A realistic view of the past should provide a critical understanding of the present, in which discourse producers (including translators and interpreters) must be seen in their socio-political, cultural context. Communication is often hindered by linguistic, cultural, or behavioral differences in the interaction between service providers and service seekers. While there is an extensive literature (sociology, psychology) on different types of discrimination, classified either by its cause (sex, gender, religion), its context (workplace discrimination, border areas), or its consequences (stress, self-stigma, distress), narratives of discrimination seem to be less explored. This volume aims to provide an updated overview of the many facets of intercultural communication and its realities. It emphasizes narratives of otherness and their (conscious or unconscious) presence in policies, social or professional relations, and positive discrimination as a corrective.
