This is a detailed study of understanding in a second language, related to the actual lives of minority workers. The focus is on everyday interactions between these workers and the bureaucrats of the society in which they are now resident. It provides an important contribution to the debate about the function of language as a social practice, adding a new perspective to the psycholinguistic and experimental paradigms, currently existing in second language acquisition research.

About the Author
Katharina Bremer, Celia Roberts, Marie-Therese Vasseur, Margaret Simnot, Peter Broder

Reviews
"This is another outstanding text in Longman's Language in Social Life Series. It should be purchased and read at the earliest possible opportunity."

International Journal of Bilingualism

"Anyone interested in setting up a research project on cultural pragmatics...will find everything they have ever wanted to know in Achieving Understanding. This is a substantial volume...because of the breadth and length of the study."

ELT Journal

"A well-conceived research design, an interesting perspective, and a data-driven approach make 'Achieving Understanding' a thorough exploration of its topics. It will certainly be of interest to researchers in intercultural communication, critical linguistics, and second language acquisition, but specialists in (mis)understanding will find it indispensable....the authors are to be commended for providing not only a well-crafted design, but also a theory that has enormous heuristic potential."

Discourse and Society



Book Information
ISBN 9780582086449
Author Katharina Bremer
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Longman
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 233g
Dimensions(mm) 214mm * 138mm * 10mm