Maria Grazia Guido Knihy

This book examines the cognitive and communicative processes of using English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) in cross-cultural specialized contexts, focusing on interactions between non-native speakers, such as Western experts and non-Western migrants. It posits that the primary communicative challenges arise from ELF itself, as non-native speakers transfer their native language structures and socio-cultural frameworks into their English usage. This transfer enables them to authenticate various semantic, syntactic, pragmatic, and specialized-discourse structures that may not be accessible otherwise. Consequently, the diversity of ELF varieties reflects the unique communities of non-native speakers. The ethnographic case studies are driven by key research questions: What cognitive frames and communicative strategies do Western experts employ to share their culturally-specific knowledge through their ELF varieties with non-Westerners? What power imbalances emerge when non-Westerners express their knowledge using their ELF varieties? Can a shared mode of ELF specialized communication be established for both Western experts and non-Western migrants?

Focusing on the experiences of West-African migrants and refugees, the book explores how trauma narratives are shaped by linguistic and cultural contexts during interactions with Italian professionals. It highlights the disparities in interpretation due to differing discourse conventions and cultural norms. The author advocates for a 'hybrid ELF mode' to enhance intercultural communication, addressing the complexities of trauma categorization in specialized migration scenarios. This work is particularly relevant for students and scholars in applied linguistics, discourse analysis, and migration studies.