Coadaptation of linguistic personalities in intercultural communication

Introduction. A wide range of cultural contacts motivates an insight into the linguistic behaviour of individuals affiliated with different cultures in multicultural and multilingual environment. In such an environment linguistic personalities need to adapt their cultural and linguistic patterns to the parameters of cooperative interaction. In this perspective it is important to expose the instruments of managing cultural and linguistic diversity. The article focuses on coadaptive processes that trigger cognitive, semantic, and pragmatic transformations in negotiations of cultural concepts and pragmatic principles. The study adopts the view of coadaptation as a complex phenomenon created by various factors and mechanisms. Methods. The methodology of the study is based on findings in cognitive linguistics, linguistic axiology and linguistic pragmatics. The interdisciplinary approach is congruent to the complex nature of coadaptation and reveals the interaction of cognitive and pragmatic mechanisms in cooperative communication of linguistic personalities. Results. The proposed model distinguishes five lines of coadaptation within the framework of cooperative communication: 1) creating pragmatic context based on attractiveness, tolerance and solidarity; 2) contrasting culturally motivated cognitive models and pragmatic principles; 3) cognitive modelling of cooperative interaction; 4) externalizing cognitive patterns (on the part of the addresser); 5) internalizing cognitive patterns (on the part of the addressee). Coadaptive efforts of linguistic personalities are integrated into the strategic perspective POLITENESS > SOLIDARITY > TRUST. Conclusions. The aim of this study was to develop a theoretical framework for investigating coadaptive activities of linguistic personalities in intercultural communication. The study adds to current research on coadaptation as a complex phenomenon created by cognitive patterns, verbal codes and pragmatic principles. The proposed model of coadaptive processes integrated into the strategic perspective contributes to the study of the linguistic behaviour of individuals in multicultural and multilingual environment by modelling the lines of coadaptation and strategic destination of cooperative communication.