a new philosophy of the individual (describing him or her in terms of so-called cultural gender), and, in the case of strong sociopolitical trends and activities, modification of law as well. These trends do not usually derive from the work of academics, but from political tendencies. This modest example demonstrates the creative power of concepts in disciplines such as sociology and cultural studies.